Approche épidémiologique de la toxicomanie en milieu universitaire à Marrakech (Maroc). Epidemiologic approach of drug-addiction in the University of Marrakesh (Morocco).

Author: Manoudi, F., Boutabia, S., Asri, F., Tazi, I.

Source:
Annales Médico-Psychologiques, Vol 168(9), Nov 2010, 698-701. doi: 10.1016/j.amp.2010.09.003.
Abstract Introduction Drug-addiction, an universal medico-social problem, starts to spread in Morocco. Even if it appeared a long time ago, one is unaware of the real characteristics of this plague in our country. Objectives The aim of our work is to study the prevalence of drug-addictions (tobacco, cannabis and alcohol) among students at the University Cadi Ayyad of Marrakech, trying to approach the epidemiological aspect and the impact of this consumption. Patients and methods Our study is an epidemiologic approach of drug-addiction in the University of Marrakesh. After having prepared a questionnaire allowing the study of toxic consumption (tobacco, cannabis and alcohol) and the evaluation of the depression among consumers; we carried out an investigation near 418 students from Caddi Ayyad University. Results The analysis of the results obtained makes it possible to establish the following characteristics: 24,6% of the students of our sample were consumers of tobacco, 9,8% were consumers of cannabis and 17,5% were alcohol consumers. Male consumption is prevalent, with 86.4% of smokers, 97.6% of hashish consumers and 86.3% of alcohol consumers. The age of the first consumption of drug coincides with adolescence. The mode of consumption was regular for 100% of smokers, 51.2% of hashish users and for 11% of alcohol consumers. 86.4% of smokers were dependent on tobacco, 76,6% on cannabis and 16,4% on alcohol. 28.1% of the dependent smokers on tobacco presented a moderated to severe depression. It was the same for 35.4% of the cannabis dependent and for 58.3% of those dependent on alcohol. Conclusion A plan fighting drug-addiction is essential; especially in its preventive shutter, so as to limit this phenomenon and to minimize its repercussions on young population.