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Camberos-Barraza J, Osuna-Ramos JF, Rábago-Monzón ÁR, Quiñonez-Angulo LF, González-Peña HR, Pérez-Ramos AA, Camacho-Zamora A, López-Lazcano H, Valdez-Flores MA, Angulo-Rojo CE, Guadrón-Llanos AM, Picos-Cárdenas VJ, Norzagaray-Valenzuela CD, De la Herrán-Arita AK. Scientific facts improve cannabis perception and public opinion: results from Sinaloa, México. Sci Rep 2023; 13:17318. [PMID: 37828116 PMCID: PMC10570375 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-44185-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Cannabis, the most prevalent drug in Latin America, has long been associated with the state of Sinaloa, Mexico, known for its cultivation and distribution. Despite increasing global acceptance, cannabis use remains stigmatized in Mexican society, driven by perceptions of it as a highly psychoactive and addictive substance lacking medicinal or industrial value. This study investigates the impact of scientific information on societal perceptions of cannabis in Sinaloa. A large convenience sample of 3162 individuals from Sinaloa participated in this research, responding to a questionnaire on cannabis consumption and attitudes. Participants were then subjected to an intervention consisting of an informative briefing based on the documents "Using Evidence to Talk About Cannabis" and "State of the Evidence: cannabis use and regulation" by the International Centre for Science in Drug Policy. After the intervention, participants' attitudes were immediately reevaluated through the same questionnaire, allowing for a comparison of pre- and post-intervention responses. The results indicate that the intervention (providing scientific information) significantly influenced attitudes toward cannabis, with education and age playing prominent roles in its effectiveness. Notably, the intervention fostered more positive or more neutral attitudes, potentially reducing stigma and promoting a better-informed perspective on cannabis. This study highlights the pivotal role of evidence in shaping informed citizens' views, while underscoring the importance of countering misinformation for societal progress. These findings have significant implications for forthcoming cannabis policy modifications in Mexico, emphasizing the necessity of engaging knowledgeable individuals in policy decisions to address the violence and inequalities associated with the illicit drug trade, particularly in Sinaloa.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Luis F Quiñonez-Angulo
- Faculty of Economic and Social Sciences, Autonomous University of Sinaloa, Culiacán, Mexico
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Alberto K De la Herrán-Arita
- Faculty of Medicine, Autonomous University of Sinaloa, Culiacán, Mexico.
- "Sinaloa Verde de a Devis" Collective, Culiacán, Mexico.
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Domínguez-Martínez T, Sheinbaum T, Fresán A, Nieto L, López SR, Robles R, Lara MDC, de la Fuente-Sandoval C, Barrantes-Vidal N, Saracco R, Franco-Paredes K, Díaz-Reséndiz F, Rosel M. Psychosocial factors associated with the risk of developing psychosis in a Mexican general population sample. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1095222. [PMID: 36873227 PMCID: PMC9979221 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1095222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Epidemiological evidence has linked an array of sociodemographic and psychosocial factors with an increased risk of developing psychosis. However, research in samples from low- and middle-income countries is still scarce. This study used a Mexican sample to explore (i) sociodemographic and psychosocial differences between individuals with and without a positive screen for Clinical High-Risk for psychosis (CHR), and (ii) sociodemographic and psychosocial factors associated with screening positive for CHR. The sample consisted of 822 individuals from the general population who completed an online survey. Of the participants, 17.3% (n = 142) met the CHR screening criteria. Comparisons between those who screened positive (CHR-positive group) and those who did not (Non-CHR group) showed that participants in the CHR-positive group were younger, had a lower educational level, and reported more mental health problems than the Non-CHR group. Furthermore, relative to the Non-CHR group, the CHR-positive group had a greater prevalence of medium/high risk associated with cannabis use, a higher prevalence of adverse experiences (bullying, intimate partner violence, and experiencing a violent or unexpected death of a relative or friend), as well as higher levels of childhood maltreatment, poorer family functioning, and more distress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Groups did not differ in sex, marital/relationship status, occupation, and socio-economic status. Finally, when examined in multivariate analyses, the variables associated with screening positive for CHR were: having an unhealthy family functioning (OR = 2.75, 95%CI 1.69-4.46), a higher risk associated with cannabis use (OR = 2.75, 95%CI 1.63-4.64), a lower level of education (OR = 1.55, 95%CI 1.003-2.54), having experienced a major natural disaster (OR = 1.94, 95%CI 1.18-3.16), having experienced a violent or unexpected death of a relative or friend (OR = 1.85, 95%CI 1.22-2.81), higher levels of childhood emotional abuse (OR = 1.88, 95%CI 1.09-3.25), physical neglect (OR = 1.68, 95%CI 1.08-2.61), and physical abuse (OR = 1.66, 95%CI 1.05-2.61), and higher COVID-related distress (OR = 1.10, 95%CI 1.01-1.20). An older age was a protective factor for screening positive for CHR (OR = 0.96, 95%CI 0.92-0.99). Overall, the findings highlight the importance of examining potential psychosocial contributors to psychosis vulnerability across different sociocultural contexts to delineate risk and protective processes relevant to specific populations and better target preventive intervention efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tecelli Domínguez-Martínez
