The socioeconomic profile of alcohol-attributable mortality in South Africa: a modelling study

Alcohol industry involvement in the delayed South Africa Draft Liquor Amendment Bill 2016: a case study based on freedom of information requests

BACKGROUND

South Africa is reported to have one of the highest per capita rates of alcohol consumption among drinkers globally, with alcohol harms exacerbating socio-economic inequalities in the country. The Draft Liquor Amendment Bill 2016 proposed new restrictions on alcohol advertising, availability, and liability of retailers and manufacturers for harm related to any contravention of the regulations. To date, the Bill has not progressed through the legislative process. The alcohol industry is known to use a diverse set of strategies to delay evidence-based policies globally.

METHODS

We aimed to explore Bill-related activity by industry within the National Economic and Development Labour Council, a multi-stakeholder forum that assesses socio-economic policies before they reach parliament. On 06 July 2023 we made a Request for Access to Record, using form two of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA), no. 2 of 2000 to the National Economic and Development Labour Council for access to minutes of all meetings, reports, and any other publications related to the Bill between January 2016 and December 2022. Informed by Ulucanlar et al's (2023) model and taxonomies of corporate political activity, we extracted data on industry Bill-related activity and thematically analysed key events, presented here as a narrative synthesis.

RESULTS

We identified activity by 14 alcohol industry organisations related to the Bill between 2016 and 2022. Industry representation on five National Economic and Development Labour Council-related committees identified between 2017 and 2021 facilitated their involvement in Bill-related discussions and supported access to other government departments. Community representation was low in all committees compared to industry, labour, and government. Industry funded two socio-economic assessments of the Bill in 2017 and 2022, despite an independent socio-economic impact assessment having already been completed. The 2017 report delayed progress of the Bill, and the 2022 're-evaluation' was more critical of the proposed measures, with the differing conclusions attributed to different methodologies. During the covid-19 pandemic, industry used a 'carrot and stick' approach of legal threats and donations to attempt to move towards self-regulation via a social compact. The National Economic and Development Labour Council confirmed in 2023 that the social compact was unsuccessful.

CONCLUSIONS

Early 'regulatory capture' gave the alcohol industry the opportunity to shape assessment of the Bill within the National Economic and Development Labour Council. Our findings are in line with previous studies on corporate influence on policy globally, and support calls for a reassessment of the role and proportion of industry representation within the National Economic and Development Labour Council locally.

Validation of screening instruments for alcohol and substance use disorders among men and women in Eastern Cape, South Africa

INTRODUCTION

Valid Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and Substance Use Disorder (SUD) screeners are needed to identify and link people to services. We evaluated the performance of several AUD and SUD screeners in South Africa using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI)-5 diagnostic gold standard.

METHODS

Adults at primary and tertiary care facilities in Buffalo City Metro, South Africa, were screened by research assistants using the AUDIT and AUDIT-C (AUD), DAST-10 (SUD) and NIDA Quick Screen (AUD and SUD). Nurses administered the MINI-5 to identify AUD and SUD. We assessed the internal consistency, criterion validity, sensitivity and specificity of these tools, stratified by gender.

RESULTS

Among 1885 participants, the prevalence of AUD and SUD were 9.5 % and 1.6 %, respectively. All tools demonstrated adequate internal consistency and criterion validity. A positive AUDIT screen (men: ≥8; women: ≥7) yielded sensitivity/specificity of 70.6/87.3 % (men: 78.7/82.6 %; women: 64.8/89.8 %). A positive AUDIT-C screen (men: ≥4; women: ≥3) yielded sensitivity/specificity of 66.1/82.0 % (men: 64.0/78.8 %; women: 67.6/81.3 %). Endorsing the NIDA alcohol use question yielded sensitivity/specificity of 71.1/68.1 % (men: 74.7/59.7 %; women: 68.6/72.5 %). Endorsing either NIDA substance use questions yielded sensitivity/specificity of 80.6/91.7 % (men: 80.8/89.0 %; women: 80.0/93.1 %). A DAST-10 cut-off of ≥ 3 yielded sensitivity/specificity of 71.0/96.0 % (men: 73.1/83.7 %; women 60.0/97.4 %).

CONCLUSIONS

The AUDIT and AUDIT-C performed similarly among men and women, although lower cut-offs may optimize performance among women. The low number of SUD cases hampered our ability to draw conclusions about the SUD screeners' performance.

A Pilot Study of ANXA2, MED12, CALM1 and MAPK1 Gene Variants in Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is a common endocrine disorder characterized by the overactivity of the parathyroid glands. While a few genes have been linked to a predisposition for PHPT, the genetic foundation of the disease remains unclear, despite it being the third most prevalent endocrine disorder. This pilot study aimed to investigate, for the first time, the potential association between specific variants in Annexin A2 (ANXA2-rs7170178, rs17191344, rs11633032), Mediator Complex Subunit 12 (MED12-rs1057519912), Calmodulin 1 (CALM1-rs12885713), and Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 (MAPK1-rs1057519911) genes with PHPT. Previous expression analyses have indicated that the proteins related to these genes are involved in parathyroid adenomas or PTH signaling. Fifty unrelated PHPT patients and an equal number of healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Genotyping was conducted using the polymerase chain reaction - restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. Statistical analysis was performed to assess the connection between genetic variants and PHPT. Our results revealed no significant differences in genotypes' or alleles' distributions of any of the studied variants between PHPT patients and controls. These findings suggest that these variants may not be linked to PHPT in the studied population. This pilot study, focusing on a Caucasian group of PHPT patients, contributes to the existing genetic data for future meta-analyses, which will provide a more precise definition of the genetic factors associated with PHPT susceptibility worldwide.

