Amman, August 3 (Petra) – The National Council for Family Affairs (NCFA) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) launched a study Monday on integrating social and behavioral change approaches into preventive interventions for children and youth in Jordan.
Titled "Generating Scientific Evidence to Build a Comprehensive Substance-Use Prevention Program for Children and Youth in Jordan," the study was launched in the presence of representatives from the Public Security Directorate, government ministries, national institutions, and international partners.
The study covered the age groups 10–14, 15–17, and 18–25 recruited from schools, universities, vocational and youth centers, and community institutions. It examined individual, family, community, and institutional factors affecting risky behaviors and how these factors interact, with the aim of supporting more effective prevention and response measures.
The findings showed that seven in 10 participants had used at least one commonly used product, including cigarettes, hookahs, electronic smoking products, and energy drinks. About half of those participants reported that energy drinks were the first product they tried, while nearly four in five cited curiosity as the reason for their first use.
The study also found that awareness of the potential harm associated with many substances was high among a broad segment of participants, indicating that information alone was insufficient to prevent experimentation. Peer and family influence, ease of access, psychological pressure, and a limited ability to refuse were identified as key factors affecting substance-use behavior.
NCFA Secretary-General Mohammad Miqdadi noted that the study provides a national scientific reference based on a mixed-method approach combining a quantitative survey with qualitative research.
He explained that the survey covered 1,043 children and young people aged 10–25 from Amman, Irbid, and Karak governorates, including those enrolled in formal education and those outside the education system.
Miqdadi stressed that prevention is a shared national responsibility requiring coordinated efforts by government institutions, international partners, and civil society organizations, alongside stronger family involvement.
He indicated that the study’s findings would support decision-makers and relevant institutions in developing preventive policies and programs and strengthening national efforts to protect children and youth from risky behaviors.
Miqdadi emphasized that protecting children and youth requires an evidence-based understanding of their circumstances. Citing data collected between 2018 and 2022 under cooperation with the Gender and Adolescence: Global Evidence research program, he reported that 12 percent of adolescents showed symptoms of moderate to severe anxiety, 11 percent showed symptoms of moderate to severe depression, and 35 percent reported low levels of coping and resilience.
He observed that the findings demonstrate that preventing substance use and other risky behaviors cannot be separated from mental health, family support, social relationships, a sense of belonging, and the ability to manage pressure.
Miqdadi continued that children and young people who receive emotional support and learn to manage stress are better able to resist risk factors and make responsible decisions.
UNICEF Representative to Jordan Marc Rubin remarked that the study confirms that young people are generally aware of the risks, but that their decisions are also influenced by their peers, families, and surrounding communities.
Rubin stressed that every adolescent has the right to grow up in a safe environment protected from harm, noting that the evidence provides Jordan with a clearer basis for coordinated action involving families, schools, communities, and service providers.
The evidence also highlighted the role of families, trusted adults, and safe support systems in protecting young people.
Participating youth emphasized the importance of building trust, promoting open communication, and providing confidential, nonjudgmental support services.
The findings will contribute to developing a social and behavioral change strategy to prevent harmful substance use in Jordan and translate the evidence into coordinated measures involving families, schools, local communities, and relevant services.
British Ambassador to Jordan Philip Hall stated that the study would deepen understanding of harmful substance use among young people and help reduce its impact on them, their families, and their communities.
//Petra// AO
