Family risk factors for illicit drug consumption by school children in Chile

Abstract

Objective: To identify those family risk or protection factors that have a high dgree of association with the consumption of illegal drugs by Chilean school children. Methods: The study is based on information obtained from the Fourth National Drugs Survey carried out by the National Council por Psychotropic Drugs Control (CONACE) in 2001. A probabilistic sample was obtained with a two-stages procedure and an stratification by school grades and type of ownership of the schools. A self-administered questinnaire, previously validated, was applied 50 58 7222 schoolchildren ob both sexes living in the 86 most poulated urban communes of Chile. The outcome variable was : the life consumption of any illicit drug. The independent variables were: family composition; whether a conflict existed between the parents or between parents and adolescents; joint activities and communication; parental educational style; and parental supervision. A reliability analysis was done ( Cronbach Alpha Coefficient) and logistic regression models were utilized. Results: Marihuana is the drug with greater life prevalence of consumption: 23,4%. It is followed by cocaine: 5,2%.. Family conflict is the most potent risk factor for consumption of all the drugs studied. Parental supervision is the most powerful protective factor. Conclusions: Family factors are important in regard to illegal drugs consumption by Chilean school children. Family strategies should be incorporated in drug consumtion prevention strategies.