Magnitude and determinants of Substance use among University of Antwerp Students in Belgium: a multilevel analysis approach

Abstract

Abstract Substance use is one of the public health issues among university students. The study aimed to estimate the prevalence, influence of faculty, and identify possible risk factors for substance use among University of Antwerp students. A cross-sectional study was conducted among University of Antwerp students from March to April 2021. A total of 2769 students participated in the online survey. The outcome variable of interest was measured as recent use of alcohol (non-drinkers, low-risk drinkers, and risky drinker), cannabis use (yes/no), and use of stimulant drugs (yes/no) in the last one year prior to the study. A multilevel generalized linear mixed-effect model was used to analyze the data. Based on the self-reported survey results, the overall prevalence of recent low-risk alcohol use was 68.40%, compared to 21.67% for risky alcohol use, whereas the prevalence of recent cannabis and stimulant drug use was 16.32% and 4.37%, respectively. In the full multivariable generalized linear mixed effect model, being male (OR = 1.77), being a working student (OR = 1.54), lifetime use of cigarettes (OR = 4.07), being a masters student (OR = 1.70), and living independently from parents (OR = 1.71) were identified as risk factors for recent use of alcohol. With regard to recent use of cannabis in the full model, ages between 26 and 30 years (OR = 3.69), master students (OR = 2.02), and following other programs (preparatory and bridging) (OR = 2.52) were determinant factors. Being a master's student was the only individual-level variable associated with lower odds of the recent use of stimulant drugs (OR = 0.40). In the full multivariable model, the proportion change variance for recent alcohol, cannabis, and stimulant drug use was estimated as 83.54, 20.93, and -38.32%, respectively. In addition, the final full model results showed a median odds ratio of 1.11, 1.28, and 3.00 for the recent use of alcohol, cannabis, and stimulant drugs, respectively. The magnitude of alcohol use among University of Antwerp students was found to be high, whereas the use of cannabis and stimulant drugs was moderate and low, respectively. Being male, being over the age of 26 years, working students, pursuing master's and other programs, smoking cigarettes, and living away from parents were risk factors for substance use among students.