Substances Abuse Beliefs in Tehran University Students among Students of the University of Tehran

Introduction: Substances abuse is an important public health concern with social, economic and health consequences. This study aim was to investigate the self-reported beliefs about substance abuse among undergraduate students of the University of Tehran. Methods: This is an analytical and cross-sectional study which performed in 300 students who entered into the University of Tehran on October 2011.A self-made questionnaire which containing 14 demographic questions (age, gender, height, weight, level of education and the faculty, parents’ education, and employment status), 4 questions about the behavior of substance abuse(SA) experience, 2 essay questions about the benefits and harms, as well as complications and risks of SA. Results: 56% of the 300 students (n=168) were female and 44% (n=132) were male; the mean of participants age was 23.2 ± 5.1 years old. Most of them (109 Ss- 36.33%) mentioned that the most important effect of Substances is causing various physical and mental disorders, as well as disorders in various organs of their body. The second most important effect was social harms. Several students had stressed the importance of education. Conclusion: Despite the beliefs in accordance with the harms of substance abuse, the students pointed to the substances’ calming effect and reducing stress. Therefore, further education must be provided for this group in order to reduce the reinforcing beliefs of substance abuse.

Keywords:

Substance abuse , Students , Perception