Prevalence and risk factors of ecstasy use among college students in Astara, Islamic Republic of Iran

We determined the prevalence and risk factors for 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy) use among college students in Astara, a northern border city of Iran. In a cross-sectional questionnaire survey of 1226 students, the lifetime prevalence of ecstasy use was 5.6%. The lifetime prevalence of use of other drugs, mostly cannabis and opium, was 4.6%. A fifth of students (21.8%) were current cigarette smokers and 24.8% had ever used alcohol. After logistic regression , the factors influencing ever use of ecstasy were ever use of other drugs, ever use of alcohol, current cigarette smoking and living alone or with friends . Targeted prevention programmes should be conducted in all colleges.