scholarly journals Factors Associated with Crack Cocaine Early Initiation: A Brazilian Multicentric Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciane Ogata Perrenoud ◽  
Ronaldo Laranjeira ◽  
Marcelo Ribeiro
Keyword(s):  
Parental Monitoring ◽  
Crack Cocaine ◽  
Age Of Onset ◽  
Peer Pressure ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Multicentric Study ◽  
Deviant Behaviors ◽  
Crack Use

Abstract Background: Crack cocaine is a serious public health issue, with many psychiatric and psychosocial consequences. The crack cocaine user is usually inserted in a context of great social vulnerability, often associated to violence, unstructured family functioning, antisocial peer factors and easy access to the consumption of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs such as crack, since an early age. Objective: To compare whether there was a relative influence of risk and protection factors in several domains on the age of onset of crack use by therapeutic community patients. Methods: This cross-sectional enrolled a consecutive sample of 577 patients admitted to 20 therapeutic communities located in different Brazilian states between September 2012 and September 2013. A detailed structured questionnaire was developed to be used that included investigations into possible pre-use predictive factors, such as parental monitoring in childhood, deviant behaviors and peer pressure, and subsequent factors such as deviant behaviors and involvement with crime. Student t test were performed to assess the association between associated factors and the mean age of onset of crack use. Results: The presence of constant problems in the family relationship (p=0.0020), situations of maltreatment (p=0.0162), and the presence of deviant behaviors resulted in significant differences in the age at which crack consumption began. Whereas, adolescents who had parental monitoring until the beginning of adolescence started use later (p=0.000). Conclusions: The age of onset of crack consumption seems to be influenced by numerous combinations of protective and risk factors, within a system that integrates social environments, relationship groups, individual characteristics and behavior patterns, highlighting these factors will allow the development of prevention strategies, as well as specific control strategies, both based on scientific-based information.

scholarly journals Factors associated with crack-cocaine early initiation: a Brazilian multicenter study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luciane Ogata Perrenoud ◽  
Koki Fernando Oikawa ◽  
Anna Virginia Williams ◽  
Ronaldo Laranjeira ◽  
Benedikt Fischer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Family Conflict ◽  
Parental Monitoring ◽  
Crack Cocaine ◽  
Deviant Behavior ◽  
Peer Pressure ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Bivariate Analysis ◽  
Deviant Behaviors

Abstract Background Crack-cocaine dependence is a serious public health issue, related to several psychiatric and psychosocial problems. Crack-cocaine users are usually embedded in a context of great social vulnerability, often associated with violence, poverty, family conflict and easy and early access to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Methods This cross-sectional study enrolled a consecutive sample of 577 patients admitted to 20 therapeutic communities located in Southern Brazil, between September 2012 and September 2013. A structured interview assessed life-time exposure to risk and protective factors for drug use, such as parental monitoring in childhood, deviant behaviors and peer pressure. Results Presence of family conflict (p = 0.002), maltreatment (p = 0.016), and deviant behavior prior to age 15 in a bivariate analysis predicted an earlier age of crack-cocaine initiation, whereas adolescents experiencing parental monitoring during adolescence started use later (p < 0.001). In the multivariate model, perceptions related to ease of access of illicit drugs (marijuana: p = 0.028, 95% CI = − 3.81, − 0.22; crack-cocaine: p < 0.001, 95% CI = − 7.40, − 4.90), and deviant behavior (threatening someone with a gun: p = 0.028, 95% CI = − 2.57, − 0.14) remained independent predictors of early age of crack-cocaine initiation. Conclusions Early onset of crack-cocaine use seems to be associated with exposure to family conflict, easy access to drugs and deviant behavior. Treatment and preventive programs should take these factors into account when designing and implementing community interventions.

scholarly journals Police Case or Public Health Issue? Printed Journalism Frames on Crack Use in São Paulo

