scholarly journals Russia and Intolerance towards Drug Problems

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 113
Author(s):  
Maria Lúcia Teixeira Garcia
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Drug Policy ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Technological Development ◽  
World Health ◽  
National Council ◽  
Drug Dependent ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Drugs And Crime ◽  
Drug Problems

The aim of this article is to examine the problem of drug use in Russia by analysing the direction taken by the drug policies in that country. We conducted an Internet-based literature search using two keywords in English: Russia and drug policy. We began reading the materials identified in the search and organising data. The other sources we used included the websites for the World Health Organization and the Federal Drug Control Service of the Russian Federation. The estimated number of people who use illegal drugs in Russia is five million, and of these, 1.7 million are opiate users. In 2012, approximately 2.5 million Russians were drug-dependent[1], and 90% of them used heroin from Afghanistan. With a population of 143 million people, Russia consumes 70 tons of Afghan heroin every year – more than one-fifth of the drug consumed globally – according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Russian drug policy thus calls the world’s attention to what we should not do: focus public policy on actions known to be ineffective for responding to drug use problems.[1] CNPq and Fapes researcher. Research study (no. 485937/2012-3) funded by CNPq – Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development. Member of Fênix group2 The number of heroin users in countries in Western Europe such as Germany or the United Kingdom is significantly lower – up to 150,000 and 300,000, respectively, according to several estimates. 

scholarly journals Drug use in prisons: strategies for harm reduction (ANRS-PRIDE Program)

2016 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 2081-2088 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurent Michel
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Harm Reduction ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
National Agency ◽  
Scientific Authority ◽  
Qualitative Survey ◽  
The Social ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Drugs And Crime

Abstract The existence of risky practices related to drug use inside prisons is a reality everywhere and is a major issue for the community as a whole. The level of implementation of harm reduction (HR) measures recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is very often poor and reveals inadequate concern about public health issues in the prison environment, without any respect for the principle of equivalence for prevention and health assistance with the general community. In 2009, the French National Agency for Research on AIDS and Viral Hepatitis (ANRS) developed a comprehensive research program focusing on the prevention of infectious risks in prison settings. Different steps were defined and scheduled, and included i) an inventory of harm reduction (HR) measures, ii) a qualitative survey on the reality of risky practices, iii) an assessment of the social acceptability of HR measures, and iv) an intervention trial exploring the feasibility of upgrading existing HR strategies. A progressive implementation of this program has shown it is feasible, but in France, it requires tenacity, simple long-term objectives, support from a scientific authority, pedagogical interventions for all involved, as well as constant discussion with the authorities. The implementation of this program in other countries is equally simple to manage.

scholarly journals The epidemiology of recurrent bacterial pneumonia in people with AIDS in Europe

2005 ◽  
Vol 133 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. PURO ◽  
D. SERRAINO ◽  
P. PISELLI ◽  
E. BOUMIS ◽  
N. PETROSILLO ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Bacterial Pneumonia ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Intravenous Drug ◽  
World Health ◽  
Surveillance Systems ◽  
Intravenous Drug Use ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
Health Organization

Data from AIDS surveillance systems in the World Health Organization European region (1993–2001) were analysed to describe the main epidemiological aspects of recurrent bacterial pneumonia (RBP) as AIDS-defining illness (ADI) in Europe. Among the 153756 AIDS cases analysed, 5796 (3·8%) had RBP. The proportion of RBP was higher (8·3%) in eastern than in western Europe (3·6%), possibly because of a greater propensity of certain countries to diagnose RBP. In western Europe, the proportion of RBP as ADI appeared to increase over time up to 1998 (from 2·5% to 4·5%), and declined thereafter (3·3% in 2001). RBP was strongly associated with intravenous drug use (odds ratio 3·0, 95% CI 2·7–3·3), whereas it did not differ in age groups or geographical areas. The study findings confirm the crucial role of intravenous drug use in the occurrence of RBP and suggest that highly active antiretroviral therapies might have had a postponing impact on the relative frequency of RBP as ADI.

April 20 to 26, 2020 – World Immunization Week

2020 ◽  
pp. 76-79
Author(s):  
Oksana Rybachok
Keyword(s):  
Western Europe ◽  
Whooping Cough ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
World Health ◽  
Modern World ◽  
Pneumococcal Infections ◽  
Preventive Vaccination ◽  
The Russian Federation ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Third World

Infectious diseases in the modern world continue to claim millions of human lives despite the achievements of medicine. While in developed countries the main cause of death is cancer and diseases of the cardiovascular system, it is the infectious processes that occupy leading positions in the structure of mortality in the third world countries. About 1.7 million children die from infections that could have been avoided by vaccination according to the World Health Organization. In contrast to the countries of Western Europe, where preventive vaccinations for the population are carried out for a fee, preventive vaccination in the Russian Federation is funded by the state. Immunoprophylaxis includes not only prevention of 12 major infections included in the calendar of preventive vaccinations (diphtheria, polio, tetanus, whooping cough, tuberculosis, measles, rubella, mumps, hepatitis B, pneumococcal infections and haemophilus influenzae, influenza), but also vaccination against 17 additional infections in case of epidemiological indications.