- Centro de Investigación en Salud Mental Global, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría "Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz"-UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Tamara Sheinbaum
- Dirección de Investigaciones Epidemiológicas y Psicosociales, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría "Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz", Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Ana Fresán
- Subdirección de Investigaciones Clínicas, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría "Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz", Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Lourdes Nieto
- Centro de Investigación en Salud Mental Global, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría "Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz"-UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Steven R López
- Department of Psychology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Rebeca Robles
- Centro de Investigación en Salud Mental Global, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría "Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz"-UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Ma Del Carmen Lara
- Facultad de Medicina, Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla, Puebla, Mexico
| | | | - Neus Barrantes-Vidal
- Departament de Psicologia Clínica i de la Salut, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,Sant Pere Claver - Fundació Sanitària, Barcelona, Spain.,Centre for Biomedical Research Network on Mental Health (CIBERSAM), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ricardo Saracco
- Subdirección de Investigaciones Clínicas, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría "Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz", Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | | | - Mauricio Rosel
- Clínica de Esquizofrenia, Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría "Ramón de la Fuente Muñiz", Mexico City, Mexico
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Kortas GT, Abrahão ABB, Malbergier A, Fidalgo TM, Moura H, de Andrade AG, Neto FL, Torales J, Ventriglio A, Castaldelli-Maia JM. Immigrants, refugees and cannabis use. Int Rev Psychiatry 2022; 34:59-77. [PMID: 35584015 DOI: 10.1080/09540261.2022.2039595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Immigration typically occurs from low- to high-income countries and regions. Unfortunately, these wealthier areas also have higher rates of cannabis use (e.g. European Union and the US). This systematic review aimed to summarize available studies on cannabis use among immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. In addition, evidence on the association between immigration and cannabis use was reviewed. The rates of cannabis use were lower among immigrants than natives. The risk and protective factors to cannabis use were quite similar to those of the native populations. The population at greatest risk for cannabis use were refugees, males, singles, non-religious, those with lower educational level, living in urban areas, with friends that use cannabis and/or other drugs. Cannabis use tend to increase over generations, and acculturation seems to play a pivotal role. First generation migrants report equal or lower consumption of cannabis when compared with the majority population with a subsequent increase in following generations, with a clear association with acculturation factors. A higher cannabis use was found among migrants with lower cultural congruity as well as a higher level of culture assimilation. This use seems to be unrelated to alcohol or illicit drugs consumption, but possibly associated with tobacco smoking.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - André Malbergier
- Department and Institute of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thiago Marques Fidalgo
- Department of Psychiatry, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Young Leaders Program from the National Academy of Medicine, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Helena Moura
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasília (UnB), Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Arthur Guerra de Andrade
- Department and Institute of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Neuroscience, Medical School, FMABC University Center, Santo André, Brazil
| | | | - Julio Torales
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medical Sciences, National University of Asunción, Asunción, Paraguay
| | - Antonio Ventriglio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Foggia, Italy
| | - João Mauricio Castaldelli-Maia
- Department and Institute of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Neuroscience, Medical School, FMABC University Center, Santo André, Brazil
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