| Summary: | Backround/Aim. Adolescence is the period of greatest risk of starting to use
substances: cigarette smoking, alcohol and illicit drugs. In the first decade
of this millennium substance use among adolescents has increased. The aim of
this study was to explore the prevalence of substances use among adolescents
and its correlation with social and demographic factors. Methods. The study
was conducted among adolescents in Novi Sad during 2010-2011 and included 594
conveniently selected adolescents (275 male and 319 female), aged 15-19
years. A special questionnaire was used and statistical analysis performed in
SPSS17. The correlation between parameters was evaluated by the Pearson
correlation method and frequency differences were analysed using χ2 test and
starting level was p < 0.05. Results. The prevalence of substance use was
statistically higher in males. Cigarettes were smoked daily by 21.45% males
and 15.67% females (p < 0.01), alcohol was consumed by 81.6% males and 69.11%
females (p < 0.001) and illicit drugs were used by 13.65% males and 8.30%
females (p < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between smoking
cigarettes and alcohol consumption, but negative between smoking cigarettes
and the use of illicit drugs (p < 0.01). The prevalence of substance use was
statistically higher among adolescents with poor achievement in school (p <
0.01), who lived in a broken home (illicit drugs p < 0.01) and who had more
pocket money (cigarette smoking p < 0.01, and alcohol consumption p < 0.5).
Conclusion. Stable family, lower amount of pocket money weekly and good
school performance are protective factors in prevention of substances use
among adolescents.
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