Iniciação ao uso de álcool e outras substâncias psicoativas por homens universitários durante a pandemia de Covid-19

Abstract

Even today, a high prevalence of consumption of psychoactive substances (PAS), especially alcohol and other sunstances, is detected among the young Brazilian population. Studies indicate that, in Brazil, the use of SPA begins before entering university and intensifies throughout university education. In this context, the male university population stands out, whose consumption of alcohol and drugs is considered high and increased due to the process of socialization and social construction of masculinities. Furthermore, studies indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing measures have had an impact on the population's lifestyle habits, causing harm to mental health, and it is important to consider the possible implications in the consumption of SPA. From this perspective, this study aims to verify the psychosocial dimensions of the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing measures in the initiation of alcohol and other drug use among male university students in a university community in the Brazilian Central-West. This is quantitative and exploratory research on the dimensions of the psychosocial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing measures on the use of alcohol and other drugs. The analyzed outcome was the report of initiation of SPA use during the COVID-19 pandemic (Yes/No) with a self-administered virtual form generated from the Google Forms tool, which contained multiple choice questions, divided according to the sociodemographic characterization, academic or professional life of the participant, in addition to issues related to the use of SPA during the pandemic. The stepwise regression technique was used to identify the best subset of independent variables to include in each multivariable regression model. The results point to associations between the use of PAS and financial and basic difficulties, the previous diagnosis of mental disorders, having stopped enrolling at university or taking leave from work, the perception of worsening emotional state during social/physical distancing, worsening of academic or professional performance, having practiced some activity for well-being, having had any signs or symptoms of COVID-19, being in the risk group, having lost a relative/friend to COVID-19 and having been a victim of some type of violence during social isolation measures. The results indicate that the initiation of the use of psychoactive substances, during the COVID-19 pandemic, is associated with sudden changes and challenges, imposed by the pandemic, added to the stress, worries, and anxieties of students.