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Lu W, Xu L, Bessaha ML, Liu Y, Matthews J, Muñoz-Laboy M. Youth participation in substance use prevention: A national profile, 2011-2019. Prev Med 2024; 185:108050. [PMID: 38906276 DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2024.108050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Prevention efforts are critical to avoid the negative consequences of substance use in adolescents. This study aimed to examine national trends and sociodemographic differences in adolescents' participation in school-based substance use prevention (SUP) education, community-based SUP programs, as well as family conversations about substance use. METHODS Publicly available data for adolescents aged 12-17 from the annual cross-sectional surveys of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health 2011-2019 were analyzed. RESULTS Across the survey years, up to 74.9%, 12.2%, and 58.1% of adolescents reported having participated in school-based SUP education, community-based SUP programs, and family conversations about the danger of substance use in the past-year, respectively. From 2011 to 2019, statistically significant decreases were observed in adolescents' participation in school-based SUP education (OR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.96, 0.98, p < 0.001) and community-based SUP programs (OR = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.97, 0.99, p < 0.001). Meanwhile, no significant changes were observed in adolescents' participation in family conversations about the dangers of substance use. Overall, lower levels of participation in school-based and community-based SUP programs were found in adolescents aged 16-17. Adolescents living in rural areas showed lower levels of participation in school-based SUP programs and family conversations about SUP. Racial/ethnic minority adolescents overall were less likely to participate in conversations with parents about SUP than Whites. CONCLUSIONS Further development and implementation of developmentally appropriate, gender-specific, culturally sensitive, and contextually informed SUP programs at school, community, and family levels are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhua Lu
- Department of Community Health and Social Medicine, School of Medicine, The City University of New York, NY, USA.
| | - Lei Xu
- Department of Health Education and Promotion, College of Health and Human Performance, East Carolina University, NC, USA
| | | | - Yifan Liu
- School of Public Health, Rutgers University, NJ, USA
| | - Jennifer Matthews
- Department of Health Education and Promotion, College of Health and Human Performance, East Carolina University, NC, USA
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Liu J, Charmaraman L, Bickham D. Association Between Social Media Use and Substance Use Among Middle and High School-Aged Youth. Subst Use Misuse 2024; 59:1039-1046. [PMID: 38419151 PMCID: PMC11062178 DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2024.2320372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of our study was to identify whether different aspects of social media use were associated with substance use among middle- and high school-aged youth. Methods: Participants were recruited from four Northeast U.S. middle schools and invited to complete an online survey in Fall 2019 and Fall 2020. We conducted separate adjusted logistic mixed effects models the substance use outcomes: ever use of alcohol, cannabis, e-cigarettes, tobacco cigarettes, prescription drugs, and multiple substances. Our sample included N = 586 participants (52.7% female, 58% White). Results: Seeing a social media post about drugs/alcohol in the past-12-months was significantly associated with higher odds of ever using alcohol, cannabis, e-cigarettes, and multiple substance use. Total number of social media sites ever used was significantly associated with higher odds of ever using cannabis, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and multiple substances. Checking social media every hour or more was significantly associated with higher odds of ever using alcohol. Higher problematic internet use score was significantly associated with higher odds of ever using cannabis, e-cigarettes, and multiple substances. Online social support seeking score was not associated substance use. Conclusions: Our findings support the need for substance use prevention and social media literacy education and screening to begin early, ideally in elementary school before youth are using social media and substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Liu
- REACH Lab Division of Adolescent Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University
| | - Linda Charmaraman
- Wellesley Centers for Women, Wellesley College, Youth, Media, & Wellbeing Research Lab
| | - David Bickham
- Boston Children’s Hospital, Division of Adolescent/Young Adult Medicine
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Hashemi R, Vogel EA. Adolescents' perceptions of substance use messaging in the age of social media: resolving cognitive dissonance. HEALTH EDUCATION RESEARCH 2024; 39:1-11. [PMID: 38183674 PMCID: PMC10805388 DOI: 10.1093/her/cyad046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