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 162
Author(s):  
Giulia Sbaraini Fontes ◽  
Paulo Ferracioli
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Public Safety ◽  
Sao Paulo ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Health Issue ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
São Paulo ◽  
Safety Aspects ◽  
Crack Use ◽  
Sobre Todo

Based on Entman’s (1993) and Iyengar’s (1996) concepts , this article intends to identify the frames practiced by O Estado de São Paulo (OESP) and Folha de S. Paulo (FSP) for the crack issue during Gilberto Kassab’s (2009 to 2012) and Fernando Haddad’s administrations (2013 to 2016). For that, 120 texts were analyzed, with the hypothesis that the newspapers’ political positions are also translated in their information material - and, therefore, FSP and OESP would present different coverages. The results confirmed this hypothesis, since OESP addressed the issue from the health point of view in both periods, with emphasis on public safety during the second administration. In addition to the health issue, FSP has focused on public safety aspects in Kassab’s administration and economy in Haddad’s administration. Despite this, newspapers have brought similarities, such as the use of episodic frame in most of the texts.Partindo dos conceitos de Entman (1993) e Iyengar (1996), esse artigo pretende identificar quais os frames praticados por O Estado de S. Paulo (OESP) e Folha de S. Paulo (FSP) para a questão do crack durante as gestões de Gilberto Kassab (2009 a 2012) e de Fernando Haddad (2013 a 2016). Para tanto foram analisados 120 textos, com a hipótese de que as posições políticas dos jornais se traduzem, também, em seu material informativo – e, por isso, FSP e OESP apresentariam coberturas distintas. Os resultados confirmaram tal hipótese, pois OESP abordou o assunto sob a ótica da saúde nos dois períodos, com destaque para a segurança pública durante a segunda gestão. Já FSP enfocou, além da questão de saúde, aspectos de segurança pública na gestão Kassab e de economia na de Haddad. Apesar disso, os jornais trouxeram semelhanças, como o uso do frame episódico na maioria das matérias. Desde los conceptos de Entman (1993) y Iyengar (1996), este artículo tiene como objetivo identificar los enmarcamientos usados por O Estado de S. Paulo (OESP) y Folha de S. Paulo (FSP) para cestión de crack durante las administraciones de Gilberto Kassab (2009-2012) y Fernando Haddad (2013-2016). Por lo tanto, se analizaron 120 textos, con la hipótesis de que las posiciones políticas de los periódicos se traducen también en su material de información - y por lo tanto, FSP y OESP presentarían diferentes coberturas. Los resultados confirmaron esta hipótesis, ya que el OESP se acercó a la cuestión desde la perspectiva de la salud en ambos períodos, sobre todo para la seguridad pública durante el segundo término. Ya el FSP se centró, más allá del tema de la salud, los aspectos de seguridad pública en la gestión Kassab y economía en Haddad. Sin embargo, los periodicos trajeron similitudes, tales como el uso de enmarcamiento episódico en la mayoría de los textos.

For all to see: social risk and observable complaining on Facebook

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Armstrong ◽  
Alicia Kulczynski ◽  
Stacey Brennan
Keyword(s):  
Social Exchange ◽  
Social Exchange Theory ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Peer Pressure ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Social Risk ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Complaint Management ◽  
Consumer Complaint ◽  
Online Consumer

