Association between cigarette use and adolescents' behavior

Cannabis use, risk behaviours and harms in Brazil: A comprehensive review of available data indicators

ISSUES

Cannabis use and related health/social outcome indicator data for Brazil-where non-medical cannabis is generally illegal-are limited.

APPROACH

Towards a comprehensive overview of relevant indicators, we searched primary databases by combining MeSH-index terms related to cannabis, geographic location and subtopic terms (e.g., use, health, mortality) focusing on cannabis use and key outcome indicators in Brazil since 2010. In addition, relevant 'grey literature' (e.g., survey reports) was identified. Key indicator data were mainly narratively summarised.

KEY FINDINGS

Overall, cannabis use has increased somewhat since pre-2010, with (past-year) use rates measured at 2-3% for general population adults, yet 5% or higher among youth and/or (e.g., post-secondary) student populations. For key risk behaviours, the presence of tetrahydrocannabinol-positivity among motor-vehicle drivers has been measured at <2%. While the prevalence of cannabis use disorder appears to have decreased, the relative proportion of treatment provided for cannabis-related problems increased. National- and local-based studies indicated an association of cannabis use with mental health harms, including depression and suicidality. Although some non-representative and/or local studies contain information, other monitoring data, including cannabis-related risks and harms (e.g., cannabis-related driving, mortality, hospitalisations), are limited in availability.

IMPLICATIONS AND CONCLUSION

The prevalence of cannabis use in Brazil is comparably low (e.g., relative to elsewhere in the Americas). Data on numerous key cannabis-related indicators is absent, or limited in scope for Brazil. Considering ongoing evolutions in cannabis control and its status as the most common illicit drug, more comprehensive surveillance of cannabis use and related outcomes is advised.

Characterization of adolescent sexual practices

OBJECTIVE

to characterize adolescents' sexual practices and their association with sociodemographic variables, sources of information and behavioral habits.

METHOD

a descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study conducted with 85 adolescents from public elementary and high schools in a city in the state of São Paulo. Data were collected through a structured, self-administered and anonymous questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using the χ2 test and Fisher's test.

RESULTS

21.2% had started their sexual life through oral sex, with a predominance of females (94.4%), self-reported brown color (55.0%). The practice of vaginal sex was reported in 31.8%, with a mean age of initiation at 14.5 years. The female sex was predominant (77.0%), with a self-reported brown color (40.0%). The practice of anal sex was detected in 7.1%, with a mean age of 14.4 years, prevalent in females (83.3%), with a self-reported black color (50.0%). There was an association of alcohol, drugs and tobacco use with sexual practices (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

a diversity of sexual practices associated with substance use was detected, emphasizing the importance of the nurse's role in planning and carrying out health education interventions with adolescents and families.

(1) Analysis of the sequence and time of initiation of sexual practices, demonstrating the diversity of sexual activities performed by adolescents. (2) Family context and low openness to dialogue and its correlation with the initiation of adolescent sexual practices. (3) Behavioral habits: association of alcohol, tobacco and drug consumption by adolescents with sexual activities.

Characterization of adolescent sexual practices

OBJECTIVE

to characterize adolescents' sexual practices and their association with sociodemographic variables, sources of information and behavioral habits.

METHOD

a descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study conducted with 85 adolescents from public elementary and high schools in a city in the state of São Paulo. Data were collected through a structured, self-administered and anonymous questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using the χ2 test and Fisher's test.

RESULTS

21.2% had started their sexual life through oral sex, with a predominance of females (94.4%), self-reported brown color (55.0%). The practice of vaginal sex was reported in 31.8%, with a mean age of initiation at 14.5 years. The female sex was predominant (77.0%), with a self-reported brown color (40.0%). The practice of anal sex was detected in 7.1%, with a mean age of 14.4 years, prevalent in females (83.3%), with a self-reported black color (50.0%). There was an association of alcohol, drugs and tobacco use with sexual practices (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

a diversity of sexual practices associated with substance use was detected, emphasizing the importance of the nurse's role in planning and carrying out health education interventions with adolescents and families.

(1) Analysis of the sequence and time of initiation of sexual practices, demonstrating the diversity of sexual activities performed by adolescents. (2) Family context and low openness to dialogue and its correlation with the initiation of adolescent sexual practices. (3) Behavioral habits: association of alcohol, tobacco and drug consumption by adolescents with sexual activities.

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.