Conjoint moderate or high-risk alcohol and tobacco use among male out-patients in Thailand

Trends in concurrent tobacco use and heavy drinking among individuals 15 years and older in Mongolia

The study aimed to evaluate trends in the prevalence and correlates of current tobacco use only (= CT), current heavy drinking only (= CHD), and current tobacco use and current heavy drinking (= CTHD) in people 15 years and older from 2009 to 2019 in Mongolia. Cross-sectional data were analyzed from 5,438 individuals (15-64 years) of the Mongolia STEPS 2009 survey, 6,013 (15-69 years) of the Mongolia STEPS 2013 survey, and 6,654 persons (15-69 years) of the Mongolia STEPS 2019 survey and responded to questions about substance use, other health risk behaviours and physical measurements. Trend analysis shows that the prevalence of CT increased from 14.4% in 2009 to 15.3% in 2019, and the prevalence of CHD significantly decreased from 13.3% in 2009 to 10.3% in 2019, and the prevalence of CTHD significantly decreased from 14.2% in 2009 to 9.4% in 2019. Middle and older age, male sex (13 times higher for CT, 3.4 times higher for CHD, and 28 times higher for CTHD) and high physical activity significantly increased the odds of CT, CHD and CTHD. Higher education decreased the odds of CT but increased the odds of CHD. Urban residence was positively associated with CT, and among women with CTHD. Underweight decreased the odds of CT, CHD, and CTHD, and obesity decreased the odds of CT and CTHD and increased the odds of CHD. Hypertension was positively associated with CHD and CTHD, while sedentary behaviour was positively associated with CT and CTHD. Being Khalkh by ethnicity increased the odds of CT and inadequate fruit and vegetable intake increased the odds of CHD. More than one in six persons 15 years and older engaged in CT and more than one in ten engaged in CHD and CTHD. Several sociodemographic factors, such as male sex and middle and/or older age, and health variables, such as obesity and hypertension for CHD, were identified associated with CT, CHD, and CTHD that can help in guiding public interventions.

Is Binge Drinking Associated with Suicidal Behaviors among Brazilian Adolescents?

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the association between suicidal behaviors and binge drinking among Brazilian adolescents.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted with 2,476 students 14 to 19 years of age from 26 public high schools in the city of Olinda, Brazil. Data collection occurred between March and June 2018 through the self-administered Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Descriptive analysis and Poisson regression (p < 0.05, 95%CI) were performed.

RESULTS

The prevalence of suicidal ideation, planning and attempt in the previous 12 months was 23.7%, 17.4% and 13.5%, respectively. Suicidal ideation was associated with binge drinking one to two days (PR:1.053, 95%CI:1.011-1.096) and ≥ three days in the previous 30 days (PR:1.069, 95%CI:1.016-1.125), sadness/hopelessness in the previous 12 months (PR:1.313, 95%CI:1.267-1.360), a report of family physical aggression in the previous 12 months (PR:1.111, 95%CI:1.068-1.155), the female sex (PR:1.082, 95%CI:1.049-1.115) and a non-nuclear family (PR:1.037, 95%CI:1.004-1.071). Suicidal planning was associated with sadness/hopelessness in the previous 12 months (PR:1.257, 95%CI:1.214-1.302), report of family physical aggression in the previous 12 months (PR:1.110, 95%CI:1.065-1.156) and the female sex (PR:1.072, 95%CI:1.041-1.104). Suicide attempt was associated with binge drinking ≥ three days in the previous 30 days (PR:1.062, 95%CI:1.008-1.119), sadness/hopelessness in the previous 12 months (PR:1.202, 95%CI:1.161-1.244), report of family physical aggression in the previous 12 months (PR:1.105, 95%CI:1.060-1.153) and the female sex (PR:1.064, 95%CI:1.034-1.095). The Catholic (PR:0.938, 95%CI:0.899-0.979; PR:0.925, 95%CI:0.888-0.9865; PR:0.937, 95%CI:0.899-0.977) and Evangelical (PR:0.956, 95%CI:0.922-0.992; PR:0.954, 95%CI:0.919-0.991) religions acted as a possible protective factor against suicidal behaviors.

