scholarly journals Characteristics of e-cigarette users and their perceptions of the benefits, harms and risks of e-cigarette use: survey results from a convenience sample in Ottawa, Canada

2016 ◽  
Vol 36 (7) ◽  
pp. 130-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. D. Volesky ◽  
A. Maki ◽  
C. Scherf ◽  
L. M. Watson ◽  
E. Cassol ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Cigarette Use ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Quitting Smoking ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Convenience Sampling ◽  
The Relationship

Introduction Although e-cigarette use (‘‘vaping’’) is increasing in Canada, few attempts have been made to describe e-cigarette users (‘‘vapers’’). In this context, we conducted a study in Ottawa, Canada, to describe e-cigarette users’ perceptions of the benefits, harms and risks of e-cigarettes. We also collected information on why, how and where they use e-cigarettes as well as information on side effects. Methods A 24-item online survey was administered to individuals who purchased e-cigarettes or e-cigarette-related supplies at one of Ottawa’s 17 e-cigarette shops. Descriptive analyses characterized respondents, and logistic regression models were fitted to evaluate the relationship between respondents’ characteristics and their perception of e-cigarette harms. Results The mean age of the 242 respondents was 38.1 years (range: 16–70 years); 66% were male. Nearly all had smoked 100 or more cigarettes in their lifetime (97.9%). More than 80% indicated that quitting smoking was a very important reason for starting to use e-cigarettes and 60% indicated that they intend to stop using e-cigarettes at some point. About 40% reported experiencing some side effects within 2 hours of using e-cigarettes. Those who did not report experiencing any of the listed side effects had approximately 3.2 times higher odds of perceiving e-cigarettes as harmless than those who reported having side effects (odds ratio ¼ 3.17; 95% confidence interval: 1.75–5.73). Conclusion Our findings suggest that most e-cigarette users are using them to reduce or stop smoking cigarettes and perceive them as harmless. Due to our use of convenience sampling, the reader should be cautious in generalizing our findings to all Canadian e-cigarette users.

scholarly journals Beyond the high: Mapping patterns of use and motives for use of cannabis as medicine

2021 ◽  
pp. 145507252098596
Author(s):  
Sinikka L. Kvamme ◽  
Michael M. Pedersen ◽  
Sagi Alagem-Iversen ◽  
Birgitte Thylstrup
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Health Conditions ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Mental Health Conditions ◽  
Patient Organisations ◽  
Patterns Of Use

Background: In Denmark the boundaries between cannabis as an illicit drug and licit medicine have shifted rapidly in recent years, affecting also policy. However, the vast majority of Danes, who use cannabis as medicine (CaM) continue to rely on the unregulated market for supply. This study explores patterns of use and motives for use of CaM in Denmark. Methods: An anonymous online survey was made available to a convenience sample of users of CaM from July 14, 2018 to November 1, 2018. Participants were recruited through patient organisations, social and public media, and the illegal open cannabis market. Results: Of the final sample ( n = 3,021), a majority were women (62.6%) and the mean age was 49 years. Most had no prescription for CaM (90.9%), a majority had no or limited previous experience with recreational cannabis use (63.9%), and had used CaM for two years or less (65.0%). The most common form of intake was oil (56.8%) followed by smoke (24.0%). CBD oil (65.0%) was used more than hash, pot or skunk (36.2%). Most frequent conditions treated were chronic pain (32.0%), sleep disturbances (27.5%), stress (23.7%), osteoarthritis (22.7%), anxiety (19.6%), and depression (19.6%). Overall, users experienced CaM to be effective in managing somatic and mental health conditions and reported relatively few side-effects. CBD oil only users were more likely to be women, older, have limited recreational experience and have initiated use recently. Conclusions: A new user group has emerged in Denmark that, for the most part, use illegally sourced CaM to treat a broad range of somatic and mental health conditions, often with experienced effect and relatively low level of side-effects. The prevalent use of low-potency CBD oil indicates an interest in effects beyond the high normally associated with cannabis use. More clinical research into the effects and side-effects of CaM is needed to draw the boundaries of the medical utility of cannabis.

scholarly journals Exploring the use of cannabis as a substitute for prescription drugs in a convenience sample

