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Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Evolution of Prevalence and Patterns of Cannabis Use among First-Year University Students in Spain—UniHcos Project

Author

Listed:
  • Lorena Botella-Juan

    (Department of Biomedical Sciences, Area of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of León, 24071 León, Spain)

  • Carmen Amezcua-Prieto

    (Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública-CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
    Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Granada, 18016 Granada, Spain
    Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria (ibs.Granada), 18014 Granada, Spain)

  • María M. Morales-Suarez-Varela

    (Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública-CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
    Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food Sciences, Toxicology and Legal Medicine, University of Valencia, 46100 Burjassot, Spain)

  • Ramona Mateos-Campos

    (Area of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain)

  • Carlos Ayán-Pérez

    (Well-Move Research Group, Department of Special Didactics, University of Vigo, 36310 Vigo, Spain)

  • Antonio José Molina

    (Department of Biomedical Sciences, Area of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of León, 24071 León, Spain
    Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública-CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
    The Research Group in Gene-Environment and Health Interactions (GIIGAS), Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), University of León, 24071 León, Spain)

  • Rocío Ortiz-Moncada

    (Area of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Food and Nutrition Research Group, University of Alicante, 03550 Alicante, Spain)

  • Susana Redondo-Martín

    (Department of Pathological Anatomy, Microbiology and Preventive Medicine and Public Health, School of Medicine, Universidad de Valladolid, 47005 Valladolid, Spain
    Comisionado Regional para la Droga, Junta de Castilla y León, 47009 Valladolid, Spain)

  • Juan Alguacil

    (Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública-CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
    Centre for Research on Natural Resources, Health, and Environment (RENSMA), University of Huelva, 21071 Huelva, Spain)

  • Gemma Blázquez-Abellán

    (Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 02008 Albacete, Spain)

  • Miguel Delgado-Rodríguez

    (Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública-CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
    Department of Health Sciences, University of Jaén, 23071 Jaén, Spain)

  • Jessica Alonso-Molero

    (Departamento de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Universidad de Cantabria-IDIVAL, 39008 Santander, Spain)

  • Tania Fernández-Villa

    (Department of Biomedical Sciences, Area of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of León, 24071 León, Spain
    Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública-CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
    The Research Group in Gene-Environment and Health Interactions (GIIGAS), Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), University of León, 24071 León, Spain)

Abstract

Among university students there has been evidence that the COVID-19 pandemic increased their psychological distress, exacerbated by social restrictions. The main objective of this study was to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence and patterns of cannabis use among university students, in contrast to previous trends since 2012. Data from 10,522 first-year university students (73.3% female, M age 19 (SD = 1.6)) from eleven Spanish universities collected between 2012 and May 2022 was analysed. Prevalences of cannabis use and their differences by sex were studied, as well as changes in patterns of use and its use for coping during the pandemic. It was found that during lockdown, all prevalence rates of cannabis use decreased in both sexes, showing no statistically significant differences and increasing again in the new normal period in both. Among regular cannabis users, 79.7% reported maintaining or increasing their cannabis use during the pandemic, and of these, half reported using cannabis to cope. Moreover, cannabis use in the usual household increased during the lockdown. These results show that although the overall prevalence of cannabis use was reduced during the lockdown, regular users tended to maintain or increase cannabis use. This could imply two different patterns of use among students, one social and occasional versus the other regular, providing new lines of research for prevention and the implementation of social policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Lorena Botella-Juan & Carmen Amezcua-Prieto & María M. Morales-Suarez-Varela & Ramona Mateos-Campos & Carlos Ayán-Pérez & Antonio José Molina & Rocío Ortiz-Moncada & Susana Redondo-Martín & Juan Algua, 2022. "Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Evolution of Prevalence and Patterns of Cannabis Use among First-Year University Students in Spain—UniHcos Project," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-13, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:18:p:11577-:d:914695
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Natalie Hemsing & Lorraine Greaves, 2020. "Gender Norms, Roles and Relations and Cannabis-Use Patterns: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-31, February.
    2. Heide Busse & Christoph Buck & Christiane Stock & Hajo Zeeb & Claudia R. Pischke & Paula Mayara Matos Fialho & Claus Wendt & Stefanie Maria Helmer, 2021. "Engagement in Health Risk Behaviours before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic in German University Students: Results of a Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-16, February.
    3. Alessio Gori & Eleonora Topino, 2021. "Across the COVID-19 Waves; Assessing Temporal Fluctuations in Perceived Stress, Post-Traumatic Symptoms, Worry, Anxiety and Civic Moral Disengagement over One Year of Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-14, May.
    4. Elise Garrison & Conor Gilligan & Benjamin O. Ladd & Kristen G. Anderson, 2021. "Social Anxiety, Cannabis Use Motives, and Social Context’s Impact on Willingness to Use Cannabis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-12, May.
    5. Marie Pierre Tavolacci & Edwin Wouters & Sarah Van de Velde & Veerle Buffel & Pierre Déchelotte & Guido Van Hal & Joel Ladner, 2021. "The Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Health Behaviors among Students of a French University," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-14, April.
    6. Jorge Arias-de la Torre & Tania Fernández-Villa & Antonio José Molina & Carmen Amezcua-Prieto & Ramona Mateos & José María Cancela & Miguel Delgado-Rodríguez & Rocío Ortíz-Moncada & Juan Alguacil & Su, 2019. "Psychological Distress, Family Support and Employment Status in First-Year University Students in Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-11, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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