scholarly journals Nonmedical use of prescription drugs: A comparison between intoxication-oriented and other nonmedical users

2021 ◽  
pp. 145507252110180
Author(s):  
Ilona Piispa ◽  
Karoliina Karjalainen ◽  
Niina Karttunen
Keyword(s):  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
Reference Population ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Illegal Drug Use ◽  
Nonmedical Use ◽  
Chi Square Test

Aims: Nonmedical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD) is a major public health concern. The aim of the study was to compare intoxication-oriented users to those who utilised prescription drugs nonmedically for other purposes. The characteristics of the study groups, prescription drugs used, motivations for their use and sources of prescription drugs were also examined. Methods: Data were derived from the population-based Drug Survey 2014 which was conducted in Finland. The respondents were divided into intoxication-oriented users ( n = 118) and other nonmedical users ( n = 74) according to the motivation behind their NMUPD. The reference population ( n = 3277) did not report any NMUPD. Pearson’s chi square test was used to compare the distributions. A multinomial logistic regression model was used to estimate the association of sociodemographic background and intoxicant use with NMUPD. Results: Low education level and illegal drug use were associated with intoxication-oriented and other nonmedical use of prescription drugs. Intoxication-oriented use was associated also with younger age and current smoking. Sedatives were the most commonly used prescription drugs among intoxication-oriented users, and opioids among other nonmedical users. Experimentation and facilitating social interactions as a motivation for use were emphasised among intoxication-oriented users. Friends and relatives were the most common sources of prescription drugs for nonmedical use, especially among intoxication-oriented users. Conclusion: The characteristics, motivations and sources of nonmedically used prescription drugs differed in intoxication-oriented and other nonmedical users. These findings may help to identify those at risk for NMUPD. More attention should be paid to the motivations of NMUPD when new prevention and intervention methods are developed.

Uptake and effectiveness of FOLFIRINOX for advanced pancreas cancer: A population-based study.

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (8_suppl) ◽  
pp. 245-245
Author(s):  
Safiya Karim ◽  
Jina Zhang-Salomons ◽  
James Joseph Biagi ◽  
Tim Asmis ◽  
Christopher M. Booth
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Pancreas Cancer ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
Median Number ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Routine Practice ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Palliative Intent ◽  
Funding Program ◽  
Chi Square Test

245 Background: While FOLFIRINOX is a standard treatment option for advanced pancreas cancer there is little data describing utilization and effectiveness in routine clinical practice. Here we report practice patterns and outcomes in the general population of Ontario, Canada. Methods: Using the Ontario Cancer Registry and New Drug Funding Program we identified all patients with pancreas cancer treated with palliative intent gemcitabine or FOLFIRINOX in Ontario during 2006-2014. FOLFIRINOX became available in Ontario’s single-payer health system in November 2011. Gemcitabine cases were classified as pre-FOLFIRINOX era (2006-2010) or post-FOLFIRINOX era (2011-2014). Cases treated with peri-operative chemotherapy were excluded. Comparisons of proportions between study groups were made using the chi-square test. Overall survival (OS) was measured from date of chemotherapy initiation. Results: During 2006-2014, 3826 patients in Ontario were treated with Gemcitabine (n=3042) or FOLFIRINOX (n=784) chemotherapy for advanced pancreas cancer. Uptake of FOLFIRINOX increased from 41% (206/505) of treated cases in 2012 to 56% (274/486) of treated cases in 2014. Among patients treated after 2011, median age was 69 and 63 years for Gemcitabine and FOLFIRINOX respectively (p<0.001). The proportion of treated cases who received FOLFIRINOX varied considerably across geographic regions (from 26% to 58%, p<0.001). Median number of FOLFIRINOX cycles delivered was 6 (median 10 cycles in pivotal RCT). Median OS of patients treated with Gemcitabine was 5.0 months in 2006-2010 and 4.8 months in 2011-2014. Median OS of FOLFIRINOX patients treated in 2011-2014 was 8.2 months (median 11.1 months in pivotal RCT). Conclusions: Use of FOLFIRINOX in the general population has increased since 2011 with a resulting decrease in use of Gemcitabine. However, outcomes achieved with FOLFIRINOX in Ontario demonstrate a substantial efficacy-effectiveness gap between survival in the pivotal clinical trial and survival in routine practice.

scholarly journals Changes in cannabis use according to socioeconomic status among Finnish adolescents from 2000 to 2015

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Noora Knaappila ◽  
Mauri Marttunen ◽  
Sari Fröjd ◽  
Nina Lindberg ◽  
Riittakerttu Kaltiala
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Parental Education ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Socioeconomic Groups ◽  
Parental Unemployment ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
School Survey

