scholarly journals Effects of Age and Sex on Primary Method and Form of Cannabis Use

Author(s):  
Marika Huffer ◽  
Anita Cservenka

While cannabis is the most commonly used illicit substance, few studies have focused on the relationship between sociodemographic factors and primary method or form of cannabis use. The primary aims of this study were to understand the effects of age and sex on primary form (marijuana, concentrates, edibles) and method (joints, blunts, hand pipe, bong, hookah, vaporizer, edibles) of cannabis use. Participants (n=852; n=536 male) completed an online survey that included the ‘Daily Sessions, Frequency, Age of Onset, and Quantity of Cannabis Use Inventory’ used to collect information on the primary method and form of cannabis use in male and female participants divided into young adults ages 18 to 25 (Y) and adults 26 and older (O). Chi square analysis showed a significant effect of sex for primary method (χ2 (1)=122.4, p<.001) and primary form (χ2 (1)=24.6, p<.001) of cannabis use. Post hoc comparisons using Bonferroni corrections (adjusted p=0.002) showed that males were significantly more likely to report blunts (M=35%; F=10%), while females were significantly more likely to report joints (F=16%; M=8%) and edibles (F=15%; M=4%) as their primary method of cannabis use. Males were also significantly more likely to report marijuana (M=66%; F=55%), while females were significantly more likely to endorse edibles (F=17%; M=10%) as their primary form of cannabis use. Chi square analysis showed a significant effect of age for primary method (χ2 (1)=139.9, p<.001) of cannabis use. Young adults were significantly more likely to report using bongs (Y=19%; O=11%), vaporizers (Y=26%; O=9%), and edibles (Y=12%; O=5%), while participants 26 or older were significantly more likely to report using blunts (O=39%; Y=10%) as their primary method of cannabis use. There were no significant differences between age groups for the primary form of cannabis use. Findings from this study suggest there are significant effects of age and sex on primary method and form of cannabis use. Future studies should examine how other sociodemographic factors may affect cannabis use and how method and form of cannabis use affect long-term health outcomes.

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 80
Author(s):  
Ribka Wowor

Abstract: Prehypertension is a warning sign, early in age which denotes the risk of hypertension later on in life. Clinical and academic challenges of medical students may have adverse effect on their lifestyle, predisposing vulnerable subjects to elevated blood pressure. This study was aimed to determine the association between dietary habits and prehypertension among Indonesian young adults in Manado. This was an analytical study with a cross-sectional study. Subjects were 111 medical students (undergraduate and postgraduate) aged between 20-30 years, of either sex. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to elicit the details on physical activity, family history of hypertension, tobacco use, and dietary habits. According to JNC-7 guidelines, a systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 120 to 139 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 80 to 89 mmHg is considered as prehypertension. Of the 111 subjects, 22.5% showed blood pressure levels within the range of prehypertension. Chi-square analysis revealed that junk food consumption (OR=3,152; 95% CI=1,253-7,925; P=0,023), and soft drink consumption (OR=4,747; 95% CI=1,797-12,539; P=0,002) were the risk factors of prehypertension. Conclusion: Dietary habits were associated with the prehypertension among young adults in Manado.Keywords: dietary habits, prehypertension, young adultsAbstrak: Prehipertensi merupakan tanda peringatan dini akan resiko terjadinya hipertensi di kemudian hari. Mahasiswa kedokteran memiliki kesibukan studi terutama pada masa kepaniteraan klinik di Rumah Sakit. Tuntutan dalam pendidikan dan pelayanan sekaligus di RS berdampak terhadap pola aktivitas mereka sehari-hari sehingga dapat memengaruhi tekanan darah. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui hubungan antara diet (konsumsi makanan dan minuman) dengan kejadian prehipertensi pada mahasiswa kedokteran Univrsitas Sam Ratulangi. Jenis penelitian ialah analitik dengan desain potong lintang. Hasil penelitian mendapatkan 111 mahasiswa kedokteran peserta P3D dan PPDS (calon spesialis) berusia antara 20-30 tahun sebagai subyek penelitian. Dilakukan pemeriksaan tekanan darah dan berat badan. Penentuan kebiasaan makan ditetapkan berdasarkan hasil pengisian kuesioner. Definisi prehipertensi berdasarkan kriteria JNC 7 yaitu tekanan darah sistolik lebih dari 120 mmHg tapi kurang dari 140 mmHg, dan atau tekanan darah diastolik lebih dari 80 mmHg tapi kurang dari 90 mmHg. Uji Chi-square dilakukan untuk melihat hubungan antara konsumsi junk food dan soft drink dengan kejadian prehipertensi dan didapatkan adanya hubungan antara konsumsi junk food (OR=3,152; 95% CI=1,253-7,925; P=0,023), dan soft drink (OR=4,747; 95% CI=1,797-12,539; P=0,002) dengan kejadian prehipertensi pada subyek dewasa muda. Simpulan: Diet (konsumsi junk food dan soft drink) berhubungan dengan kejadian prehipertensi pada subyek dewasa muda di Manado.Kata kunci: diet, prehipertensi, dewasa muda


