scholarly journals Personal and Social Consequences of Psychotropic Substance Use: A Population-Based Internet Survey

Medicina ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 65
Author(s):  
María Luisa Ballestar-Tarín ◽  
Vanessa Ibáñez-del-Valle ◽  
Omar Cauli ◽  
Rut Navarro-Martínez
Keyword(s):  
Drug Abuse ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Social Consequences ◽  
Internet Survey ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Personal Consequences ◽  
Socio Demographic Factors ◽  
New Variables

Background and objectives: Drug abuse has become a major worldwide health concern among all age groups. The present study analyses substance misuse and its social and personal consequences using a population-based internet survey in Spain. Materials and Methods: Screening for drug abuse (of alcohol, marijuana/hashish and psychostimulants) and its related risks and problems was performed using the Car, Relax, Alone, Forget, Friends, Trouble (CRAFFT) score. Socio-demographic factors, depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms as well as health habits were also evaluated. We used Linear regression methods to compare each variable’s individual contribution so as to determine which one best explains the results. Results: In this population-based study, 1224 people completed and returned the online survey. Of all participants, 57% reported consuming at least one substance based on the CRAFFT scale. While increasing age reduces the probability of personal and social consequences of consumption, people who smoke receive up to three times more (OR = 3.370) recommendations from family and friends to reduce their consumption. As for the type of substance, the consumption of marijuana increases the risk of forgetting (OR = 2.33) and the consumption of other psychostimulant substances almost triples the risk of consuming alone (OR = 2.965). Combining substances can increase the rate of driving a vehicle after consumption by 3.4 times. Conclusions: Although age, smoking and the type of substances used increase the risk of suffering from social and personal consequences of the use or abuse of substances, future studies are needed to determine the influence of new variables as a potential tool for treating and minimizing the adverse consequences of drug abuse.

scholarly journals Changes in Six-Month Prevalence of Circulatory System Diseases among People Aged 20 Years and Older between 2013 and 2018 in Hunan, China

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2599
Author(s):  
Zhenzhen Rao ◽  
Junjie Hua ◽  
Ruotong Li ◽  
Yanhong Fu ◽  
Jie Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Age Groups ◽  
Circulatory System ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Hunan Province ◽  
Rural Residents ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Circulatory System Diseases ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Urban Rural ◽  
Socio Demographic Factors

Recent changes in population-based prevalence for circulatory system diseases (CSDs) remain unreported either nationally or locally for China. Data were from the two-round health service household interview survey of Hunan Province, China, in 2013 and 2018. A Rao–Scott chi-square test was performed to examine prevalence differences across socio-demographic variables. The overall age-standardized prevalence of CSDs increased substantially between 2013 and 2018 for inhabitants aged 20 years and older (14.25% vs. 21.25%; adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.24–2.04). Hypertensive disease was the most prevalent type of CSD, accounting for 87.24% and 83.83% of all CSDs in 2013 and in 2018, respectively. After controlling for other socio-demographic factors, the prevalence of CSDs was significantly higher in 2018 (adjusted OR = 1.40), urban residents (adjusted OR = 1.43), females (adjusted OR = 1.12) and older age groups (adjusted OR = 5.36 for 50–59 years, 9.51 for 60–69 years, 15.19 for 70–79 years, and 12.90 for 80 years and older) than in 2013, rural residents, males and the youngest age group (20–49 years). The recent increase in the overall age-standardized CSD prevalence and the large prevalence disparities across urban/rural residents, sex and age groups merit the attention of policymakers and researchers. Further prevention efforts are needed to curb the increasing tendency and to reduce the prevalence of disparities across socio-demographic groups.

scholarly journals Use of Electronic Cigarettes in European Populations: A Narrative Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 1971 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Kapan ◽  
S. Stefanac ◽  
I. Sandner ◽  
S. Haider ◽  
I. Grabovac ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electronic Cigarettes ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Cigarette Use ◽  
Public Health Concern ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Former Smokers ◽  
Male Sex ◽  
Socio Demographic Factors

The increasing popularity of electronic cigarettes in past decades has aroused public health concern. This study aims to review the literature on the prevalence of e-cigarette use among the general adult and young populations in Europe. We searched Medline and Google Scholar from September 2019, and included “prevalence of e-cigarettes”, “electronic cigarettes” or “e-cigarettes”, and “electronic nicotine delivery system” or “vaping”. The prevalence of current e-cigarette use ranged from 0.2% to 27%, ever-use ranged from 5.5% to 56.6% and daily use ranged from 1% to 2.9%. Current smokers of conventional cigarettes showed the highest prevalence for the use of e-cigarettes, ranging from 20.4% to 83.1%, followed by ex-smokers, with ranges from 7% to 15%. The following socio-demographic factors were associated with a higher chance of using e-cigarettes: male sex and younger age groups; results for economic status were inconclusive. In European countries, there is a higher prevalence of e-cigarette use among males, adolescents and young adults, smokers of conventional cigarettes, and former smokers.