Prevalence of hazardous alcohol consumption and associated factors among HIV-positive pregnant women attending public hospitals in Northwest Ethiopia: a multicentred cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Alcohol is a major public health problem in pregnant women due to its harmful effects on pregnancy and adverse birth outcomes. Therefore, assessing the prevalence and the factors associated with hazardous alcohol consumption among HIV-positive women is important for early identification and intervention and implementation of rehabilitation centres in healthcare settings in order to prevent maternal adverse birth outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of hazardous alcohol consumption and the associated factors among HIV-positive pregnant women attending public hospitals in Northwest Ethiopia.

DESIGN AND STUDY SETTING

A facility-based, cross-sectional study was conducted among 401 HIV-positive pregnant women attending public hospitals in Northwest Ethiopia from 7 February to 7 April 2021.

PARTICIPANTS

From a total calculated sample size of 423, 401 HIV-positive pregnant women who had a follow-up with selected hospitals' prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) clinics completed the interview (17 participants refused to provide information and 5 terminated the interview in the middle of it due to serious illness).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The main outcome measure of this study was hazardous alcohol consumption assessed using the Fast Alcohol Screening Test. Bivariate and multivariable binary logistic regressions were used to identify factors associated with hazardous alcohol consumption. Statistically significant associations were set at p<0.05.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of hazardous alcohol consumption among HIV-positive pregnant was found to be 7.7% (95% CI 5.2, 10.5). After adjusting for possible confounders, history of mental illness (adjusted OR (AOR)=3.10; 95% CI 1.19, 8.05), having comorbid psychological distress (AOR=4.39; 95% CI 1.57, 12.30), non-disclosure of HIV status to partner (AOR=3.28; 95% CI 1.21, 8.84) and poor medication adherence (AOR=2.82; 95% CI 1.20, 6.62) were significantly associated with hazardous alcohol use.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The overall prevalence of hazardous alcohol consumption among HIV-positive pregnant women was high, especially among pregnant women who had a history of mental illness. Poor medication adherence, non-disclosure of HIV status to partner and having comorbid psychological distress are the main factors associated with hazardous alcohol consumption. Early detection and appropriate interventions to prevent hazardous alcohol consumption should be promoted at PMTCT clinics.

SMSs as an alternative to provider-delivered care for unhealthy alcohol use: study protocol for Leseli, an open-label randomised controlled trial of mhGAP-Remote vs mhGAP-Standard in Lesotho

BACKGROUND

The World Health Organization's (WHO) Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) is a validated intervention that can be provided by non-specialised healthcare workers to individuals with unhealthy alcohol use. However, it typically requires several in-person sessions at a health facility, which may limit its feasibility and effectiveness in remote settings. This trial compares mhGAP-Standard, a 4 to 6 in-person session intervention, to mhGAP-Remote, a 1 in-person session intervention followed by 8 week of short message service (SMS) in Lesotho. We hypothesise that mhGAP-Remote is superior to mhGAP-Standard in reducing alcohol use (as detailed by the primary and secondary outcomes below).

METHODS

This is a two-arm randomised open-label multicentre superiority trial. Participants allocated to mhGAP-Standard receive 4 in-person sessions using motivational interviewing, identifying triggers, and alternative behaviours, with the option of two additional booster sessions. Participants in the mhGAP-Remote arm receive 1 in-person session covering the same content, followed by standardised SMSs over 8 weeks that reinforce intervention content. Non-specialist providers deliver the intervention and receive weekly supervision. Adults (Nplanned = 248) attending participating health facilities for any reason and who meet criteria for unhealthy alcohol use based on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test ([AUDIT] score ≥ 6 for women, ≥ 8 for men) are individually randomised to the two arms (1:1 allocation, stratified by participant sex and age (≥ 50 vs < 50 years old). Follow-up assessments occur at 8, 20, and 32 weeks post-randomisation. The primary outcome is change in self-reported alcohol use (continuous AUDIT score), from baseline to 8 weeks follow-up. Change in the AUDIT from baseline to 20 and 32 weeks follow-up is a secondary outcome. Change in the biomarker phosphatidylethanol (secondary), liver enzyme values in serum (exploratory), and HIV viral load (for people with HIV only; exploratory) are also evaluated from baseline throughout the entire follow-up period. A linear regression model will be conducted for the primary analysis, adjusted for the stratification factors. Three a priori sensitivity analyses for the primary outcome are planned based on per protocol treatment attendance, recovery from unhealthy alcohol use, and clinically significant and reliable change.

DISCUSSION

This trial will provide insight into feasibility and effectiveness of a shortened and primarily SMS supported version of mhGAP, which is especially relevant for settings where regular clinic attendance is a major barrier.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

clinicaltrials.gov NCT05925270 . Approved on June 29th, 2023.

