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Profile of cannabis users among a population of Tunisian young adults residing abroad

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 August 2024

M. Moalla*
Affiliation:
1Psychiatry C, Hedi Chaker Hospital
N. Charfi
Affiliation:
2Psychiatry C, Hedi Chaker Hospital of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
S. Sellami
Affiliation:
1Psychiatry C, Hedi Chaker Hospital
I. Gassara
Affiliation:
2Psychiatry C, Hedi Chaker Hospital of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
R. Feki
Affiliation:
2Psychiatry C, Hedi Chaker Hospital of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
N. Smaoui
Affiliation:
2Psychiatry C, Hedi Chaker Hospital of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
S. Omri
Affiliation:
2Psychiatry C, Hedi Chaker Hospital of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
L. Zouari
Affiliation:
2Psychiatry C, Hedi Chaker Hospital of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
J. Ben Thabet
Affiliation:
2Psychiatry C, Hedi Chaker Hospital of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
M. Maalej Bouali
Affiliation:
2Psychiatry C, Hedi Chaker Hospital of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
M. Maalej
Affiliation:
2Psychiatry C, Hedi Chaker Hospital of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
*
*Corresponding author.

Abstract

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Introduction

Tunisian emigrants may consume psychoactive substances in other countries. This community is exposed to sociocultural and legal contexts different from those in Tunisia and the degree of acculturation would tend to increase over time. However, data on the use of psychoactive substances, particularly cannabis, in this particular population are scarce.

Objectives

This study aims to determine the profile of Tunisian young adults residing abroad who use cannabis.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytic study. It was carried out in the form of an online survey. We focused on young Tunisians people who have completed their secondary studies at the pilot high school of Sfax and currently residing abroad. Data collection was through Google Forms administred questionnaire.

Results

Thirty-five participants were included in our study. Cannabis use behavior affected 48.6% of them (N=17)) and it was done with friends in a festive setting in 88% of cases (N=15). Cannabis use was more common among people who were single (p=0.001), living alone (p=0.047), had a psychiatric history (p=0.032) and hanging out with friends who also smoked cannabis (p=0.032).Cannabis use was also more common among cigarette smokers (p=0.000) and alcohol consumers (p=0.000). It was significantly more common among people who shared erroneous beliefs about cannabis, that it is a mild drug (p= 0.024) and that it does not cause dependence (p= p=0.042).

Conclusions

Cannabis use among Tunisian young adults residing abroad seems to be a form of poly-consumption, more common among singles, living alone and having a psychiatric vulnerability. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions and educational initiatives to address cannabis use within this specific population.

Disclosure of Interest

None Declared

Type
Abstract
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of European Psychiatric Association
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