Adolescents' perspectives on addiction: Qualitative study

Factors affecting smoking initiation and cessation among adult smokers in Fiji: A qualitative study

INTRODUCTION

Smoking as a public health challenge is globally considered the main risk factor of many non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Knowing factors contributing to smoking commencement and cessation is the necessary step to develop prevention strategies to combat this issue. To date, no study has been conducted in Fiji, therefore this study aimed to explore the reasons adult smokers initiate smoking and cessation in Fiji.

METHODS

A qualitative study was conducted among 35 current smokers who were interviewed between 1 May and 31 July 2020 in Suva, Fiji. Three health centers were chosen randomly to collect data and purposive sampling was applied to reach study participants. A semi-structured, open-ended questionnaire was used to guide the interviews. The content of in-depth interviews was transcribed and data were analyzed using content and thematic analysis.

RESULTS

The results of this study showed that most of the participants were male (57%), I-taukei (77%), single (54%), had attained tertiary education level (69%), were of Christian religion (77%), and unemployed (63%). Two main themes were identified including: ‘factors affecting smoking initiation’ and ‘factors affecting smoking cessation’. ‘Peer pressure’, ‘smoking myth’, ‘smoking as a fun’, ‘unpleasant event in life’ and ‘smoking establishes friendships’ were factors affecting initiation of smoking; while ‘knowledge on smoking harms’, ‘financial constraints’, ‘desire to improve health’, ‘constant request from family members’, ‘desire to save time’, ‘religious factors’ and ‘cultural factors’, were factors affecting smoking cessation among smokers.

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the main factors affecting smoking among adult smokers in Fiji. Considering these factors in future health planning will help policy makers and decision makers to develop tailored interventions to combat this health issue.

Factors Affecting Social Health from Young Adults' Perspective: A Qualitative Study

BACKGROUND

Factors affecting social health, especially in young adults, are among the most important research priorities. Knowledge of social factors affecting young adults' health will lead to understand them in the social context. The present study is aimed to explain the perspective of young adults on social factors affecting health.

METHODS

In the present qualitative content analysis study, semi-structured open interviews were conducted through targeted sampling of young volunteers aged 18-30 who were selected from Tehran Province. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed. The inclusion criteria for participants were willingness to participate in the study and ability to express their personal experiences. Twenty-one data were collected through collection was done with individual in-depth interviews.

RESULTS

Using this qualitative approach, the present study was conducted to identify factors affecting social health from the perspective of young adults. The analysis led to the extraction of three main categories, each with two or three subcategories: expectations regarding the community, expectations regarding the family, and expectations regarding infrastructures.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings shown that social support considered as effective elements in providing social health of young adults. The evidence on controlling factors should be considered in promoting the social health of specific target groups. The results of the present study could be used for better planning of interventions in youth social health domains.

"There Is Zero Regulation on the Selling of Alcohol": The Voice of the Youth on the Context and Determinants of Alcohol Drinking in Lebanon

Alcohol-related research from the Arab world has rarely touched on the experiences or views of Arab adolescents. In this article, we present an in-depth analysis of youth alcohol drinking patterns and determinants derived from focus group discussions completed with more than 100 Lebanese high school/vocational students (15-19 years). The social ecology of alcohol use framework guided our research and analysis. Findings reveal that alcohol drinking is perceived as a pervasive and serious public health problem, triggered by a complex web of social relations, and facilitated by lax policies. Recommendations to curb heavy/harmful alcohol drinking among adolescents include regulating the role of alcohol industry, providing alternative recreational spaces/pass-times, educating about alcohol-related harms, and promoting more research on alcohol and its harms. Findings confirm the social ecology of alcohol use framework, and suggest the addition of the macro level of influence to this model, namely, a comprehensive alcohol harm reduction policy.