scholarly journals Planning for Serious Illness by the General Public: A Population-Based Survey

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donna Goodridge ◽  
Elizabeth Quinlan ◽  
Rosemary Venne ◽  
Paulette Hunter ◽  
Doug Surtees
Keyword(s):  
General Public ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Regional Distribution ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Living Will ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Care Plan ◽  
Serious Illness ◽  
Care Plans ◽  
Advance Care

Background. While rates of advance care documentation amongst the general public remain low, there is increasing recognition of the value of informal planning to address patient preferences in serious illness. Objectives. To determine the associations between personal attributes and formal and informal planning for serious illness across age groups. Methods. This population-based, online survey was conducted in Saskatchewan, Canada, in April, 2012, using a nonclinical sample of 827 adults ranging from 18 to 88 years of age and representative of age, sex, and regional distribution of the province. Associations between key predictor variables and planning for serious illness were assessed using binary logistic regression. Results. While 16.6% of respondents had completed a written living will or advance care plan, half reported having conversations about their treatment wishes or states of health in which they would find it unacceptable to live. Lawyers were the most frequently cited source of assistance for those who had prepared advance care plans. Personal experiences with funeral planning significantly increased the likelihood of activities designed to plan for serious illness. Conclusions. Strategies designed to increase the rate of planning for future serious illness amongst the general public must account for personal readiness.

scholarly journals Decreasing Incidence and Mortality in Traumatic Brain Injury in Korea, 2008–2017: A Population-Based Longitudinal Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (17) ◽  
pp. 6197
Author(s):  
Han-Kyoul Kim ◽  
Ja-Ho Leigh ◽  
Ye Seol Lee ◽  
Yoonjeong Choi ◽  
Yoon Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Incidence And Mortality

Traumatic brain injury (TBI), a global public health concern, may lead to death and major disability. While various short-term, small-sample, and cross-sectional studies on TBI have been conducted in South Korea, there is a lack of clarity on the nationwide longitudinal TBI trends in the country. This retrospective study investigated the epidemiological TBI trends in South Korea, using a population-based dataset of the National Health Insurance (2008–2017). The crude and age adjusted TBI incidence and mortality values were calculated and stratified by age, sex, and TBI diagnosis. The age-adjusted incidence per 100,000 people increased until 2010 and showed a decreasing trend (475.8 cases in 2017) thereafter; however, a continuously decreasing age-adjusted mortality trend was observed (42.9 cases in 2008, 11.3 in 2017). The crude incidence rate increased continually in those aged >70 years across all the TBI diagnostic categories. The mortality per 100,000 people was significantly higher among participants aged ≥70 years than in the other age groups. We observed changing trends in the TBI incidence, with a continuously decreasing overall incidence and a rapidly increasing incidence and high mortality values in older adults. Our findings highlight the importance of active TBI prevention in elderly people.

scholarly journals First snap-shot meta-analysis to estimate the prevalence of serum antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in humans

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Rostami ◽  
Mahdi Sepidarkish ◽  
Mariska Leeflang ◽  
Seyed Mohammad Riahi ◽  
Malihe Nourollahpour Shiadeh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Western Europe ◽  
Climatic Factors ◽  
Communicable Disease ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
World Population ◽  
Serum Antibodies ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Socio Demographic Factors