Abstract Background Despite reduced sanctions and more permissive attitudes toward cannabis use in the USA and Europe, the prevalences of adolescent cannabis use have remained rather stable in the twenty-first century. However, whether trends in adolescent cannabis use differ between socioeconomic groups is not known. The aim of this study was to examine trends in cannabis use according to socioeconomic status among Finnish adolescents from 2000 to 2015. Methods A population-based school survey was conducted biennially among 14–16-year-old Finns between 2000 and 2015 (n = 761,278). Distributions for any and frequent cannabis use over time according to socioeconomic adversities were calculated using crosstabs and chi-square test. Associations between any and frequent cannabis use, time, and socioeconomic adversities were studied using binomial logistic regression results shown by odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. Results At the overall level, the prevalences of lifetime and frequent cannabis use varied only slightly between 2000 and 2015. Cannabis use was associated with socioeconomic adversities (parental unemployment in the past year, low parental education, and not living with both parents). The differences in any and frequent cannabis use between socioeconomic groups increased significantly over the study period. Conclusions Although the overall changes in the prevalence of adolescent cannabis use were modest, cannabis use increased markedly among adolescents with the most socioeconomic adversities. Socioeconomic adversities should be considered in the prevention of adolescent cannabis use.

scholarly journals Changes in Six-Month Prevalence of Circulatory System Diseases among People Aged 20 Years and Older between 2013 and 2018 in Hunan, China

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2599
Author(s):  
Zhenzhen Rao ◽  
Junjie Hua ◽  
Ruotong Li ◽  
Yanhong Fu ◽  
Jie Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Age Groups ◽  
Circulatory System ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Hunan Province ◽  
Rural Residents ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Circulatory System Diseases ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Urban Rural ◽  
Socio Demographic Factors

Recent changes in population-based prevalence for circulatory system diseases (CSDs) remain unreported either nationally or locally for China. Data were from the two-round health service household interview survey of Hunan Province, China, in 2013 and 2018. A Rao–Scott chi-square test was performed to examine prevalence differences across socio-demographic variables. The overall age-standardized prevalence of CSDs increased substantially between 2013 and 2018 for inhabitants aged 20 years and older (14.25% vs. 21.25%; adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.24–2.04). Hypertensive disease was the most prevalent type of CSD, accounting for 87.24% and 83.83% of all CSDs in 2013 and in 2018, respectively. After controlling for other socio-demographic factors, the prevalence of CSDs was significantly higher in 2018 (adjusted OR = 1.40), urban residents (adjusted OR = 1.43), females (adjusted OR = 1.12) and older age groups (adjusted OR = 5.36 for 50–59 years, 9.51 for 60–69 years, 15.19 for 70–79 years, and 12.90 for 80 years and older) than in 2013, rural residents, males and the youngest age group (20–49 years). The recent increase in the overall age-standardized CSD prevalence and the large prevalence disparities across urban/rural residents, sex and age groups merit the attention of policymakers and researchers. Further prevention efforts are needed to curb the increasing tendency and to reduce the prevalence of disparities across socio-demographic groups.

scholarly journals Shift Work and Dry Eye Disease in the Korean Working Population: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 5492
Author(s):  
Joonho Ahn ◽  
So-Jung Ryu ◽  
Jihun Song ◽  
Hyoung-Ryoul Kim
Keyword(s):  
Shift Work ◽  
Dry Eye ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Dry Eye Disease ◽  
Eye Disease ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Shift Workers ◽  
Chi Square Test

This study aimed to evaluate the association between shift work and dry eye disease (DED) in the general population. The 2011 Korea Health Panel (KHP) was used. Chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression were used to assess the relationship between shift work and DED. Stratification analysis was conducted by sex and age. Overall, the odds ratio (OR) of DED according to shift work did not showed significant results (adjusted OR = 1.230, 95% CI 0.758–1.901). When findings were stratified based on age older or younger than 40 years, the OR of DED increased to 2.85 (95% CI: 1.25–5.90) in shift workers under 40 years of age. Our results show an association between shift work and DED in a group of younger subjects.

