Analyzing the Patterns of Multiple Substance Use and Risky Sexual Behavior and the Protective Role of Religious Faith in College Students

Considering the importance of continuous monitoring of high-risk behavior patterns in students and identifying protective factors against them, the present study was conducted to analyze the patterns of multiple substance use and risky sexual behavior and the protective role of religious faith in college students.

In a cross-sectional study, 400 students (200 students from Allameh Tabatabaei University and 200 students from Razi University in Kermanshah) were selected by a convenience sampling method and evaluated using religious faith and high-risk behaviors questionnaires. Data were analyzed using the latent class analysis method, Pearson correlation test, chi-square test, and one-way analysis of variance using SPSS and Mplus software.

Latent class analysis led to the extraction of one non-user group and four substance user groups. Cigarette, hookah, and drug users were the main users among the participants, and heavy substance users such as opium were in the minority. Risky sexual behavior was most prevalent among alcohol and cannabis users, and religious belief played the most protective role against alcohol consumption.

Due to the different patterns of high-risk behavior that are common among students, designed interventions should be tailored to these patterns to be most effective. In addition, strengthening religious faith by various programs can reduce students' involvement in high-risk behaviors.