ABSTRACT
We determined the prevalence and risk factors for 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA, "ecstasy") use among college students in Astara, a northern border city of Iran. In a cross-sectional questionnaire survey of 1226 students, the lifetime prevalence of ecstasy use was 5.6%. The lifetime prevalence of use of other drugs, mostly cannabis and opium, was 4.6%. A fifth of students (21.8%) were current cigarette smokers and 24.8% had ever used alcohol. After logistic regression, the factors influencing ever use of ecstasy were ever use of other drugs, ever use of alcohol, current cigarette smoking and living alone or with friends. Targeted prevention programmes should be conducted in all colleges.
Subject(s)
N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine , Students/statistics & numerical data , Substance-Related Disorders/epidemiology , Universities , Adult , Alcohol Drinking/epidemiology , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Friends , Health Surveys , Humans , Iran/epidemiology , Logistic Models , Male , Parents/education , Prevalence , Residence Characteristics , Risk Factors , Smoking/epidemiology , Students/psychology , Substance-Related Disorders/etiology , Substance-Related Disorders/psychology , Surveys and Questionnaires , Urban Health/statistics & numerical dataABSTRACT
We determined the prevalence and risk factors for 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine [MDMA, "ecstasy"] use among college students in Astara, a northern border city of Iran. In a cross-sectional questionnaire survey of 1226 students, the lifetime prevalence of ecstasy use was 5.6%. The lifetime prevalence of use of other drugs, mostly cannabis and opium, was 4.6%. A fifth of students [21.8%] were current cigarette smokers and 24.8% had ever used alcohol. After logistic regression, the factors influencing ever use of ecstasy were ever use of other drugs, ever use of alcohol, current cigarette smoking and living alone or with friends. Targeted prevention programmes should be conducted in all colleges
Subject(s)
Prevalence , Risk Factors , Cross-Sectional Studies , Surveys and Questionnaires , Students , Parents , Educational Status , N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamineABSTRACT
This was a cross- sectional prevalence study to determine the prevalence of hepatitis C virus [HCV] and high- risk behaviours in drug abusers admitted to prison in Guilan province, northern Islamic Republic of Iran. Subjects were asked about risk behaviours for acquiring HCV and blood was drawn for HCV antibody testing using ELISA techniques. Of 460 inmates, the mean duration of drug use was 8.9 years; 51.7% were opium users and 18.3% heroin users. HCV risk behaviours were in this population and 209 inmates [45.4%] were HCV antibody positive [88.9% of intravenous common drug abusers]. HCV- positive status was significantly associated with intravenous drug use, having skin tattoos and number of times in prison
