Prevalencia y factores de riesgo asociados al consumo de alcohol, tabaco y sustancias psicoactivas en los jóvenes estudiantes de la Carrera de Enfermería de la Universidad de Cuenca 2021

Background: The use of psychoactive substances dates back thousands of years; initially with use in rituals, as a way to mitigate hunger, thirst, and have the courage to go to combat or simply access artificial paradises, creating custom in society. In 2017, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, it registered 271 million people, between 14 and 65 years old, who had used some type of drug. Objective: Determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with the consumption of alcohol, tobacco and psychoactive substances in students of the Nursing Career of the University of Cuenca, 2021. Methodology: Observational-descriptive quantitative cross-sectional study, with a universe of 617 students enrolled in the period September 2020 - February 2021 of the Nursing Career of the University of Cuenca. The sample was obtained using the formula for finite universe of Dra. Pita Fernández, resulting in 154 students. The compiled information was digitized using the SSPS version 25 program and using descriptive statistics, the results are presented in tables of frequency and percentages. Results: The predominant population is female with 77%, 23% is male, the psychoactive substances of choice are: alcohol with 46% consumes it once or twice a week, tobacco among drugs classified as legal; Among the illicit ones, marijuana is the first option for consumption.