scholarly journals Alcohol use and sexual risk behaviors in the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bonnie Robin Tran ◽  
Anthony Davis ◽  
Margo Sloan ◽  
Carol Macera ◽  
Anthony Mutombe Mbuyi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Alcohol Misuse ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Risky Sexual Behaviors ◽  
Multiple Sexual Partners ◽  
Problematic Alcohol ◽  
Audit Score ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
Problematic Alcohol Use

Abstract Background Alcohol misuse is an important contributor to sexual acquisition and transmission of HIV in military communities. This cross-sectional study quantified the prevalence of probable problematic alcohol use among male service members in the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC), identified associated factors, and investigated associations of alcohol misuse with risky sexual behaviors. Methods Participants included 2549 active duty male soldiers ≥ 18 years old. Data were collected via computer-assisted personal-interview from October 2013–April 2014. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) was used to identify probable problematic alcohol use (AUDIT score ≥ 8) compared to no/low-risk alcohol use (AUDIT score ≤ 7). Bivariate logistic regressions were used to identify factors associated with probable problematic alcohol use. Several multivariable logistic regressions (adjusted for age, marital status, education level) were used to examine associations of probable problematic alcohol use with risky sexual behaviors. Tests were two sided; statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05. Results Fifteen percent of men screened positive for probable problematic alcohol use. The odds of probable problematic alcohol use were elevated among men who were single and living with a partner (OR = 1.66; 95% CI = 1.24–2.21), ranked as a non-commissioned officer [NCO] (OR = 1.40; 95% CI = 1.10–1.77), and in the 30–39 and 40–49 age groups (OR 30–39 age group = 2.17; 95% CI = 1.56–3.02; OR 40–49 age group = 1.79; 95% CI = 1.26–2.55). Probable problematic alcohol use was associated with increased odds of having sex with a sex worker (SW), having multiple sexual partners, and participating in transactional sex (aOR sex with a SW = 2.36; 95% CI = 1.78–3.13; aOR multiple sexual partners = 2.08; 95% CI = 1.66–2.60; aOR transactional sex = 1.99; 95% CI = 1.59–2.50). Conclusions Results emphasize the need to address alcohol use in the FARDC and integrate alcohol abuse education into HIV prevention programs among male service members. Alcohol abuse prevention efforts should target men who are 30–49 years of age, unmarried, and ranked as a NCO. Messages and interventions to reduce alcohol misuse in relation to risky sexual behaviors are needed.

Online interventions for people hospitalized for deliberate self-harm and problematic alcohol use: Lessons learned from the iiAIM trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob J. Crouse ◽  
Kirsten C. Morley ◽  
Nicholas Buckley ◽  
Andrew Dawson ◽  
Devanshi Seth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Research Team ◽  
Alcohol Misuse ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Deliberate Self Harm ◽  
Problematic Alcohol ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Problematic Alcohol Use

Deliberate self-harm and suicide affect all age groups, sexes, and regions, and their prevention is a global health priority. Acute alcohol misuse and chronic alcohol misuse are strong, modifiable risk factors, and Internet interventions aiming to reduce alcohol misuse and comorbid mental health problems (e.g., depression) are a promising and effective treatment modality. The research team aimed to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of an Internet-based comorbidity intervention primarily aiming to reduce alcohol consumption, and secondarily to reduce readmission for deliberate self-harm and improve psychological outcomes among people hospitalized for deliberate self-harm who also engage in problematic alcohol use. However, due to several barriers to recruitment, the trial could not be completed and was discontinued. The authors present a “Lessons Learned” discussion and describe the Internet Intervention for Alcohol Improvement (iiAIM) trial, discuss the key barriers experienced by the research team, and recommend potential solutions that may help future trials in this area.

scholarly journals Parsing Genetically Influenced Risk Pathways: Genetic Loci Impact Problematic Alcohol Use Via Externalizing and Specific Risk

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter B Barr ◽  
Travis T Mallard ◽  
Sandra Sanchez-Roige ◽  
Holly E Poore ◽  
Richard Karlsson Linner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Alcohol Misuse ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Multivariate Methods ◽  
Problematic Alcohol ◽  
Specific Risk ◽  
Polygenic Scores ◽  
Psychiatric Outcomes ◽  
Problematic Alcohol Use

