Alcohol Drinking, Cigarette Smoking
Conditions
Brief summary
Adolescent substance abuse (SA), which includes the consumption of alcohol, cigarette smoking, the consumption of drugs and other behaviors, is a significant public-health issue in the world today. Recent data showed that prevalence of SA among adolescents in Croatia and surrounding countries (i.e. former Yugoslav republics) is alarming and needs serious intervention. It is hypothesized that participation in physical-exercise-and-sport (PE&S) will reduce the tendency of young people to abuse substances. However, the literature to date has not consistently validated the perception PE&S factors are factors which could buffer SA among children and adolescents. One of the probable reasons for evident inconsistencies on findings about relationship between PE&S and SA is a cross-sectional nature of studies done so far. Therefore, the main rationale (i.e. problem) of this study is lack of current knowledge about influence of the PE&S on SA among adolescents. The main objective of this study is to prospectively investigate the influence of PE&S on SA among adolescents aged 17 to 18 years old. Aims of the project are: (1) to define prevalence and trends of SA among adolescents aged 17 to 18 years old; (2) to define prevalence and trends of PE&S participation; (3) to establish interrelationships which exist between socio-demographic, psychological, educational-factors, and PE&S (predictors); (4) to identify multivariate and univariate associations between: socio-demographic and SA, psychological factors and SA, PE&S and SA, educational - scholastic factors and SA.Expected results of the project are: (1) definition of the prevalence of SA among adolescents; (2) definition of the adolescents' participation in PE&S; (3) identification and interpretation relationships which exist between and within studied predictors of SA (educational factors, socio-demographic factors, PE&S, psychological factors); (4) identification of the influence of studied predictors on SA.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALRegular scholastic system and organized sports
This group will consist of children involved in regular school system who at the same time participate in organized sport in sport-clubs
BEHAVIORALRegular scholastic system
The group will consist of children who are regularly in school, but not being involved in organized sport activities
Sponsors
University of Ljubljana
University of Split
Study design
Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
14 Years to 18 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Children involved in regular scholastic system
Exclusion criteria
* No
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Exact number of participants who smoke cigarettes as assessed by QSU questionnaire | 2 years | QSU - Questionnaire of Substance Use is validated questionnaire where participants are asked on their consumption of substances, including cigarette smoking |
| Exact number of participants involved in harmful alcohol drinking as assessed by AUDIT questionnaire | 2 years | AUDIT - Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test is a common and valid questionnaire where subjects are tested on alcohol drinking habits |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Exact number of participants who failed educationally as assessed by grade-point average | 2 years | Grade-point-average is one of the scholastic-achievement variables. |
| Exact number of participants who failed educationally as assessed by behavioral grade | 2 years | Behavioral-grade is one of the scholastic-achievement variables. |
Outcome results
None listed