Purpose Online consumer complaint behaviour that is observable to other consumers provides the firm with an opportunity to demonstrate transparency and service quality to the public eye. The purpose of this paper is to assist practitioners with a strategy to increase perceived accommodativeness in complaint management on social media and reduce the social risk associated with online consumer complaint behaviour using a social exchange theory perspective. Design/methodology/approach Six online experiments with 1,350 US Facebook users were conducted to investigate the effect of supportive and non-supportive virtually present others, and employee intervention on a consumer’s choice to complain, likelihood to make an observable complaint (on the Facebook page) and likelihood to make a non-observable complaint (via Facebook Messenger). The mediating role of perceived accommodativeness and subsequent social risk is also examined. Findings Supportive comments made to the complainant by virtually present others were found to influence participants’ decision to complain, heighten participants’ likelihood to complain about the Facebook page and reduce their likelihood to complain via Facebook Messenger. This effect was reversed in the presence of non-supportive virtually present others and was explained by perceived social risk. Further, a participant’s likelihood to complain about the Facebook page was increased when an employee intervention was directed at a non-supportive comment made to a complainant, by a virtually present other. This effect was explained by the perceived accommodativeness of the employee interaction. Research limitations/implications The findings advance research on online consumer complaint behaviour by investigating how employee intervention can be used to increase the likelihood of an observable complaint. This research is limited in that it does not incorporate individual characteristics, such as introversion/extroversion and propensity to respond to peer pressure, which may affect participant responses. Practical implications This research shows that perceptions of social risk are most effectively reduced by employee intervention directed at a non-supportive comment (made to a complainant) of a virtually present other. Consumer complaint management strategies aimed at minimising perceptions of social risk and encouraging observable online complaint behaviour are proposed. Originality/value This research extends the consumer complaint behaviour taxonomy by introducing the term “observable complaining”, that is, visible complaints made on a Facebook page, and broadens understanding of the organisation’s role in managing non-supportive virtually present others to assuage perceptions of social risk in potential complainants.

scholarly journals Clinical, Immunological, and Molecular Features of Severe Combined Immune Deficiency: A Multi-Institutional Experience From India

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pandiarajan Vignesh ◽  
Amit Rawat ◽  
Rajni Kumrah ◽  
Ankita Singh ◽  
Anjani Gummadi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Deficiency ◽  
Opportunistic Infections ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Age Of Onset ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Severe Combined Immune Deficiency ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Female Ratio ◽  
Molecular Features ◽  
Combined Immune Deficiency

BackgroundSevere Combined Immune Deficiency (SCID) is an inherited defect in lymphocyte development and function that results in life-threatening opportunistic infections in early infancy. Data on SCID from developing countries are scarce.ObjectiveTo describe clinical and laboratory features of SCID diagnosed at immunology centers across India.MethodsA detailed case proforma in an Excel format was prepared by one of the authors (PV) and was sent to centers in India that care for patients with primary immunodeficiency diseases. We collated clinical, laboratory, and molecular details of patients with clinical profile suggestive of SCID and their outcomes. Twelve (12) centers provided necessary details which were then compiled and analyzed. Diagnosis of SCID/combined immune deficiency (CID) was based on 2018 European Society for Immunodeficiencies working definition for SCID.ResultsWe obtained data on 277 children; 254 were categorized as SCID and 23 as CID. Male-female ratio was 196:81. Median (inter-quartile range) age of onset of clinical symptoms and diagnosis was 2.5 months (1, 5) and 5 months (3.5, 8), respectively. Molecular diagnosis was obtained in 162 patients - IL2RG (36), RAG1 (26), ADA (19), RAG2 (17), JAK3 (15), DCLRE1C (13), IL7RA (9), PNP (3), RFXAP (3), CIITA (2), RFXANK (2), NHEJ1 (2), CD3E (2), CD3D (2), RFX5 (2), ZAP70 (2), STK4 (1), CORO1A (1), STIM1 (1), PRKDC (1), AK2 (1), DOCK2 (1), and SP100 (1). Only 23 children (8.3%) received hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Of these, 11 are doing well post-HSCT. Mortality was recorded in 210 children (75.8%).ConclusionWe document an exponential rise in number of cases diagnosed to have SCID over the last 10 years, probably as a result of increasing awareness and improvement in diagnostic facilities at various centers in India. We suspect that these numbers are just the tip of the iceberg. Majority of patients with SCID in India are probably not being recognized and diagnosed at present. Newborn screening for SCID is the need of the hour. Easy access to pediatric HSCT services would ensure that these patients are offered HSCT at an early age.

