Investigating the Prevalence of Substance Use Among Students of Medical Science Universities in the Eighth Macro-region of Iran

Background: The growing trend of substance use among students is a serious threat for the health young adults. Using Network Scale-up (NSU) method Objectives: present study was designed to indirectly estimate prevalence medical science universities in eighth macro-region Iran attract government attention this problem. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional performed on 3,900 from (2300 Kerman 1600 Sistan Baluchestan provinces) 2019. sample size each university determined using multistage non-random sampling approach. participants were asked introduce their academic close friends who did high-risk behaviors during last year by researcher-made questionnaire. chi-squared test used comparing two proportions. Statistical analysis carried out Excel SPSS software version 19. Significant level set as 0.05. Results: Out participants, 1,872 (48%) males 2,028 (52%) females. Students all degrees contributed study. alcohol, marijuana, hemp, chewing tobacco, tramadol, methylphenidate, opium 20.6% (95% CI: 19.3 - 21.9), 13.5% (CI: 12.4 14.5), 4.1% 3.5 4.7), 6.3% 5.5 7.1), 3.1% 2.6 3.7), 6.5% 5.7 7.3), 4.0% 3.1 4.9), respectively. Also, higher male than Conclusions: Male are more at risk use. rates alcohol marijuana consumption students. Training programs recommended increase awareness people society about disadvantages these behaviors.