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Makarenko I, Minoyan N, Bordier Høj S, Udhesister S, Martel-Laferrière V, Jutras-Aswad D, Larney S, Bruneau J. Determinants of psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic among people who use drugs in Montreal, Canada. Drug Alcohol Rev 2024. [PMID: 38741361 DOI: 10.1111/dar.13862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Limited data exists on psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic among people who use drugs (PWUD). This study aimed to determine the prevalence and correlates of severe psychological distress (PD) among PWUD in Montreal around the beginning of the pandemic. METHODS We conducted a rapid assessment study from May to December 2020 among PWUD recruited via a community-based cohort of people who inject drugs in Montreal (Hepatitis C cohort [HEPCO], N = 128) and community organisations (N = 98). We analysed self-reported data on changes in drug use behaviours and social determinants since the declaration of COVID-19 as a public health emergency, and assessed past-month PD using the Kessler K6 scale. Multivariable logistic regression was conducted to examine correlates of PD distress (score ≥13). RESULTS Of 226 survey participants, a quarter (n = 56) were screened positive for severe PD. In multivariable analyses, age (1-year increment) (adjusted odds ratio = 0.94, 95% confidence interval [0.90, 0.98]) and a decrease in non-injection drug use versus no change (0.26 [0.07, 0.92]) were protective against severe PD, while positive associations were found for any alcohol use in the past 6 months (3.73 [1.42, 9.78]), increased food insecurity (2.88 [1.19, 6.93]) and both moving around between neighbourhoods more (8.71 [2.63, 28.88]) and less (3.03 [1.18, 7.74]) often compared to no change. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS This study documented a high prevalence of severe PD among PWUD during the COVID-19 pandemic compared with pre-COVID-19 data. Social determinants such as food insecurity and mobility issues, alongside demographic and substance use-related factors, were linked to distress. Evidence-based risk mitigation strategies for this population could reduce negative consequences in future pandemics or disruptions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iuliia Makarenko
- Department of Family Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
- Centre de Recherche, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Nanor Minoyan
- Centre de Recherche, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
- Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Stine Bordier Høj
- Centre de Recherche, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Sasha Udhesister
- Centre de Recherche, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
- Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Valérie Martel-Laferrière
- Centre de Recherche, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
- Department of Microbiology and Infectiology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Didier Jutras-Aswad
- Centre de Recherche, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Sarah Larney
- Centre de Recherche, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
- Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
| | - Julie Bruneau
- Centre de Recherche, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
- Department of Family Medicine and Emergency Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
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Vandermause R, Kryah R, Bertram J, Stewart HL, Ean N, Bruce S, Carrico AW, Mannarino JA, Paul RH. Leveraging qualitative approaches to guide sustainable international research collaborations. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 4:e0002941. [PMID: 38502635 PMCID: PMC10950217 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
Qualitative research approaches were used to launch an international research collaboration between the U. S. and Cambodia. Cambodian officials requested assistance in learning qualitative approaches to complement the research skills of Cambodian mental health providers. This article provides a description of how U. S. researchers responded to that request and engaged with Cambodian psychiatrists to explore mental health needs and interventions in both countries and initiate a sustainable relationship. The early focus on qualitative research methodologies may be an avenue that mitigates some of the challenges that can characterize international research. In this study, early communications involved developing a plan to teach qualitative methods while also collecting and analyzing data in both countries that would address the mental health concerns experienced by respective care providers. A case study exemplar was embedded with a scripted focus group guide to collect data from U. S. focus groups, then share with Cambodian psychiatrists. Components of hermeneutic phenomenological interviewing and descriptive content analysis were used to simultaneously teach and enact the research methods, gather data in both countries to analyze, and inspire participants to replicate the methods in their ongoing work. Cambodian psychiatrists were able to demonstrate competence in facilitating focus groups after being participant-observers. Researcher/practitioners from both U. S. and Cambodian teams gained new understandings about the mental health needs of their patients. The mutual engagement of a research focus is an effective way to establish cross-cultural relationships. The challenges of staying with stable teams over times remain, but the content shared and learned in a participatory structure yields understandings that cross cultural boundaries. Anticipated and unexpected challenges may be offset by an intention of reciprocity and mutual engagement. The use of qualitative methodologies, early and repeatedly, can facilitate relational understanding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxanne Vandermause
- College of Nursing, University of Missouri–St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Rachel Kryah
- Missouri Institute of Mental Health, University of Missouri–St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Julie Bertram
