DOI: 10.36347/sasjm.2021.v07i10.002

Pages: 527-533

Introduction: Substance use is a major public health problem. Medical students are an interesting population category to study, given the particularity of the stress factors to which they are exposed, predisposing them to the use of psychoactive substances. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of psychoactive substance use in this category, as well as the levels of dependence and risky use, and also to define the characteristics of use and the relationship between substance use and sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: Cross-sectional study with a descriptive aim, carried out in the form of a survey using a questionnaire, among 456 medical students in Casablanca, all levels combined. Results: The most widespread psychoactive substances are tobacco: 16.6%, chicha: 15.3%, cannabis: 14.9% and alcohol: 13.1%. The highest rate of risky use was noted with tobacco use: 30%, and cannabis use: 80%. More than half of the users had a family background of use, and one third of the users were repeaters. The age of initiation, for all substances, varied between 10 and 29 years. In our study, 18.6% of the students were poly-substance users. Psychiatric background was found in 42% of users vs 17% of non-users. Conclusion: The extent of psychoactive substance use among students is considerable, and the study has made it possible to identify certain socio-demographic risk factors.