scholarly journals Does perception of drug-related harm change with age? A cross-sectional online survey of young and older people

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. e021109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Survjit Cheeta ◽  
Adem Halil ◽  
Matthew Kenny ◽  
Erin Sheehan ◽  
Roxanne Zamyadi ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo investigate how young and older people perceive the harms associated with legal and illegal drugs.DesignCross-sectional study: adults aged 18–24 years versus 45+ completed an online survey ranking the perceived harms associated with 11 drugs on 16 drug-related harm criteria.SettingOnline survey.Participants184 participants aged 18–24 years (113 female: mean age 21: SD 1.3) and 91 participants aged 45+ (51 female: mean age 60: SD 8.5).Main outcome measures‘Perception of drug-related harms’: This was measured using a rating scale ranging from 1 (no risk of harm) to 4 (high risk of harm). Participants were also asked about sources which informed their perception on drug-related harms as well as their own personal self-reported drug experiences.ResultsOf the illegal drugs, heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine were rated as the most harmful and cannabis was rated as the least harmful. Alcohol and tobacco were also rated as less harmful. The results showed that perceptions of drug-related harms were inconsistent with current knowledge from research on drugs. Furthermore, perceptions on drug harms were more conservative in the 45+ group for a number of illegal drugs and tobacco. However, the 45+ age group did not perceive alcohol as any more harmful than the younger group.ConclusionsThis survey demonstrates that the greatest misperception was in relation to alcohol-related harms which did not change with age. In order to minimise harms, this misperception needs to be addressed through education and policies that legislate drug use.

Author(s):  
Anupama Deepak ◽  
Dhanraj Ganapathy ◽  
Visalakshi Ramanathan

Anxiolytic drugs are a class of drugs that reduce the anxiety levels in the individuals by nonspecifically binding to the GABAα located throughout the central nervous system. The aim of this study was to compare the anxiolytic effects of diazepam and Zolpidem in patients undergoing extraction. This was a cross-sectional study conducted at a university setting, with a sample size of 100 patients, of the age group 25-45 years. 50 patients were administered with Tab. Diazepam and 50 patients with Tab. Zolpidem one hour before the surgical procedure. The Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A Scale) was used to record the patient's anxiety levels before and during the extraction procedure. These data were then recorded in MS Excel Sheet and imported to SPSS for statistical analysis. From this study, it can be seen that most of the patients were females and mainly between the age group 25-35 years. Diazepam had significantly lesser post sedation anxiety levels in comparison with its post sedation levels than zolpidem with, a statistically significant difference (p<0.001). Therefore, it can be concluded that diazepam had better post sedation effects than zolpidem in patients undergoing extraction as patients presented with lesser severity in their anxiety levels.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (T1) ◽  
pp. 451-458
Author(s):  
Kholisotul Hikmah ◽  
Lucky Prisandy ◽  
Gea Melinda ◽  
M. Ibraar Ayatullah

BACKGROUND: Indonesia, the world’s fourth-most populous country, is grappling with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) catastrophe as cases continue to rise. This situation induces uncertainties and changes in daily life, leading to uneasiness among the population, which may trigger anxiety symptoms. AIM: This study aimed to analyze the factors associated with the anxiety level among the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 267 adults from June 10, 2020, to June 15, 2020, the transition phase week after Large-scale Social Restriction of Indonesia. The survey was conducted online using a Google Form distributed through social media (WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter). Respondents over 18 years old, who agreed to participate in this study, were asked to complete the questionnaire by clicking the link. The anxiety level was measured by the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale. RESULTS: The results of this study showed a significant correlation between age (p = 0.010), education (p = 0.039), personal income (p = 0.034), media exposure (p < 0.01), physical activity (p < 0.01), and anxiety diagnosis (p < 0.01) with the anxiety level among general people. However, ordinal logistics regression revealed that only respondents living in the city (odds ratio [OR] = 2.476) and people with clinician-anxiety diagnosis (OR = 5.116) were more likely to experience anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia. CONCLUSION: According to the obtained results, age, education level, average income per month, media exposure, physical activity, and anxiety diagnosis correlated with anxiety incidence, whereas risk factors of anxiety included current residence and anxiety diagnosis.