Background: COVID-19 is arguably the number-one public health concern worldwide, and efforts are now escalating to control its spread. Objective: In this study, we undertake a meta-analysis to estimate the global and regional anti-SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence rates in humans and assess whether seroprevalence associates with geographical, climatic and socio-demographic factors. Data sources: We systematically reviewed PubMed, Scopus, Embase, medRxiv and bioRxiv for peer-reviewed articles or preprints (up to 14 August 2020). Study eligibility criteria: Population-based studies describing prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 serum antibodies in general people. Participants: general people who were tested for prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 serum antibodies. Interventions: There were no interventions. Methods: We used random-effects model to estimate pooled seroprevalence, and then extrapolated these findings to the global population (for 2020). Sub-group and meta-regression analyses explored potential sources of heterogeneity in the data and relationships between seroprevalence and socio-demographic, geographical and climatic factors. Results: In total, 47 serological studies involving 399,265 people from 23 countries met the inclusion criteria. The pooled seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in general people was estimated at 3.38% (95% CI, 3.05%-3.72%; 15,879/399,265). On a regional basis, we determined seroprevalence estimates of 5.27% (3.97-6.57%) in Northern Europe; 4.41% (2.20-6.61%) in Southern Europe; 4.41% (3.03-5.79%) in North America; 3.17% (1.96-4.38%) in Western Europe; 2.02% (1.56-2.49%) in the Eastern Asia; and 1.45% (0.95-1.94%) in South America. Extrapolating to the 2020 world population, we estimated that 263,565,606 individuals had been exposed or infected with SARS-CoV-2 at the first wave of the pandemic. A significantly higher seroprevalence was related to higher income levels and human development indices, higher geographical latitudes and lower mean environmental temperatures. Interpretation This study reinforces that SARS-CoV-2 infection is a very rapidly-spreading communicable disease and calls for routine surveys to constantly monitor temporal changes in seroprevalence around the globe.

scholarly journals Age Differences in Preferences for Fear-Enhancing Versus Fear-Reducing News in a Global Pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 932-932
Author(s):  
Anthony Villalba ◽  
Jennifer Stanley ◽  
Jennifer Turner ◽  
Michael Vale
Keyword(s):  
Age Differences ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Research Question ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The United States ◽  
Negative Information ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
News Article ◽  
Protective Behavior ◽  
Protective Behaviors

Abstract Older adults (OA) prefer positive over negative information in a lab setting, compared to young adults (i.e., positivity effects; YA). The extent to which OA avoid negative events or information relevant for their health and safety is not clear. We first investigated age differences in preferences for fear-enhancing versus fear-reducing news articles during the Ebola Outbreak of 2014. We built upon this pilot study to further investigate this research question during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, 164 YA (18-30 years) and 171 OA (60-80 years) responded to an online survey about their preferences, feelings, and behaviors related to the COVID-19 pandemic across 13-days during the initial peak of the pandemic in the United States. Both YA and OA preferred to read positive over negative news about the coronavirus, but OA were even more likely than YA to prefer the positive news article. No age differences in the fear of contraction were found, but OA engaged in more health-protective behaviors compared to YA. Additionally, media engagement was related to fear for both age groups, with social media engagement, specifically, emerging as a key moderating factor for protective behavior change. Although OA may not fear or seek out negative information related to a health concern; they still engage in more protective health behaviors compared to YA. In this study, positivity effects are shown to exist within a health-related event, but OA appeared to still attend to enough negative information about COVID-19 to avoid impairing their health protective behaviors.

The German Version of the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS)

2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heide Glaesmer ◽  
Gesine Grande ◽  
Elmar Braehler ◽  
Marcus Roth
Keyword(s):  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Satisfaction With Life ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Factorial Invariance ◽  
Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽  
Small Samples ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Confirmatory Factor Analyses ◽  
Life Scale

The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) is the most commonly used measure for life satisfaction. Although there are numerous studies confirming factorial validity, most studies on dimensionality are based on small samples. A controversial debate continues on the factorial invariance across different subgroups. The present study aimed to test psychometric properties, factorial structure, factorial invariance across age and gender, and to deliver population-based norms for the German general population from a large cross-sectional sample of 2519 subjects. Confirmatory factor analyses supported that the scale is one-factorial, even though indications of inhomogeneity of the scale have been detected. Both findings show invariance across the seven age groups and both genders. As indicators of the convergent validity, a positive correlation with social support and negative correlation with depressiveness was shown. Population-based norms are provided to support the application in the context of individual diagnostics.

scholarly journals DECONSTRUCTING THE MODEL-MINORITY MYTH OF U.S. ASIANS: DETERMINANTS AND CONSEQUENCES OF ELDER MISTREATMENT

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S760-S760
Author(s):  
XinQi Dong ◽  
Melissa Simon
Keyword(s):  
Family Relationships ◽  
Model Minority ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Community Research ◽  
Minority Population ◽  
Model Minority Myth ◽  
Elder Mistreatment ◽  
Population Based Study

