Low risks for spiritual highs: Risk-taking behaviours and the protective benefits of spiritual health among Saskatchewan adolescents

Objectives Adolescent risk-taking behaviours, such as substance use and early sexual activity, can adversely impact physical health and psychosocial development. A connection to spiritual health may buffer against the negative health impacts of several risk-taking behaviours. The aim of this study was to determine if higher spiritual health was associated with lower risk-taking behaviours among school-attending adolescents in Saskatchewan, Canada. Methods A representative sample of 4,751 adolescents in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan completed the Health Behaviour of School-aged Children (HBSC) questionnaire during the 2014 to 2015 school year. The main risk-taking behavioural outcomes were self-reported: smoking; alcohol; and cannabis use; as well as sexual intercourse. The main exposures related to spiritual health included four factors: connectedness to (1) one’s self; (2) others; (3) nature; and (4) notions of the transcendent. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to test for associations between exposures and outcome measures. Results The sample was balanced across gender, primarily Caucasian (71%), and primarily ages 11 to 15 years (48%). Adolescents indicated a high prevalence of spiritual health. Across all adjusted models, the results demonstrated that adolescents who value the various components of spiritual health showed a decreased likelihood of engaging in cigarette smoking, alcohol and marijuana use, and sexual intercourse. Conclusion The findings indicate the potential for spiritual health to be considered as the basis for public- and community-health interventions, pending further evidence from experimental studies.

Sexual activity and protection of reproductive health among female students

Introduction: Early sexual activity and multiple sex partners are leading risk factors for the development of sexually transmitted diseases and cervical cancer. Raising the level of knowledge about measures to protect reproductive health among young people can lead to significant reduction of same. Aim: Aim of the study is to determine sexual activity, knowledge and views on measures to protect reproductive health among female students on the University of Novi Sad. Material and methods: The survey was conducted among 269 female students, on Faculty of Philosophy, Faculty of Agriculture and Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad (age 19-24 years), from December 2018. to February 2019. An anonymous questionnaire was used as the instrument for the research. Statistical analysis was carried out in SPSS Statistics 20. Results: Early sexual activity, before 18 years had 33.7% of respondents (average age 16.44). A number of 32% of students had one, and 13.4% had 4 sexual partners or more. Condom use 62.2% of students, but 8% of women don't use any protection. One-third of students knows that HPV infection can cause cervical cancer, 60.6% didn't even hear for a vaccine against it. There is a statistically significant difference in knowledge about reproductive health in terms of contraceptive methods between medical female students and female students on other faculties, as well. Conclusion: There is a significant percentage of female students who had early sexual activity and low knowledge about reproductive health. This points to the need for more intense sex education in order to raise the level of knowledge about measures to protect reproductive health.

Substance Abuse among Children: A Rising Problem in India

Substance abuse among in children is a cause of concern across the globe. India shares this problem in massive volume and focuses its future adverse consequences on health, growth, productivity, and well-being. The health risks inherent, with substance abuse, often are linked with other risk behaviors (like early sexual activity, violence, academic failure, school dropout, delinquency) among children. This renders children vulnerable and poses a greater burden in terms of health, performance, and economic cost to the family and the nation. The available literature provides evidence that developed nations have taken cognizance of this problem long ago, and are working towards educating, rehabilitating, protecting children and preventing this problem. India is still oblivious of the concurrent and future threats and consequences. In spite of the gravity of the problem, not many systematic empirical research studies have focused on why children are turning towards alcoholism and substance abuse, who are these children, what are the motivators, temptations, pulling or pushing forces, or compelling circumstances. What are the concurrent and future consequences and what measures can be taken to protect growing children from turning to such vices in India. This paper tries to focus on the epidemiology of substance abuse, its genetic correlates, psychosocial and socioeconomic factors associated towards alcohol and substance abuse among children. The paper also suggests some preventive measures and strategies control substance abuse among children.

Everyday life of women with a history of domestic violence and abortion

This is a qualitative study based on the Comprehensive Sociology. Aimed to understand the daily life of women with a history of domestic violence who had an abortion. We conducted in-depth interviews with ten women who were admitted to the hospital for abortion and reported experiencing domestic violence. Mostly characterized by being black, low education, between 18 and 40 years. The process of organizing and analyzing the data was based on the notions of Comprehensive Sociology and theoretical sensitivity. The daily life of women who had an abortion is marked by the experience of domestic violence as a child and teenager, expressed by abandonment and rejection, and also by domestic violence. The early sexual activity is related to the unplanned pregnancy and lack of support from family and partner. It is necessary a professional look for recognition of domestic violence as a health condition of women.

Features of medical-social indicators in women of the roma community in the tula region of RUSSIA

The purpose of this work was to study the peculiarities of medical and social indicators in women of the Roma population living in the Tula region of Russia. 101 women of the Roma community and 200 women of other nationalities in age from 13 to 40 years who have given birth in the period from 2011 to 2013 in maternity hospitals Tula, were included in this study using the method of retrospective analysis. The authors analyzed the history of childbirth, dispensary cards, the authors took into account the age of women, social data, marital status, habits, parity, anthropometric data of the mother and newborn. Data were processed using statistical methods. Results of this study. The following indicators are identified in women of the Roma community: absence of education (65,3%), permanent place of work (100%), a high percentage of unregistered marriages (82,2%) and smokers (50,5 per cent). The authors note that early sexual activity (16,5 years) and a complete denial of contraception (98%) are typical for women Gypsies. Anthropometric difference in women Gypsy is a narrow pelvis (67,3%). Low birth weight (<2500 g), which was observed in 15,8% of cases, is higher than the control group in more than 6 times. Conclusion. Women Gypsies living in Russia, have the characteristic medico-social indicators, which are similar to those in other countries. However, there are features, the main of which is more affordable health care in the health sector, in comparison with European countries. Women of the Roma population in the Tula region are registered in female consultation timely and pass disciplined a whole range of tests during pregnancy.