"So what if I use tobacco or alcohol? It won't hurt me!" How women perceive substance use: insights from a community study in India

Nurses' perspectives regarding integrated nursing interventions for psychoactive substance use cessation: A mixed methods study from South India

PURPOSE

To obtain nurses' perspectives regarding integrated interventions for substance use cessation for patients in general hospital settings.

DESIGN AND METHODS

(a) Quantitative survey (N = 207) (nurses' knowledge, attitude, practice, confidence regarding integrated interventions; (b) Focus groups exploring nurses' perspectives regarding integrated interventions (N = 32).

FINDINGS

Participants' scores (mean, SD): Knowledge-112.5 (10.4) (maximum score-198); Attitude-30.99 (7.05) (maximum-52); Practice-1.66 (2.63) (maximum-28); Confidence-11.90 (3.82) (maximum-24). From the focus groups, four themes were identified: Substance use patterns among patients seeking treatment at the hospitals where the nurses are employed; Nurses' role in providing integrated interventions; Nurses' training needs for providing integrated interventions; Feasibility of providing integrated interventions.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

Findings provide clear justification for module development to train nurses in providing integrated interventions.

Dental Caries and Oral Health Status of Psychoactive Substance Abusers

Substance-abuse disorders are universally associated with comorbid illness. Tobacco is a widely abused substance across the globe and presents a critical public health problem. The precise correlation between tobacco use and dental caries remains unclear. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the correlation between tobacco use and dental caries.

METHODOLOGY

Based on selection criteria, a total of 270 (age 20-50 years) participants were included in the study, and were categorized as group A (n = 135), consisting of tobacco users, and group B (n = 135), comprising healthy controls (non-users). The Decayed, Missing, and Filled index (DMFT) was used to measure caries status. The Simplified Oral Hygiene index was used to evaluate oral health.

RESULTS

The tobacco group reported the use of cigarettes; smokeless tobacco in indigenous forms, such as gutka (areca nut, tobacco, and slaked lime), betel nut chewing; and a combination. Individuals with tobacco habits had a higher prevalence of dental caries (Mean DMFT 4.73 ± 4.32) compared to the non-habit group (Mean DMFT 3.17 ± 3.11 (p = 0.001). The Oral Hygiene index was significantly higher (indicating bad/poor oral hygiene) in tobacco abusers than those of non-users (p = 0.0001). Duration and frequency of tobacco use were correlated with the levels of moderate and severe caries (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Psychoactive substance abuse, such as smoking/smokeless tobacco consumption, is associated with higher prevalence of dental caries.