Abstract Elder mistreatment (EM) is increasingly recognized as a global health concern. Among U.S. minority and immigrant populations, the social contexts and psychological consequences associated with EM remain poorly understood. Further population-based epidemiological studies using standard EM measures are required to advance the field. To address this gap and to challenge prior assumptions regarding Asian populations, this purpose of this symposium is to improve our understanding of EM epidemiology in an older minority population. Data were drawn from the Population-based Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago (PINE), a longitudinal, representative, population-based study of 3,157 community-dwelling Chinese older adults in the greater Chicago area. Session 1 will examine the transmission between child mistreatment, intimate partner violence, and EM. Session 2 will take a typology approach to capture the multifaceted family relationships, and will further examine which family typologies were associated with greater likelihood of EM, while which typologies were protective against EM. Session 3 will explore the positive and negative aspects of social support from spouse, family, and friends in relationship to EM subtypes, including psychological, physical, financial and sexual mistreatment, and caregiver neglect. Session 4 will examine the relationship between broad, moderate, and strict definitions of EM and likelihood of experiencing anxiety. Last, Session 5 will explore the differential relationships between EM subtypes and depressive symptoms. In summation, this symposium challenges popular conceptions of the “model minority myth” and aims to increase the practical and clinical relevance of EM epidemiology in community, research, healthcare, and policy settings.

scholarly journals Polarized nature of the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan: associations with population age structure and behaviours

2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Junko Okumura
Keyword(s):  
Age Structure ◽  
Public Transportation ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Cumulative Number ◽  
Population Age Structure ◽  
Major Factors ◽  
Drinking Places

Abstract Background Although the scale of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic was relatively small in Japan compared with the rest of the world, the polarisation of areas into high- and low-COVID-19-incidence areas was observed among the 47 prefectures. The aims of this study were not only identifying the factors associated with the polarised COVID-19 pandemic in Japan but also discussing effective preventive measures. Methods This was an ecological study using online survey data which was cross-sectionally conducted by the author. A total of 6000 respondents who resided in 10 low- and 10 high-COVID-19 incidence prefectures, with a wide gap in terms of COVID-19 incidence, in Japan were recruited. Data on COVID-19 cases and geodemographic information were obtained from official government sites. Statistical analyses were conducted to compare variables between the two areas and age groups. Results This study revealed that that age influenced people’s behaviours and perceptions, except one behaviour of ‘wearing facemasks’. The major factors significantly associated with the cumulative number of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people were ‘commuting by private automobile’ (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.444; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.394–0.501), ‘commuting by public transportation’ (AOR, 6.813; 95% CI, 5.567–8.336), ‘washing hands’ (AOR, 1.233; 95% CI, 1.005–1.511), ‘opening windows regularly’ (AOR, 1.248; 95% CI, 1.104–1.412), ‘avoiding crowded places (AOR, 0.757; 95% CI, 0.641–0.893), ‘non-scheduled visits to drinking places’ (AOR, 1.212; 95% CI, 1.054–1.392) and ‘perceived risk of contracting COVID-19’ (AOR, 1.380; 95% CI, 1.180–1.612). These factors were strongly associated with age groups. Conclusions Effective preventive measures for COVID-19 transmission can be developed by understanding the characteristics of populated areas, such as public transportation infrastructure and younger people’s movements and behaviours in relation to the population age structure to contain the current epidemic and protect the most vulnerable elderly people.

scholarly journals Exploring the Frequency of Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in a Brazilian Sample during the COVID-19 Outbreak

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (9) ◽  
pp. 4847
Author(s):  
Fabiana Silva Ribeiro ◽  
Flávia H. Santos ◽  
Luis Anunciação ◽  
Lucas Barrozo ◽  
Jesus Landeira-Fernandez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Severe Depression ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Brazilian Sample

The COVID-19 pandemic is a public health emergency of international concern, and the main measures to contain the spread of the coronavirus causing COVID-19 were social distancing, quarantine, and self-isolation. Although these policies are effective in containing the spread of the virus, they might represent a challenge to psychological well-being, increasing levels of depressive and anxiety-related symptoms. Aims: We explored the frequency of anxiety and depression symptoms during COVID-19 restrictions and associations with sociodemographic factors in a Brazilian sample. Method: Data of a total of 936 Brazilian adults (68.2% women) aged 18 to 77 years old (M = 38.95, SD = 13.91) were collected through an online survey. Results: In general, we observed a frequency of 17.36% for severe anxiety and 66.13% for severe depression symptoms, in which younger participants (18–39 years old) and women showed higher scores in anxiety and depression scales compared to older age groups. Logistic regressions showed that women were more likely to present severe symptoms of anxiety (20.4%) compared to men (10.9%), as well as respondents in the educational sector (24.3%) compared to those in the health sector (10%). Conclusions: We highlight the importance of mental health professionals in developing strategies to help younger adults to mitigate the effects of social restriction.

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