2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 559-563
Author(s):  
David A. Bloom ◽  
Adam J. Wolfert ◽  
Andrew Michalowitz ◽  
Laith M. Jazrawi ◽  
Cordelia W. Carter

Background: Female athletes have a higher rate of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries than male athletes; however, the role of age in mediating this injury risk has not been explored. The purpose of this study was to characterize the relationship between age and sex in predicting ACL injury in the pediatric population. Hypothesis: Prepubescent boys are more likely to sustain an ACL injury than prepubescent girls. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiological study. Level of Evidence: Level 4. Methods: Data were collected from the Statewide Planning and Research Cooperative System database for the state of New York from 1996 to 2016. The database was queried for patients aged ≤19 years who had been diagnosed with an ACL tear using the International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) code 844.2 or the ICD-10 (10th Revision) codes S83.512A/S83.511A/S83.519A. Patient age and sex at time of ACL injury diagnosis were recorded. Chi-square analysis was used to compare the frequency of ACL injury between groups, with statistical significance set at P < 0.05. Results: A total of 20,128 patients aged ≤19 years were diagnosed with an ACL tear (10,830 males, 9298 females; male:female, 1.16:1). In all, 129 patients aged <12 years sustained an ACL tear (85 boys, 44 girls; male:female, 1.93:1), and 19,999 of those patients were aged 12 to 19 years (10,745 males, 9254 females; male:female, 1.16:1). Chi-square analysis demonstrated a significant relationship between sex and age group ( P < 0.006). Additional analysis revealed that female athletes were most at risk for ACL injury from ages 12 to 16 years, with 4025 male and 5095 female athletes sustaining ACL injuries in this group (male:female, 1:1.27; P < 0.0001). Conclusion: Prepubescent boys (aged <12 years) are more likely to sustain an ACL injury than same-aged female peers. Clinical Relevance: This study demonstrates that the risk of ACL injury varies with age and sex throughout childhood and adolescence, further guiding treatment and prevention for these pediatric athletes.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 3499
Author(s):  
Donna M. Winham ◽  
Elizabeth D. Davitt ◽  
Michelle M. Heer ◽  
Mack C. Shelley

Many American college students fail to meet dietary guideline recommendations for fruits, vegetables, and fiber. Pulses are a subgroup of legumes, harvested solely for dry grain seeds within a pod. Commonly consumed pulses include dry beans, dry peas, lentils, and chickpeas. Pulses are high in shortfall nutrients and could fill some nutritional gaps of college students. However, little is known about pulse intakes among young adults. The study aims were: (1) to identify knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding pulse consumption; and (2) to describe experiences of preparing dry pulses among college students. A convenience sample of 1433 students aged 18–30 enrolled at a Midwestern university in the United States completed an online survey in April 2020. Demographic and attitude variables were compared by the monthly count of pulse types eaten using chi-square, analysis of variance, and logistic regression modeling to predict pulse type intakes. Higher numbers of pulse types eaten was associated with being White, vegetarian/vegan, higher cooking self-efficacy, positive attitudes toward pulses, and greater daily intake of fruits, vegetables, and fiber. Knowledge and experience of cooking dry pulses was low, with canned pulses purchased more often. College students may not be consuming pulses due to unfamiliarity with them, low knowledge of nutrition benefits, and a general lack of cooking self-efficacy. Increased familiarization and promotion surrounding pulses may increase their consumption.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (4_suppl) ◽  
pp. 805-805
Author(s):  
Amir Ali Khan ◽  
Philip HG Ituarte ◽  
Isaac Benjamin Paz ◽  
Ajay Goel ◽  
Lily L. Lai ◽  
...  