This study interviewed adolescents about their exposure to and perceptions of substance-related social media content and substance use prevention messages. Participants (analytic sample N = 30, age 14-18 years, in CA, USA, 40% male) were recruited from Instagram and Facebook for online semi-structured interviews. An interview transcript coding guide was developed based on the interview questions and emerging themes. Most (27/30) participants reported exposure to peers using substances on social media through posts made on personal accounts. All peer posts portrayed substance use in a positive light. Most participants reported exposure to formal prevention messages on social media (i.e. public service announcements) (19/30) and in schools (i.e. drug education) (21/30; 70.0%) teaching the negative consequences of substance use. Responses to the differences between peer posts and prevention messages included dismissing prevention messages (7/30), believing that their peers were more credible (4/30), desiring comprehensive substance information (3/30) and believing that the no-use message was ineffective for at-risk youth (4/30). Messages shared by peers online significantly contrasted with prevention messages (i.e. public service announcements and drug education). This difference appeared to undermine prevention message credibility. Balanced prevention messages acknowledging the spectrum of risk and reward when using different substances may reduce dissonance and increase engagement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhana Hashemi
- Department of Medicine, Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Erin A Vogel
- Department of Medicine, Stanford Prevention Research Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
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Fuller A, Vasek M, Mariconti E, Johnson SD. Understanding and preventing the advertisement and sale of illicit drugs to young people through social media: A multidisciplinary scoping review. Drug Alcohol Rev 2024; 43:56-74. [PMID: 37523310 DOI: 10.1111/dar.13716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
ISSUES The sale of illicit drugs online has expanded to mainstream social media apps. These platforms provide access to a wide audience, especially children and adolescents. Research is in its infancy and scattered due to the multidisciplinary aspects of the phenomena. APPROACH We present a multidisciplinary systematic scoping review on the advertisement and sale of illicit drugs to young people. Peer-reviewed studies written in English, Spanish and French were searched for the period 2015 to 2022. We extracted data on users, drugs studied, rate of posts, terminology used and study methodology. KEY FINDINGS A total of 56 peer-reviewed papers were included. The analysis of these highlights the variety of drugs advertised and platforms used to do so. Various methodological designs were considered. Approaches to detecting illicit content were the focus of many studies as algorithms move from detecting drug-related keywords to drug selling behaviour. We found that on average, for the studies reviewed, 13 in 100 social media posts advertise illicit drugs. However, popular platforms used by adolescents are rarely studied. IMPLICATIONS Promotional content is increasing in sophistication to appeal to young people, shifting towards healthy, glamourous and seemingly legal depictions of drugs. Greater inter-disciplinary collaboration between computational and qualitative approaches are needed to comprehensively study the sale and advertisement of illegal drugs on social media across different platforms. This requires coordinated action from researchers, policy makers and service providers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashly Fuller
- Dawes Centre for Future Crime, University College London, London, UK
- Jill Dando Institute of Security and Crime Science, University College London, London, UK
| | - Marie Vasek
- Department of Computer Science, University College London, London, UK
| | - Enrico Mariconti
- Jill Dando Institute of Security and Crime Science, University College London, London, UK
| | - Shane D Johnson
- Dawes Centre for Future Crime, University College London, London, UK
- Jill Dando Institute of Security and Crime Science, University College London, London, UK
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5
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Hasan KM, Nonyel NP, Tejada F. Knowledge and Perceptions of PharmD Students on Opioid Use and Misuse. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL EDUCATION 2023; 87:100545. [PMID: 37352933 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpe.2023.100545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to measure the knowledge and perceptions of the student pharmacists toward opioid use and misuse. METHODS This survey included student pharmacists from the first, second, and third years who participated voluntarily and anonymously. Differences in knowledge and perceptions among participants' responses were analyzed by comparing responses using the χ2 test. RESULTS A total of 138 student pharmacists participated in the survey. All 3 class years reported that the most common age for opioid abuse and addiction is 18-25 years. The top reasons for opioid misuse were identified as easy access to drugs (82%), health conditions (85%), lack of knowledge (83%), and experimentation (82%). Over half of the students believed that healthcare providers, pharmaceutical companies, friends, and the community all have a shared responsibility in addressing opioid misuse. The majority of the student pharmacists also believed that education is the most effective way to combat opioid misuse. CONCLUSION The student pharmacists at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore School of Pharmacy had a strong understanding of the dangers of opioid misuse. They identified 18-25 years as the age range most susceptible to opioid misuse. They also identified the most common reasons for opioid misuse, with some disagreement about whether prescription pills or street drugs were the main cause. However, the majority of students agreed that education is the most effective way to address opioid misuse. These findings highlight the need for ongoing education and awareness about the risks of opioid misuse and the role of education in addressing this public health crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled M Hasan
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, Physician Assistant Department, Princess Anne, MD, USA.
