Sports, Education and Consumption of Substances in Adolescents

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Adolescent substance abuse (SA), which includes the consumption of alcohol, cigarette smoking, the consumption of drugs and other behaviors, is a significant public-health issue in the world today. Recent data showed that prevalence of SA among adolescents in Croatia and surrounding countries (i.e. former Yugoslav republics) is alarming and needs serious intervention. It is hypothesized that participation in physical-exercise-and-sport (PE&S) will reduce the tendency of young people to abuse substances. However, the literature to date has not consistently validated the perception PE&S factors are factors which could buffer SA among children and adolescents. One of the probable reasons for evident inconsistencies on findings about relationship between PE&S and SA is a cross-sectional nature of studies done so far. Therefore, the main rationale (i.e. problem) of this study is lack of current knowledge about influence of the PE&S on SA among adolescents. The main objective of this study is to prospectively investigate the influence of PE&S on SA among adolescents aged 17 to 18 years old. Aims of the project are: (1) to define prevalence and trends of SA among adolescents aged 17 to 18 years old; (2) to define prevalence and trends of PE&S participation; (3) to establish interrelationships which exist between socio-demographic, psychological, educational-factors, and PE&S (predictors); (4) to identify multivariate and univariate associations between: socio-demographic and SA, psychological factors and SA, PE&S and SA, educational - scholastic factors and SA.Expected results of the project are: (1) definition of the prevalence of SA among adolescents; (2) definition of the adolescents' participation in PE&S; (3) identification and interpretation relationships which exist between and within studied predictors of SA (educational factors, socio-demographic factors, PE&S, psychological factors); (4) identification of the influence of studied predictors on SA.

Official Title
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Prospective Analysis of the Factors Associated With Substance Use and Misuse in Adolescents

Conditions
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Cigarette Smoking, Alcohol Drinking

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Regular scholastic system and organized sports
* Behavioral: Regular scholastic system


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Children involved in regular scholastic system Exclusion Criteria: No

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 14 Years
Maximum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Males nonathletes<br>Boys non-involved in organized sport and exercising | Behavioral: Regular scholastic system<br>* The group will consist of children who are regularly in school, but not being involved in organized sport activities<br>|
| Females nonathletes<br>Girls non-involved in organized sport and exercising | Behavioral: Regular scholastic system<br>* The group will consist of children who are regularly in school, but not being involved in organized sport activities<br>|
| Males athletes<br>Athletic boys (involved in sports) | Behavioral: Regular scholastic system and organized sports<br>* This group will consist of children involved in regular school system who at the same time participate in organized sport in sport-clubs<br>|
| Females athletes<br>Athletic girls (involved in sports) | Behavioral: Regular scholastic system and organized sports<br>* This group will consist of children involved in regular school system who at the same time participate in organized sport in sport-clubs<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Exact number of participants who smoke cigarettes as assessed by QSU questionnaire | QSU - Questionnaire of Substance Use is validated questionnaire where participants are asked on their consumption of substances, including cigarette smoking | 2 years | 
| Exact number of participants involved in harmful alcohol drinking as assessed by AUDIT questionnaire | AUDIT - Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test is a common and valid questionnaire where subjects are tested on alcohol drinking habits | 2 years | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Exact number of participants who failed educationally as assessed by grade-point average | Grade-point-average is one of the scholastic-achievement variables. | 2 years | 
| Exact number of participants who failed educationally as assessed by behavioral grade | Behavioral-grade is one of the scholastic-achievement variables. | 2 years |