Payesh
2009; 8: 335-341
Accepted for publication: 23 October 2008
[EPub a head of print-16 September 2009]

Objective(s): To determine the prevalence of Ecstasy use and high risk behaviors among college students in Guilan; Iran.
Methods: We conducted a cross sectional study of a representative sample drawn from college students (3958 students) of Guilan in 2005. The questionnaire was adapted from a number of the questionnaires used in the United States and the European countries. Data were analyzed performing χ2 test and logistic regression.
Results: Out of 3958 students, 3700 students (93.5%) responded, 1966 students from private colleges and 1734 students from state universities. The mean age of student was 224.2± 3.5 years (ranging from 18 to 46 years); and 49% were male. The life- time prevalence of Ecstasy use was 4.2% (157 students). Ecstasy use was significantly associated with gender, other substances us, cigarette smoking, participation in friendly parties, sharing home with friends, alcohol consumption, type of university , educational level of family, family situation and history of educational abruption in last years (χ2 test , p< 0.0001) but not with age and university courses. Howevere, logistic regression analysis indicated that the factors influencing Ecstasy use were use of other drugs, alcohol and cigarette smoking (P< 0.0001).
Conclusion: Ecstasy use appears to be a serious problem in college students. Whatever the causes behind the rise in Ecstasy use, personalized and informative educational programs should be conducted in all colleges.