Life outcomes in adults living with FASD in a rural South African community: A follow-up study

Background

Even though adults with foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) are at risk of negative life outcomes, there is no published evidence of this in South Africa, which has the highest estimated FASD prevalence rate globally.

Objectives

The purpose of the study was to describe and compare the life outcomes of adults with FASD and adults without FASD in a South African rural community, 16 years after diagnosis.

Method

Participants were examined and interviewed regarding their biographical information, knowledge of FASD, information on their family, relationships, home circumstances, education, work and medical history.

Results

Adults with FASD were less likely to be in a relationship and more likely to have poor educational outcomes and to be exposed to violence as victim or perpetrator than their peers who did not have FASD. None of the participants with FASD completed secondary school successfully. No differences were found for independent living, employment, health, substance use and legal outcomes, between the foetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) or partial foetal alcohol syndrome (PFAS) and control group.

Conclusion

While significant differences existed in certain aspects, differences are not as stark as one would expect between individuals with FASD and controls.

Contribution

This study highlights the importance of considering the social context in which a FASD diagnosis is made. The comparative negative impact of an FASD diagnosis and the associated challenges on life outcomes may be less pronounced in rural communities where everyone has fewer opportunities and resources. This can also make the unique needs of persons with disabilities less visible.

Impact of the Soweto football derby on the trauma emergency department at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, a tertiary level hospital in South Africa

INTRODUCTION

The Soweto Derby is one of Africa's largest football derbies. The two rival teams, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, both originate in Soweto, a sprawling township 20km outside Johannesburg. Soweto is infamous for the high levels of violent crime and trauma, but also for Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (CHBAH), with one of the world's largest trauma emergency departments (ED). Research globally, describing the impact of sports events on public health care systems is conflicting, with evidence showing both increases and decreases in spectator related trauma. This paper seeks to describe the trauma burden during the Soweto Derby and add to the research concerning trauma relating to sporting derbies in low to middle income countries.

OBJECTIVES

To analyze the impact of the Soweto Derby on the trauma ED at CHBAH over a 24-hour period.

METHODS

A retrospective comparative study at the CHBAH Trauma ED of 13 Soweto Derbies played over a 5 year period between 2015-2019, compared to the corresponding non-Soweto Derby days of the preceding year. Patients were triaged according to the South African Triage Scale and Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) principles. Data was organized into 3 time frames where the triage score and mechanism of injuries were compared: 1) 4 hours pre-match, 2) 2 hours during the match, and 3) 18 hours post-match.

RESULTS

Thirteen Soweto Derbies and 2552 patients were included. The median age was 29 with males accounting for 73.4% of all trauma cases. Significantly more P1 patients presented during the Soweto Derby. Pre-match there were 3x less P1 patients presenting to the ED (4.7% vs 12%, p = 0.044). During the match, there was a 40% drop in males presenting to ED (5.95% vs 9.45%, p = 0.015). Post-match there was a significant increase in P1 patients treated (17.4% vs 13.5%, p = 0.021)), with the majority being young males. There was no increase in either female or paediatric visits to the ED.

CONCLUSION

The Soweto Derby has a direct effect on the trauma burden at CHBAH, with more P1 patients presenting post-match. Young African males are disproportionally affected by severe trauma requiring increased health care resources in an already overburdened hospital.

Lemierre Syndrome: Report of a Case with an Innovative Diagnostic Method and Literature Review

Objective

To understand the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of Lemierre syndrome (LS), a high-risk and low-prevalence infectious disease.

Methods

We present the severe LS case that was diagnosed using metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in our hospital, and systematically summarized the diagnosis and treatment strategies of patients that reported LS from 2006 to 2022.

Results

The 24-year-old patient in our hospital suffered from cranial nerve paralysis, a neurological complication rarely seen in LS cases. The causative agent (Fusobacterium necrophorum, Fn) of this patient was only detected by mNGS tests, and the reads number of Fn detected by plasma mNGS tests was decrease as the patients gradually improved, indicating plasma mNGS is valuable in monitoring treatment efficacy. Although most of the cases retrieved from the literature showed typical symptoms, such as a history of sore throat, septic emboli, and internal jugular vein thrombosis, clinical manifestations were still relatively heterogeneous (eg, diversity of predisposing factors and pathogens, differences in pulmonary imaging features).

Conclusion

We summarized the clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and regression of 17 symptomatic cases reported LS to provide clinicians with knowledge about this rare but fatal disease. mNGS assays should be considered as early as possible to identify the responsible pathogens for acute and critically ill patients with suspected infections in order to implement accurate and effective treatment.

ΔRDW Could Predict Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Heart Failure with Reduced Ejection Fraction After Sacubitril/Valsartan Treatment

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the association between red blood cell distribution width (RDW) changes and major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) occurrences during sacubitril/valsartan treatment in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).

Methods

This study retrospectively analyzed the medical records of patients with HFrEF hospitalized from April 2018 to February 2021. The patients were divided into two groups according to the inclusion of sacubitril/valsartan in the personal drug treatment regimen, the traditional and the sacubitril/valsartan group. RDW values before and after sacubitril/valsartan treatment were recorded respectively as RDW1 and RDW2. ΔRDW was defined as the difference between RDW2 and RDW1. The patients in the sacubitril/valsartan group were divided into two subgroups according to ΔRDW >0 or ≤0. MACEs, such as readmission for HF, acute myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and malignant arrhythmia and death, were recorded during the 1-year follow-up period in each group.