scholarly journals Opioid Addiction in Rural North Carolina: A Criminal Justice and Public Health Issue

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (7) ◽  
pp. 42
Author(s):  
James F. Anderson ◽  
Kelley Reinsmith-Jones
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
North Carolina ◽  
Criminal Justice ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Crack Cocaine ◽  
Opioid Addiction ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Current Crisis

Opioid addiction and abuse has become a nationwide epidemic in America. Chief among the states where this behavior is most pervasive is North Carolina. Current statistics reveal that not only are addiction, abuse, and untimely deaths owing to overdose (especially from heroin use) are found in urban areas, but these behaviors are also pervasive in rural areas of the state where health experts and criminal justice officials struggle with the challenges of addressing public health and criminal justice consequences that come with drug addiction and abuse such as treatment, prevention, and punishments, respectively. Unlike urban areas that often have adequate resources to address these concerns, this is not the case in rural areas that struggle with more addicts and offenders than resources to manage this current crisis. Because of the complexity of the opioid crisis and many of the past lessons learned from the crack cocaine epidemic of the 1980s, we believe that society can more effectively address the new opioid epidemic by relying on both criminal justice as well as public health strategies.

scholarly journals HIV/AIDS: A Persistent Health Issue for Women and Children in Mid and Far Western Nepal

2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 88-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
KR Awasthi ◽  
K Adefemi ◽  
M Tamrakar
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Sex Workers ◽  
Social Stigma ◽  
Peer Pressure ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Unprotected Sex ◽  
Health Issue ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Unsafe Sex ◽  
Women And Children

This article reviews the effect of male migration on the spread of HIV infections in mid and far-western Nepal. It explains the link between male mobility and HIV in women and children. Materials were collected by a systematic search of the databases and the websites of national and international agencies. HIV infection amongst male migrants was found to be high. Their risk behaviors such as unprotected sex with multiple partners and sex workers increase the risk of HIV infection. Substance abuse, loneliness, separation from families, peer pressure, long working hours and poor living conditions are factors that promote unsafe sex. Literacy and awareness about HIV is a key measure to decrease the prevalence of the disease and reduce social stigma among people affected. HIV is a major public health issue especially in Nepal with migration playing a major role in its spread. Negligence to sexual health and lack of comprehensive knowledge on the disease among male migrants are the major obstacles that have exacerbated the disease. There is a need for further research on the existing HIV cases affecting women and children of these two regions to get a clear picture of the gravity of the disease.Kathmandu University Medical Journal Vol.13(1) 2015; 88-93

Crack Cocaine use in Hamburg's Open Drug Scene

2002 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 423-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katja Thane
Keyword(s):  
Crack Cocaine ◽  
The United States ◽  
German Society ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Economic Problems ◽  
Use Patterns ◽  
Crack Use ◽  
The Media ◽  
The Common ◽  
Crack Users

As consumption of crack cocaine has increased in Germany during recent years, the media have condemned it as a “demon drug,” claiming that it causes instantaneous addiction and violence. Although the issue is not comparable to the crack scare that occurred in the United States during the late 1980s, it is now being politicized in a similar manner. Because there is little known about crack use in Germany, the author initiated a small field study in Hamburg investigating the appearance of crack and the use patterns that developed in the open drug scene there. A convenience sample of 64 crack smokers provided responses to a questionnaire about their use of the drug. A number of significant differences were noted among users, variations that are mainly reflected in different methods of use and settings where the drug is consumed. The common assertion that crack cocaine causes violence was not substantiated here, although crack users are nevertheless often blamed for a variety of social, political, and economic problems in German society.

scholarly journals Prevalence of Tobacco Use and Its Associated Factors among School Going Adolescents in Birgunj Sub-Metropolitan, Nepal

2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-76
Author(s):  
Arbind Kumar Chaudhary ◽  
Tulsi Ram Bhandari
Keyword(s):  
Influencing Factors ◽  
Tobacco Use ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Peer Pressure ◽  
Tobacco Product ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Global Youth Tobacco Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Tobacco Products ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity

