scholarly journals Under pressure: non-medical use of prescription drugs among undergraduate students

2020 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-30
Author(s):  
Lauro Miranda Demenech ◽  
Samuel C. Dumith ◽  
Alessandro S. Dytz ◽  
Fernanda Fontes ◽  
Lucas Neiva-Silva
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Sampling Strategy ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Sciences ◽  
Systematic Sampling ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Harmful Effects

ABSTRACT Objective To measure lifetime, last-year and last-month prevalence of Non-Medical Use of Prescription Drugs (NMUPD) as well as the characteristics associated to last-month NMUPD among undergraduate students of a university in southern Brazil. Methods This was a cross-sectional study, with a sample that was selected through a clustered systematic sampling strategy. Multivariate analysis was conducted with Poisson regression according to a four-level hierarchical model of analysis. Fieldwork was conducted in 2015, and 1,423 students participated. Results Lifetime, last-year and last-month prevalence of NMUPD were 25.2%, 13.1% and 8.5%, respectively. Anxiolytics and barbiturates were the most prevalent. Variables independently associated were being female, having a family income lower than one or higher than six Brazilian minimum wages, being enrolled in a health sciences-related undergraduate course, and having reported lifetime NMUPD by a friend. Conclusions Based on these results, we suggest the development of prevention and promotion activities on this theme for students and professors, especially among those from health sciences-related courses. These interventions should focus on harmful effects of NMUPD, psychosocial coping strategies and socially established gender roles.

scholarly journals Excessive Daytime Sleepiness among First to Fourth Year Undergraduate Students of a Medical College in Nepal: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 58 (229) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kumar Roka ◽  
Sabina Khadka ◽  
Sanju Dahal ◽  
Meenakshi Yadav ◽  
Puja Thapa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Excessive Daytime Sleepiness ◽  
Daytime Sleepiness ◽  
Binary Data ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Sciences ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional

Introduction: Excessive Daytime Sleepiness is a significant health problem among medical students worldwide which can impair their cognitive and academic performances. Our study aims to determine the prevalence of Excessive Daytime Sleepiness among the first to fourth year undergraduate students of the Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences-College of Medicine. Methods: Following the ethical approval from the Institutional Review Committee with registration no. 317, a descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among the first to fourth year medical students of the Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences-College of Medicine from 4" to 10" August 2020. Two hundred and thirty-two students were selected for the study using the stratified random sampling technique. Epworth Sleepiness Scale was used to obtain data on daytime sleepiness among the study participants. The data were entered into Google spreadsheets and later analyzed. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with the frequency and proportion for binary data. Results: The prevalence of Excessive Daytime Sleepiness among the first to fourth year undergraduate students of the Nepalese Army Institute of Health Sciences-College of Medicine is found to be 67 (31.02%) at 95% Confidence Interval (24.85-37.19). It was found to be highly prevalent among the fourth year undergraduate medical students 20 (35.09%) and least prevalent among the first year students 13 (26.00%). Excessive Daytime Sleepiness was found to be slightly higher among females 23 (34.85%) than males 44 (29.33%). Conclusions: Excessive Daytime Sleepinessis highly prevalent among medical students in our study as suggested by various international studies.

scholarly journals PREVALENCE, PATTERNS AND PERCEPTION OF TOBACCO USE AMONG HEALTH SCIENCES UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN MALAYSIA: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 88-94
Author(s):  
Priyadarshini Ramamurthy ◽  
Bennete Fernandes ◽  
Avita Rath
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Tobacco Use ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Peer Pressure ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Sciences ◽  
Health Science ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Multivariable Logistic Regression

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and patterns of tobacco use among health sciences undergraduate students. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 students in four health sciences faculties at a private university in Kota Damansara, Selangor Malaysia. Data was collected through a self-administrated validated questionnaire, adopted and modified from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey. The survey  was administered online  using a Google Form for the participants to fill. Data was analysed using SPSS version 22. Descriptive statistics was used to express results in percentage. Chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression was used to test the association of smoking status and demographic variables. p value of <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results showed that more than 90% of the respondents were aware of the harmful effects of tobacco and effects of passive smoking. About one fifth of the participants had used tobacco (19%) in our study. Out of the tobacco users, 95% had used tobacco in more than one form. The most important reasons for smoking were peer pressure (36%) and stress (35%). No significant differences were found between age,  faculty, year of study, or nationality, with the use of tobacco. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed significant gender differences in smoking with more smokers among males than females. In conclusion, about one fifth of the health science undergraduate students had  used tobacco products in our study reflecting a seemingly inappropriate portrait as compared to their future careers as health professionals. Therefore, there is an urgent need for reinforcement of education and assistance on quitting tobacco usage among the undergraduates of health science faculties.

scholarly journals PREVALENCE, PATTERNS AND PERCEPTION OF TOBACCO USE AMONG HEALTH SCIENCES UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN MALAYSIA: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 88-94
Author(s):  
Priyadarshini Ramamurthy ◽  
Bennete Fernandes ◽  
Avita Rath
Keyword(s):  
Logistic Regression ◽  
Tobacco Use ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Peer Pressure ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Health Sciences ◽  
Health Science ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Multivariable Logistic Regression