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sinikka L. Kvamme ◽  
Michael M. Pedersen ◽  
Kristine Rømer Thomsen ◽  
Birgitte Thylstrup
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Drug Use ◽  
Prescription Drug ◽  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Patient Organizations ◽  
Public Media ◽  
Prescription Drug Use ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background The use of cannabis as medicine (CaM) both prescribed and non-prescribed has increased markedly in the last decade, mirrored in a global shift in cannabis policy towards a more permissive stance. There is some evidence that cannabis functions as a substitute for prescription drugs, particularly opioids; however, more knowledge is needed on the motives of substitution users, their patterns of use, and perceived effects of substitution use. Aims To explore who substitutes prescription drugs with cannabis, the type of prescription drugs substituted and the type of cannabis used, and the impact that substitution with cannabis has on prescription drug use as well as the motives for substitution in terms of experienced effects and side effects. Methods A self-selected convenience sample was recruited through social media, public media, and patient organizations to take part in an anonymous online survey. Inclusion criteria were 18 years or older and use of cannabis (prescribed or non-prescribed) with a medical purpose. Results The final sample included 2.841 respondents of which the majority (91%) used non-prescribed cannabis, and more than half (54.6%) had used CaM with the purpose of replacing a prescribed drug. Compared to non-substitution users, substitution users were more likely to be women and to use CaM in the treatment of chronic pain and other somatic conditions. Pain medication (67.2%), antidepressants (24.5%), and arthritis medication (20.7%) were the most common types of drugs replaced with CaM. Among substitution users, 38.1% reported termination of prescription drug use, and 45.9% a substantial decrease in prescription drug use. The most frequent type of cannabis used as a substitute was CBD-oil (65.2%), followed by ‘hash, pot or skunk’ (36.6%). More than half (65.8%) found CaM much more effective compared to prescription drugs, and 85.5% that the side effects associated with prescription drug use were much worse compared to use of CaM. Conclusion CaM is frequently used as a substitute for prescription drugs, particularly opioids. More research is needed on the long-term consequences of use of CaM, including the impact from low and high THC cannabis products on specific somatic and mental health conditions.

scholarly journals Relationship between 24-h venous blood glucose variation and mortality among patients with acute respiratory failure

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoling Zhang ◽  
Jingjing Zhang ◽  
Jiamei Li ◽  
Ya Gao ◽  
Ruohan Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Glucose ◽  
Respiratory Failure ◽  
Hospital Mortality ◽  
Acute Respiratory Failure ◽  
Venous Blood ◽  
Sensitivity Analyses ◽  
Icu Mortality ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
The Mean ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractEvidence indicates that glucose variation (GV) plays an important role in mortality of critically ill patients. We aimed to investigate the relationship between the coefficient of variation of 24-h venous blood glucose (24-hVBGCV) and mortality among patients with acute respiratory failure. The records of 1625 patients in the Multiparameter Intelligent Monitoring in Intensive Care II (MIMIC II) database were extracted. The 24-hVBGCV was calculated as the ratio of the standard deviation (SD) to the mean venous blood glucose level, expressed as a percentage. The outcomes included ICU mortality and in-hospital mortality. Participants were divided into three subgroups based on tertiles of 24-hVBGCV. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between 24-hVBGCV and mortality. Sensitivity analyses were also performed in groups of patients with and without diabetes mellitus. Taking the lowest tertile as a reference, after adjustment for all the covariates, the highest tertile was significantly associated with ICU mortality [odds ratio (OR), 1.353; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.018–1.797] and in-hospital mortality (OR, 1.319; 95% CI, 1.003–1.735), especially in the population without diabetes. The 24-hVBGCV may be associated with ICU and in-hospital mortality in patients with acute respiratory failure in the ICU, especially in those without diabetes.

A survey of pain assessment and management practices among critical care nurses

1994 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 123-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
MC Gujol
Keyword(s):  
Critical Care ◽  
Pain Assessment ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Critical Care Nurses ◽  
Opioid Use ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Medication Decisions ◽  
The Relationship

BACKGROUND: Postoperative pain is one of the major obstacles in the prevention of complications during patient recovery. Pain and its management have gained great interest among researchers, clinicians and policy-makers. PURPOSES: To explore the relationship between two variables in pain assessment (length of time after surgery and ventilator status) and medication decisions made by critical care nurses, and to identify nurses' concerns about opioid use. METHODS: A convenience sample of 71 critical care nurses participated in the survey. RESULTS: Certain patient conditions such as length of time after surgery and ventilator status affected nurses' assessment and management of pain. Nurses' knowledge about pain assessment and management may affect patient care and outcomes.