Results

MACE development was lower in patients treated with sacubitril/valsartan than those treated with conventional therapy (log-rank, P<0.001). The incidence of cardiac events during the follow-up period was greater in the group with ΔRDW >0 than in the group with ΔRDW ≤0 (Breslow, P<0.001). Increased RDW was associated with a higher likelihood of developing MACE than decreased RDW (odds ratio [OR] =2.055, 95% confidence interval [CI]:1.301-3.246), and the risk of developing MACE increased by 22.1% for each unit increase in RDW (OR=1.221, 95% CI:1.074-1.389).

Conclusion

Sacubitril/valsartan treatment is effective in reducing the risk of MACEs in HFrEF. Additionally, RDW changes are predictors of MACEs after sacubitril/valsartan treatment.

Alcohol Use, HIV Stigma and Quality of Life Among Alcohol Consuming Men Living with HIV in India: A Mediation Analysis

This study examined the hypothesis that HIV-related stigma mediates the effect of alcohol use on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among alcohol consuming Indian men living with HIV (PLWH). The study used baseline data from a randomized controlled clinical trial entitled 'Alcohol and ART adherence: Assessment, Intervention, and Modeling in India. Participants completed surveys assessing demographic characteristics, alcohol use, HIV-related stigma, HRQoL. Mediation analysis was conducted to establish the mediation effect of HIV-related stigma on the relationship between alcohol use and HRQoL. The final mediation model showed that the effect of alcohol use on HRQoL were partially mediated by overall HIV-related stigma. Specially, 27.1% of the effects of alcohol use on HRQoL was mediated through overall HIV stigma. In the HIV stigma subdomain analyses, negative self-image mediated 14% and concerns with public attitudes (anticipated stigma) mediated 17.3% of the effect of alcohol use on HRQoL respectively. The findings suggest that efforts to reduce the negative impact of alcohol use on HRQoL and improve HRQoL among PLWH should include interventions addressing both alcohol use and specific forms of HIV-related stigma.

AUDIT-C as a possible source of referral during the COVID-19 pandemic for participants presenting patterns of high-risk alcohol consumption in a South African township

BACKGROUND

Unhealthy alcohol use is a leading contributor to premature death and disability worldwide. The World Health Organization's Global Status Report on Alcohol and Health ranked South Africa as having one of the riskiest patterns of alcohol consumption, which calls for intervention. Recognising the need for effective primary care interventions, particularly in the absence of appropriate alcohol-related harm reduction policies at national and local levels, this paper highlights the opportunities and challenges associated with a two-pronged, community-centred approach to the identification of unhealthy alcohol use and interventions.

METHODS

This approach included the use of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C) as a means of screening to identify individuals at moderate (score of 5-7) to high risk (score of 8 +) alcohol use, raising awareness, and investigating the potential utility of brief advice and referrals as a means of reducing risk.

RESULTS

Of the 54,187 participants, 43.0% reported engaging in moderate-risk alcohol consumption, with 22.1% reporting high-risk alcohol consumption. Resistance to brief advice was observed to increase with higher AUDIT-C scores. Similarly, participants engaging in high-risk alcohol consumption were resistant to accepting treatment referrals, with fewer than 10% open to receiving a referral.

CONCLUSIONS

While men were most likely to report patterns of high-risk alcohol consumption, they were more resistant to accepting referrals. Additionally, participants who were willing to receive brief advice were often resistant to taking active steps to alter their alcohol use. This study highlights the need to consider how to prevent harmful patterns of alcohol use effectively and holistically, especially in low socioeconomic settings through primary health care and community services.

Symptoms of posttraumatic stress partially mediate the relationship between gender-based violence and alcohol misuse among South African women

BACKGROUND

The association of traumatic experiences with problematic alcohol use has been described, but data on possible mediation effects of mental distress are sparse. We examined whether mental ill-health mediated the association between trauma exposure across the lifespan and alcohol use.

METHOD

We analysed cross-sectional data from a sample of rape-exposed and non-rape-exposed women, living in KwaZulu-Natal, with self-reported data on alcohol misuse (AUDIT-C cut-off ≥ 3) and exposure to childhood maltreatment (CM), intimate partner violence (IPV), non-partner sexual violence (NPSV), other traumatic events, and mental ill-health. Logistic regression and multiple mediation models were used to test the mediation effects of symptoms of depression and PTSS on the association between abuse/trauma and alcohol misuse.

RESULTS

Of 1615 women, 31% (n = 498) reported alcohol misuse. Exposure to any CM (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.59, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.27-1.99), as well as to sexual, physical and emotional CM, were independently associated with alcohol misuse. Lifetime exposure to any IPV (aOR:2.01, 95%CI:1.59-2.54), as well as to physical, emotional and economic IPV, NPSV (aOR: 1.75, 95%CI: 1.32-2.33), and other trauma (aOR:2.08, 95%CI:1.62-2.66), was associated with alcohol misuse. Exposure to an increasing number of abuse types, and other traumatic events, was independently associated with alcohol misuse. PTSS partially mediated the associations of CM, IPV, NPSV and other trauma exposures with alcohol misuse (ps ≤ 0.04 for indirect effects), but depression symptoms did not.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings highlight the need for trauma-informed interventions to address alcohol misuse that are tailored to the needs of women who have experienced violence.

