Assessment of factors associated with Tobacco smoking among patients with pulmonary TB attending health facilities in Rwanda: A case control study

IntroductionThe World Health Organization reported that one third of global population was tobacco smoker. In countries with a high tuberculosis burden, a big proportion was attributed to tobacco smoking. In the general population of Rwanda, the prevalence of tobacco smoking was higher among males (14%) compared to females (3%). We conducted a second analysis to assess factor associated with tobacco smoking among patient with TB attending Health Facilities.MethodologyA retrospective case-control study in Centres of Diagnosis and Treatment of tuberculosis (CDT). Cases were patients with bacteriological TB confirmation; controls were persons with signs and symptoms without TB confirmation. Proportions and logistic regression were used in data analysis.ResultsThe total number of tobacco smokers was 680. Among tobacco smokers, 88.1% tobacco smokers were males, 94.3% tobacco smokers had at least 25 years old and 64.6% were living in union. By education, 84.9% tobacco smokers were illiterate or attained primary school. Almost all tobacco smokers (97.0%) ever drunk alcohol while 67.9% used illicit drugs and 25.3% had low BMI (≤ 18.5) with increased proportion among cases (29.1%). A proportion of 38.3% in tobacco smokers had history of imprisonment. In multivariable logistic regression data analysis, males compared to females (aOR = 3.49[95%CI:1.76–6.94]), ever drunk alcohol compared to never drank alcohol (aOR = 6.39[95%CI:2.67–15.31]) and ever used illicit drugs compared to never used illicit drugs (aOR = 9.89[95%CI:3.87–25.25]) were associated with high odds of tobacco smoking. In addition, illiterate people or people who attained only primary school education level compared to people having primary education level and above (aOR = 0.39[95%CI:0.23–0.69]) were associated with low odds of tobacco smoking.ConclusionTobacco smoking is common in pulmonary TB patients. Males were more likely using tobacco smoking compared to females. Alcohol drinkers and illicit drug users were associated to tobacco smoking. A campaign on tobacco cessation, focusing on males, should be conducted in the general population starting by people on TB treatment.

Racial Background and Health Behaviors Among Adults With Cancer in Canada: Results of a National Survey

Background: This study was an assessment of the impact of racial background on health behaviors among Canadian adults with a concurrent or past history of a cancer diagnosis. Methods: The Canadian Community Health Survey datasets (2015–2018) were accessed, and adults (age ≥18 years) with cancer were reviewed. Information about the racial background, socioeconomic status, and different health behaviors was reviewed. Multivariable logistic regression analyses for factors associated with different health behaviors were conducted. Results: A total of 20,514 participants with a history of cancer were considered eligible and were included in the analysis. Compared with individuals who self-identified as White, those who self-identified as indigenous were less likely to have received an influenza vaccination in the past year (odds ratio [OR], 1.253; 95% CI, 1.084–1.448), less likely to have drunk alcohol in the past 12 months (OR, 0.641; 95% CI, 0.546–0.752), more likely to be current smokers (OR, 2.245; 95% CI, 1.917–2.630), and more likely to have used recreational drugs in the past 12 years (OR, 1.488; 95% CI, 1.076–2.057). Compared with individuals who self-identified as White, those who self-identified as non-White and nonindigenous were less likely to have received an influenza vaccination in the past year (OR, 1.207; 95% CI, 1.035–1.408), less likely to have drunk alcohol in the past 12 months (OR, 0.557; 95% CI, 0.463–0.671), and less likely to be current smokers (OR, 0.605; 95% CI, 0.476–0.769). Conclusions: Within the Canadian context, there is a considerable variability in the health behaviors of adults with cancer according to their racial background. There is a need to tailor the survivorship care planning of patients with cancer based on socioeconomic context.

Investigating the Prevalence of High-Risk Behaviors among Professional Athletes

: The prevalence of high-risk behaviors among professional athletes as role models for their fans, especially adolescents and young people, is important to be considered. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of HRBs in Iranian professional athletes. This cross-sectional study included 1,940 athletes that were active in eight popular sports from 12 cities of the country. Data were collected using stratified random sampling and a self-made high-risk behavior questionnaire. To analyze the data, descriptive statistical methods were used. The results showed the prevalence of doping among professional athletes was 3%. Besides, 0.3% of the professional athletes on average smoke daily, and 2% used shisha (smoking water pipes) daily. Moreover, 2.5% of professional athletes drunk alcohol at least one time per month. Also, the prevalence of violence involvement among professional athletes was 4.1%, and the prevalence of illicit drug use was 0.3%. The research results showed all high-risk behaviors were prevalent to some degree among professional athletes.