Tobacco use means consumption of any form of tobacco products either smoked or smokeless. Common used tobacco products are cigarette, cigars, pipe tobacco and favored Sisha tobacco, Surti/khaini, Panmasala, and Gutkha. It is one of the major causes of preventable mortality and morbidity worldwide. Objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of tobacco use and its associated factors among higher secondary school going adolescents of Birgunj Sub-metropolitan, Nepal. A schools based cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out using self-administrative questionnaire and it was prepared based on Global Youth Tobacco Survey. It was developed and validated for assessing the tobacco use among adolescents. Amongst 16 higher secondary schools, three public and three private schools were selected randomly. Similarly required sample (307) were recruited as proportionately from each school considering number of students studying in each selected school from August to December 2016. Prevalence of ever use of tobacco was 15.6 %. Cigarette was the most (70.8%) commonly used as tobacco product. The average age of initiation of tobacco use was 13.96++2.62 year. More than half (52.1%) of the tobacco users purchased tobacco from shops. Peer pressure (45.8%) was one of the major influencing factors of ever use of tobacco. Age, gender, friends pressure and parent's education were found significantly associated with ever use of tobacco among students. Nearly one-fifth adolescents used some type of tobacco products in last six month. Tobacco used by parents, peers and others family members at home and public places, and easy access of tobacco products were the major influencing factors of tobacco use among students. School and community based awareness programs and tobacco control legislations should be implemented consistently to control and discourage the consumption of tobacco products. Keywords: Adolescents, students, associated factors, tobacco use

scholarly journals Australian School Stakeholders’ Perceived Strategies for Preventing Adolescent Obesity

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (17) ◽  
pp. 9387
Author(s):  
Kakale Buru ◽  
Theophilus I. Emeto ◽  
Aduli E. O. Malau-Aduli ◽  
Bunmi S. Malau-Aduli
Keyword(s):  
Parental Support ◽  
Parental Education ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Adolescent Obesity ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Enabling Factors ◽  
Sugary Drinks ◽  
School Stakeholders

Adolescent obesity is a complex multifactorial disease with a combination of environmental, behavioral, psychosocial, biological, cultural and genetic determinants. It remains a global public health issue that presents a major challenge to chronic disease prevention and health into adulthood. Schools have a rich opportunity to improve youth health and tackle obesity, yet they face barriers in fulfilling this function. This study investigated school stakeholders’ beliefs and perceptions of the barriers and enablers currently experienced by schools, as well as their recommendations towards preventing adolescent obesity. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods study design was utilised with surveys administered for the quantitative phase and individual interviews for the qualitative phase. Descriptive statistics and inductive thematic analyses were utilised for the survey and interview data, respectively. Triangulation of findings from the quantitative and qualitative phases aided in the better understanding and integration of the overall results. In total, 60 school stakeholders (52 subject teachers, 3 senior teachers and 5 heads of department) from both independent and public high schools in Queensland, Australia responded to the survey, while 14 respondents participated in the interviews. The main perceived causes of obesity were poor eating habits and sedentary lifestyle. Highlighted barriers were busy timetables, shortage of trained staff and funding, lack of robustness in the introduction and implementation of school interventions and insufficient motivation of learners to participate in obesity prevention programs. Enabling factors included parental support, easy access to fitness equipment during recess, supportive government policies, provision of healthier school tuck shop menu options and elimination of sugary drinks from vending machines. A model for the prevention of adolescent obesity was developed based on participants’ perceptions. Tripartite collaboration between the school, government and parents was perceived as fundamental to preventing adolescent obesity. Strategies targeting nutrition, physical activity and overall health, including parental education on health, formal health talks in schools by health professionals and better-targeted advertisement encouraging healthy lifestyle choices, were identified as essential for improved adolescent health outcomes.

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