Author(s):  
Eirini Manthou ◽  
Anastasios Fotiou ◽  
Eleftheria Kanavou ◽  
George Pigos ◽  
Vasilios I. Kalapotharakos

Background: In March 2020 home confinement was imposed to Greek residents as a measure to abate the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to elucidate changes in physical activity (PA) levels that occurred during confinement in a collegiate population in Greece. Methods: 565 collegiate students and staff participated in a retrospective cross-sectional online survey measuring PA related behaviours before and during the confinement period using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF). Results: The overall activity (IPAQ-SF MET-min score) decreased in the confinement- compared to the pre-confinement period [Md (Q1:Q3) pre vs. during: 2464 (1160; 5126) vs. 2247 (1074; 3999), p<0.001], driven exclusively by males (p<0.001) and the younger age group (18-31 years; p=0.003). Sitting increased in the total sample, including in each gender and age-group (all p<0.001). Compared to pre-confinement period, during confinement the odds of being in the ‘medium’ or ‘high’ moderate- to- vigorous PA group were 41% higher in females (aOR = 1.41, 95% CI=1.11-1.80, p=0.006) and 33% lower in males (aOR=0.67, 95% CI=0.50-0.88, p=0.005). Conclusion: There is a gendered pattern in observed changes in PA during the Covid-19 home confinement in the collegiate population, with females being those favored in comparison to males. <p> </p><p><strong> Article visualizations:</strong></p><p><img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0790/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /></p>


2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-16
Author(s):  
Sheela Jain ◽  
Sulabha Avinash Joshi ◽  
Madhuri Vaidya ◽  
Nidhi Sherawat

ABSTRACT Objectives 1. To study the prevalence of hypothyroidism in peri- and postmenopausal women 2. To study the correlation of menopausal symptoms with hypothyroidism. Methods Hospital based cross-sectional study carried out at Lata Mangeshkar Hospital, 200 women relatives of indoor patients in obstetrics and gynecology ward were included in study. Subjects included in study were in peri- and postmenopausal age group between 40 to 55 years, provided they fulfilled inclusion and exclusion criteria. History was noted, menopause rating scale (MRS) score was obtained and height and weight was measured and serum TSH estimation was done. Results were noted and analyzed. Results Out of 200 women 25 women had raised TSH levels. Three women had overt hypothyroidism (TSH high, free T4 low), and 22 women had subclinical hypothyroidism (TSH high, free T4 normal). It was observed that out of 94 women who had MRS score, more than 8, 16 (16.6%) women had hypothyroidism and out of 106 women with lower MRS score (1 to 8), nine (8.49%) women had hypothyroidism. Conclusions Prevalence of hypothyroidism is high in peri- and postmenopausal age group (12.5%). Though women with high score are more likely to suffer from hypothyroidism, low score does not preclude the possibility of hypothyroidism. Screening should be done in this age group to prevent complications of hypothyroidism.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (11) ◽  
pp. e0259640
Author(s):  
Aldiane Gomes de Macedo Bacurau ◽  
Ana Paula Sayuri Sato ◽  
Priscila Maria Stolses Bergamo Francisco

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of non-vaccination and the reasons for nonadherence to the influenza vaccine among older Brazilians according to sociodemographic characteristics. A cross-sectional study was conducted with data from older people (≥ 60 years of age; n = 23,815) who participated in the 2013 National Health Survey. Frequencies of non-vaccination and the main reasons for nonadherence were calculated with respective 95% confidence intervals. The prevalence of non-vaccination was 26.9% (approximately 7,106,730 older people). The reason rarely gets the flu was the most cited among the men (28.2%), the 60-to-69-year-old age group (29.6%), individuals with higher education (41.9%), and those with health insurance (32.3%). Fear of a reaction was the most cited reason in the northeastern region (25.4%), among women (29.3%), longer-lived individuals (≥70 years; 28.7%), and those who did not know how to read/write (26.7%). A total of 12.1% reported not believing in the vaccine’s protection, and 5.5% did not know that it was necessary to take vaccine. The proportions of the main reasons for non-vaccination varied by sociodemographic characteristics. This study’s findings highlight the need to increase older people’s knowledge regarding influenza and influenza vaccines. Healthcare providers should be encouraged to counsel older people–especially those in subgroups with lower adherence, such as residents in the Northeast region, those aged 60–69 years, those who do not know how to read/write, those without a spouse/companion, and those without health insurance–regarding the different aspects of the vaccine and formally indicate it for groups at risk.


2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 76-87 ◽  
Author(s):  
Buaphrao Raphiphatthana ◽  
Paul Jose ◽  
Karen Salmon

Abstract. Grit, that is, perseverance and passion for long-term goals, is a novel construct that has gained attention in recent years ( Duckworth, Peterson, Matthews, & Kelly, 2007 ). To date, little research has been performed with the goal of identifying the antecedents of grit. Thus, in order to fill this gap in the literature, self-report data were collected to examine whether mindfulness, a mindset of being-in-the-present in a nonjudgmental way, plays a role in fostering grittiness. Three hundred and forty-three undergraduate students completed an online survey once in a cross-sectional study, and of these, 74 students completed the survey again 4.5 months later. Although the cross-sectional analyses identified a number of positive associations between mindfulness and grit, the longitudinal analysis revealed that the mindfulness facets of acting with awareness and non-judging were the most important positive predictors of grit 4.5 months later. This set of findings offers implications for future grit interventions.


