SOME ASPECTS OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE DANGEROUS BEHAVIOR OF CHILDREN IN UKRAINE

Purpose of the study. To analyze the dynamics of prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases and drug disorders among Ukrainians child population of 2008–2017 period as a consequence of their dangerous behavior, to determine the main directions of prevention of these diseases. Materials and methods. The survey materials included data from the reports and directories of the Health Statistics Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, the Health for All Database for 2008 and 2017. The statistical method was used during the study. Results. The dynamics of indicators of paediatric sexually transmitted diseases and drug disorders in different age groups were analyzed; identified the most vulnerable group of children for these diseases; a sexually transmitted disease and drug disorders were analyzed taking into account age, sex of child and nosology; the directions of prevention of dangerous behaviour of children are outlined. Conclusion. All age groups in the pediatric population have a positive trend in sexually transmitted diseases and drug disorders. The most vulnerable group of children is teenagers aged 15–17. Trichomoniasis, which has the highest levels in Dnipropetrovsk and Khmelnitsky region, is the leading sexually transmitted disease. Among drug disorders, the most common acute intoxication and mental disorders are due to alcohol and tobacco use. The prevalence and first-time effects of tobacco use among adolescents have a negative trend. Keywords: child population, dangerous behavior, drag disorders, sexually transmitted diseases, prevention.

Chronic disruptive pain in emerging adults with and without chronic health conditions and the moderating role of psychiatric disorders: Evidence from a population-based cross-sectional survey in Canada

Background and aimsThere has been a growth in the proportion of emerging adults vulnerable to pain-related sequelae of chronic health conditions (CHCs). Given the paucity of research during this important developmental period, this study investigated the association between CHCs and chronic disruptive pain among emerging adults and the extent to which psychiatric disorders moderate this association.MethodsData come from the 2012 Canadian Community Health Survey - Mental Health (CCHS-MH). This cross-sectional survey included 5987 participants that were 15-30 years of age and self-reported their CHCs (n = 2460,41%) and the extent to which pain impacted daily functioning using items from the Health Utilities Index Mark 3 (HUI 3). Group comparisons between respondents with CHCs and healthy controls were made using chi-square tests. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed from ordinal logistic regression models adjusting for sociodemographic covariates. Product-term interactions between CHCs and psychiatric disorders were included in the models to explore moderating effects. All analyses were weighted to maintain representativeness of the study sample to the Canadian population.ResultsThe mean age of participants was 23.5 (SE 0.1) years and 48% were female. Compared to healthy controls, a greater proportion of participants with CHCs reported having chronic pain (20.3% vs. 4.5%, p < 0.001). Among those with chronic pain, respondents with CHCs reported a greater number of activities prevented because of chronic disruptive pain (χ2 = 222.28, p< 0.001). Similarly, in logistic regression models, participants with CHCs had greater odds of reporting chronic disruptive pain (OR = 4.94, 95% CI = 4.08-5.99). Alcohol (β = –0.66; p = 0.025) and drug abuse/dependence disorders (β = –1.24; p = 0.012) were found to moderate the association between CHCs and chronic disruptive pain. Specifically, the probability of chronic disruptive pain was higher for emerging adults without CHCs and with alcohol or drug disorders; however, among participants with CHCs, probability was higher for those without these disorders.ConclusionsThere is a robust association between CHCs and chronic disruptive pain. The moderating effects suggest that alcohol or drug disorders are especially harmful for emerging adults without CHCs and contribute to higher levels of chronic disruptive pain; however, among those with CHCs, alcohol and illicit drugs may be used as a numbing agent to blunt chronic disruptive pain.ImplicationsFindings from this study have implications for the integration and coordination of services to design strategies aimed at managing chronic disruptive pain and preventing pain-related disabilities later in life. Within the health system, healthcare providers should engage in dialogues about mental health and substance use regularly with emerging adults, be proactive in screening for psychiatric disorders, and continue to monitor the impact of pain on daily functioning. Given the age range of emerging adults, there is tremendous opportunity for clinicians to work cooperatively with colleagues in the education system to support emerging adults with and without CHCs. Overall, clinicians, researchers, educators, and those in social services should continue to be mindful of the complex interrelationships between physical and mental health and chronic disruptive pain and work cooperatively to optimize health outcomes and prevent pain-related disabilities among emerging adults.