Adolescent inhalant use prevention, assessment, and treatment: A literature synthesis

Inhalant use refers to the use of substances such as gases, glues, and aerosols in order to achieve intoxication, while inhalant use disorder (IUD) encompasses both DSM-IV-TR criteria for inhalant abuse and dependence. Inhalant use among adolescents is an international public health concern considering the severe medical and cognitive consequences and biopsychosocial correlates. In this paper, we summarize the current state of the literature on inhalant use among adolescents focusing on social context, prevention, assessment, and treatment strategies. Psychoeducation, skills training, and environmental supply reduction are helpful strategies for preventing adolescent inhalant use, while parent and adolescent self-report as well as physician report of medical signs and symptoms can aid in assessment and diagnosis. Although research has only begun to explore the treatment of inhalant use, preliminary findings suggest that a multimodal approach involving individual counselling (i.e., CBT brief intervention), family therapy, and activity and engagement programs is the first-line treatment, with residential treatment programs indicated for more severe presentations. The limited nature of treatments developed specifically for inhalant use combined with high prevalence rates and potential for significant impairment within the adolescent population indicate the need for further research. Research should focus on understanding the social context of use, establishing the efficacy of current adolescent substance use treatments adapted for inhalant use, and exploring long-term outcomes.

Prevalence of Substance Abuse Among Dormitory Students of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

BACKGROUND

Adolescence is a risky period with high tendency towards drug abuse. Addressing the problem of drug abuse among students is essential.

OBJECTIVES

This study was carried out in 2013 with the purpose of investigating the prevalence of substance abuse among dormitory students of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In this descriptive analytical study, which was carried out in 2013, a total of 604 students living at dormitories of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences were selected by random sampling method. A questionnaire designed by the researcher was used to collect the data. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square test.

RESULTS

The prevalence of substance abuse among the students was 15.4%. With respect to the types of the drug used by students, the highest frequencies belonged to smoking 4.47% and hookah with 42.9%. Forty-eight percent of the students, who used drugs, started it for the first time when they were 18 years old or younger. About 58% of students used drugs for the first time in dormitories and parks. Students' meetings and parties with friends were frequent occasions for substance abuse (47.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

Students are considered one of the most vulnerable groups of society. The students living in dormitories are more vulnerable to drug abuse due to the lack of parental supervision and the impact of peer pressure. Therefore, localization of acceptance at Universities in order to prevent cultural mixing of students and education programs for teaching life skills to students efficiently reduce their substance abuse.

Sexual and reproductive health problems of female university students in Iran: a qualitative study

OBJECTIVE

Youth is defined as the time of transition into adulthood and an important period in a person's life. During this period new behavior is learned easier than adulthood. Therefore, special attention has to be necessarily paid to this period in order to promote the health. Addressing adolescent reproductive health issues is also a critical factor

METHODS

This research was a qualitative study conducted from January 2014 to July 2014. Data from focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews with 25 female students and 10 key members of the university (including university authorities, consultants, reproductive health professionals and university officials) was collected and all interviews were recorded, formulated and classified.

RESULTS

The mean age of participants was 22.43 years. A total of 8 students majored in geology, 5 majored in chemistry, 3 in statistics, 3 in mathematics, and 6 in biology. 17 had a bachelor's degree, 3 master's degree and 5 doctorate degree. Majority of students (82.4%) were never married and 23 of them lived in dormitories. The following three main themes were extracted from the interviews: Reproduction thought as pregnancy; the taboo of sex; and inappropriate relation between parents and children.

CONCLUSION

Most participants stressed the need to provide reproductive health services for young girls.

Exploring needs and expectations of spouses of addicted men in Iran: a qualitative study

Addiction is one of the majore problems that affect everyone in the society especially the spouses of addicted men who have to face a large number of problems which are the consequences of their husband’s addiction. This qualitative study was conducted to explore the needs and expectations of women who are living with their addicted husband in Iran. Twenty-four spouses of addicted men participated in this study. The participants were interviewed and each interview was analyzed via the content analysis method. The results of this study showed that the women’s difficulties were related to their approach to the treatment, or their husbands’ response to the treatment, financial constraints and emotional and informational needs. Moreover, these Iranian women expected more stringent control by the government on the phenomenon of addiction and drug trafficking with a view of having a drug-free country. The needs and expectations of the wives of addicted men are context-based and should be assessed separately between individuals, families, and communities. In addition to the addicted person, it is vitally important that the health of the family members of drug addicts be taken into account and for whom supportive services be provided.