805 Background: The alarming rise in the incidence of gastric (GC) and colorectal (CRC) adenocarcinomas in young adults (YA) over the past three decades is not well understood. How YA populations differ from older patients with the same gastrointestinal malignancies warrants further investigation. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the California Cancer Registry and the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development data for all GC and CRC cases from 2000 to 2012. Pearson’s Chi-square analysis was used to analyze differences in demographic, clinical and histopathologic features and log-rank test to compare survival between young (≤ 40 years old) and older adults (40-90 years old) with GC or CRC. Results: Of the GC (n = 19,368) and CRC (n = 117,415) patients included in the study, YA accounted for 4.5% (n = 883) of GC and 3.2% (n = 3723) of CRC. Hispanic ethnicity was more common in YA for both cancers compared to older patients (50.9% vs 26.8% GC, 29.6% vs. 15.7% CRC, p < 0.0001). YA were more likely to have poorly differentiated (74.6% vs. 59.8% GC, 22.5% vs 17.5% CRC, p < 0.0001), higher grade (77.0% vs 61.6% GC, 23.9% vs 18.6 CRC, p < 0.0001), and signet ring features (44.6% vs 21.0% GC, 3.2% vs 1.1% CRC, p < 0.0001) compared to older patients. Synchronous peritoneal metastases were more common in YA compared to older patients (32.1% vs. 14.1% GC, 8.8% vs 5.4% CRC, p < 0.0001). YA with GC or CRC had a greater 5-year survival compared with older patients with the same stage of malignancy. Subgroup analysis of Stage I GC demonstrated lower survival in YA compared with adults aged 41-49 and 50-64 years (65.1% vs. 70.7% and 69.1%, 95% CI 49.7-76.9%, 62.5-77.3%, 65.2-72.7% respectively). Conclusions: GC and CRC in young adults have distinctly worse clinical and histopathologic features compared to older patients with the same malignancy. Ethnic disparity exists in the YA patients. This study contributes to improving the understanding of younger versus older GI cancer patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Taylor ◽  
Liam J. Caffery ◽  
Hailay Abrha Gesesew ◽  
Alice King ◽  
Abdel-rahman Bassal ◽  
...  

Background: In Australia, telehealth services were used as an alternative method of health care delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through a realist analysis of a survey of health professionals, we have sought to identify the underlying mechanisms that have assisted Australian health services adapt to the physical separation between clinicians and patients.Methods: Using a critical realist ontology and epistemology, we undertook an online survey of health professionals subscribing to the Australian Telehealth Society newsletter. The survey had close- and open-ended questions, constructed to identify contextual changes in the operating environment for telehealth services, and assess the mechanisms which had contributed to these changes. We applied descriptive and McNemar's Chi-square analysis for the close-ended component of the survey, and a reflexive thematic analysis approach for the open-ended questions which were framed within the activity based funding system which had previously limited telehealth services to regional Australia.Results: Of the 91 respondents most (73%) reported a higher volume of telephone-based care since COVID and an increase in use of video consultations (60% of respondents). Respondents felt that the move to provide care using telehealth services had been a “forced adoption” where clinicians began to use telehealth services (often for the first time) to maintain health care. Respondents noted significant changes in managerial and medical culture which supported the legitimisation of telehealth services as a mode of access to care. The support of leaders and the use personal and organisational networks to facilitate the operation of telehealth service were felt to be particularly valuable. Access to, and reliability of, the technology were considered extremely important for services. Respondents also welcomed the increased availability of more human and financial resources.Conclusions: During the pandemic, mechanisms that legitimise practise, build confidence, support relationships and supply resources have fostered the use of telehealth. This ongoing interaction between telehealth services, contexts and mechanisms is complex. The adoption of telehealth access to enable physically separated care, may mark a “new context;” or it could be that once the pandemic passes, previous policies and practises will re-assert themselves and curb support for telehealth-enabled care.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Hernandez Pampaloni ◽  
Aung Z. Win