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and patterns of tobacco use among health sciences undergraduate students. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 students in four health sciences faculties at a private university in Kota Damansara, Selangor Malaysia. Data was collected through a self-administrated validated questionnaire, adopted and modified from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey. The survey  was administered online  using a Google Form for the participants to fill. Data was analysed using SPSS version 22. Descriptive statistics was used to express results in percentage. Chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression was used to test the association of smoking status and demographic variables. p value of <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results showed that more than 90% of the respondents were aware of the harmful effects of tobacco and effects of passive smoking. About one fifth of the participants had used tobacco (19%) in our study. Out of the tobacco users, 95% had used tobacco in more than one form. The most important reasons for smoking were peer pressure (36%) and stress (35%). No significant differences were found between age,  faculty, year of study, or nationality, with the use of tobacco. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed significant gender differences in smoking with more smokers among males than females. In conclusion, about one fifth of the health science undergraduate students had  used tobacco products in our study reflecting a seemingly inappropriate portrait as compared to their future careers as health professionals. Therefore, there is an urgent need for reinforcement of education and assistance on quitting tobacco usage among the undergraduates of health science faculties.

Does a Graduate Course in Fluency Disorders Make a Difference?

2010 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 10-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evelyn R. Klein ◽  
Barbara J. Amster
Keyword(s):  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Graduate Programs ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Graduate Course ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Fluency Disorders ◽  
Introductory Course ◽  
Communicative Disorders

Abstract A study by Yaruss and Quesal (2002), based on responses from 134 of 239 ASHA accredited graduate programs, indicated that approximately 25% of graduate programs in the United States allow students to earn their degree without having coursework in fluency disorders and 66% of programs allow students to graduate without clinical experience treating people who stutter (PWS). It is not surprising that many clinicians report discomfort in treating PWS. This cross-sectional study compares differences in beliefs about the cause of stuttering between freshman undergraduate students enrolled in an introductory course in communicative disorders and graduate students enrolled and in the final weeks of a graduate course in fluency disorders.

scholarly journals Knowledge and Patterns of Dietary Supplement Use among Students Attending King Abdulaziz University in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 58 ◽  
pp. 004695802110208
Author(s):  
Abdulraof Alqrache ◽  
Mostafa Mostafa ◽  
Omar Ghabrah ◽  
Ziyad Ghabrah ◽  
Nezar Kamal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dietary Supplements ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Herbal Products ◽  
Supplement Use ◽  
King Abdulaziz University ◽  
Dietary Supplement Use ◽  
Harmful Effects ◽  
Selection Of

Oral dietary supplements (DSs) include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, energy drinks, and herbal products. The use of DSs is increasing and their manufacturers promote their benefits. Studies have validated some of these benefits, but have also indicated that some DSs can have adverse effects, especially if used without the appropriate supervision. Little information on DS use among Saudis is available. This study assessed the use of dietary supplements among male and female university students with the goal of educating the community about DSs and the dangers associated with their misuse. Online and paper validated questionnaires were administered to King Abdulaziz University (KAU) students between September 2019 and January 2020. The responses were collected and analyzed statistically. Of the 954 KAU students who completed the survey, one-third used DSs (42.9% women vs 25.7% men). Of these, 51.7% believed that DSs are essential for health, 41.7% classified them as both food and drugs, 67.2% were aware that DSs could not replace a healthy diet, and 25.8% were aware of their potentially harmful effects. Multivitamins and minerals were the most used DSs. DS awareness among KAU students is limited. Additional health education is necessary to assist students in their selection of the most suitable DSs.

scholarly journals Food insecurity among the elderly: cross-sectional study with soup kitchen users

2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 679-691 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruna Fernanda do Nascimento Jacinto de Souza ◽  
Letícia Marín-León
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Welfare Programs ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Socioeconomic Condition ◽  
Soup Kitchen

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether food insecurity is associated with the demographic, socioeconomic, lifestyle, and health conditions of the elderly. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 427 elderly (³60 years) from Campinas, São Paulo; half were users of a government-run soup kitchen and the others, their neighbors of the same sex. Food insecurity was measured by the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale. Univariate multinomial logistic regression was used for calculating the odds ratio and 95% confidence interval to measure the association between the independent variables and food insecurity. Variables with p<0.20 were included in a multinomial model, and only those with p<0.05 remained. RESULTS: Most respondents (63.2%) were males; 15.2% and 6.6% were experiencing mild and moderate/severe food insecurity, respectively. The final model, adjusted for sex and age, showed that elderly with a total family income ≤2 minimum salaries (OR=3.41, 95%CI=1.27-9.14), who did not have a job (OR=2.95, 95%CI=1.23-7.06), and who were obese (OR=2.01, 95%CI=1.04-3.87) were more likely to be mildly food insecure. Elderly with cancer (OR=4.13, 95%CI=1.21-14.0) and those hospitalized in the past year (OR=3.16, 95%CI=1.23-8.11) were more likely to be moderately/severely food insecure. Finally, elderly living in unfinished houses (OR=2.71; and OR=2.92) and who did not consume fruits (OR=2.95 and OR=4.11) or meats daily (OR=2.04 and OR=3.83) were more likely to be mildly and moderately/severely food insecure. CONCLUSION: Food insecure elderly are more likely to have chronic diseases, poor nutritional status, and poor socioeconomic condition. Therefore, the welfare programs should expand the number of soup kitchens and develop other strategies to assure adequate nutrition to these elderly.

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