Percepción de los estudiantes sobre el consumo de drogas psicoactivas en su universidad / Perception of Students Regarding Psychoactive Drug Use at Their University / Percepção de estudantes sobre o consumo de drogas psicoativas na universidade

entre los jóvenes universitarios se ha observado una tolerancia creciente hacia el consumo de drogas, debido ­entre otros factores­ a una reducción en la percepción de riesgo, que puede con-tribuir a la normalización del consumo. El objetivo fue analizar la percepción de los estudiantes de unauniversidad pública mexicana sobre la situación y la gravedad del consumo de drogas en su institución mediante diversos indicadores. Materiales y métodos: se analizó la base de datos derivada de la aplica-ción del Cuestionario sobre Consumo de Drogas en Estudiantes Universitarios (codeu-3), en el que partici-paron 19 815 estudiantes; se realizaron comparaciones según sexo y área académica utilizando pruebas de chi-cuadrado y el análisis post hoc de Bonferroni. Resultados: las mujeres indicaron tener una menor percepción de riesgo que los hombres sobre las variables analizadas (percepción de los participantes sobre el consumo de drogas en su facultad, venta y gravedad del consumo de drogas, según sexo y área académica y conductas de docentes y estudiantes que facilitan el consumo de alcohol y la postura de las autoridades universitarias ante estudiantes consumidores, según sexo y área académica). Conclusión: los resultados muestran diferencias en la percepción de hombres y mujeres, así como las diferencias asociadas con la adscripción de los estudiantes en las distintas áreas académicas, por lo que se sugiere profundizar el estudio de estos aspectos.

There is a growing tolerance toward drug use among university students due to a reduction in the perception of risk, which is considered as those judgments or intuitions held regarding the danger of a situation that can contribute to the normalization of consumption. This study aimed to analyze the perception of the students at a Mexican public university toward the situation and seriousness of drug use in the university using various indicators. Materials and methods: The database derived from the application of the Questionnaire on Drug Use in University Students (codeu-2 by its name in Spanish), in which 19,815 students from a Mexican public university participated, was analyzed, and comparisons were made according to gender and academic area using chi-squared tests and Bonferroni's post hocanalysis. Results: Women were reported to have a lower perception of risk than men on the variables analyzed (participants' perception of drug use in their faculty, sale and severity of drug use, according to gender and academic area, and behaviors of teachers and students that facilitate alcohol use and the position of university authorities towards student consumers, according to gender and academic area). Conclusion: The results indicated the importance of studying in greater depth the differences in the perception of men and women, as well as their affiliation in the different academic areas.

tem-se observado entre os jovens universitários uma crescente tolerância ao uso de dro-gas, devido à redução da percepção de risco, que é considerada como aqueles julgamentos ou intuições que se fazem sobre o perigo de uma situação, o que pode contribuir para a normalização do consumo. O objetivo do estudo foi analisar a percepção dos estudantes de uma universidade pública mexicana sobre a situação e a gravidade do uso de drogas em sua instituição por meio de vários indicadores. Materiais e métodos: analisou-se a base de dados derivada da aplicação do Questionário de Uso de Drogas em Estudantes Universitários (codeu-2), do qual participaram 19,815 estudantes; as comparações foram feitas de acordo com o gênero e a área acadêmica por meio de testes de qui-quadrado e análise post hoc de Bonferroni. Resultados: as mulheres relataram menor percepção de risco do que os homens nas variáveis analisadas (percepção dos participantes sobre o uso de drogas na faculdade, venda e gravidade do uso de drogas, por gênero e área acadêmica, e comportamentos de professores e alunos que facilitam o consumo de álcool e a atitude das autoridades universitárias perante estudantes consumidores, de acordo com o gênero e área acadêmica). Conclusão: os resultados mostram diferenças na percepção de homens e mulheres, bem como as diferenças associadas à inserção dos alunos nas diferentes áreas acadêmicas, para o que se sugere aprofundar o estudo desses aspectos.

[Consumption of legal and illegal drugs and depressive symptoms in older adults during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Mexico]. / Consumo de drogas legales e ilegales y síntomas de depresión en adultos mayores usuarios de Facebook durante la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2 en México.