Alcohol use and associated risk factors among female sex workers in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Due to its widespread use in the sex work industry, female sex workers (FSWs) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are at high risk of harmful alcohol use and associated adverse health outcomes. Factors associated with harmful alcohol use include violence, mental health problems, drug use, sexual risk behaviors and HIV/STIs. To our knowledge, there has been no quantitative synthesis of FSW alcohol use data to date. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to provide an estimate of the prevalence of harmful alcohol use among FSWs in LMICs and to examine associations with common health and social concerns. The review protocol was registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42021237438. We searched three electronic databases for peer-reviewed, quantitative studies from inception to 24th February 2021. Studies were selected for inclusion that reported any measure of prevalence or incidence of alcohol use among FSWs aged 18 or older from countries defined as LMIC in accordance with the World Bank income groups 2019. The following study designs were included: cross-sectional survey, case-control study, cohort study, case series analysis, or experimental study with baseline measures for alcohol use. Study quality was assessed with the Center for Evidence-Based Management (CEBMa) Critical Appraisal Tool. Pooled prevalence estimates were calculated for (i) any hazardous/harmful/dependent alcohol use, (ii) harmful/dependent alcohol use only, both overall and by region and (iii) daily alcohol use. Meta-analyses examined associations between harmful alcohol use and violence, condom use, HIV/STIs, mental health problems and other drug use. In total, 435 papers were identified. After screening, 99 papers reporting on 87 unique studies with 51,904 participants from 32 LMICs met the inclusion criteria. Study designs included cross-sectional (n = 89), cohort (n = 6) and experimental (n = 4). Overall, 5 scored as high quality, 79 studies scored as moderate and 15 scored as weak quality. Twenty-nine papers reporting on 22 unique studies used validated alcohol use tools including AUDIT, CAGE and WHO CIDI. The pooled prevalence of any hazardous/harmful/dependent alcohol use was 41% (95% CI: 31-51%), and of daily alcohol use was 26% (95% CI: 17-36%). There was variation in harmful alcohol use by global region (Sub-Saharan Africa: 38%; South Asia/Central Asia/ East Asia and Pacific: 47% and Latin America and the Caribbean:44%). Harmful alcohol use was significantly associated with inconsistent condom use (pooled unadjusted RR: 1.65; 95% CI: 1.01-2.67), STIs (pooled unadjusted OR: 1.29; 95% CI 1.15-1.46); and other drug use (pooled unadjusted OR of 2.44; 95% CI 1.24-4.80), but not with HIV, violence or mental health problems. We found a high prevalence of problem alcohol use and daily alcohol use among FSWs in LMICs. Harmful drinking was associated with important HIV risk factors such as inconsistent condom use, STIs and other drug use. Major limitations included heterogeneity in tools and cut-off scores to measure alcohol use and other common risk factors, and a paucity of longitudinal studies. There is an urgent need for tailored interventions for FSWs in LMICs that address alcohol use as well as the associated sex work risk environment.

The Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdowns on Alcohol Consumption and Tobacco Smoking Behaviour in South Africa: A National Survey

INTRODUCTION

During the first phase of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic lockdowns in South Africa (SA), both alcohol and tobacco were considered non-essential goods and their sales were initially prohibited and further restricted to certain days and timeframes. This study investigates self-reported changes in alcohol consumption and tobacco smoking behaviour in the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns in SA.

METHODS

A cross-sectional national survey was conducted in October 2021 (before the Omicron wave 4 and while SA was in low-level lockdown) among 3,402 nationally representative respondents (weighted to 39,640,674) aged 18 years and older. Alcohol consumption and tobacco use were assessed from the beginning of the lockdown towards the end of March 2020 until October 2021 using the WHO-AUDIT and the US Centre for Disease Control (CDC) Global Adult Tobacco Survey questionnaires, respectively.

RESULTS

Among those that drank alcohol (33.2%), 31.4% were classified as having a drinking problem that could be hazardous or harmful and 18.9% had severe alcohol use disorder during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Twenty-two per cent (22.0%) of those that reported alcohol consumption reported that the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns changed their alcohol consumption habits, with 38.1% reporting a decreased intake or quitting altogether. Among the one in five respondents (19.2%) who had ever smoked, most reported smoking at the time of the survey (82.6%) with many classified as light smokers (87.8%; ≤10 cigarettes/day). Almost a third (27.2%) of those smoking reported that the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns had changed their use of tobacco products or vaping, with 60.0% reporting a reduction/quitting tobacco use. Given that sales were restricted this indicates that people could still get hold of tobacco products. Heavy smoking was associated with older age (p = 0.02), those classified as wealthy (p < 0.001), those who started or increased tobacco smoking during the pandemic lockdowns (p = 0.01) and residential provinces (p = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

Given restrictions on the sale of alcohol and tobacco in SA between 27 March and August 17, 2020, during the pandemic, respondents reported an overall decline in alcohol consumption and tobacco use which might suggest that the regulatory restrictive strategies on sales had some effect but may be inadequate, especially during times where individuals are likely to experience high-stress levels. These changes in alcohol consumption and tobacco use were different from what was reported in several European countries, possibly due to differences in the restrictions imposed in SA when compared to these European countries.

