Tobacco products and marijuana use among university students: Gender differences and associated risks

Abstract

Tobacco and illicit substance use are a global epidemic, currently accounting for over 7 million annual deaths worldwide. This study examined the prevalence of tobacco products and marijuana (weed) use and their associated risk factors among a sample of students of the University of Limpopo, South Africa, aged 17 to 43 years. A total of 916 students (415 men: mean age 22.02±4.52years; 501 women: mean age 21.16± 3.75 years), who were attending lectures from June to September 2019, participated in the study. Data was collected using a validated questionnaire. Logistic regression method was applied to test the relationship between tobacco products and marijuana use with specific associated risks among the students. Overall, the prevalence of cigarette smoking was significantly high among the students compared to other tobacco products(pipe, chew tobacco, snuff, home-made tobacco or indigenous tobacco). A significantly higherfrequency of marijuana and tobacco products use was observed in males (9.6%;15.7%) than their female (3.4%;4.6%) peers, respectively. There was a significant (p<0.05) association between tobacco product use and help me to relax (OR: 1.82, 95%C.l: 1.19 – 2.79), marijuana use and help me to relax (OR= 1.82 95%CI 1.19 – 2.78), even after adjusting for age, gender and receiving the NSFAS bursary, smoking product use and help me to relax (OR=1.932; 95%CI 0.537 3.033) marijuana use and help me to relax (OR =1.93295%CI 0.54 – 3.03). In conclusion, a significant association between tobacco products, weed/marijuana use, and relaxation weed/marijuana was found. Preventative interventions targeted at creating awareness about the short and long-term health consequences of tobacco and substance are urgently needed to combat this deleterious risk behaviour among university students.