BACKGROUND: The health risks faced by older adults are diverse; however, little has been explored about the use and abuse of psychoactive substances in this population. The seclusion imposed by the situation that prevails due to SARS-CoV-2 has increased the feelings of loneliness, isolation and sadness associated with this age, which makes them a risk factor for drug use. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the consumption of legal and illegal drugs in people over 60 years of age who are Facebook users and its relationship with symptoms of depression during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Study carried out on 380 elderly people, Facebook users, who answered a questionnaire published online, which inquired about: sociodemographic data, frequency and amount of legal and illegal drug use, and depressive symptomatology. RESULTS: 50.26% were women; the average age was 66.79 years (SD=5.81); 31.05% consumed alcohol in the last 30 days, 22.63% tobacco, tranquilizers without medical prescription 16.05% and marijuana 7.89%. The consumption of other illegal drugs did not exceed 2.6% of the population. When comparing between users and non-users, it turned out that consumption in the last 30 days was slightly higher in women, in single people and no differences were observed depending on the level of schooling. Mild and severe depressive symptoms were found to be associated with all drugs except tobacco and opiates. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The results obtained demonstrate the need to make drug use visible among older adults and to develop strategies that reduce the mood disorders they may be experiencing, such as fear, anguish and depression. When comparing between users and non-users, it turned out that consumption in the last 30 days was slightly higher in women, in single people and no differences were observed depending on the level of schooling.

Secondary school students' perceptions of a mobile application design for smoking prevention.

INTRODUCTION: Our research was based on the BUS model, which provides guidelines for developing mobile applications for health. This model is supported by theories of behavior change, user-centered design, and social marketing. This study aimed to determine secondary school students' perceptions of a mobile application design for smoking prevention. METHODS: In 2018, qualitative research was conducted in three secondary schools located in the central part of the state of Veracruz, Mexico. Focus groups were established to explore beliefs about smoking and mobile phone use. The sketch technique was used to identify the characteristics for the mobile application. RESULTS: The students' perception of smoking allowed us to determine behaviors that can be changed: 1) associating cigarettes with a distraction from problems can be prevented; 2) peer and family pressure as a trigger to starting smoking can be avoided; and 3) tobacco use can be disassociated from being popular. Regarding the design of the mobile application prototype, an entertaining game with levels to help teenagers stay active was proposed. CONCLUSIONS: Games for health can help modify user behavior and even positively influence their values. The final product was the prototype for the 'No le entres' (don't jump in) application. An important finding was that adolescents living in both urban and rural settings use mobile phones similarly.

Percepción de riesgo y consumo de drogas legales en estudiantes de psicología de una universidad mexicana / Risk perception and use of legal drugs in students of psychology in a mexican university

Introducción. El consumo de drogas legales se ha elevado en México debido a un conjunto de razones, entre las que destaca la baja percepción de riesgo; por lo tanto, el objetivo de este trabajo fue conocer la prevalencia de consumo de alcohol y tabaco en los estudiantes de la Facultad de Psicología de la Universidad Veracruzana y su relación con la percepción de riesgo. Materiales y métodos. Se llevó a cabo un estudio transversal, observacional y analítico, en el cual se utilizó un muestreo aleatorio estratificado probabilístico, y un instrumento que midió la prevalen-cia de consumo y la percepción de riesgo mediante tres indicadores: percepción sobre el riesgo del consumo, gravedad del problema en la universidad y posibles respuestas de las autoridades de la Facultad de Psicología ante el problema. Resultados. Participaron 92 estudiantes (73 % mujeres y 27 % hombres), con una edad promedio de 22 años. El fumar una cajetilla de cigarrillos al día fue considerado "muy peligroso" por el 96 %, mientras que 4 % dijo que es "medianamente peligroso". En cuanto a la intoxicación alcohólica (emborracharse), 75 % lo consideró "muy peligroso", 22 %, que era "medianamente peligroso" y 3 % afirmó que es "poco peligroso". Conclusiones. El estudio no logró demostrar una relación significativa entre el consumo de alcohol y tabaco, y la percepción de riesgo de los estudiantes.

Introduction: The use of legal drugs has risen in Mexico due to a number of reasons among which, low perception of risk stands out. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of alcohol and tobacco in students of the faculty of Psychology in the Universidad Veracruzana and its relation to risk perception. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional, observational, and analytic study using probability strati-fied random sampling was carried out, and an instrument that measured the prevalence of use and risk perception through the following three indicators was used: the indicators were perception of use risk, seriousness of the problem in the university, possible responses from the authorities of the School of Psychology to this problem. Results: Ninety two students participated (73% women and 27% men) average age 22 years. To smoke a pack of cigarettes a day was considered «very dangerous¼ by 96%, while 4% considered it to be «moderately dangerous¼; in regards to alcohol intoxication (drunkenness), 75% consider it «very dangerous¼, 22% "moderately dangerous" and only 3% declared it to be "slightly dangerous". Conclusions: This study was unable to demonstrate a significant relation between the use of alcohol and tobacco and the risk perception among students.