Quality of life, social desirability and their relationship in opium addicted persons in southeast of Iran

Background and Aim:

Addiction leads to many problems which may adversely affect addicted people, their families and impose health care agencies with many challenges. This study aimed to examined quality of life (QoL), social desirability and their relationship among opium addicted persons in southeast of Iran.

Material and Methods:

In a cross-sectional study conducted from September 2012 to January 2013, 123 addicted people were studied. Date collection tools were; checklist of demographic data, Iranian version of the 36-item short form QoL (SF-36) and Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (MC-SDS).

Results:

While mean score of QoL was 60.4±29.5, mean score of social desirability were 14.2±3.7. Low, moderate and high levels of social desirability were observed in 4.9%, 90.2% and 4.9% of participants, respectively. Pearson’s correlation were not significant between mean score of social desirability and mean score of QoL (p=0.969, r=0.004).

Conclusion:

Addicted participants of present study showed a moderate level of QoL and social desirability, without any significant relationship between QoL and social desirability. Further research is suggested in addicts with social and cultural differences.

The experience of puberty in Iranian adolescent girls: a qualitative content analysis

BACKGROUND

Adolescence is an important stage in human life span. Physiologic changes associated with puberty manifest themselves in often complex and bizarre ways to which girls show different reactions. This study aims to explore to puberty experiences in adolescent girls who live in the city of Sari in Iran.

METHODS

The present study is a qualitative study of content analysis. Sampling took place in the city of Sari, Iran and was objective focused in accordance with qualitative studies. Participants were 38 girls of 12-20 years old who had at least experienced 3 menstrual cycles. Data was collected by means of focus group and in-depth interviews.

RESULTS

As follows, Seven main themes were extracted from the interviews are follows: Menarche as the most unpleasant event in puberty, getting nervous about and ashamed of bodily changes, psychological changes, discordance with parents, sexual orientation and the need for education on this issue, scholastic dysfunction and religious considerations.

CONCLUSION

The results showed that for the majority of the participants puberty was an unpleasant experience. Most of them were in need of education on how to go about the issues surrounding puberty. The society, families and of course the adolescents themselves are responsible to work together in order to create an atmosphere in which correct information on puberty and the associated issues are readily accessible.

Early childhood experiences, parenting and the process of drug dependency among young people in Tehran, Iran

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS

Substance abuse has become a major public health problem in Iran. The process of developing an addiction is complex and multifaceted. Early childhood experiences are thought to be one of the important determinants of addictive behaviour. The aim of this qualitative study is to explore the early childhood experiences, especially the experiences within the immediate family, of current substance-using young adults in Iran.

DESIGN AND METHODS

The study is qualitative in nature. In-depth interviews were conducted with 15 young men and women who were either in treatment for their addiction or were active drug users at the time of the interviews. Moreover, four interviews have been conducted with family members of participants.

RESULTS

The majority of the participants experienced traumatic events during childhood and came from dysfunctional families. There appears to be a significant disconnect between these individuals and their families. An obedience-instilling parenting style and parents' knowledge and attitude toward drug using and prevention were also identified as important determinants of substance use.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

The results of this research point out the need for early interventions for at-risk families as well as at-risk individuals.

[A qualitative study on drug abuse in adolescents]

OBJECTIVES

To study the characteristics of drug abuse in the adolescent population of Llefià, in order to be able to develop new prevention strategies.

DESIGN

Qualitative study by focus groups.

EMPLACEMENT

ABS Badalona-6 (Llefià).

PARTICIPANTS

Four working groups were established: 14-18 year-old teenagers, parents of teenagers, teachers and sanitary professionals on ABS Llefià.

