Risk and protective factors associated with the consumption of alcohol, tobacco and marijuana in students from seventh to ninth grade in five educational centers in the city of San Salvador

Abstract

Introduction. The purpose of the study was to determine the existence of risk and protective factors associated with the consumption of alcohol, tobacco and marijuana in students from seventh grade to ninth grade in educational centers in the city of San Salvador, El Salvador, Central America. Methodology. The study was focused on the prevention of alcohol, tobacco and marijuana use because, according to the background information reviewed, these are the most widely used drugs in the country. It was applied in five study centers, with a descriptive approach and a cross-sectional design, in a non-probabilistic sample of 268 students. Results. The consumption of alcohol, tobacco and marijuana among adolescents continues to be present with consumption prevalences in line with those reported by the country for this population in recent years, where males had a higher consumption than females. We found 33 risk factors associated with the consumption of alcohol, tobacco and marijuana and only six protective factors. Conclusion. It is considered that the existence of many risk factors and few protective factors in the environment are influencing increased drug use and the low effectiveness of drug prevention programs or strategies in general.