| | - Nkem P Nonyel
- Howard University, College of Pharmacy, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Frederick Tejada
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore, School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, Princess Anne, MD, USA
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Patel SV, Cance JD, Bonar EE, Carter PM, Dickerson DL, Fiellin LE, Fernandes CSF, Palimaru AI, Boomer TMP, Saldana L, Singh RR, Tinius E, Walton MA, Youn S, Young S, Philbrick S, Lambdin BH. Accelerating Solutions for the Overdose Crisis: an Effectiveness-Implementation Hybrid Protocol for the HEAL Prevention Cooperative. PREVENTION SCIENCE : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR PREVENTION RESEARCH 2023; 24:40-49. [PMID: 36399222 PMCID: PMC9673891 DOI: 10.1007/s11121-022-01465-2] [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] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Given increasing opioid overdose mortality rates in the USA over the past 20 years, accelerating the implementation of prevention interventions found to be effective is critical. The Helping End Addiction Long-Term (HEAL) Prevention Cooperative (HPC) is a consortium of research projects funded to implement and test interventions designed to prevent the onset or escalation of opioid misuse among youth and young adults. The HPC offers a unique opportunity to synthesize and share lessons learned from participating research projects' varied implementation experiences, which can facilitate quicker integration of effective prevention interventions into practice. This protocol paper describes our hybrid approach to collecting and analyzing information about the implementation experiences of nine of the HPC research projects while they maintain their focus on assessing the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of prevention interventions. To better understand implementation within this context, we will address five research questions: (1) What were the context and approach for implementing the prevention interventions, and how was the overall implementation experience? (2) How representative of the target population are the participants who were enrolled and retained in the research projects' effectiveness trials? (3) For what purposes and how were stakeholders engaged by the research projects? (4) What are the adaptable components of the prevention interventions? And finally, (5) how might implementation of the prevention interventions vary for non-trial implementation? This work will result in intervention-specific and general practical dissemination resources that can help potential adopters and deliverers of opioid misuse prevention make adoption decisions and prepare for successful implementation.
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Affiliation(s)
- S V Patel
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, USA.
| | - J D Cance
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, USA
| | - E E Bonar
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Injury Prevention Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Addiction Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - P M Carter
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Injury Prevention Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - D L Dickerson
- Integrated Substance Abuse Programs (ISAP), University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | | | | | | | | | - L Saldana
- Oregon Social Learning Center, Eugene, OR, USA
| | - R R Singh
- Oregon Social Learning Center, Eugene, OR, USA
| | - E Tinius
- Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - M A Walton
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Injury Prevention Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Addiction Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - S Youn
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - S Young
- Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX, USA
| | - S Philbrick
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, USA
| | - B H Lambdin
- RTI International, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC, USA
- University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Cain CM, Kamdar N, Veldman R, Budhwani S, O'Mahen P. Content Analysis of American Network News Coverage of Prevention Strategies During the Initial Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic. J Gen Intern Med 2023; 38:1030-1037. [PMID: 36538158 PMCID: PMC9765360 DOI: 10.1007/s11606-022-07954-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Broadcast media is a method to communicate health information to the general public and has previously been used in prior public health emergencies. Despite the current ubiquity of social media, traditional news programming retains relatively large audiences, which increased during the COVID-19 pandemic's early days. Viewership of broadcast media networks' evening news skews toward older groups (age 65 and up) which were vulnerable to health complications related to the COVID-19 pandemic. OBJECTIVES The current study explored the trends in American broadcast network news media coverage of prevention during the initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN Quantitative content analysis using the Public Health Framework for Prevention was used to analyze three major US media networks' evening news content for thematic trends in COVID-19 coverage during the first US pandemic wave from March to May 2020. SUBJECTS A total of 117 episodes of the evening news, 39 from each of the three major US media networks, evenly divided among the first 13 weeks of the pandemic in the US. MAIN MEASURES Outcome variables included average seconds of coverage per episode devoted to prevention strategies, COVID-19 coverage not related to prevention, and non-COVID-19 coverage. KEY RESULTS The proportion of coverage dedicated to COVID-19 sharply increased in the first 2 weeks of March and decreased in the last 2 weeks of May. Networks focused approximately half the COVID-19 coverage time on prevention issues (288 seconds/episode) compared to non-prevention issues (538 seconds/episode). Prevention coverage varied over time. CONCLUSIONS Although coverage included COVID-19 prevention content, more of the coverage was on other pandemic-related issues (e.g., economic impacts). Because public network news outlets have broad reach and accessibility, they could be an effective partner for public health agencies disseminating prevention messaging for current and future disease outbreaks and threats to public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cary M Cain