Evaluation of Drug Use Based on WHO Prescribing Indicator in Mizan- Tepi University Teaching Hospital, south Western Ethiopia: A Cross Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Solomon Hambisa ◽  
Rediet Feleke ◽  
Ameha Zewudie ◽  
Mohammed Yimam
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
World Health Organization ◽  
Teaching Hospital ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
University Teaching ◽  
World Health ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Hospital Data ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Organization

Background:: Rational drug use comprises aspects of prescribing, dispensing and patient use of medicines for different health problems. This study is aimed to assess drug prescribing practice based on the world health organization prescribing indicators in Mizan-Tepi University teaching hospital. Methods:: An institutional based retrospective cross sectional study was conducted to evaluate prescribing practices in Mizan-Tepi University teaching hospital. Data were collected based on World health organization drug use indicators using prescription papers. 600 prescriptions dispensed through the general outpatient pharmacy of the hospital were collected by systematic random sampling method from prescriptions written for a 1-year time in Mizan-Tepi University teaching hospital. Results:: The present study found that the average number of drugs per prescription was 2.04 ± 0.87 in Mizan-Tepi University teaching hospital with a range between 1 and 5. Prescribing by generic name was 97.6 % and 47.8% of prescriptions contained antibiotics in the hospital. 27.7% of prescriptions contained at least one injectable medication in Mizan-Tepi University teaching hospital. From prescribed drugs, 96.7% of them were prescribed from Ethiopian essential drug list. Conclusion:: Present study indicated that the average number of drugs prescribed per encounter, the percentage of generic prescribing and prescribing from the EDL were close to optimal value. However, the percentage of encounters with antibiotics and injections prescribed were found be very high. Thus, the study highlights some improvements in prescribing habits, particularly by focusing on the inappropriate consumption of antibiotics and injections.

scholarly journals Examination of WHO/INRUD Core Drug Use Indicators at Public Primary Healthcare Centers in Kisii County, Kenya

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faith A. Okalebo ◽  
Eric M. Guantai ◽  
Aggrey O. Nyabuti
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Essential Medicines ◽  
World Health ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Rational Use ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Consultation Time ◽  
Primary Healthcare Centers

ABSTRACTBackgroundIrrational drug use is a global problem. However, the extent of the problem is higher in low-income countries. This study set out to assess and characterize drug use at the public primary healthcare centers (PPHCCs) in a rural county in Kenya, using the World Health Organization/ International Network for the Rational Use of Drugs (WHO/INRUD) core drug use indicators methodology.MethodsTen PPHCCs were randomly selected. From each PPHCC, ninety prescriptions from October to December 2018 were sampled and data extracted. Three-hundred (30 per PPHCC) patients and ten (1 per PPHCC) dispensers were also observed and interviewed. The WHO/INRUD core drug use indicators were used to assess the patterns of drug use.ResultsThe average number of drugs per prescription was 2.9 (SD 0.5) (recommended: 1.6– 1.8), percentage of drugs prescribed by generic names was 27.7% (recommended: 100%); the percentage of prescriptions with an antibiotic was 84.8% (recommended: 20.0–26.8%), and with an injection prescribed was 24.9% (recommended: 13.4–24.1%). The percentage of prescribed drugs from the Kenya Essential Medicines List was 96.7% (recommended: 100%). The average consultation time was 4.1 min (SD 1.7) (recommended: ≥10 min), the average dispensing time was 131.5 sec (SD 41.5) (recommended: ≥90 sec), the percentage of drugs actually dispensed was 76.3% (recommended: 100%), the percentage of drugs adequately labeled was 22.6% (recommended: 100%) and percentage of patients with correct knowledge of dispensed drugs was 54.7% (recommended: 100%). Only 20% of the PPHCCs had a copy of KEML available, and 80% of the selected essential drugs assessed were available.ConclusionThe survey shows irrational drug use practices, particularly polypharmacy, non-generic prescribing, overuse of antibiotics, short consultation time and inadequacy of drug labeling. Effective programs and activities promoting the rational use of drugs are the key interventions suggested at all the health facilities.

scholarly journals Drug use as a coping style to social isolation by COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the adherence to safety guidelines in Mexico

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-32
Author(s):  
Diana Mejía ◽  
Alejandro Gutierrez-Trejo ◽  
Laurent Avila-Chauvet ◽  
Lynette Bonin
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
World Health ◽  
Safety Behavior ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Stress Experience ◽  
Behavior Scale ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Safety Guidelines

