Abstract

PAULONE, Irene  and  CANDIOTI, Carlos A. Consumo de sustancias adictivas en adolescentes escolarizados. Arch. argent. pediatr. [online]. 2006, vol.104, n.3, pp.227-233. ISSN 0325-0075.

Introduction. Adolescence is a key stage for the acquisition of addictive behaviors. The objective of this research was to determine and measure the prevalence of addictive substances use in adolescents in order to assess the magnitude of the problem. Population, materials and methods. Students from 5 schools belonging to different socioeconomic strata were studied. A self-administered and anonymous transversal survey was used. The pre-codified questionnaire included demographic, socio-economic and cigarette, alcohol and drug intake variables. The program EPI INFO6, X² tests, Fisher and Kruskal Wallis (95% IC) H tests were applied. Results. About 28% of the students smoked cigarettes, with no difference regarding sex or social strata. A difference with regards to age was shown. The lower social stratum adolescents smoked in similar proportions, independently of sex and age. The higher social stratum started smoking later in life and the amount of cigarettes consumed was higher than the respective total average. Adolescents of both genders from the lower social statum started at a younger age but smoked a lower number of cigarettes. Seventy percent of the sample population tried to quit smoking, half of them failed. Smokers had a higher preference for alcohol and drugs than nonsmokers did. Near 35% of the sample population consumed alcohol. Males from both the lower and higher strata consumed alcohol in higher proportions. No difference regarding age or sex was shown. Drug prevalence varied between 0 to 11.7%. Conclusion: High prevalences of tobacco, alcohol and drugs use were detected.

Keywords : Sustancias adictivas; Prevalencia; Estado socioeconómico.

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