- Division of Public Health Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Nipa Kamdar
- Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness & Safety, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, 2002 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Section of Health Services Research, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | | | - Shahereez Budhwani
- Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness & Safety, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, 2002 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Patrick O'Mahen
- Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness & Safety, Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, 2002 Holcombe Blvd, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Section of Health Services Research, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
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Application of behavioral economics for understanding health behaviors among adolescents and young adults. Curr Opin Pediatr 2022; 34:326-333. [PMID: 35793607 PMCID: PMC9310431 DOI: 10.1097/mop.0000000000001126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Behavioral economics (BE) concepts have become well studied tools in addressing patient issues, such as weight loss, smoking cessation, and medication adherence. Although predominantly studied in adult populations, emerging literature has shown BE's utility for adolescent/young adult (AYA) populations, offering a practical framework to safeguard AYA health and influence healthy decision making. RECENT FINDINGS We identified substantive areas in which BE concepts have been applied in AYA populations (e.g., substance use) and outline how these concepts have been used as a tool to identify individuals at risk for poor outcomes and to leverage behavioral insights to improve health behaviors. SUMMARY BE research holds significant promise as a tool for clinicians and researchers to encourage healthy decision making in AYA populations. Yet, there are opportunities for BE research to expand further into current trends impacting adolescent health, such as electronic nicotine delivery systems, social media apps, and coronavirus disease 2019 vaccinations. Furthermore, the full degree of BE utility remains to be explored, as few studies demonstrate the translation of associative findings into direct interventions. Additional work is needed to formalize BE techniques into best practices that clinicians can implement in their daily practice.
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Evans WD, Abroms LC, Broniatowski D, Napolitano M, Arnold J, Ichimiya M, Agha S. Digital Media for Behavior Change: Review of an Emerging Field of Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19159129. [PMID: 35897494 PMCID: PMC9331057 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19159129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Digital media are omnipresent in modern life, but the science on the impact of digital media on behavior is still in its infancy. There is an emerging evidence base of how to use digital media for behavior change. Strategies to change behavior implemented using digital technology have included a variety of platforms and program strategies, all of which are potentially more effective with increased frequency, intensity, interactivity, and feedback. It is critical to accelerate the pace of research on digital platforms, including social media, to understand and address its effects on human behavior. The purpose of the current paper is to provide an overview and describe methods in this emerging field, present use cases, describe a future agenda, and raise central questions to be addressed in future digital health research for behavior change. Digital media for behavior change employs three main methods: (1) digital media interventions, (2) formative research using digital media, and (3) digital media used to conduct evaluations. We examine use cases across several content areas including healthy weight management, tobacco control, and vaccination uptake, to describe and illustrate the methods and potential impact of this emerging field of study. In the discussion, we note that digital media interventions need to explore the full range of functionality of digital devices and their near-constant role in personal self-management and day-to-day living to maximize opportunities for behavior change. Future experimental research should rigorously examine the effects of variable levels of engagement with, and frequency and intensity of exposure to, multiple forms of digital media for behavior change.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Douglas Evans
- Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA; (L.C.A.); (D.B.); (M.N.); (J.A.); (M.I.)
- The BRIGHT Institute, The George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Lorien C. Abroms
- Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA; (L.C.A.); (D.B.); (M.N.); (J.A.); (M.I.)
- The BRIGHT Institute, The George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - David Broniatowski
- Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA; (L.C.A.); (D.B.); (M.N.); (J.A.); (M.I.)
- The BRIGHT Institute, The George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Melissa Napolitano
- Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA; (L.C.A.); (D.B.); (M.N.); (J.A.); (M.I.)
- The BRIGHT Institute, The George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| | - Jeanie Arnold
- Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA; (L.C.A.); (D.B.); (M.N.); (J.A.); (M.I.)
| | - Megumi Ichimiya
- Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, 950 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20052, USA; (L.C.A.); (D.B.); (M.N.); (J.A.); (M.I.)
