Smoking, alcohol consumption, and illicit substances use among adolescents in Poland

Abstract Background The use of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit substances typically first occurs in adolescence. The purpose of this study was to examine alcohol, cigarette, and illicit substance use among adolescents in Poland, including the age of initiation, frequency of use, methods of access, loc...

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Main Authors: Maria Nowak, Malgorzata Papiernik, Alicja Mikulska, Bozena Czarkowska-Paczek
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2018-11-01
Series:Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy
Subjects:
Online Access:http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13011-018-0179-9
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spelling doaj-3320962775fe4d09be1ad951f39bf6c62020-11-25T01:49:02ZengBMCSubstance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy1747-597X2018-11-011311810.1186/s13011-018-0179-9Smoking, alcohol consumption, and illicit substances use among adolescents in PolandMaria Nowak0Malgorzata Papiernik1Alicja Mikulska2Bozena Czarkowska-Paczek3Department of Clinical Nursing, Medical University of WarsawDepartment of Clinical Nursing, Medical University of WarsawDepartment of Clinical Nursing, Medical University of WarsawDepartment of Clinical Nursing, Medical University of WarsawAbstract Background The use of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit substances typically first occurs in adolescence. The purpose of this study was to examine alcohol, cigarette, and illicit substance use among adolescents in Poland, including the age of initiation, frequency of use, methods of access, location of use, and parental knowledge and attitude. Methods An author-derived questionnaire was used to cross-sectionally survey 541 participants aged 13–17 years old. Due to the fact that some answers were lacking, the number of questionnaires analysed was 538 in case of smoking and illicit substances use, and 535 in case of alcohol drinking. Results The use of alcohol, cigarette, and illicit substance among the investigated group was 36.1, 37.6, and 10.8% respectively. The average age of initiation was 13–14 years old. Parents were aware of alcohol, cigarette, and illicit substance use 49.5, 35.8 and 22.4% of the time, respectively, and the rate of acceptance was 5.7 and 6.7% for alcohol and cigarettes. More than 28% of participants smoked in school, and 32.7% accessed illicit substances in the school’s neighborhood. Conclusions The rate of alcohol, cigarette, and illicit substance use in Poland is high and increasing, despite globally designed preventative actions. Parents’ awareness of children’s alcohol, cigarette, or illicit substance use is low, and schools hardly fulfil their educational and protective role. Preventative actions are necessary, and local challenges should be considered.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13011-018-0179-9Alcohol useCigarette useIllicit substance useParental acceptance of abuseAdolescents
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Maria Nowak
Malgorzata Papiernik
Alicja Mikulska
Bozena Czarkowska-Paczek
spellingShingle Maria Nowak
Malgorzata Papiernik
Alicja Mikulska
Bozena Czarkowska-Paczek
Smoking, alcohol consumption, and illicit substances use among adolescents in Poland
Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy
Alcohol use
Cigarette use
Illicit substance use
Parental acceptance of abuse
Adolescents
author_facet Maria Nowak
Malgorzata Papiernik
Alicja Mikulska
Bozena Czarkowska-Paczek
author_sort Maria Nowak
title Smoking, alcohol consumption, and illicit substances use among adolescents in Poland
title_short Smoking, alcohol consumption, and illicit substances use among adolescents in Poland
title_full Smoking, alcohol consumption, and illicit substances use among adolescents in Poland
title_fullStr Smoking, alcohol consumption, and illicit substances use among adolescents in Poland
title_full_unstemmed Smoking, alcohol consumption, and illicit substances use among adolescents in Poland
title_sort smoking, alcohol consumption, and illicit substances use among adolescents in poland
publisher BMC
series Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy
issn 1747-597X
publishDate 2018-11-01
description Abstract Background The use of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit substances typically first occurs in adolescence. The purpose of this study was to examine alcohol, cigarette, and illicit substance use among adolescents in Poland, including the age of initiation, frequency of use, methods of access, location of use, and parental knowledge and attitude. Methods An author-derived questionnaire was used to cross-sectionally survey 541 participants aged 13–17 years old. Due to the fact that some answers were lacking, the number of questionnaires analysed was 538 in case of smoking and illicit substances use, and 535 in case of alcohol drinking. Results The use of alcohol, cigarette, and illicit substance among the investigated group was 36.1, 37.6, and 10.8% respectively. The average age of initiation was 13–14 years old. Parents were aware of alcohol, cigarette, and illicit substance use 49.5, 35.8 and 22.4% of the time, respectively, and the rate of acceptance was 5.7 and 6.7% for alcohol and cigarettes. More than 28% of participants smoked in school, and 32.7% accessed illicit substances in the school’s neighborhood. Conclusions The rate of alcohol, cigarette, and illicit substance use in Poland is high and increasing, despite globally designed preventative actions. Parents’ awareness of children’s alcohol, cigarette, or illicit substance use is low, and schools hardly fulfil their educational and protective role. Preventative actions are necessary, and local challenges should be considered.
topic Alcohol use
Cigarette use
Illicit substance use
Parental acceptance of abuse
Adolescents
url http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13011-018-0179-9
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