Factors associated with non-medical use of prescription drugs among individuals with a legitimate prescription for medical purposes: A population-based study

2021 ◽  
pp. 145507252110034
Author(s):  
Minna Pylväs-Korolainen ◽  
Karoliina Karjalainen ◽  
Tomi Lintonen
Keyword(s):  
Binge Drinking ◽  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Labour Force ◽  
Large City ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Drug Prescriptions ◽  
Living Alone ◽  
Preventive Actions ◽  
Illicit Use

Background: Psychoactive prescription drugs are known to have abuse potential. This study was aimed at studying the non-medical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD) among individuals with prescriptions for anxiolytics, sedatives, or strong analgesics. We examined the association of socio-demographics, binge drinking, the number of drug prescriptions, and drug types prescribed for medical purposes with NMUPD among the general Finnish population. Methods: Data were derived from population-based (ages 15–69 years) Drug Surveys conducted in Finland in 2006, 2010, and 2014. The response rates varied between 48% and 55%. Individuals with prescriptions for one or more prescription drugs in the last 12 months were included ( n = 1,602) and divided into three groups: medical use only, NMUPD, and NMUPD with illicit drug use (ILLICIT USE). Multinomial logistic regression was used. Results: Among individuals with a prescription for at least one prescription drug, 5.7% reported NMUPD. Living alone and being outside the labour force were associated with NMUPD. Younger age, living in a large city, living alone, and unemployment were associated with ILLICIT USE. Frequent binge drinking and a high number of drug prescriptions were associated with both NMUPD and ILLICIT USE. Those reporting ILLICIT USE were more likely to have a prescription for sedatives. Conclusions: Although NMUPD is on a rather low level among those who have a prescription for legitimate purposes, having multiple prescriptions increased the likelihood of NMUPD. Low socio-economic position and binge drinking are associated with NMUPD and this should be taken into account when planning interventions and preventive actions.

scholarly journals Investigating the Availability and Usage of Seatbelts in Malawi for Policy Review and Formulation

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 48-56
Author(s):  
Gibson Mpokonyoka Ngwira ◽  
Benjamin Bolaane ◽  
Bhagabat P. Parida
Keyword(s):  
Mitigation Measures ◽  
Motor Vehicles ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Road Accidents ◽  
Vehicle Ownership ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Road Fatality ◽  
Major Factors

Road fatalities remain a major public health concern as over 1.3 million people across the world die in road accidents annually, and another 20-50 million sustain injuries. Malawi, with vehicle ownership about 437,416, has not been an exception to this, with reported fatality rates of 35 crash deaths per 100,000 population, possibly due to limited understanding of factors that contribute to such high road fatality rates. This may have resulted in implementing inappropriate and ineffective mitigation measures. Thus, the overall objective of this study was to investigate the availability, including their functionality and usage of seatbelts in motor vehicles, which could possibly be one of the major factors for increase in road fatalities. To establish the rates of availability, ncluding their functionality and usage of seatbelts in motor vehicles, primary data through survey for a sample of 1,200 vehicles were investigated. The independent ariables of data were cross tabulated with the dependent variables to establish these rates. Chi-square test was also performed to establish the significance of associations between the cross tabulated variables. The analysis found that Malawi’s drivers and assengers poorly comply with seatbelt laws. The overall seatbelt usage rate was 35.8%. In this regard, where over 90% of motor vehicles in Malawi have functional seatbelts, poor enforcement of existing seatbelt laws and awareness on the dangers of not using eatbelts could account for the low usage.

scholarly journals Dental anomalies and clinical features in patients with maxillary canine impaction

2012 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emanuele Mercuri ◽  
Michele Cassetta ◽  
Costanza Cavallini ◽  
Donatella Vicari ◽  
Rosalia Leonardi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Features ◽  
Study Groups ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Dental Arch ◽  
Dental Anomalies ◽  
Maxillary Canine ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Facial Profile ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Orthodontic Patients

Abstract Objective: To analyze the prevalence, distribution, clinical features, and relationship with dental anomalies of maxillary canine impaction. Materials and Methods: The complete pretreatment records of 1674 orthodontic patients were examined. Subjects with maxillary impacted canines were divided into two study groups: a palatally displaced canine (PDC) group (114 patients) and a buccally displaced canine (BDC) group (37 patients). These were compared to a control group of 151 patients who were randomly selected from the initial sample without maxillary canine impaction. The significance of associations between canine impaction and dental and clinical features and anomalies was examined with the chi-square test. Results: PDC patients presented with normal overjet and facial profile and a lower degree of dental arch crowding in comparison to the control patients. PDC patients showed a higher prevalence of impaction of other teeth, dental aplasia, transposition, and peg-shaped maxillary lateral incisors (odds ratios 3.3, 2.6, 8.3, and 5.8, respectively). Conclusion: PDC was frequently the only orthodontic problem of patients. BDC group patients did not present with notable differences in clinical and dental features or dental anomalies compared to control subjects.

scholarly journals Exploring the association between adverse maternal circumstances and low birth weight in neonates: a nationwide population-based study in Bangladesh