Objectives. To determine the prevalence of incidentalomas in a patient population with no known thyroid malignancy who underwent whole body FDG-PET/CT for staging or restaging of neoplasia. The additional aim of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of using PETCT as a screening tool for malignant thyroid incidentalomas. Methods. Retrospective review of medical records of all the thyroid exams done at our institution between January 1, 2000 and August 20, 2008. We made a criterion of PET/CT as the primary method of detection of incidentalomas. Results. From a total of 8464 thyroid exams, 156 incidentalomas were found and 40 incidentalomas underwent anatomopathology analysis, which was used as gold standard. Chi-square analysis was used to analyze the data. There is no significant association between SUV value and the prevalence of incidentalomas. Discussion. From January 1, 2000 to August 20, 2008, incidentalomas have a prevalence of 1.84% at our institution. 38% of the incidentalomas that were biopsied were characterized as representing malignant tumors. Conclusion. Focal, abnormal FDG uptake representing incidentalomas must be followed up with biopsies. It is impractical to use PET/CT as a screening tool to detect incidentalomas for the general population but it must be done in patients with history of any type of cancer.


2005 ◽  
Vol 120 (3) ◽  
pp. 252-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison M. Kennedy ◽  
Cedric J. Brown ◽  
Deborah A. Gust

Objectives. Our objectives were the following: ( 1) to describe the sociodemographic factors, vaccine beliefs, and behaviors that are associated with parental opposition to compulsory vaccination, and ( 2) to determine if the availability of a philosophical exemption in a parent's state of residence is associated with parental opposition to compulsory vaccination. Methods. Data from the 2002 HealthStyles survey were analyzed. Chi-square analysis was used to identify significant associations between belief and behavior questions and opposition to compulsory vaccination for school entry. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted using significant variables from the bivariate analysis to identify independent predictors of opposition to compulsory vaccination among surveyed parents. Results. Of respondents with at least one child aged ⩽18 years living in the household ( n = 1,527), 12% were opposed to compulsory vaccination. Survey results indicate that a parent's belief regarding compulsory vaccination for school entry is significantly associated with beliefs in the safety and utility of vaccines, as well as intention to have the youngest child fully vaccinated. Residence in a state that permits philosophical exemption to vaccination also was significantly associated with a parent's opposition to compulsory vaccination for school entry. Conclusions. Providing basic information to parents regarding vaccines and vaccine-preventable diseases may help reduce opposition to compulsory vaccination by reinforcing the safety and importance of routine childhood vaccinations.


2018 ◽  
Vol 79 (4) ◽  
pp. 157-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lana Vanderlee ◽  
Erin P Hobin ◽  
Christine M White ◽  
David Hammond

Purpose: The current study aimed to characterize grocery shopping and dinner preparation behaviours among young people in Canada and to examine associations with eating habits. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with 2008 participants aged 16–24 from across Canada. The survey measured self-reported grocery shopping and dinner preparation behaviours, frequency of eating breakfast and eating meals prepared away from home, frequency of vegetable and fruit intake, and socio-demographic characteristics. Chi-square tests examined differences in proportions; logistic and linear regressions examined dietary habits, including covariates for grocery shopping and dinner preparation and socio-demographics. Results: Overall, 37.3% had helped with grocery shopping in the past week, and 84.3% had participated in dinner preparation at least 1 day in the past week. Engaging in shopping at least once weekly was associated with increased vegetable and fruit consumption only, whereas more frequent engagement in dinner preparation was associated with increased vegetable and fruit consumption, more frequent breakfast consumption, and fewer meals consumed that were prepared away from home (P < 0.001 for all). Conclusions: Increased participation in grocery shopping and dinner preparation were associated with healthier dietary habits. Interventions that increase these behaviours may contribute to improving dietary behaviours among adolescents and young adults.