- College of Nursing, University of Missouri–St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Hannah L. Stewart
- School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Nil Ean
- The Center for Trauma Care and Research Organization, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- Royal University of Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Steven Bruce
- Center for Trauma Recovery, University of Missouri–St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri–St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Adam W. Carrico
- Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Florida International University, Miami, Florida
| | - Julie A. Mannarino
- Missouri Institute of Mental Health, University of Missouri–St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
| | - Robert H. Paul
- Missouri Institute of Mental Health, University of Missouri–St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
- Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Missouri–St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America
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Sarris J, Perkins D, Cribb L, Schubert V, Opaleye E, Bouso JC, Scheidegger M, Aicher H, Simonova H, Horák M, Galvão-Coelho NL, Castle D, Tófoli LF. Ayahuasca use and reported effects on depression and anxiety symptoms: An international cross-sectional study of 11,912 consumers. JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS REPORTS 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jadr.2021.100098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
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Aas CF, Vold JH, Gjestad R, Skurtveit S, Lim AG, Gjerde KV, Løberg EM, Johansson KA, Fadnes LT. Substance use and symptoms of mental health disorders: a prospective cohort of patients with severe substance use disorders in Norway. Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy 2021; 16:20. [PMID: 33639969 PMCID: PMC7912462 DOI: 10.1186/s13011-021-00354-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is high co-occurrence of substance use disorders (SUD) and mental health disorders. We aimed to assess impact of substance use patterns and sociodemographic factors on mental health distress using the ten-item Hopkins Symptom Checklist (SCL-10) over time. METHODS Nested prospective cohort study of 707 participants with severe SUD across nine opioid-agonist-therapy outpatient clinics and low-threshold municipality clinics in Norway, during 2017-2020. Descriptive statistics were derived at baseline and reported by means and standard deviation (SD). A linear mixed model analysis was used to assess the impact of substance use patterns and sociodemographic factors on SCL-10 sum score with beta coefficients with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS Mean (SD) SCL-10 score was 2.2 (0.8) at baseline with large variations across patients. We observed more symptoms of mental health disorders among people with frequent use of benzodiazepines (beta 3.6, CI:2.4;4.8), cannabis (1.3, CI:0.2;2.5), opioids (2.7, CI:1.1;4.2), and less symptoms among people using frequent stimulant use (- 2.7, CI:-4.1;-1.4) compared to no or less frequent use. Females (1.8, CI:0.7;3.0) and participants with debt worries (2.2, CI:1.1;3.3) and unstable living conditions (1.7, CI:0.0;3.3) had also higher burden of mental health symptoms. There were large individual variations in SCL-10 score from baseline to follow-up, but no consistent time trends indicating change over time for the whole group. 65% of the cohort had a mean score > 1.85, the standard reference score. CONCLUSIONS People with SUD have a considerable burden of mental health symptoms. We found no association between substance use patterns and change in mental health symptoms over time. This could suggest that the differences observed were indicating flattening of effects or self-medication to a larger degree than medication-related decline in mental health. This call for better individualized mental health assessment and patient care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christer Frode Aas
- Bergen Addiction Research group, Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Jørn Henrik Vold
- Bergen Addiction Research group, Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Rolf Gjestad
- Division of Psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Svetlana Skurtveit
- Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Mental Disorders, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Aaron Guanliang Lim
- Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | | | - Else-Marie Løberg
- Bergen Addiction Research group, Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Division of Psychiatry, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Clinical Psychology, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Kjell Arne Johansson
- Bergen Addiction Research group, Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Lars Thore Fadnes
- Bergen Addiction Research group, Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
- Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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Bukuluki P, Wandiembe S, Kisaakye P, Besigwa S, Kasirye R. Suicidal Ideations and Attempts Among Adolescents in Kampala Urban Settlements in Uganda: A Case Study of Adolescents Receiving Care From the Uganda Youth Development Link. FRONTIERS IN SOCIOLOGY 2021; 6:646854. [PMID: 34368292 PMCID: PMC8334726 DOI: 10.3389/fsoc.2021.646854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
