HIGHLIGHTS
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The study identifies drugs used among university students in the health area.
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It expands understanding of drug use among university students.
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It analyzes the influence of drugs on academic performance.
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It stimulates drug use prevention among university students.
ABSTRACT
Objective:
to verify the most prevalent psychoactive substances used among undergraduate students in the health area and their interference in academic performance.
Methods:
a total of 115 Nursing and Physical Education students from a public university in inland Ceará, Brazil, answered the Drug Use Screening Inventory questionnaire in 2021. To analyze the results, Pearson’s chi-square and likelihood ratio statistical tests were used.
Results:
a total of 65 (56%) students used analgesics, 54 (47%) drank alcohol and 14 (12.2%) smoked marijuana. There was no statistical association between use of psychoactive substances and academic performance. However, among those who used analgesics or alcohol, more than 1/3 analyzed their performance as poor/terrible or fair, and half of those who smoked marijuana analyzed it in the same way.
Conclusion:
the study contributed to understanding the psychoactive substances prevalent in the university context and associated aspects, emphasizing the need for interventions.
DESCRIPTORS:
Health Sciences Students; Nursing Student; Alcohol; Tobacco; Cannabis