2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (03) ◽  
pp. 533-538
Author(s):  
Zehtiye Fusun Yasar ◽  
Elif Durukan ◽  
Erhan Buken

AbstractObjectiveAlthough dentists are valuable assets in identification teams during disaster events, forensic dentistry is not used effectively in the identification studies conducted in Turkey, and the importance of dental data is ignored. The aim of this study was to determine the level of knowledge of dentists regarding their duties and responsibilities during major disasters.MethodsThis descriptive study was conducted between December 2015 and June 2016. Registered dentists (n=20.280) of the Turkish Dental Association were invited to complete the organization’s online survey. A total of 539 dentists participated in the volunteer workshop. Data were analyzed using SPSS, version 22.0 (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY). The chi-square analysis was used to evaluate the knowledge level of dentists by group regarding disaster victim identification (DVI) – the process and procedure of recovering and identifying victims of major disasters (eg, earthquake, terrorist attack).ResultsThe dentists included in the study consisted of 320 (59.4%) females and 219 (40.6%) males with a mean age of 37.4±12.6 years. The number of specialists and general dentists were 249 (45.6%) and 297 (54.4%), respectively; 249 (69.71%) dentists who had knowledge about forensic dentistry stated that they received this information during their formal training. The percentage of dentists who were aware of the existence of an organization of a disaster response operation in Turkey was 74.2%, but only 20.5% (n=110) had knowledge about DVI. We found that 92.9% (n=104) of these dentists believed that dentists should be included in the team for the identification of disaster victims. On the other hand, only half (52.3%) of the dentists with knowledge of DVI wanted to work on the identification teams. The majority (99.1%) considered DNA analysis to be the safest method for identification.ConclusionOur findings show that, although dentists know about the identification process, they do not have enough relevant knowledge. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:533-538)


2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorota Frydecka ◽  
Błażej Misiak ◽  
Kamila Kotowicz ◽  
Renata Pionke ◽  
Martyna Krężołek ◽  
...  

Abstract Background. Childhood traumatic events are risk factors for psychotic-like experiences (PLEs). However, the mechanisms explaining how trauma may contribute to the development of PLEs are not fully understood. In our study, we investigated whether cannabis use and cognitive biases mediate the relationship between early trauma and PLEs. Methods. A total sample of 6,772 young adults (age 26.6 ± 4.7, 2,181 male and 3,433 female) was recruited from the general population to participate in an online survey. We excluded 1,158 individuals due to a self-reported lifetime diagnosis of any mental disorder. The online survey included selected items from the following questionnaires: Traumatic Experience Checklist (TEC, 3 items), Childhood Experience of Care and Abuse Questionnaire (CECA.Q, 3 items), Cannabis Problems Questionnaire (CPQ, 10 items), Davos Assessment of Cognitive Biases Scale (DACOBS-18, 9 items), and Prodromal Questionnaire-16 (PQ-16). Mediation analyses were performed with respect to different categories of traumatic experiences (emotional, physical and sexual abuse as well as emotional neglect). Results. Our results showed significant associations of any time of childhood trauma with higher scores of cannabis use (CPQ), cognitive biases (DACOBS), and PLEs (PQ-16) (p < 0.001). We found a direct effect of childhood trauma on PLEs as well as significant indirect effect mediated through cannabis use and cognitive biases. All models tested for the effects of specific childhood adversities revealed similar results. The percentage of variance in PQ-16 scores explained by serial mediation models varied between 32.8 and 34.2% depending on childhood trauma category. Conclusion. Cannabis use and cognitive biases play an important mediating role in the relationship between childhood traumatic events and the development of PLEs in a nonclinical young adult population.


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