Estimating the changing burden of disease attributable to alcohol use in South Africa for 2000, 2006 and 2012

Background. Alcohol use was one of the leading contributors to South Africa (SA)’s disease burden in 2000, accounting for 7% of deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in the first South African Comparative Risk Assessment Study (SACRA1). Since then, patterns of alcohol use have changed, as has the epidemiological evidence pertaining to the role of alcohol as a risk factor for infectious diseases, most notably HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis (TB).Objectives. To estimate the burden of disease attributable to alcohol use by sex and age group in SA in 2000, 2006 and 2012.Methods. The analysis follows the World Health Organization (WHO)’s comparative risk assessment methodology. Population attributable fractions (PAFs) were calculated from modelled exposure estimated from a systematic assessment and synthesis of 17 nationally representative surveys and relative risks based on the global review by the International Model of Alcohol Harms and Policies. PAFs were applied to the burden of disease estimates from the revised second South African National Burden of Disease Study (SANBD2) to calculate the alcohol-attributable burden for deaths and DALYs for 2000, 2006 and 2012. We quantified the uncertainty by observing the posterior distribution of the estimated prevalence of drinkers and mean use among adult drinkers (≥15 years old) in a Bayesian model. We assumed no uncertainty in the outcome measures.Results. The alcohol-attributable disease burden decreased from 2000 to 2012 after peaking in 2006, owing to shifts in the disease burden, particularly infectious disease and injuries, and changes in drinking patterns. In 2012, alcohol-attributable harm accounted for an estimated 7.1% (95% uncertainty interval (UI) 6.6 - 7.6) of all deaths and 5.6% (95% UI 5.3 - 6.0) of all DALYs. Attributable deaths were split three ways fairly evenly across major disease categories: infectious diseases (36.4%), non-communicable diseases (32.4%) and injuries (31.2%). Top rankings for alcohol-attributable DALYs for specific causes were TB (22.6%), HIV/AIDS (16.0%), road traffic injuries (15.9%), interpersonal violence (12.8%), cardiovascular disease (11.1%), cancer and cirrhosis (both 4%). Alcohol remains an important contributor to the overall disease burden, ranking fifth in terms of deaths and DALYs.Conclusion. Although reducing overall alcohol use will decrease the burden of disease at a societal level, alcohol harm reduction strategies in SA should prioritise evidence-based interventions to change drinking patterns. Frequent heavy episodic (i.e. binge) drinking accounts for the unusually large share of injuries and infectious diseases in the alcohol-attributable burden of disease profile. Interventions should focus on the distal causes of heavy drinking by focusing on strategies recommended by the WHO’s SAFER initiative.

Nursing Care during the Perioperative within the Surgical Context

The study describes basic nursing care during the perioperative. Introduces the origins of perioperative nursing, general care that must be practiced with patient in this context. During the preoperative, care related with risk assessment and preparation of patient from the emotional and physical point of view are important. The trans-operative is related with the anesthesia used, surgical position, preparation of the skin, maintenance of normothermia, among many others. The postoperative depends on the type of anesthesia and surgical procedure, emphasizing on airway permeability, hemodynamic stability, pain, and symptomatology being presented by patients until they are stable and suitable for transfer to another service or their home.

Did COVID-19-Related Alcohol Sales Restrictions Reduce Alcohol Consumption? Findings from a National Online Survey in South Africa

BACKGROUND

South Africa has a high prevalence of heavy episodic drinking (HED). Due to the high levels of alcohol misuse and violence, public hospital intensive care units were often overrun during the COVID-19 pandemic. This research investigated alcohol intake behaviour change during differing levels of lockdown restrictions, which included bans on alcohol sales.

METHODS

A self-reported Facebook survey ran from July to November 2020. The questions included socio-demographics, income, alcohol intake, purchasing behaviour, and reasoning. Chi-square tests/Fisher's exact test for categorical data, Student's t-test for normal continuous data, and the Mann-Whitney U test for non-normal data were applied. Multiple logistic regression was run for HED versus moderate drinkers.

RESULTS

A total of 798 participants took part in the survey, of which 68.4% were female. Nearly 50% of participants fell into the HED category and the majority bought alcohol illegally during restrictions. HED respondents who drank more alcohol than usual during restrictions reported that they felt stressed, needed to relax, and were bored.

CONCLUSIONS

Policies intended to increase the pricing of alcohol may have the potential to reduce alcohol intake. Reducing stress and anxiety may be key to curtailing HED during emergency situations.

Equity impact of minimum unit pricing of alcohol on household health and finances among rich and poor drinkers in South Africa

Introduction

South Africa experiences significant levels of alcohol-related harm. Recent research suggests minimum unit pricing (MUP) for alcohol would be an effective policy, but high levels of income inequality raise concerns about equity impacts. This paper quantifies the equity impact of MUP on household health and finances in rich and poor drinkers in South Africa.

Methods

We draw from extended cost-effectiveness analysis (ECEA) methods and an epidemiological policy appraisal model of MUP for South Africa to simulate the equity impact of a ZAR 10 MUP over a 20-year time horizon. We estimate the impact across wealth quintiles on: (i) alcohol consumption and expenditures; (ii) mortality; (iii) government healthcare cost savings; (iv) reductions in cases of catastrophic health expenditures (CHE) and household savings linked to reduced health-related workplace absence.

