[Risk of pathological gambling, Associated factors and mental disorders in youth from Medellin - Colombia].

AIMS

To study the risk of pathological gambling and its possible relation with mental disorders and school and family problems in a population of school pupils from the city of Medellin (Colombia), with a view to providing guidance for mental health care.

METHOD

Cross-sectional study; sample comprises 3486 students aged 10 to 19 years selected from all the educational institutions in the city. The sample is probabilistic and represents an estimated population of 290,000 young people from Medellin. The SOGS instrument (South Oaks Gambling Screening) was used for screening risk and likelihood of problem gambling. The analytic stage assessed possible associated factors such as mental disorders, alcohol use and drug use, with statistical significance levels of 5% and prevalence rates with 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS

A total of 48.6% were without problems, 37.6% were at risk and 13.8% were possible pathological gamblers. Males were more at risk than females (2.5:1), and the highest proportion of possible pathological gamblers was in the 10-14 age group (58.7%), vs. the 15-19 group (41.3%). Pathological gambling in young people is associated in this study with: anxiety OR=2.1(1.69-2.60), depression OR=1.73(1.33-2.24), suicide attempt OR=1.85(1.20-2.85), impulsivity OR=3.48(2.85-4.26), violent behavior OR=4.64(3.57-5.58), and problems at school OR=2.46(1.97-3.06); recent use of cigarettes, drunkenness and illegal drugs (use/addiction) were identified as associated risk factors, p value: <0.05.

CONCLUSIONS

Pathological gambling risk is high in this young population, and is associated with mental disorders, use of psychoactive substances, and school and family problems. This situation suggests the need for large-scale and comprehensive preventive and therapeutic intervention measures for addressing the problem.