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. e036162
Author(s):  
Md Mostaured Ali Khan ◽  
Md Golam Mustagir ◽  
Md Rafiqul Islam ◽  
Md Sharif Kaikobad ◽  
Hafiz TA Khan
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Study Designs

ObjectiveThis study is concerned with helping to improve the health and care of newborn babies in Bangladesh by exploring adverse maternal circumstances and assessing whether these are contributing towards low birth weight (LBW) in neonates.Study designs and settingsData were drawn and analysed from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey, 2014. Any association between LBW and adverse maternal circumstances were assessed using a Chi-square test with determinants of LBW identified by multivariate logistic regression analysis.ParticipantsThe study is based on 4728 children aged below 5 years and born to women from selected households.ResultsThe rate of LBW was around 19.9% (199 per 1000 live births) with the highest level found in the Sylhet region (26.2%). The rate was even higher in rural areas (20.8%) and among illiterate mothers (26.6%). Several adverse maternal circumstances of the women included in the survey were found to be significant for increasing the likelihood of giving birth to LBW babies. These circumstances included the women being underweight (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.26, 95% CI 1.06 to 1.49); having unwanted births (AOR 1.22, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.44); had previous pregnancies terminated (AOR 1.28, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.57); were victims of intimate partner violence (AOR 1.23, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.45) and taking antenatal care <4 times (AOR 1.23, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.48). Other important risk factors that were revealed included age at birth <18 years (AOR 1.42, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.83) and intervals between the number of births <24 months (AOR 1.25, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.55). When taking multiple fertility behaviours together such as, the ages of the women at birth (<18 years with interval <24 months (AOR 1.26, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.57) and birth order (>3 with interval <24 months (AOR 1.68, 95% CI 1.18 to 2.37), then the risk of having LBW babies significantly increased.ConclusionThis study finds that adverse maternal circumstances combined with high-risk fertility behaviours are significantly associated with LBW in neonates. This situation could severely impede progress in Bangladesh towards achieving the sustainable development goal concerned with the healthcare of newborns.

scholarly journals Online Suicide Identification in the Framework of Rhetorical Structure Theory (RST)

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 847
Author(s):  
Xingyun Liu ◽  
Xiaoqian Liu
Keyword(s):  
Suicide Prevention ◽  
Suicide Ideation ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Structure Theory ◽  
Context Analysis ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Rhetorical Structure ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Ideation Methods ◽  
Rhetorical Structures

Background: Suicide is a serious social problem. Substantial efforts have been made to prevent suicide for many decades. The internet has become an important arena for suicide prevention and intervention. However, to the best of our knowledge, only one study has analyzed suicidal comments online from the perspective of rhetorical structure with incomplete rhetorical relations. We aimed to examine the rhetorical differences between Chinese social media users who died by suicide and those without suicidal ideation. Methods: The posts of 15 users who died by suicide and 15 not suffering from suicide ideation were annotated by five postgraduates with expertise in analyzing suicidal posts based on rhetorical structure theory (RST). Group differences were compared via a chi-square test. Results: Results showed that users who died by suicide posted significantly more posts and used more rhetorical relations. Moreover, the two groups displayed significant differences in 17 out of 23 rhetorical relations. Limitations: Because this study is largely exploratory and tentative, caution should be taken in generalizing our findings. Conclusions: Our results expand the methods of RST to the online suicidal identification field. There are implications for population-based suicide prevention by combining rhetorical structures with context analysis.

scholarly journals Prescription pattern in public specialized dental care centers in Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. e554101220732
Author(s):  
Gabriela Luiza Hochscheidt ◽  
Mateus Müller da Silva ◽  
Maria Beatriz Cardoso Ferreira ◽  
Alexandre Silva de Quevedo ◽  
Deise Ponzoni
Keyword(s):  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
Dental Care ◽  
Dosage Regimen ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Rational Drug ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
And Gender

The aim of this study was to evaluate the most common drugs prescribed by dentists and the indicators related to rational drug use. A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in which 189 interviews were carried out from August 2015 to June 2016 with patients who received drug prescriptions at specialized dental care centers in a city in southern Brazil. A specific data sheet was used, with questions regarding: age and gender of the patient, dental specialty in which the care occurred, and prescription drugs and their respective dosage regimen. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test (p <0.05). From the total of interviews, it was observed that 92.1% of patients received written medication prescriptions. Of these prescriptions, 38.5% had some type of antibiotic for systemic use. Acetaminophen was the most prescribed drug (33.4%), followed by amoxicillin (19.7%). The mean number of medications per prescription was 1.75, and 17.4% of the prescriptions did not indicate the dosage regimen. Our findings indicate a high incidence of prescribed antibiotics and non-compliance with regulatory agency guidance in prescriptions at the centers evaluated.

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