scholarly journals Factors Influencing Energy Drink Consumption in Participants and Viewers of Extreme Sports

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Conrad A. Goodhew ◽  
Tracy L. Perry ◽  
Nancy J. Rehrer
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Energy Drinks ◽  
Energy Drink ◽  
Extreme Sports ◽  
Younger Adults ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Energy Drink Consumption ◽  
Sport Clubs ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Online Availability

Objective. To quantify energy drink consumption and influences affecting consumption in those who participate in or watch extreme sports. Methods. An online survey, informed by focus groups, was administered via Quadrics®. Advertisement was via social media, emailing extreme sport clubs, flyers at extreme sport locations, and word of mouth. Participation was limited to those >18 y who watched and/or participated in extreme sports. The study was conducted in New Zealand, with international online availability. Variables measured comprised age, sex, energy drink consumption, reasons for their use, extreme sport viewing, advertising, and sponsorship. Logistic regression models were utilised. Results. Amongst participants who completed the questionnaire (n = 247), the mean (SD) age was 26.2 (8.2) y, 40.5% were female, 57.9% consumed energy drinks, and 25.5% consumed >one per week. For every year older, odds of consuming energy drinks were 3.1% lower p = 0.04 . A 31% increase in energy drink consumption for every single increase of viewing extreme sport per week was observed p = 0.009 ; however, reported viewing of advertising was not associated with increased consumption. Conclusions. A large proportion of extreme sport enthusiasts regularly consume energy drinks, especially younger adults. Extreme sport viewing, where energy drink sponsorship is common, appears to increase their consumption, even if not considered advertising by the viewers themselves.

scholarly journals Fear, xenophobia and collectivism as predictors of well-being during Coronavirus disease 2019: An empirical study from India

2020 ◽  
pp. 002076402093632 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kanika K Ahuja ◽  
Debanjan Banerjee ◽  
Kritika Chaudhary ◽  
Chehak Gidwani
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Regression ◽  
Significant Relationship ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Global Context ◽  
The Common ◽  
Convenience Sampling ◽  
Mental Well Being ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Health And Well Being

Background: The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as a global health threat. Biological disasters like this can generate immense prejudice, xenophobia, stigma and othering, all of which have adverse consequences on health and well-being. In a country as diverse and populous in India, such crisis can trigger communalism and mutual blame. Keeping this in context, this study explored the relationship between well-being and xenophobic attitudes towards Muslims, collectivism and fear of COVID-19 in India. Methods: The study was carried out on 600 non-Islamic Indians (231 males, 366 females and 3 others; mean age: 38.76 years), using convenience sampling. An online survey containing Fear of Coronavirus scale, Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale and Collectivism Scale was used. Xenophobia was assessed using two scales: generalized prejudice towards Muslims and specific xenophobic tendencies towards Muslims during COVID-19. The data were analysed using correlational methods and multiple regression. Results: The findings showed that positively significant relationship exists between well-being and age as well as with collectivism, while an inversely significant relationship between well-being and fear of COVID-19 was found. The results of the multiple regression analysis shows that fear of COVID-19, age, collectivism and generalized xenophobia, in the order of their importance, together contributed to nearly 20% of variance in well-being. Conclusion: The findings are reflective of the importance of collectivism in enhancing well-being in these times of uncertainty. Xenophobia, one of the common offshoots of pandemics, can also harm the overall well-being. Implications are discussed in the light of India’s diverse socio-religious background and global context.

The formation of suspicion: A vignette study

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 274-284
Author(s):  
Scott W Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Police Officers ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Police Training ◽  
The Body ◽  
Police Culture ◽  
Heuristics And Biases ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Vignette Study ◽  
Police Agencies ◽  
Survey Results

Being suspicious is part of police training, and is emphasized in police culture. Tversky and Kahneman argued that people make decisions based on a limited number of heuristic factors to reduce a complex task to likely probabilities ( Tversky A and Kahneman D [1974] Judgment under uncertainty: heuristics and biases. Science 185[4157]: 1124–1131). This study contributes to the body of scholarship studying police suspicion. It uses vignettes describing an incident involving characteristics important when police officers form suspicion. This design allows respondents to judge a situation before actual engagement. A convenience sample of police officers, supervisors, and administrators from police agencies of different sizes located in two different states responded to an online survey. Results demonstrated that the time of an event, the person’s race, and their manner of dress, contributed to the formation of suspicion. Other factors (i.e., suspect age, neighborhood) were not significantly related to suspicion. Further, respondents with few years of experience were more likely to see the conditions within a vignette as suspicious. The findings indicate that unacceptable stereotyping can result from using scanty or outdated heuristic tools to simplify decision-making. Further, there is a need for additional research examining the conditions related to suspicion formation.