Importance: Characterizing whether genetic variants for psychiatric outcomes operate via specific versus general pathways provides more informative measures of genetic risk, and, potentially, allows us to design more targeted prevention and interventions. Objective: Employ multivariate methods to tease apart variants associated with problematic alcohol use through either general or specific pathways and compare results to standard univariate genetic analysis of problematic alcohol use. Design: We compared results from a univariate genome wide association study (GWAS) of problematic alcohol use to those from a previous multivariate GWAS of externalizing phenotypes. We identified genetic variants associated with problematic alcohol use through a broad liability to externalizing, and those that remain after removing shared variance with externalizing. We compared these results across SNP overlap, bioannotations, genetic correlations, and polygenic scores. Setting: We included GWAS summary statistics from existing GWAS, and two US based hold out samples: The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) and the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA). Participants: Publicly available GWAS of externalizing behaviors and participants in Add Health (N=5,107) and COGA (N=7,483), limited to individuals of European ancestries. Exposure(s): N/A Main Outcome(s) and Measure(s): Outcomes included problematic alcohol use (ALCP-O), shared risk for externalizing (EXT), and problematic alcohol use-specific risk (ALCP-S) for the GWASs; a preregistered list of 99 available phenotypes for genetic correlations; and substance use, substance use disorder criteria, and alcohol misuse in the polygenic score analyses. Results: The analysis differentiated SNPs operating through common versus specific risk pathways. While ALCP-O was associated with multiple phenotypes, ALCP-S was predominantly associated with alcohol use and other forms of psychopathology. Polygenic scores for ALCP-O were associated with a variety of other forms of substance use and substance use disorders, polygenic scores for ALCP-S were only associated with alcohol phenotypes. Polygenic scores for both ALCP-S and EXT show differential patterns of associations with alcohol misuse across development. Conclusions and Relevance: Focusing on the differential impacts of shared and specific risk can better characterize pathways of risk for alcohol use disorders. Multivariate methods can be a useful tool for studying many psychiatric conditions. Parsing risk pathways will become increasingly relevant as genetic information is incorporated into clinical practice for psychiatric outcomes.

A Developmental Perspective on the Genetic Basis of Alcohol Use Disorder

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisa M. Trucco ◽  
Gabriel L. Schlomer ◽  
Brian M. Hicks
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Alcohol Use Disorder ◽  
Developmental Perspective ◽  
Relative Contribution ◽  
Intermediate Phenotypes ◽  
Problematic Alcohol ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Genetic And Environmental Factors ◽  
Problematic Alcohol Use

Approximately 48–66% of the variation in alcohol use disorders is heritable. This chapter provides an overview of the genetic influences that contribute to alcohol use disorder within a developmental perspective. Namely, risk for problematic alcohol use is framed as a function of age-related changes in the relative contribution of genetic and environmental factors and an end state of developmental processes. This chapter discusses the role of development in the association between genes and the environment on risk for alcohol use disorder. Designs used to identify genetic factors relevant to problematic alcohol use are discussed. Studies examining developmental pathways to alcohol use disorder with a focus on endophenotypes and intermediate phenotypes are reviewed. Finally, areas for further investigation are offered.

Longitudinal predictors of problematic alcohol use in adolescence: A 2-year follow-up study

2021 ◽  
pp. 106952
Author(s):  
Lutz Wartberg ◽  
Gloria Fischer-Waldschmidt ◽  
Levente Kriston ◽  
Christina W. Hoven ◽  
Marco Sarchiapone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Follow Up Study ◽  
Problematic Alcohol ◽  
Problematic Alcohol Use

Problematic alcohol use and marital distress: An interdependence theory perspective

2013 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 294-312 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsey M. Rodriguez ◽  
Clayton Neighbors ◽  
C. Raymond Knee
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Marital Distress ◽  
Problematic Alcohol ◽  
Interdependence Theory ◽  
Problematic Alcohol Use

Utilization of Mental Health Services and Risk of 12-month Problematic Alcohol Use

2007 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 392-401 ◽  
Author(s):  
Galle Encrenaz ◽  
Viviane Kovess-Masfty ◽  
David Sapinho ◽  
Christine Chan Chee ◽  
Antoine Messiah
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Problematic Alcohol ◽  
Problematic Alcohol Use

scholarly journals PAC1 receptor (ADCYAP1R1) genotype and problematic alcohol use in a sample of young women

2017 ◽  
Vol Volume 13 ◽  
pp. 1483-1489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wojciech Dragan ◽  
Piotr Czerski ◽  
Małgorzata Dragan
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Young Women ◽  
Pac1 Receptor ◽  
Problematic Alcohol ◽  
Problematic Alcohol Use

scholarly journals Problematic alcohol use and reduced hippocampal volume: a meta-analytic review

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (13) ◽  
pp. 2288-2301 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Wilson ◽  
J. L. Bair ◽  
K. M. Thomas ◽  
W. G. Iacono
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Use ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Hippocampal Volume ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Problematic Alcohol ◽  
Analytic Review ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Clinically Significant ◽  
Problematic Alcohol Use

BackgroundA number of studies reports reduced hippocampal volume in individuals who engage in problematic alcohol use. However, the magnitude of the difference in hippocampal volume between individuals with v. without problematic alcohol use has varied widely, and there have been null findings. Moreover, the studies comprise diverse alcohol use constructs and samples, including clinically significant alcohol use disorders and subclinical but problematic alcohol use (e.g. binge drinking), adults and adolescents, and males and females.MethodsWe conducted the first quantitative synthesis of the published empirical research on associations between problematic alcohol use and hippocampal volume. In total, 23 studies were identified and selected for inclusion in the meta-analysis; effects sizes were aggregated using a random-effects model.ResultsProblematic alcohol use was associated with significantly smaller hippocampal volume (d = −0.53). Moderator analyses indicated that effects were stronger for clinically significant v. subclinical alcohol use and among adults relative to adolescents; effects did not differ among males and females.ConclusionsProblematic alcohol use is associated with reduced hippocampal volume. The moderate overall effect size suggests the need for larger samples than are typically included in studies of alcohol use and hippocampal volume. Because the existing literature is almost entirely cross-sectional, future research using causally informative study designs is needed to determine whether this association reflects premorbid risk for the development of problematic alcohol use and/or whether alcohol has a neurotoxic effect on the hippocampus.

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