Smoking Intensity and Associated Factors among Male Smokers in Ethiopia: Further Analysis of 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey

Background. Smoking invariably has health, social, economic, and environmental consequences in Ethiopia. Reducing and quitting cigarette smoking improves individual health and increases available household funds for food, education, and better economic productivity. Therefore, this study is aimed at assessing cigarette smoking intensity and associated factors among male smokers in Ethiopia. Methods. The data were extracted from the 2016 national cross-sectional Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey. Our study used data from the standardized and adapted men’s questionnaire. The study included a total of 391 (weighted) smokers who at least smoked one manufactured cigarette per day. The data were collected using a two-stage cluster design which includes selection of enumeration areas and then selection of households. The number of manufactured cigarettes smokers smoked per day was used to measure smoking intensity. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the study findings. Bivariable and multivariable truncated negative binomial Poisson regression models were employed to determine smoking intensity. Results. The finding showed that on average men smoked weighted nine cigarettes per day. One in every five of the smokers (21.2%) smoked 10 cigarettes per day. Smokers living in rural areas (IRR=0.43, 95% CI: 0.244, 0.756), currently married (IRR=0.64, 95% CI: 0.46, 0.91), formerly married (IRR=0.54, 95% CI: 0.30, 0.96), richer men (IRR=0.63, 95% CI: 0.43, 0.90), and richest men (IRR=0.49, 95% CI: 0.28, 0.87) were associated with lower smoking intensity. Smokers in the Somali (IRR=2.80, 95% CI: 1.29, 6.11), Harari (IRR=3.46, 95% CI: 1.14, 10.51), and Dire Dawa (IRR=3.09, 95% CI: 1.23, 7.80) regions; older age (IRR=1.77, 95% CI: 1.31, 2.40); affiliated with Protestant religion (IRR=1.81, 95% CI: 1.12, 2.92); poorer men (IRR=1.64, 95% CI: 1.19, 2.27); watched television (IRR=1.18, 95% CI: 1.04, 1.35); drunk alcohol (IRR=1.37, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.82); and completed primary (IRR=1.15, 95% CI: 1.01, 0.317) and higher education (IRR=2.96, 95% CI: 1.88, 4.67) were positively associated with smoking intensity. Conclusion. Male smokers in Ethiopia smoked intensively with an average of nine manufactured cigarettes per day. Tobacco control interventions should target the following: Eastern Ethiopia regions, older aged, affiliated with Protestant religion, poorer men, watched television, drunk alcohol, and primary and higher educational level.

Alcohol consumption in Austrian physicians

Background Alcohol is one of the leading exogenous causes for adverse health consequences in Europe. The aim of the present study was to examine the pattern of alcohol consumption in Austrian physicians. Methods A telephone survey was conducted in 400 office-based physicians in Austria. Our questionnaire included the four questions of the CAGE questionnaire and questions to assess alcohol consumption on the previous day. Results 131 participants (32.8%) completed the interview. 3.8% of the subjects had a CAGE score of 2 or higher indicating a problem with alcohol, but this rate was not statistically different from numbers reported for the general population (4.1%). 46.6% of our subjects had drunken alcohol on the previous day. Compared to the general population, the rate of having drunk alcohol yesterday was higher in both gender of our sample, but the amount of alcohol drunk was significantly lower. Doctors in rural areas had drunken alcohol more frequently and in greater quantities on the previous day than those in urban areas. There was a positive correlation between age and the amount of drinking on the previous day, and between age and CAGE scores. Furthermore, subjects who had consumed alcohol yesterday obtained higher scores on the CAGE. Conclusions Our findings indicate that the rate of Austrian physicians with problematic alcohol consumption is similar to the general population. Physicians in rural areas and older doctors might be of higher risk for alcohol abuse.