Introduction: in response to the pandemic originated by COVID-19, governments placed in practice a series of safety guidelines recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). In Mexico, one of the decisive actions to prevent the disease's spread was social isolation or lockdown. These rigorous proceedings could increase stress experience or other mental health disorders. One of the coping mechanisms used to avoid stress includes drug use. Objective: the study's goal was to evaluate the relationship between drug use (alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis) and adherence to safety guidelines. Method: the association between the variables was assessed with a series of surveys indicating adherence to safety guidelines and drug use, 475 Mexican participants (56.5% females and 43.4% males) completed the study. Results: the results suggest that most participants had low drug abuse levels before and during social isolation. There was a significant decrease in tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis use in both females and males. Upon analyzing guideline adherence, low alcohol use correlated with the safety behavior scale, while tobacco and cannabis correlated with the preventive behavior scale. Discussion: the current Mexican sample had not used drugs to cope during social isolation.

scholarly journals Assessment of Prescriptions Patterns and Drug Use across the Kurdistan Region

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rawaz Tawfeeq ◽  
Tarin Tahssen Obied ◽  
Aram Ommar
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Medication Errors ◽  
World Health ◽  
Kurdistan Region ◽  
Clinical Practices ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Inflammatory Drugs ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Therapeutic Considerations ◽  
Electronic Prescriptions

Background: Errors in drug prescriptions are the most common preventable medication errors encountered in clinical practices worldwide. The purpose of this study is to examine the pattern of prescriptions and drug use in the Kurdistan region and to determine whether prescription patterns are based on rational therapeutic considerations. Methods: A cross sectional-observational study was conducted in the Kurdistan region of Iraq over a period of five months. A total of 1000 prescriptions were selected randomly from different pharmacies and data obtained from each prescription. In these prescriptions a total of 2878 medications were prescribed. After collection, excel software was then used to perform calculations. Results: The average number of drugs per prescription was calculated to be 2.8. Drugs prescribed by generic name were 27% and more than 98 percent of prescriptions were handwritten. The duration of therapy was mentioned in 56.5% of prescriptions. However, the dose and dosage form of medications were recorded 62% and 87.3% respectively. The percentage of prescriptions containing a signature was 88.1%. Furthermore, the percentage of antibiotics, supplements, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and other painkillers were prescribed at a rate of 51.8%, 44.2%, 31.8%, and 21.8% per prescription. Conclusion: Whilst observing the data we can conclude that the rate of drugs written per prescription is much higher than the suggested World Health Organization (WHO0 average. Prescribing errors are one of the most common preventable causes of medication errors and the use of electronic prescriptions may play a huge role in ameliorating this fact.

Rational and Irrational Drug Use: Factors, Impacts and Strategies to Combat Irrational Drug Use: A Narrative Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-17
Author(s):  
Zahra Hassan AL Qamariat ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Health System ◽  
Essential Medicines ◽  
World Health ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Rational Drug Use ◽  
Inappropriate Use ◽  
Rational Drug ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Organization

Misuse of drugs is a serious health problem all around the world. Rational drug use can be characterized as follows: patients receive drugs that meet their clinical needs, at doses that meet their requirements, promptly and at the lowest cost to themselves and their region. Drug abuse, polypharmacy, and misuse are the most prominent drug use problems today. Misuse of drugs can occur for a variety of reasons at different levels, including recommended mistakes and over-the- counter medications. Inappropriate use of income can lead to real negative benefits and financial results. There are many irrational drug mixtures available. Appropriate rational use of medicines will increase personal satisfaction and lead to better local health services. A list of essential medicines recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) can assist the countries around the globe in rationalizing the distribution and purchasing of medicines, thus decreasing the costs to healthcare systems. Irrational drug use has been a subject of concern for years as it affects the health system and patients badly. Irrational use of drugs can result from several factors such as patient, prescriber, dispenser, health system, supply system, or regulations. Thus, diverse strategies have been used to promote rational drug use and also to tackle irrational use. Thereby the concept of rational and irrational drug use and factors that lead to either result should be identified and monitored.

We Can't Go Cold Turkey: Why Suppressing Drug Markets Endangers Society

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 325-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nick Werle ◽  
Ernesto Zedillo
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Drug Policy ◽  
Necessary Condition ◽  
Drug Markets ◽  
Material Resources ◽  
Patterns Of Use ◽  
The Right ◽  
Drug Problems ◽  
Cold Turkey

This essay argues that policies aimed at suppressing drug use exacerbate the nation's opioid problem. It neither endorses drug use nor advocates legalizing the consumption and sale of all substances in all circumstances. Instead, it contends that trying to suppress drug markets is the wrong goal, and in the midst of an addiction crisis it can be deadly. There is no single, correct drug policy; the right approach depends crucially on the substance at issue, the patterns of use and supply, and the jurisdiction's culture, institutions, and material resources. Decriminalization is no panacea for a nation's drug problems. Nevertheless, either de jure or de facto decriminalization of personal drug possession is a necessary condition for mitigating this crisis.

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