OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of knowledge, attitude and perceived social norm on the use of New Type of Drugs (NTD) and to construct the mediated model among these factors.

METHODSWith stratified random group sampling, 3018 students from 3 middle schools, 3 high schools, 3 vocational high schools and a municipal-own university in Wuhan city completed questionnaires under anonymous and voluntary practice. A conceptual model was developed based on Reasoned Behavior Theory. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test the proposed model.

RESULTSThe overall prevalent rate of NTD was 3.28%, with 4.81% for males, 1.94% for females,1.80% for middle school students, 2.91% for general high school students, 7.83% for vocational school students and 3.25% for college students. SEM seemed to have been fixed nicely into the model. Adolescent NTD was significantly predicted by knowledge, attitude, perceived social norm which were all directly affecting or medicated by the susceptibility of drugs.

CONCLUSIONKnowledge, attitude, perceived social norm might increase the risks for NTD use among adolescents, suggesting that preventive education on drug use among adolescents should be paid to improve the knowledge on drugs.

Adolescent ; Adolescent Behavior ; Female ; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ; Humans ; Male ; Models, Psychological ; Risk Factors ; Social Behavior ; Social Values ; Students ; statistics & numerical data ; Substance-Related Disorders ; psychology