scholarly journals Sexual orientation identity and tobacco and hazardous alcohol use: findings from a cross-sectional English population survey

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. e015058 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lion Shahab ◽  
Jamie Brown ◽  
Gareth Hagger-Johnson ◽  
Susan Michie ◽  
Joanna Semlyen ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo assess the association between tobacco and hazardous alcohol use and sexual orientation and whether such an association could be explained by other sociodemographic characteristics.DesignCross-sectional household survey conducted in 2014–2016.SettingEngland, UK.ParticipantsRepresentative English population sample (pooled n=43 866).Main outcomesSexual orientation identity (lesbian/gay, bisexual, heterosexual, prefer-not-to-say); current tobacco and hazardous alcohol use (defined as Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test Score ≥8). All outcomes were self-reported.ResultsDue to interactions between sexual orientation and gender for substance use, analyses were stratified by gender. Tobacco use prevalence was significantly higher among lesbian/gay (women: 24.9%, 95% CI 19.2% to 32.6%; men: 25.9%, 95% CI 21.3% to 31.0%) and bisexual participants (women: 32.4%, 95% CI 25.9% to 39.6%; men: 30.7%, 95% CI 23.7% to 30.7%) and significantly lower for prefer-not-to-say participants in women (15.5%, 95% CI 13.5% to 17.8%) but not men (22.7%, 95% CI 20.3% to 25.3%) compared with heterosexual participants (women: 17.5%, 95% CI 17.0% to 18.0%; men: 20.4%, 95% CI 19.9% to 21.0%; p<0.001 for omnibus test). Similarly, hazardous alcohol use was significantly more prevalent for lesbian/gay (women: 19.0%, 95% CI 14.0% to 25.3%; men: 30.0%, 25.2%–35.3%) and bisexual participants (women: 24.4%, 95% CI 18.7% to 31.3%; men: 24.3%, 95% CI 17.9% to 32.1%) and lower for prefer-not-to-say participants (women: 4.1%, 95% CI 3.0% to 5.4%; men: 13.7%; 95% CI 11.8% to 16.0%) compared with heterosexuals (women: 8.3%, 95% CI 7.9% to 8.7%; men: 18.4%, 95% CI 17.9% to 18.9%; p<0.001 for omnibus test). However, after adjusting for sociodemographic confounders, tobacco use was similar across all sexual orientation groups among both women and men. By contrast, sexual orientation differences in hazardous alcohol use remained even after adjustment among women but not for bisexual and gay men.ConclusionsIn England, higher rates of tobacco use among sexual minority men and women appear to be attributable to other sociodemographic factors. Higher rates of hazardous alcohol use among sexual minority men may also be attributable to these factors, whereas this is not the case for sexual minority women.

2014 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo da Rosa Silveira ◽  
Betina Lejderman ◽  
Pedro Eugênio Mazzucchi Santana Ferreira ◽  
Gibsi Maria Possapp da Rocha

Objectives: To evaluate the prevalence of methylphenidate (MPH) use among 5th and 6th year medical students, to discriminate MPH use with and without medical indication, and to correlate MPH use with alcohol intake. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study in which medical students were invited to answer a questionnaire to evaluate academic and socioeconomic status, MPH use patterns, and attitudes towards neuroenhancing drugs. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) was used to assess alcohol intake; a score ≥ 8 suggests potentially hazardous alcohol use. Results: Fifty-two participants (34.2%) had already used MPH, of which 35 (23.02%) had used it without medical indication. The number of 6th year students who had used MPH was more than twice higher than that of their 5th year counterparts (32.89 vs. 13.15%, respectively; p = 0.004). Also, 43.6% (p = 0.031) of the users of MPH had an AUDIT score ≥ 8; 33.3% (p = 0.029) of non-medical users of MPH had an AUDIT score ≥ 8. Conclusions: In this study, the use of MPH without medical indication was prevalent. Our findings also confirmed the association between non-medical use of MPH and potentially hazardous alcohol use.


