Use of psychoactive substances and school performance in health students

Abstract

Summary: The consumption of psychoactive substances legal and illegal, is a phenomenon that has been increasing dramatically in the world, which has attracted the attention of international organizations like the United Nations Organization and the World Health Organization. Psychoactive substance use is a real problem that is negatively affecting society, also is affecting consumers in their social, economic and health roles. As a social problem, we can see that several studies and research information reveal the magnitude and trends of use and abuse of such substances in our country. Material and methods: The study was a unicentric and transversal in the student community of “Benemerita Autonomous University of Puebla” medical school in the month of April of this year. A survey was applied based in the Mexican official standard (Norma Oficial Mexicana NOM-028-SSA2-2016) for prevention, treatment and control of addiction, the students are between 18 and 26 years who agreed to participate in the research as voluntary and anonymous people. Results: The most consumed psychoactive substance in the medical school of the Benemerita Autonomous University of Puebla was caffeine, followed by alcohol and nicotine. In terms of frequency we have 25% consume these substance daily, 28% weekly, 18% monthly and 1% in exams season. Their consumption motive in the most part of the students (46%) was as a part of his life, 23% do it to improve their performance and 19% does if for addiction.