METHOD

Group meetings took place up to information saturation, achieved after 15 meetings, with an average duration of one hour. The meetings were then transcribed, and data was processed using the "Atlas.ti" program. Verbal labels were given to segment the information and the conclusions that come out of the text, obtaining a map of meanings on each working group.

RESULTS

Using the information extracted from the opinion of participants, we obtained variables that allowed us to describe the characteristics, pattern, sociofamilial context, accessibility and problematics derived from consumption, the profile of the adolescent consumer, available health resources, information about abuse drugs and the perception of its use on the part of health professionals, teachers and parents.

CONCLUSIONS

Adolescent have easy access to drugs of abuse and their use is widespread. Health professionals demonstrate a lack of specific training, and complain about insufficient available resources. A great sociofamilial permissiveness is observed. The prevention must be orientated to families, since a good sociofamilial environment protects from drug abuse.

Coping strategies of adults with leukemia undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in Iran: a qualitative study

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) causes significant physical, social, psychological, and emotional stress in patients with leukemia. This qualitative study using semi-structured interviews explored the coping strategies of 10 adults with acute leukemia who were undergoing this form of treatment in transplantation units in a major hospital in Tehran, Iran, from 2009 to 2010. A content analysis identified eight themes and 13 subthemes that described the participants' coping strategies. The major themes were: attribution, denial and avoidance, connection with divine purpose, organizing treatment, seeking social support, modifying, reflection, and patience and resignation. A deeper understanding of the coping strategies that are used by patients with leukemia undergoing HSCT can help healthcare providers to encourage patients to use strategies that are likely to be more effective. Such coping strategies also can help patients to achieve a greater sense of empowerment.

[Motivations for alcohol use among adolescents in an urban high school]

OBJECTIVES

To find out the motivation (attitudes, beliefs and experiences) behind adolescent alcohol consumption.

DESIGN

Qualitative methodology, explanatory method, using conversational techniques (discussion group with 6-8 adolescents/group, 50min duration) recorded by videotape during the school year 2008/09.

PARTICIPANTS AND CONTEXT

Adolescents 12-18 years-old of a middle-class urban school (Jaen-Spain). Purposive sampling stratified by level of education; heterogeneity criteria: sex and alcohol consumption.

METHOD

Process of content analysis: coding, triangulation of categories and obtain/verify results.

RESULTS

Six group interviews, including 44 teenagers (54% males). The rate of consumption varies with age, and there are gender differences in motivations. Alcohol is related to social and leisure activities from early family experiences, and the nightlife on entering school and as peer relationships increase. The preferred social models are university students, with excessive consumption at the weekend that is understood as an act of independence. Rejection of authority figures (teachers/health), critical attitude to the received information (content only, without motivational elements) and failure in education on this topic. There is high accessibility for the purchase of alcohol, a sense of controlled consumption and a tendency to understand acute poisoning as part of leisure. The adolescents related alcohol consumption, tobacco and drug use (except for minor discrepancies).

CONCLUSIONS

The intervention on alcohol consumption of adolescents should incorporate their motivation to achieve greater efficiency.

Coming to terms with a diagnosis of HIV in Iran: a phenomenological study

The number of people living with HIV (PLWH) has increased in all Asian regions, including Iran. Discovering that one has any serious illness can be a traumatic experience, but coming to terms with an HIV diagnosis is made more difficult by social constructs and negative reactions to the infection. This interpretative phenomenological study was carried out to understand and describe the lived experience of HIV-infected Iranians during the period immediately following an HIV diagnosis. Audiotaped in-depth semistructured interviews with 13 participants were used to collect data, which were analyzed with critical hermeneutics. Two main themes emerged: (a) doubt and delay in coming to terms with the diagnosis and (b) testing and its associated impacts. Nine subthemes were also found. Many challenges face people who need to determine their HIV status, and these are compounded by the sociocultural context found in Iran. Iran needs more education, counseling, testing facilities, and support programs to encourage people to get tested for HIV and to help them deal with a positive test result.