2021 ◽  
pp. 026988112110326
Author(s):  
Anna Powell ◽  
Harry Sumnall ◽  
Cecil Kullu ◽  
Lynn Owens ◽  
Catharine Montgomery

Background: Dependent alcohol drinkers exhibit differences in the structure and function of the brain, and impairments in cognitive function, including executive functions (EFs). Less is known about the impact of non-dependent but hazardous use (that which raises the risk of harm), and it is also unclear to what extent executive impairments in this cohort affect real-world function. The current study examines the relationship between alcohol use, EF and alcohol-related problems, in the general population. Methods: A between-groups cross-sectional design assessed EF across two levels of drinking; hazardous (Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score of ⩾8) and non-hazardous. Alcohol drinkers ( n = 666; 136 male; 524 female; six not disclosed; aged 28.02 ± 10.40 years) completed validated questionnaires online assessing subjective EF, alcohol use and alcohol-related problems. Results: Organisation, Strategic Planning, Impulse Control and overall function were significantly impaired in hazardous drinkers. Furthermore, the effect of alcohol on EF, partially mediated the relationship between alcohol use and alcohol-related problems. Conclusion: Hazardous drinking was associated with lower subjective EF, and this mediated the effect of alcohol on alcohol-related problems. This may be due to changes in prefrontal brain regions, which could indicate greater risk for the development of alcohol dependence (AD). Future research should use additional means to assess EF in hazardous drinkers, including recovery of function, development of AD and the relationship between cognition and alcohol-related daily problems.


2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Solomon Teferra ◽  
Girmay Medhin ◽  
Medhin Selamu ◽  
Arvin Bhana ◽  
Charlotte Hanlon ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-41
Author(s):  
Yannic van Gils ◽  
Erik Franck ◽  
Eva Dierckx ◽  
Sebastiaan P.J. van Alphen ◽  
Geert Dom

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Drinking motives seem to be the most proximal predictors of alcohol outcomes. Consequently, these are an essential factor to consider as they may influence the extent to which alcohol is used in a risky way, even in older adults. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> We studied the moderating effect of distress on the relationship between drinking motives and drinking behaviour in a community-dwelling older adult sample. <b><i>Method:</i></b> In a retrospective cross-sectional research study, participants were community-dwelling older adults aged 65 years and older. All respondents completed a questionnaire covering the Drinking Motives Questionnaire (DMQ), the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), and the General Severity Index (GSI) of the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). <b><i>Results:</i></b> In this sample of 1,148 older adults, drinking motives and hazardous alcohol use were associated (enhancement motives <i>r</i> = 0.478, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001; coping motives <i>r</i> = 0.367, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001; and social motives <i>r</i> = 0.235, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). Furthermore, moderation analysis showed that older adults drinking predominantly for enhancement or coping motives (respectively, β = 0.433, CI [95%] = 2.557–3.222 and β = 0.327, CI [95%] = 1.077–1.491, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001), and older adults who had higher levels of psychological distress (β = 2.518, CI [95%] = 2.017–3.019, <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001) were more likely to report higher degree of hazardous alcohol use. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The relations between coping drinking motives and enhancement drinking motives on hazardous drinking depended on the level of distress. The associations between drinking for coping and drinking for enhancement were stronger in high levels of distress. Although causality cannot be interpreted from cross-sectional data, tackling psychological distress and drinking to cope with negative affect or to enhance positive affect might have strong effects on reducing hazardous drinking behaviour among older adults.


Author(s):  
Kingsley M. Okonoda ◽  
James T. Obindo ◽  
Peter O. Onifade ◽  
Duwap M. Makput ◽  
Bawo O. James

Background: Being a maladaptive means of coping with stress, alcohol abuse may be associated with level of terrorism in a community. Jos has had a number of terrorists’ attacks which have had devastating effects on the city and its environs. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of terrorism catastrophizing, hazardous alcohol use as well as the relationship between terrorism catastrophizing and hazardous alcohol use among students of the Plateau State Polytechnic, Jos Campus.Methods: A cross sectional study of 230 students in the departments of accountancy, business administration and management who completed self-administered questionnaires during one of their classes following a random cluster sampling of departments.Results: The TCS showed that 43.5% of the participants had terrorism catastrophizing. Pearson correlation showed a high significant positive correlation (p<0.05) across the three dimensions of terrorism catastrophizing: rumination, r=0.807; magnification, r=0.726; and helplessness, r=0.754. However, no significant correlation exists between terrorism catastrophising (rumination, magnification and helplessness), alcohol use disorder, r = -0.016, p = 0.817 (AUDITc), and problem drinking behavior, r= -0.157, p=0.06.Conclusions: There was no positive correlation between terrorism catastrophizing and hazardous alcohol drinking.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 247054701881590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsey L. Monteith ◽  
Noelle B. Smith ◽  
Ryan Holliday ◽  
Robert H. Pietrzak

