Page 79 - Petelin, Ana, et al. 2019. Eds. Zdravje otrok in mladostnikov / Health of Children and Adolescents. Proceedings. Koper: University of Primorska Press
P. 79
Hazardous polysubstance use
in adolescents from Slovenia
Helena Koprivnikar, Andreja Drev, Maja Roškar, Tina Zupanič,
Helena Jeriček Klanšček
National Institute of Public Health, Trubarjeva 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Abstract
Introduction: Polysubstance use in adolescence has many negative health
outcomes. In Slovenia, data on single substance use are numerous;
however, we lack data on polysubstance use. The aim of the study was
to assess the prevalence and characteristics of regular/more hazardous
polysubstance use of at least two psychoactive substances (HPU)
- alcohol, tobacco, cannabis - among Slovene 15-year-old students.
Methods: Nationally representative sample of 15-year-old students
(n=1651) from the Slovenian arm of the cross-national 2014 HBSC
study was used. We assessed the prevalence of HPU and used logistic
regression to explore factors associated with it. Results: 39.7% reported
frequent/more hazardous use of at least one substance, while 14.7%
reported HPU. HPU was associated with individual (frequent physical
fighting), peer (peer substance use, spending evening time with friends
daily), school (low perceived school performance), family (less frequent
family meals) and life-style factors (early sexual intercourse, irregular
breakfast, daily energy drinks consumption). Conclusions: The scope of
the problem calls for immediate action. We propose the development
of common national strategy on prevention and reduction of substance
use and other risk behaviours to ensure continuous implementation of
effective health promotion and prevention programmes.
Key words: tobacco; alcohol; cannabis; hazardous polysubstance use;
adolescents; Slovenia
Introduction
Polysubstance use (PU) in adolescents has been associated with substantial
short and long term harms (EMCDDA, 2009). Researchers report high shares
of PU in adolescents with alcohol, tobacco and cannabis being the most preva-
lent (EMCDDA, 2009). Prevention of PU in adolescence should become a pub-
in adolescents from Slovenia
Helena Koprivnikar, Andreja Drev, Maja Roškar, Tina Zupanič,
Helena Jeriček Klanšček
National Institute of Public Health, Trubarjeva 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Abstract
Introduction: Polysubstance use in adolescence has many negative health
outcomes. In Slovenia, data on single substance use are numerous;
however, we lack data on polysubstance use. The aim of the study was
to assess the prevalence and characteristics of regular/more hazardous
polysubstance use of at least two psychoactive substances (HPU)
- alcohol, tobacco, cannabis - among Slovene 15-year-old students.
Methods: Nationally representative sample of 15-year-old students
(n=1651) from the Slovenian arm of the cross-national 2014 HBSC
study was used. We assessed the prevalence of HPU and used logistic
regression to explore factors associated with it. Results: 39.7% reported
frequent/more hazardous use of at least one substance, while 14.7%
reported HPU. HPU was associated with individual (frequent physical
fighting), peer (peer substance use, spending evening time with friends
daily), school (low perceived school performance), family (less frequent
family meals) and life-style factors (early sexual intercourse, irregular
breakfast, daily energy drinks consumption). Conclusions: The scope of
the problem calls for immediate action. We propose the development
of common national strategy on prevention and reduction of substance
use and other risk behaviours to ensure continuous implementation of
effective health promotion and prevention programmes.
Key words: tobacco; alcohol; cannabis; hazardous polysubstance use;
adolescents; Slovenia
Introduction
Polysubstance use (PU) in adolescents has been associated with substantial
short and long term harms (EMCDDA, 2009). Researchers report high shares
of PU in adolescents with alcohol, tobacco and cannabis being the most preva-
lent (EMCDDA, 2009). Prevention of PU in adolescence should become a pub-
