Prevalence of substance use among puerto rican adolescents and its associated risk and protective factors

The extent of drug use among adolescents is a great concern for all health prevention workers. The most promising alternative to implement effective prevention strategies is through a risk focus approach. The presentation will present the findings of a school survey called "Consulta Juvenil”. This survey used Catalano et al. “Student Survey of Risk and Protective Factors and Prevalence of Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drug” Spanish version questionnaire that was adapted and administered to a representative islandwide sample during 2010-2012. A total of 10,134 10th-12the grade students in public and private schools in PR participated. The substance most used by adolescents was alcohol (48.6%), followed by tobacco (14.3%). Other drugs used by 15.1% of students included marijuana, inhalants, heroin, cocaine, crack, design drugs, and non-prescription pills. Of these, the most commonly reported substances were marijuana (12.4%), non-prescription pills (6.1%), and inhalants (6.1%). Males reported use of all substances more frequently than females. Risk and protective factors were grouped into five domains: individual, family, peer group, school, and community. The most significant risk factors identified were antisocial behavior, favorable attitude toward substance use, involvement with peers that use drugs, family with history of substance use, and availability of alcohol. Perception of harmful drugs, religiosity, participation in family decisions and activities, and recognition by school, community, and family of adolescents' prosocial involvement were the protective factors significantly associated with substance use. Findings from this study could have important implications for the development of preventive intervention programs for the Hispanic adolescent population.