The aim was to describe relationships between gender and drug use as well as risk behaviors that may be associated with drug use among first-year students at the University of São Paulo-Ribeirão Preto. The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) is an anonymous survey that was used for this descriptive correlational study. It was developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States. The sample (n=200) included (50%) males and (50%) females. Their ages ranged from 18 to 26 years. Results showed that more female than male students use alcohol and tobacco, but that the probability of heavy consumption is higher among men. There was a low incidence of illicit drug use for both groups. Male students were more likely to drive under the influence of alcohol than female students and more men were involved in violent behaviors such as fights with friends and police. In relation to sexual behavior, male students were likely to have more partners and less protection while under influence of alcohol. It was concluded that gender is associated with recreational drug use, specifically tobacco and alcohol, as well as other risk behaviors in university students.
students; risk factors; street drugs