The Possible Role of Companion-Animal Anthropomorphism and Social Support in the Physical and Psychological Health of Dog Guardians

2010 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 379-395 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nikolina M. Duvall Antonacopoulos ◽  
Timothy A. Pychyl
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Companion Animals ◽  
Companion Animal ◽  
Survey Results ◽  
Physical And Psychological Health ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractWhile previous research suggests that individuals who humanize their companion animals may have insufficient human social support (Epley, Waytz, & Cacioppo, 2007), researchers have not examined the relation between companion-animal anthropomorphism and the health of animal guardians while taking into consideration their human social support levels. It was hypothesized that dog guardians with low levels of human social support would have poorer health if they engaged in high rather than low levels of anthropomorphism, while the health of dog guardians with high levels of human social support would not vary depending on their anthropomorphism levels. A sample of 203 Canadian dog guardians completed an online survey. Results revealed that, among dog guardians with low levels of human social support, those who engaged in high levels of anthropomorphism were more depressed, visited the doctor more often, and took more medications. Furthermore, among dog guardians with high levels of human social support, those who engaged in high levels of anthropomorphism were more stressed and depressed. These findings highlight the complexity of the relationship between anthropomorphic behavior, human social support, and dog guardians’ health.

scholarly journals The Impact of using social media in a sample of Iraqi medical students in 2019

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Almawashee ◽  
Qaswer Yousif ◽  
Karrar Ali Idan
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Educational Values ◽  
Research Committee ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Use Of Social Media ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Background:  Social media are tools that supports electronic conversation. suggested , social media are “a group of internet-based applications that build on the ideological and technological foundations of Web 2.0, that allow the creation and exchange of User Generated Content. Aim of the study: Is to identify the pattern of usage of social media among a sample of Iraqi medical students including the devices used, the time consumed, and   the purpose of usage. Materials &Methods: The study, which is a retrospective cross-sectional, was conducted among medical students at college of Medicine\Baghdad University at 2019 as an online survey for duration of 3 months Data was entered and analyzed using spss version 24.Informed consent was obtained from the participants and the study was approved by the research committee in the college. Results The mean age of the participants in this study was 20.8 with sd 1.78. Results had shown no significant association between the usefulness of social media for educational values and type of social media, device used, and the time spent on these media. Results had shown that those who use social media more frequently were not significantly worried about the potential of social media abuse. Conclusions A study exploring more objectively the relationship between students’ use of social media with their academic achievements and what sort of social media interventions associated with better learning are probably needed. Such knowledge may be useful to guide medical educators to better utilize social media in their instructional strategies.

scholarly journals The relationship between moral distress in nurses and ethical climate in selected hospitals of the Iranian Social Security Organization

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mina Bayat ◽  
Mohsen Shahriari ◽  
Mahrokh Keshvari
Keyword(s):  
Social Security ◽  
Ethical Climate ◽  
Moral Distress ◽  
Reverse Correlation ◽  
Moral Issues ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Convenience Sampling ◽  
Spss Software ◽  
Professional Interventions ◽  
The Relationship

the present study was conducted to determine the relation between nurses’ moral distress and the ethical climate in selected hospitals of the Iranian Social Security Organization (ISSO). This descriptive-analytical correlational study was conducted in 6 hospitals under the coverage of the Iranian Social Security Organization in 2016. Three hundred nurses were selected by convenience sampling method. Data were gathered using Corley’s Standard Moral Distress and Olson’s Hospital Ethical Climate Scales. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 19. The mean score of the nurses’ moral distress was 1.94 ± 0.66, which is considered moderate. The mean score of ethical climate was 88.97, indicating desirable ethical climate in these hospitals. The frequency score of moral distress had a unilateral reverse correlation with the total score of ethical climate as well as its dimensions, including colleagues, patients, hospitals and physicians. The score of the intensity of nurses’ moral distress also had a unilateral reverse correlation with the total score of ethical climate and the scores of the hospital and physicians dimensions. These results emphasized the importance of creating a positive ethical climate to decrease moral distress as well as the need for professional interventions to increase support in moral issues.

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