Suomalaisten korkeakouluopiskelijoiden päihteiden käyttö vuonna 2021

KOTT–tutkimuksen tuloksia

Authors

• Kirsimarja Raitasalo Terveyden ja hyvinvoinnin laitos https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7909-8562
• Karoliina Karjalainen Terveyden ja hyvinvoinnin laitos https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2377-3324
• Hanna Ollila Terveyden ja hyvinvoinnin laitos https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8814-1021
• Jussi Palomäki Terveyden ja hyvinvoinnin laitos https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6063-0926

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23990/sa.130518

Keywords:

alkoholi, kannabis, tupakkatuotteet, korkeakouluopiskelijat

Abstract

There is limited research on substance use by higher education students in Finland, although significant differences in health behaviors - including substance use - between adolescents studying in high schools and vocational schools have been found when examined by almost any metric. Studies on adult populations also point to socioeconomic differences in health behaviors.

This study examines problematic alcohol use and use of tobacco, snuff, and cannabis by young adults studying at universities and polytechnics. We are interested in whether there are differences in students’ use of these substances between these two types of universities, and whether the differences are indicative of socioeconomic differences among students. We also examine the connection of substance use and learning difficulties. Web-based data collection was carried out in 2021. The target group was Finnish students studying in universities and polytechnics aged 18-34 (N=6258). The data was analyzed using logistic and multinomial regression analysis.

Our study showed that problematic alcohol use and use of tobacco products is more common among students in polytechnics compared to university students, while the use of cannabis is more common among university students. When respondents’ age, gender, other substance use, as well as difficulties in income and learning disabilities were standardized, the differences in the use of tobacco products and cannabis between universities and polytechnics remained the same. However, the significance of results related to alcohol use disappeared. 

Substance abuse and disorders related to it can have far-reaching negative effects on student’s life. Preventive work, early identification of substance use disorders, treatment and guidance for appropriate care are services included in the field of study health care, and the availability and quality of them is important to ensure in the future.