CONCLUSIONS

Suicidal ideation and attempt were associated with binge drinking.

The prevalence and correlates of substance use disorders among patients of two different treatment settings in Thailand

Background

Monk healers provide an accessible and popular service in Southeast Asia, but little is known on the substance use status of their clients. This investigation intended to assess and compare the rate and correlates of substance use disorders in two different treatment settings (monk healers = MH and primary health care = PHC) in Thailand.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study, 1024 patients (591 of MH and 613 of PHC) responded to screening measures of the “World Health Organization Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test Lite”, and two common mental disorders (major depression and generalized anxiety disorder) from November 2018 to February 2019. Logistic regression was used to estimate the determinants of any substance use disorder in the MH and PHC setting.

Results

The prevalence of substance use disorder was higher in MH clients than PHC patients: any substance use disorder 11.7% (95% Confidence Interval-CI: 9.3–14.5%) vs 5.4% (95% CI: 3.9–7.5%), tobacco use disorder 7.6% (95% CI: 5.7–9.9%) vs 2.5% (95% CI: 1.5–4.0%), alcohol use disorder 10.0% (95% CI: 8.4–13.6%) vs 4.3% (95% CI: 3.0–6.3%), any drug use disorder 4.2% (95% CI: 2.8–6.1%) vs 0.3% (95% CI: 0.08–1.3%), and any past three months drug use 8.2% (95% CI: 6.2–10.7%) vs 1.5, 95% CI: 0.8–2.8%). In adjusted logistic regression analysis, among MH clients, male sex (Adjusted Odds Ratio-AOR: 9.52, 95% Confidence Interval-CI: 5.06–17.92) was positively, and were married (AOR: 0.32, 95% CI: 0.16–0.61) and high social support (AOR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.16–0.99) were negatively associated with any substance use disorder. Among PHC patients, male sex (AOR: 7.05, 95% CI: 2.99–16.63) was positively and age (AOR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92–0.98) was negatively associated with any substance use disorder.

Conclusion

The proportion of substance use disorders among MH attendees was more than twice that of PHC attenders in Thailand, calling for collaboration in controlling substance use disorders between the two treatment systems.

Association Of Cigarette Smoking With Anxiety, Depression, And Suicidal Ideation Among Brazilian Adolescents

BACKGROUND

Several studies worldwide have pointed to depression and anxiety symptoms as being related to adolescent smoking. The aim of this study was to investigate, the potential link of cigarette smoking with depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation and the influence of gender on these relationships in Brazilian adolescents.

METHODS

Associations of smoking with Children Depressive Inventory version 2 (CDI2) scores, Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) scores, and poor school performance (i.e., grade retention) were examined in 988 Brazilian students (age range, 11-17 years) enrolled in 82 public and private schools. Logistic regression modeling was employed and the resultant odds ratios (ORs) are reported with 95% CIs.

RESULTS

Of 988 participants, 240 (24.3%) were smokers. Mean (±standard error) HAM-A scores were higher for smokers (21.1 ± 9.7) than nonsmokers (15.4 ± 8.6; p < 0.0001). Relative to nonsmokers, smokers had higher total CDI2 scores (p = 0.033), and higher scores for the CDI2 domains of Emotional Problems (p = 0.023), Negative Self-esteem (p < 0.001), and Functional Problems (p = 0.046). Suicidal ideation was common among smokers with depressive symptoms (54.2%). Smoking was associated with being held back three grades (p < 0.001). Female smokers were more likely to report suicidal ideation than male smokers (p = 0.020). Logistic regression modeling revealed significant associations of suicidal ideation with being female (OR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.38-2.37), being a female smoker (OR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.51-2.80), and having a HAM-A score > 16 (OR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.66-2.86).

CONCLUSION

Smoking was found to be associated with anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and poor school performance in Brazilian adolescents; and female smokers reported more suicidal ideation than male smokers.