There is an increasing recognition that suicidal ideation is a major public health concern in sub-Saharan Africa. We employed a case study design, taking a case study of adolescents currently under the care of Uganda Youth Development Link (UYDEL). The data analyzed were collected from 219 female and male adolescents (13-19 years) recruited through UYDEL in Kampala, Uganda. A Poisson regression model with robust variance was used to assess the risk factors associated with suicidality. The prevalence of suicidal ideation in the past 4 weeks and attempt within the past 6 months among adolescents was 30.6% (95% CI: 24.8, 38.0%) and 24.2% (95% CI: 18.7, 30.4%), respectively. The most stressful precursors of suicidal ideation or attempt included financial difficulties (59.5%), family breakdown or conflicts (37.4%), and trauma (23.1%). Suicidal ideation in the past 1 week preceding the survey was as high as 13.3% (95% CI: 9.0, 18.6%), of which 75.0% (95% CI: 55.1%, 89.3%) had a suicide plan. Prevalence of suicidal ideation in the past 4 weeks was significantly higher among respondents with moderate psychological distress [Prevalence Ratio (PRR) = 2.74; 95% CI: 0.96, 7.84] and severe psychological distress (PRR = 4.75; 95% CI: 1.72, 13.08) but lower among adolescents who knew where to obtain professional psychological care (PRR = 0.51; 95% CI: 0.30, 0.87). Similarly, suicidal attempt was significantly higher among respondents with moderate psychological distress (PRR = 4.72; 95% CI: 1.01, 12.03) and severe psychological distress (PRR = 11.8; 95% CI: 4.66, 32.37), and who abuse drugs or substances (PRR = 2.13; 95% CI: 1.13, 4.01). Therefore, suicidal ideation is a major public health issue among adolescents living in poor urban settlements in Kampala, Uganda. Psychological distress due to financial difficulties, unemployment, and family breakdown are major facilitators of suicidality among adolescents in urban poor settlements in Kampala. Interventions aimed at preventing suicide among vulnerable adolescents in urban settlements in Kampala, Uganda should incorporate this unique risk factor profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Bukuluki
- Department of Social Work and Social Administration, School of Social Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- *Correspondence: Paul Bukuluki
| | - Symon Wandiembe
- Department of Statistical Methods, School of Statistics and Planning, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Peter Kisaakye
- Department of Population Studies, School of Statistics and Planning, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Samuel Besigwa
- Department of Social Work and Social Administration, School of Social Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Rogers Kasirye
- Department of Social Work and Social Administration, School of Social Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
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Saing CH, Prem K, Uk P, Chann N, Chhoun P, Mun P, Tuot S, Yi S. Prevalence and social determinants of psychological distress among people who use drugs in Cambodia. Int J Ment Health Syst 2020; 14:77. [PMID: 33292352 PMCID: PMC7640420 DOI: 10.1186/s13033-020-00411-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background People who use drugs are at a disproportionately higher risk of mental disorders due to prolonged exposure to psychosocial challenges. However, studies on mental health among people who use drugs in resource-constrained countries are scarce. This study sheds light on the prevalence and correlates of psychological distress among people who use drugs in Cambodia. Methods We conducted this cross-sectional study in the capital city and 11 provinces in 2017. The Respondent Driven Sampling method was adapted to recruit 1677 people who used drugs for face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. Psychological distress was measured using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). A total score of GHQ-12 > 2 indicated high psychological distress. We performed a multiple logistic regression analysis to identify factors associated with psychological distress. Results We included 1598 participants in the analyses, with a mean age of 28.6 years (SD = 7.8). Of the total, 42% had high psychological distress – 50% in women and 37% in men. The adjusted odds of having high psychological distress were significantly higher among participants who were 25–34 years old and 35 years and above, had been to a drug rehabilitation center, had been insulted by family members, and had been sexually harassed/abused by someone when they were growing up. The odds of having high psychological distress were significantly lower among participants who were male, lived in their own dwelling, reported injecting as the mode of the first drug use, and had someone taking care of them when they got sick. Conclusions This study documents a high prevalence of psychological distress among people who use drugs in Cambodia. Intervention programs that attempt to address mental health problems among people who use drugs in resource-limited settings should be gender- and age-sensitive and target more marginalized subpopulations. Mental health services can be integrated into HIV and harm-reduction programs for people who use drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chan Hang Saing
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, 12 Science Drive 2, #10-01, Singapore, 117549, Singapore
| | - Kiesha Prem
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, 12 Science Drive 2, #10-01, Singapore, 117549, Singapore.,Department of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Ponha Uk
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, 12 Science Drive 2, #10-01, Singapore, 117549, Singapore
| | - Navy Chann
- National Center for HIV/AIDS, Dermatology and STD, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Pheak Chhoun
- KHANA Center for Population Health Research, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Phalkun Mun
- National Center for HIV/AIDS, Dermatology and STD, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Sovannary Tuot
- KHANA Center for Population Health Research, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Siyan Yi
- Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, National University of Singapore and National University Health System, 12 Science Drive 2, #10-01, Singapore, 117549, Singapore. .,KHANA Center for Population Health Research, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. .,Center for Global Health Research, Touro University California, Vallejo, CA, USA. .,School of Public Health, National Institute of Public Health, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
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