Results

We estimate MUP would reduce consumption more among the poorest than the richest drinkers. Expenditure would increase by ZAR 353 000 million (1 US$=13.2 ZAR), the poorest contributing 13% and the richest 28% of the increase, although this remains regressive compared with mean income. Of the 22 600 deaths averted, 56% accrue to the bottom two quintiles; government healthcare cost savings would be substantial (ZAR 3.9 billion). Cases of CHE averted would be 564 700, 46% among the poorest two quintiles. Indirect cost savings amount to ZAR 51.1 billion.

Conclusions

A MUP policy in South Africa has the potential to reduce harm and health inequality. Fiscal policies for population health require structured policy appraisal, accounting for the totality of effects using mathematical models in association with ECEA methodology.

Regulating Alcohol: Strategies Used by Actors to Influence COVID-19 Related Alcohol Bans in South Africa

South Africa has used intermittent alcohol prohibitions and restrictions as a strategy to relieve hospitals of alcohol-related trauma cases and spare services for COVID-19 caseloads. Alcohol regulation is highly contested and involves a diverse range of actors who influence policies to align with their interests. This study sought to examine the strategies used by these actors to shape the COVID-19 related alcohol regulation in South Africa as presented by online news media. We found that the voice of pro-regulation actors is smaller and fragmented compared to opponents of the regulation as each actor seeks to advance their own interests. Despite the regulations initially being framed as a COVID-19 public health measure, pro-regulation government ministries, such as police and transport, perceive the regulations as a way of reducing existing (pre-pandemic) alcohol-related harm, such as crime, road-traffic injuries, and gender-based violence. The pre-existing failures in the alcohol regulatory environment and the current policy momentum created by COVID-19 could present an opportunity to retain components of the new laws and improve alcohol regulation in South Africa. However, there is a dominant and cohesive alcohol industry voice that strongly opposes the regulations, citing economic impacts, illicit trade and lack of evidence on the positive effects of the alcohol bans. Strategies employed by industry include lobbying, framing, and litigation. The regulations implemented under the guise of COVID-19 prevention have presented valuable lessons for alcohol regulation more generally. However, whether these regulations translate to sustainable policy changes will depend upon how and if the strong industry voice is countered.

A scoping review of the determinants of foetal alcohol spectrum disorder in South Africa: an intersectional perspective

Foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) affects babies born to mothers who consume alcohol while pregnant. South Africa has the highest prevalence of FASD in the world. We review the social determinants underpinning FASD in South Africa and add critical insight from an intersectional feminist perspective. We undertook a scoping review, guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Reviews guidelines. Drawing from EBSCOhost and PubMed, 95 articles were screened, with 21 selected for analysis. We used the intersectionality wheel to conceptualize how the social and structural determinants of FASD identified by the literature are interconnected and indicative of broader inequalities shaping the women and children affected. Key intersecting social determinants that facilitate drinking during pregnancy among marginalized populations in South Africa documented in the existing literature include social norms and knowledge around drinking and drinking during pregnancy, alcohol addiction and biological dependence, gender-based violence, inadequate access to contraception and abortion services, trauma and mental health, and moralization and stigma. Most of the studies found were quantitative. From an intersectional perspective, there was limited analysis of how the determinants identified intersect with one another in ways that exacerbate inequalities and how they relate to the broader structural and systemic factors undermining healthy pregnancies. There was also little representation of pregnant women's own perspectives or discussion about the power dynamics involved. While social determinants are noted in the literature on FASD in South Africa, much more is needed from an intersectionality lens to understand the perspectives of affected women, their social contexts and the nature of the power relations involved. A critical stance towards the victim/active agent dichotomy that often frames women who drink during pregnancy opens up space to understand the nuances needed to support the women involved while also illustrating the contextual barriers to drinking cessation that need to be addressed through holistic approaches.

Effects of minimum unit pricing for alcohol in South Africa across different drinker groups and wealth quintiles: a modelling study

OBJECTIVES

To quantify the potential impact of minimum unit pricing (MUP) for alcohol on alcohol consumption, spending and health in South Africa. We provide these estimates disaggregated by different drinker groups and wealth quintiles.

DESIGN

We developed an epidemiological policy appraisal model to estimate the effects of MUP across sex, drinker groups (moderate, occasional binge, heavy) and wealth quintiles. Stakeholder interviews and workshops informed model development and ensured policy relevance.

SETTING

South African drinking population aged 15+.

PARTICIPANTS

The population (aged 15+) of South Africa in 2018 stratified by drinking group and wealth quintiles, with a model time horizon of 20 years.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Change in standard drinks (SDs) (12 g of ethanol) consumed, weekly spend on alcohol, annual number of cases and deaths for five alcohol-related health conditions (HIV, intentional injury, road injury, liver cirrhosis and breast cancer), reported by drinker groups and wealth quintile.

