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Ching-Mei Lee, PhD & CHES1, Fong-Ching Chang, MEd2, Hsiang-Ru Lai, PhD1, Pi-Hsia Lee, EdD3, Jengtung Chiang, PhD4, and Wen-Jau Chen, LB1. (1) Department of Health Education, National Taiwan Normal University, 162, Sec. 1, East Ho-Ping Road, Taipei, 106, Taiwan, (2) Bureau of Health Promotion, Department of Health, Taiwan, 2, Changching St., Shinjuang City, Taipei County, 242, Taiwan, 886-2-29978616 Ext 430, cfc@bhp.doh.gov.tw, (3) Department of Nurse, Taipei Medical University, 250, Wu-shing St., Taipei, 105, Taiwan, (4) National Chengchi University, 64, Chih-nan Rd., Sec.2, Taipei, 116, Taiwan
Objectives: The main purpose of this three year (2000-2002) longitudinal study was to explore the changing patterns of substance use and to identify risk/ protective factors of substance use among the vocational high school students in Taipei, Taiwan. Methods: Sixteen vocational and senior high schools were included, with the total number of valid questionnaires being 2152, 2044, 2004 in the three years. Self-administered questionnaire were collected to understand the substance use and relative factors of students. Results: The prevalence of vocational high school students who had smoked cigarettes, drunk alcohol, chewed betel-nuts, and use illicit drugs within 30 days in the three years were 19-22%, 16-19%, 3-4%, and 0.1-0.6%, respectively. The prevalence of monthly smoking and illicit drug use increased significantly with grades among both boys and girls. For girls, the daily smoking rate increased from 5% in the 10th grade to 10% in the 12th grade. For boys, the quantity of monthly betelnut chewing increased from 14 betelnuts in the 11th grade to 32 betelnuts in the 12th grade. Among students over 90% betelnut users and 70% illicit drug users also smoked cigarettes. Students who used substance were more likely to have deviant behaviors. Refusal self-efficacy was protective factor for substance use, while peers' substance use and going to harmful locations were risk factors for substance use. It was suggested to enhance students' self-efficacy and to build supportive environments such as smoke-free campuses.
Learning Objectives:
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.