Abstract
This paper examined the psychological, social and nutritional health-related aspects that relate to drug use among higher education students. The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study on 1,055 students in various colleges. The data was obtained by using self-administered questionnaire, which measured demographic, psychological, and social variables and nutritional health indicators in terms of drug use. The study identified living alone as a significant demographic predictor in the multivariate logistic regression analysis. Positive and neutral attitudes towards drug use (OR = 0.044 and OR = 0.324, respectively), as well as protective or irregular behavioral practices (OR = 0.002) were significantly protective, psychologically. There were no significant differences in nutritional health indicators between users and non-users, but 98 % of the entire population sample had indications of mild malnutrition risk. To conclude, the issue of drug use among university students was more of a psychological and social process rather than a physical and nutritional health issue. Prevention plans are supposed to focus on cognitive and behavioral therapies. Even though drug use has not reached the stage of demonstrating any quantifiable physical health impact, the fact that malnutrition risk is high demonstrates that parallel nutrition-based health promotion interventions are necessary.
Recommended Citation
Huwaikem, Mashael Abdulhalim
(2026)
"A Holistic Framework Addressing Psychological, Social, and Health Aspects of Drug Use among University Students,"
Scientific Journal of King Faisal University: Humanities and Management Sciences: Vol. 27:
Iss.
1, Article 1.
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.37575/h/art/250079
Available at:
https://sjkfuh.researchcommons.org/journal/vol27/iss1/1