2012 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-13
Author(s):  
Sushmita Roy ◽  
S.M. Shamsuzzaman ◽  
K.Z. Mamun

Rotavirus is one of the leading causes of pediatric diarrhea globally. Accurate and rapid diagnosis of Rotavirus diarrhea should reduce unnecessary use of antibiotics and ultimately reduce drug resistance. Study was designed for rapid diagnosis of Rotavirus antigen in stool sample by ICT (Immunochromatographic test) as well as to observe the seasonal variation of rotavirus infection. This cross sectional study was carried out in the department of Microbiology, Dhaka Medical College from January 2011 to December 2011. Eighty stool samples were collected from Dhaka Shishu Hospital and Dhaka Medical College Hospital. All samples were tested for rotavirus antigen by ICT. Among 80 patients, 42 (52.5%) samples were positive for rotavirus antigen. Among these 42 positive samples, 30 (71.43%) were from 0-12 months of age group, 10 (23.81%) from 13 to 24 months of age group and rest 2 (4.76%) from 25 to 36 months of age group. Rotavirus Ag was detected in stool samples from January to April and another peak episode from October to December. Considering the importance of Rotavirus associated diarrhea, rapid detection of Rotavirus infection in human is substantially needed and should be routinely practiced.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmm.v6i1.19354 Bangladesh J Med Microbiol 2012; 06(01): 11-13


1970 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
MN Hossain ◽  
Z Rahman ◽  
S Akhter

A cross sectional study was carried out at the department of Forensic Medicine in Dhaka Medical College during the period of January 2008 to December 2009. Data were collected from 3rd copy of the post mortem reports which were preserved in the department of Forensic Medicine with the verbal consent of the doctors who performed autopsy report. During this period total 5114 autopsies were conducted. Out of this 970 cases (19%) were suicidal in nature. It was noticed that all suicidal deaths occurred from 10 years to all age group respectively, but top amongst age group of suicidal deaths occurred in between 21 to 30 years of people. Suicidal deaths are more common in female than male. Suicidal deaths due to hanging is highest, next common causes of death due to organophosphorus compund poisoning. Suicidal deaths by hanging is more in female than male but in poisoning cases male are more lvictimised than female. Objectives of our study are to see the occurrence and methods of suicidal death. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bmj.v40i1.9957 BMJ 2011; 40(1): 18-21


2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 10-16
Author(s):  
Prakashkumar Kyada ◽  
Kunal Jadhav ◽  
T. K. Biswas ◽  
Varshil Mehta ◽  
Sojib Bin Zaman

Objective: Hypertension is one of the common risk factors for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases/disorders A developing country like India faces the double burden of communicable and non-communicable diseases; of the which, hypertension is the most important treatable cause of mortality and morbidity with loss of functional capacity and decline in the quality of life. Aim: To study the prevalence of end organ damage in the hypertensive geriatric age group. Method: The present study was a cross sectional study, conducted in 150 elderly patients admitted in MGM Hospital, Navi Mumbai, India with the diagnosis of stage I or II hypertension from 2011 to 2013. Results: Data analysis of the present study showed that 68% of elderly population aged between 60 to 69 years were suffering from hypertension. Compared to males, females had a higher rate of target organ damage. This study found that out of all patients with total end organ damage, 54.6 % had CVS complications, 15.7 % had hypertensive retinopathy, 25.9 % and 18.51 had raised creatinine and proteinuria respectively. 19.4 % had cerebrovascular accident (CVA) complications. Among Cardiovascular related complications Coronary artery disease (CAD) was found in 21 patients, out of them 7 had Congestive cardiac Failure (CCF). Left Ventricular Hypertrophy (LVH) was the most common complication and seen in 38 patients. 13.8 % patients had Regional Wall Motion Abnormality (RWMA) Conclusion: The present study concluded that Isolated Systolic Hypertension (ISH) is the commonest type of hypertension in geriatric age group. This study concluded that the most common risk factors of HTN in the elderly are sedentary life style, dyslipidemia and extra salt intake while the most common end organ damage was observed to be Left Ventricular Hypertrophy followed by renal dysfunction. Keywords:  Hypertension,  Isolated Systolic Hypertension, Dyslipidemia.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (01) ◽  
Author(s):  
Priyanka Beniwal ◽  
Chandrakala Singh

Aging is a series of processes that begin with life and continue throughout the lifecycle. It represents the closing period in the lifespan, a time when the individual looks back on life, lives on past accomplishments and begins to finish off his life course. It represents the accumulation of changes in person over time. The study aims to investigate the health status of senior citizens. The present study was carried out in Hisar and Sirsa district of Haryana state. A total of 400 elderly equally representing both males and females of age group 65-70 years were selected randomly for the study. Modified inventory developed by Khan and Lal (2011) was used to assess health status of senior citizens. The results of the study elucidated that health status of senior citizens depicted that 54.25 per cent of the total respondents had average health status followed by good (25.25%) and poor health status (20.50%). The most common health problems reported by the senior citizens were joint pains, back pains, blood pressure, and chest pain etc. Gender wise comparison of total sample further pointed out that females were poor in their health against males.


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