The use of psychoactive substances by private school children in the Federal District of Brazil

Authors

  • Alcinda Maria Machado Godoi Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto; Departamento de Medicina Social
  • Gilson Maestrini Muza Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto; Departamento de Puericultura e Pediatria
  • Marisa Pacini Costa Universidade de São Paulo; Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto; Departamento de Medicina Social
  • Maria Lydia Teixeira Gama Fundação Hospitalar do Distrito Federal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89101991000200010

Keywords:

Substance abuse, Alcoholism, Smoking, Prevalence studies, Students

Abstract

A study was carried out in 1988, using a random sample of 1,441 pupils attending the elementary and high schools of the Federal District, Brazil, with the purpose of determining the frequency of the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. A self-administered questionnaire, adapted by the World Health Organization for this type of survey, was applied. The prevalence of general usage (covering everything from experimental to daily use) showed rates of 67.2% for alcohol, 28.7% for tobacco, 13.9% for inhalants, 6.1% for marijuana and 1.8% for cocaine. The use of the majority of drugs increases with age. As regards sex, the illegal drugs were mostly frequently used by boys.

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Published

1991-04-01

Issue

Vol. 25 No. 2 (1991)

Section

Original Articles

How to Cite

Godoi, A. M. M., Muza, G. M., Costa, M. P., & Gama, M. L. T. (1991). The use of psychoactive substances by private school children in the Federal District of Brazil . Revista De Saúde Pública, 25(2), 150-156. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0034-89101991000200010