Gender differences in prevalence of drug use among high risk adolescents in Israel

doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2005.05.010

Addictive Behaviors

Volume 31, Issue 2, February 2006, Pages 355-358

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2005.05.010 Get rights and content

Abstract

Background

The use of tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs is considered to be primarily a male problem. Many studies of drug use in the general population have reinforced this assumption. Other recent findings, however, call the extent of gender differences into question.

Methods

Self report data were collected from 911 high risk adolescents who ranged from 12 to 18 years.

Results

Last 30 day use was used to compare the youth. Significant findings show girls use cigarettes more than boys; boys use all types of alcohol more than girls; and, boys use marijuana and hashish more than girls. No differences were reported in terms of the patterns of ecstasy, inhalants, prescription drugs, LSD, amphetamines, cocaine, crack cocaine, opium and heroin. Boys more than girls were inclined to binge drink. Boys and girls reported similar patterns of being in a car with a driver who had been drinking and driving a car after drinking. Boys more than girls take loans in order to obtain drugs; girls more than boys were able to acquire drugs without having to use their own money; and boys more than girls gambled to acquire drugs.

Discussion

With the exception of cigarettes, boys use drugs and engage in problem behavior more than girls. Underage drinking and driving is a serious behavior problem reported by male and female youth. This factor and binge drinking should be targeted as priority prevention issues. Gender differences in prevalence of drug use among high risk adolescents should be monitored to verify what may be a growing problem among female adolescents in the country and elsewhere (Litt, I., (2003). Drugs and adolescent girls. (editorial). Journal of Adolescent Health, 32, 1-2).

Section snippets

Methods

Data were collected during a 9 month period in 2003 from a purposive sample of 911 high-risk youth—390 boys and 521 girls, in alternative special education/training programs, street "drop-in" centers, and from low-income neighborhoods in the southern Negev and northern Haifa regions of the county. The sample did not include youth who graduated high school. The age of the youth ranged from 12 to 18 years with a median age of 16 years.

Study youth were asked to complete, on a voluntary and

Results

Last 30 day use was used to compare the youth. Cigarette use was reported by 77% girls and 69% boys (χ² = 6.40, p < .05). For all alcohol substances, (i.e., beer, wine and liquor such as vodka and whiskey) boys were significantly more inclined to drink than girls. Results show the following alcohol use patterns: beer (61% boys, 45% girls; χ² = 45.88, p < .001) wine (48% boys, 36% girls; χ² = 16.01, p < .01); and liquor (43% boys, 31% girls; χ² = 20.92, p < .01). A similar pattern of use was found for marijuana

Discussion

This study is based on a limited population of youth at one point in time. Results show, with the exception of cigarettes, that boys use drugs and engage in problem behavior more than girls. This may be in part attributed to motivations for drug use. According to the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (Springer et al., 2002) boys initiate and continue to use drugs to increase social bonding with other drug using males, enhance their sense of self, and for sensation seeking and boredom

Acknowledgment

This research was supported by a grant (TA-MOU-02-M23-010) from the United States Agency for International Development—Middle East Regional Cooperation Program.

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Short CommunicationGender differences in prevalence of drug use among high risk adolescents in Israel

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Discussion

Section snippets

Methods

Results

Discussion

Acknowledgment

Journal of Adolescent Health

Alcohol consumption among Israeli youth—1989: Epidemiology and demographics

British Journal of Addiction

"Ladette" binge drinkers outnumber males, Dec. 15

2002 Annual report on the state of the drugs problem in the European Union and Norway

Monitoring the future: National results on adolescent drug use, overview of key findings 2003, (NIH Publication No. 04-5506)

UK girls drink more than boys

Addictive disorders in adolescents

International Addiction

Short Communication
Gender differences in prevalence of drug use among high risk adolescents in Israel