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Iranian Journal of Pediatrics
Tehran University of Medical Sciences Press
ISSN: 1018-4406 EISSN: 1018-4406
Vol. 19, No. 4, 2009, pp. 399-403
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Bioline Code: pe09048
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
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Iranian Journal of Pediatrics, Vol. 19, No. 4, 2009, pp. 399-403
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Analysis of Substance Abuse in Male Adolescents
Ahmad, Anees; Khalique, Najam & Khan, Zulfia
Abstract
Objective:
Substance abuse in adolescents may also be a marker to other harmful life styles. This study aims to find out the prevalence, pattern and sociodemographic risk factors of substance abuse in male adolescents.
Methods:
This study examined 390 male school children aged 10-19 yrs in the rural and urban areas of district Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, India. Data was analyzed by SPSS -10.
Findings:
Substance abuse was prevalent in 13.3% of adolescents of whom 96.1% were using various forms of tobacco and 3.8% were taking alcohol. While there was statistically significant association between the substance abuse and the age group of adolescents and size of their families, variables such as religion, socioeconomic status, place of residence were not associated with substance use. Most of the students reported initiation of substance use at 14 yrs of age due to peer pressure.
Conclusion:
Peer educators would be a useful strategy for communication with adolescents to counter peer pressure. The prevention and control measures should be started at primary education level.
Keywords
Substance Abuse; School students; Adolescents; Tobacco; Alcohol
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© © 2009 by Center of Excellence for Pediatrics, Children’s Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences,All rights reserved. Alternative site location: http://diglib.tums.ac.ir/pub/
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