| | - Sohail Agha
- Stanford Behavior Design Lab, Seattle, WA 98109, USA;
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Eslami AA, Fathian-Dastgerdi Z, Ghofranipour F, Mostafavi F. Developing and implementing a community-based substance use prevention program in Iranian adolescents (SUPPIA): A study protocol. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/14659891.2022.2051621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad-Ali Eslami
- Department of Health Education & Promotion, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Zohreh Fathian-Dastgerdi
- Department of Health Education & Promotion, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Fazlolah Ghofranipour
- Health Education Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Firoozeh Mostafavi
- Department of Health Education & Promotion, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
- Health Education Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
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Abstract
Background: Deaths due to opioid overdose continue to rise in the United States. Despite availability of effective treatment for opioid use disorder, uptake is low among those who misuse opioids. Methods: This paper explores the role of misconception, stigma, and misinformation in influencing decisions to initiate medications for opioid use disorder among patients and providers. Conclusion: Misinformation about opioids has been prevalent among future healthcare providers and first responders as well as pharmaceutical companies, which may have implications for treatment. Among individuals with opioid use disorder, treatment uptake and adherence have been negatively affected by misconceptions about treatment efficacy and side effects, as well as stigma. We discuss the role of social media, education, and the community, in mitigating misinformation and addressing misconceptions about opioids and treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sean D Young
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
- University of California Institute for Prediction Technology, Department of Informatics, University of California, Irvine, California, USA
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van der Sanden R, Wilkins C, Romeo JS, Rychert M, Barratt MJ. Predictors of using social media to purchase drugs in New Zealand: Findings from a large-scale online survey. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2021; 98:103430. [PMID: 34487954 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 08/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are increasing reports of social media being used to buy and sell illegal drugs internationally. Studies of social media drug markets to date have largely involved general explorations of social media drug transactions in select countries. Social media drug markets may operate differently for different drug types and in different country contexts. AIMS To identify predictors of the use of social media to purchase cannabis, methamphetamine, LSD and ecstasy/MDMA in New Zealand using a large-scale online survey sample. METHODS The annual New Zealand Drug Trends Survey (NZDTS), an online convenience survey promoted via targeted Facebook™ campaign, was completed by 23,500 respondents aged 16+. Logistic regression models were fitted to identify demographic, drug use and drug market predictors of reporting the use of social media to purchase cannabis, methamphetamine, LSD and ecstasy/MDMA. RESULTS Fifty-one percent of the sample had purchased cannabis, methamphetamine, ecstasy/MDMA or LSD in the past six months, of which 22% had done so via social media (n = 2,650). Cannabis was the drug type most purchased from social media among drug purchasers (24%), followed by ecstasy/MDMA (13%). Sixty percent of social media purchasers had used Facebook™, 48% Snapchat™, and 20% Instagram™. The leading advantages of social media purchasing were "high convenience" (74%), and "fast transaction speed" (43%). Younger age was a significant predictor of social media purchasing for all drug types (particularly among 16-17 year olds). Purchasing from someone identified as a "drug dealer" was a predictor of social media purchasing among respondents for all drug types. CONCLUSION Social media drug markets may have significant implications for drug purchasing by youth through providing greater access to supply and breaking down age-related barriers between social supply and commercial drug markets. Our findings highlight the importance of incorporating social media platforms into youth drug prevention and harm minimisation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin van der Sanden
- SHORE & Whāriki Research Centre, College of Health, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Chris Wilkins
- SHORE & Whāriki Research Centre, College of Health, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jose S Romeo
- SHORE & Whāriki Research Centre, College of Health, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Marta Rychert
- SHORE & Whāriki Research Centre, College of Health, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Monica J Barratt
- Social and Global Studies Centre and Digital Ethnography Research Centre, RMIT University, Melbourne, Vic, Australia; National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Mandal S, Shah C, Peña-Alves S, Hecht ML, Glenn SD, Ray AE, Greene K. Understanding the spread of prevention and cessation messages on social media for substance use in youth. ASLIB J INFORM MANAG 2020. [DOI: 10.1108/ajim-07-2019-0166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
PurposeEngagement is a critical metric to the effectiveness of online health messages. This paper explores how people engage in youth-generated prevention messages in social media.Design/methodology/approachThe data sample consisted of engagement measures of 82 youth-generated messages hosted in a social media channel and a follow-up survey on content creators' motivation for promoting their messages and their dissemination strategies. A comparative analysis of engagement metrics along with qualitative analysis of the message types was performed.FindingsTwo types of messages were considered: stop messages and prevent messages. Our analyses found that people interacted with stop messages on social media more frequently than prevent messages. On analyzing the youth's motivation and promotion strategies, no significant difference was observed between stop message creators and prevent message creators.Social implicationsThis work has implications for programs promoting prevention and health information in social media.Originality/valueThis is the first study in social media-based prevention programs the authors are aware of that differentiated between the strategies of youth-produced prevention messages.
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