Assessment of the Risk Factors of Drug Abuse among the Students of Second Course of High School in Shahroud City in 2013-2014 School Year, Iran

Background and Objectives: High prevalence of drug abuse in the Society and its associated health-social problems presents a significant and important challenge to health care systems and large communities. This study aimed to assess risk factors of drug abuse in the students of second course of high school in Shahroud city. Methods: The present study was performed as a descriptive cross-sectional study on 460 students of second course of high school in Shahroud city (2013-2014 school years). Schools were selected randomly and samples were selected using systematic random sampling from each school. Data collection was carried out using valid and reliable questionnaires of risk and protective factors for adolescent drug abuse and also national-level standardized questionnaire of prevalence of risky behaviors. Data were analyzed by Chi-square test. Results: In this study, of 12 studied risk factors, students were assigned to high risk group in terms of 2 risk factors; medium risk group in terms of 5 risk factors; and low risk group in terms of other factors. There was significant relationship between gender and some risk factors, including sensitivity to anxiety, lack of parental supervision, perceived social disorder, impulsivity, and lack of social skills. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, prevention programs for drug addiction in adolescent, should be based on the status of the risk factors in each part of the community and also gender differences in terms of vulnerability to various risk factors