Young people and substance misuse

In the UK in 2017, 9% of pupils aged 11–15 reported having drunk alcohol in the previous week, which is the lowest rate since the 1980s. Illegal drug use in the previous year reported by 15-year olds halved between 2001 and 2014. Despite these promising figures, adolescence is deemed to be decisive for future biopsychosocial development and performance. Initiation during adolescence may therefore have long-term implications, affecting mental performance and educational outcomes. This article focuses on patterns of drug misuse in teenagers. The warning signs of drug misuse and useful assessment tools are also introduced. For the purposes of this article, alcohol will be defined as a drug.

LEISURE TIME ACTIVITIES, PERCEIVED RISKS OF DRINKING AND SELECTED SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC VARIABLES AS PREDICTORS OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ ALCOHOL USE

<p><em>Research question.</em> Assuming if we control for the possible effect of students’ gender, age, and employment, are leisure time activities and perceived risks of alcohol use still able to predict a significant amount of the variances in students’ alcohol use? <em>Methods.</em><strong> </strong>1087 students from Lithuanian universities were selected through random sampling to complete the questionnaire on alcohol use, leisure time activities, and perceived risks of drinking. <em>Results.</em> Regression analyses found significant effects of age, gender, employment, some leisure time activities on university students’ alcohol use: frequency of drinking and intoxication, drunkenness last day they had drunk alcohol. In this model, the perceived risks of alcohol use were not significantly associated with alcohol use. <em>Conclusions. </em>Leisure time activities may offer both risk and protective effects for university students. Such leisure time activities as active participation in sports, athletics or exercising, reading of books for enjoyment, various hobbies, decreased going out in the evening to a disco, café, party, etc., and decreased socializing with friends in shopping centers, streets, parks, etc. just for fun can protect university students from frequent and heavy alcohol use.</p><p> </p>

Binge drinking: a pattern associated with a risk of problems of alcohol use among university students

ABSTRACT Objective: to evaluate problems associated with alcohol use among university students who reported binge drinking in comparison to students who consumed alcohol without binging. Method: a cross-sectional study among university students (N=2,408) who accessed the website about alcohol use. Logistic and linear regression models were included in the statistical analyzes. Results: alcohol use in the last three months was reported by 89.2% of university students; 51.6% reported binge drinking. Compared to students who did not binge drink, university students who presented this pattern were more likely to report all evaluated problems, among them: black out (aOR: 5.4); having academic problems (aOR: 3.4); acting impulsively and having regrets (aOR: 2.9); getting involved in fights (aOR: 2.6); drinking and driving (aOR: 2.6) and accepting a ride with someone who had drunk alcohol (aOR: 1.8). Students who binged also had higher scores on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (b=4.6; p<0.001), more negative consequences (b=1.0; p<0.001) and a reduced perception of the negativity of the consequences (b=-0.5; p<0.01). Conclusion: binge drinking was associated with an increase in the chances of manifesting problems related to alcohol use. The conclusions of this study cannot be generalized for all of the Brazilian population.

Impulsivity and Current Alcohol Use in Adolescents

IntroductionMany studies have focused on the strong link between impulsivity and addictive behaviors, such as alcohol use disorders.ObjectiveOur study aimed to investigate the links between alcohol use and impulsivity in a sample of Tunisian pupils.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study conducted in May and June 2016. It enrolled 317 pupils from four colleges and schools in Sfax (Tunisia). The participants were asked to answer a self-administered questionnaire, after their consent. Alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT) was used to evaluate alcohol dependence. The Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS), in its 11th version, was used to assess impulsivity trait. Its three second-order factors were attentional impulsiveness, motor impulsiveness, and non-planning impulsiveness.ResultsThe mean age was 16 years with a sex-ratio of 1.07. The school children reported having drunk alcohol at least once in 18.9% of cases and 41.66% of them still consume. According to AUDIT, 1.6% of alcohol users presented an alcohol misuse and 21.6% presented dependence. According to BIS, impulsivity prevalence (IP) in the whole sample was 27.8% while it was 40% among the alcoholic participants versus 24.9% in non-alcoholic participants. The average BIS score was more important in the alcoholic participants (69.25 versus 65.53; P = 0.011). Alcohol consumption was correlated to attentional impulsiveness (P = 0.01) and motor impulsiveness (P = 0.008). Alcohol dependence was correlated to motor impulsiveness (P = 0.018).ConclusionThese results show the importance of clinically evaluating and intervening on impulsive personality traits to better prevent addictive behavior such as alcoholism among adolescents.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.