Perceived norms among university students about their peers and drug use in Bogota, Colombia

Authors

  • Luz Stella Medina Matallana Pontificia Universidad Javeriana; Facultad de Enfermería
  • John Cunningham University of Toronto; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health; Health Systems Research and Consulting Unit
  • Carol Strike University of Toronto; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health; Health Systems Research and Consulting Unit
  • Bruna Brands University of Toronto; Centre for Addiction and Mental Health; Health Canada and Public Health and Regulatory Policies
  • Maria da Gloria Miotto Wright Organization of American States; Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission; Demand Reduction Section

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-11692009000700021

Keywords:

street drugs, education, higher, smoking, perception

Abstract

The objective of this study was to estimate the difference between perceived norms for drug use among university students and their peers, with ages between 18 and 24 years, and attending education and health courses. This cross-sectional study was based on a survey and an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: in total, 365 students participated. The rates for drug use over the last year were as follows: 43.6% for tobacco; 96.2% for alcohol; 8.2% for marijuana; and 2.2% for cocaine. The perceived norm for drug use over the last year was 78.9% for tobacco, 88.3% for alcohol, 35.4% for marijuana and 20.9% for cocaine. The consumption of alcoholic beverages and the perceived norm were very close, but it was overestimated for tobacco use. Regarding access to drugs being easy or very easy on campus, access to cigarettes and cocaine was underestimated, while marijuana was overestimated. CONCLUSIONS: university students overestimate the use of tobacco, marijuana and cocaine by their peers and have a correct perception of alcohol use. Tobacco is the substance with the most overestimated use.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Downloads

Published

2009-01-01

Issue

Vol. 17 (2009): Número Especial

Section

Original Articles

License

RLAE’s authorship concept is based on the substantial contribution by each of the individuals listed as authors, mainly in terms of conceiving and planning the research project, collecting or analyzing and interpreting data, writing and critical review. Indication of authors’ names under the article title is limited to six. If more, authors are listed on the online submission form under Acknowledgements. The possibility of including more than six authors will only be examined on multicenter studies, considering the explanations presented by the authors.
Including names of authors whose contribution does not fit into the above criteria cannot be justified. Those names can be included in the Acknowledgements section.
 Authors are fully responsible for the concepts disseminated in their manuscripts, which do not necessarily reflect the editors’ and editorial board’s opinion.

 

How to Cite

Perceived norms among university students about their peers and drug use in Bogota, Colombia. (2009). Revista Latino-Americana De Enfermagem, 17(spe), 893-899. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0104-11692009000700021