Background Veterans who experience military sexual trauma are at increased risk for experiencing suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, and suicide. Yet few studies have attempted to discern factors that relate to suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among survivors of military sexual trauma. The present study aimed to identify psychiatric and interpersonal correlates of suicidal ideation (primary aim) and suicide attempt (secondary aim) among survivors of military sexual trauma. Methods This cross-sectional analysis included 115 veterans (56 females; mean age = 53.24) who participated in the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study and reported experiencing military sexual trauma. Self-report measures assessed psychological distress, hazardous alcohol use, social support, loneliness, social acknowledgment following one’s worst trauma, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts. Results Military sexual trauma survivors who reported more severe psychological distress (OR = 2.88), hazardous alcohol use (OR = 1.14), and perceived general disapproval from others (OR = 1.14) were significantly more likely to report experiencing suicidal ideation in the past two weeks. Hazardous alcohol use (OR = 1.19) and perceived general disapproval from others (OR = 1.36) were associated with being more likely to report attempting suicide in adulthood. Conclusions Addressing alcohol misuse, psychological distress, and perceived general disapproval from others in relation to one’s worst traumatic event is recommended when assessing and managing suicide risk among veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma. Findings also contribute to a growing literature highlighting the importance of understanding perceptions of the interpersonal response to trauma. Considering the cross-sectional design, longitudinal research is needed to further elucidate the roles of these constructs in predicting suicidal ideation and suicide attempt following military sexual trauma.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kalkidan Yohannes ◽  
Getinet Ayano ◽  
Kusse Koirita ◽  
Henok Mulatu ◽  
Hirbaye Mokona

Abstract Background: Hazardous drinking is a quantity or pattern of alcohol consumption that places individuals at risk for adverse health events. Studies have shown that hazardous alcohol drinking among patients with tuberculosis has been often linked to a decrease in immune system functioning, greater rates of treatment-resistant cases, and death during treatment. However, there are rare studies that assessed the prevalence of hazardous alcohol use and associated factors among patients with tuberculosis in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the prevalence of hazardous alcohol drinking and associated factors among patients with tuberculosis attending public healthcare facilities in Gedeo Zone, Southern Ethiopia.Methods: An institution-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among a randomly selected sample of 415 patients with tuberculosis. The study was conducted at the tuberculosis unit of public healthcare facilities in the Gedeo zone, Southern Ethiopia. The Alcohol Use Identification Test (AUDIT) scale was used to measure hazardous alcohol drinking. Data on social support, perceived tuberculosis stigma, and depression were collected using a standard, validated, and structured questionnaire. Results: The prevalence of hazardous alcohol drinking in our study was 20 % (95% CI; 16.1% -24.2%). Medical comorbidity (AOR = 2.44, 95% CI: 1.29–4.62), length of illness (>=12 months) (AOR = 2.88, 95% CI: 1.03–3.04), and being male (AOR = 2.10, 95% CI: 1.17–3.77) were found to be significant predictors of hazardous alcohol drinking after controlling for potential confounders.Conclusion: A high prevalence of hazardous alcohol drinking was observed among patients with tuberculosis. Therefore, routine screening for alcohol use and a holistic treatment approach for patients with tuberculosis are crucial.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kalkidan Yohannes ◽  
Getinet Ayano ◽  
Kusse Koirita ◽  
Henok Mulatu ◽  
Hirbaye Mokona

Abstract Background: Hazardous drinking is a quantity or pattern of alcohol consumption that places individuals at risk for adverse health events. Studies have shown that hazardous alcohol drinking among patients with tuberculosis has been often linked to a decrease in immune system functioning, greater rates of treatment-resistant cases and death during treatment. However, there are rare studies that assessed the prevalence of hazardous alcohol use and associated factors among patients with tuberculosis in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the prevalence of hazardous alcohol drinking and associated factors among patients with tuberculosis attending public healthcare facilities in Gedeo Zone, Southern Ethiopia.Methods: An institution-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among a randomly selected sample of 415 patients with tuberculosis. The study was conducted at the tuberculosis units of public healthcare facilities in Gedeo zone, Southern Ethiopia. The Alcohol Use Identification Test (AUDIT) scale was used to measure hazardous alcohol drinking. Data on social support, perceived tuberculosis stigma, and depression were collected using a standard, validated, and structured questionnaire. Results: The prevalence of hazardous alcohol drinking in our study was 20 % (95% CI; 16.1% -24.2%). Medical comorbidity (AOR = 2.44, 95% CI: 1.29–4.62), length of illness (>=12 months) (AOR = 2.88, 95% CI: 1.03–3.04), and being male (AOR = 2.10, 95% CI: 1.17–3.77) were found to be significant predictors of hazardous alcohol drinking after controlling for potential confounders.Conclusion: A high prevalence of hazardous alcohol drinking was observed among patients with tuberculosis. Therefore, routine screening for alcohol use and a holistic treatment approach for patients with tuberculosis are crucial.


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