RESULTS

We estimate an MUP of R10 per SD would lead to an immediate reduction in consumption of 4.40% (-0.93 SD/week) and an increase in spend of 18.09%. The absolute reduction is greatest for heavy drinkers (-1.48 SD/week), followed by occasional binge drinkers (-0.41 SD/week) and moderate drinkers (-0.40 SD/week). Over 20 years, we estimate 20 585 fewer deaths and 9 00 332 cases averted across the five health-modelled harms.Poorer drinkers would see greater impacts from the policy (consumption: -7.75% in the poorest quintile, -3.19% in richest quintile). Among the heavy drinkers, 85% of the cases averted and 86% of the lives saved accrue to the bottom three wealth quintiles.

CONCLUSIONS

We estimate that MUP would reduce alcohol consumption in South Africa, improving health outcomes while raising retail and tax revenue. Consumption and harm reductions would be greater in poorer groups.

Prevalence and Demographic Correlates of Substance Use among Adults with Mental Illness in Eastern Cape, South Africa: A Cross-Sectional Study

This study reports on the prevalence and demographic correlates of substance use among individuals with mental illness in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Outpatient Clinic of a large hospital in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. A pre-validated tool on alcohol and psychoactive drug use was administered to 390 individuals with mental illness. Multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to explore the demographic correlates of alcohol and psychoactive drug use. Of the total participants (N = 390), 64.4% and 33.3% reported lifetime (ever used) and past-year use of alcohol, respectively, but the prevalence of risky alcohol use was 18.5%. After adjusting for relevant covariates, only male sex, younger age, and rural residence remained significantly associated with risky alcohol use. The prevalence of ever-use and past-year use of psychoactive substances was 39.7% and 17.4%, respectively. The most common substance ever used was cannabis (37.4%). Male sex, younger age, owning a business, and being unemployed were significantly associated with higher odds of lifetime and past-year use of psychoactive substances. Findings highlight the need for dedicated infrastructure and staff training in the management of these dual diagnoses in the region.

Assessing Intertemporal Socioeconomic Inequalities in Alcohol Consumption in South Africa

Background: This paper assesses changes in the socioeconomic inequality in alcohol consumption by exploring whether alcohol consumption (current and binge drinkers) is more prevalent among the wealthier (pro-rich) or poorer (pro-poor) group over time.

Methods: Data come from the 2008, 2010/11, 2012, and 2014/15 waves of the National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS). Various equity stratifiers (sex, age, race, and rural/urban) are used to analyze the prevalence of alcohol consumption and to investigate differences in socioeconomic inequalities. Changes in socioeconomic inequality in alcohol consumption between 2008 and 2014/15 were also assessed using the concentration index.

Results: Current drinkers were more concentrated among richer South Africans, while binge drinkers were concentrated among the poorer population. For current drinkers, irrespective of sex, race, age, and urban, socioeconomic inequality in alcohol consumption had become less pro-rich between 2008 and 2014/15; while inequality in binge drinking, outside of the Asian/Indian and rural categories, had become less pro-poor between 2008 and 2014/15.

Conclusion: The results show evidence that binge drinking is a bigger problem among those of low-SES, young individuals, male and African populations. This paper concludes that the SA government should continue to push forward policies aiming to reduce the prevalence of binge drinking.

Alcohol consumption, harms and policy developments in sub-Saharan Africa: The case for stronger national and regional responses

ISSUES

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has long been characterised as a region with weak alcohol policies, high proportions of abstainers and heavy episodic drinkers (among drinkers), and as a target for market expansion by global alcohol producers. However, inter-regional analyses of these issues are seldom conducted.

APPROACH

Focusing mainly on the period 2000-2016, we compare alcohol consumption and harms, alcohol policy developments and alcohol industry activities over time and across the four sub-regions of SSA.

KEY FINDINGS

Per-capita consumption of alcohol and alcohol-related disease burden have increased in Central Africa but stabilised or reduced in other regions, although they are still high. Most countries have implemented tax policies, but they have seldom adopted other World Health Organization 'best buys' for cost-effective alcohol control policies. Countries range from having minimal alcohol controls to having total bans (e.g. some Muslim-majority countries); and some, such as Botswana, have attempted stringent tax policies to address alcohol harm. Alcohol producers have continued their aggressive marketing and policy interference activities, some of which have been highlighted and, in a few instances, resisted by civil society and public health advocates, particularly in southern Africa.

IMPLICATIONS

Increased government support and commitment are needed to be able to adopt and implement effective alcohol policies and respond to pressures from alcohol companies to which SSA remains a target market.

CONCLUSION

SSA needs effective alcohol control measures in order to reverse the trajectory of worsening alcohol harms observed in some countries and reinforce improvements in alcohol harms observed in others.

Gastric hepatoid adenocarcinoma with multiple liver metastasis: a case report

Hepatoid adenocarcinoma is a poorly differentiated alpha-fetoprotein-producing (AFP) tumor frequently located in the stomach, ovary, and pancreas. Presentation in the stomach has a high mortality rate due to late diagnosis, which offers the patient few therapeutic alternatives. On February 22, 2019, a 44-year-old woman from Lima entered the emergency department for pain in the right hypochondrium for 4 months, weight loss, nausea, and asthenia. On physical examination, hepatomegaly presented with a liver spam of 17 cm. Serology showed severe anemia and AFP of 49,800. The tomography showed multiple hypodense lesions in the liver and the presence of nodes. Endoscopy showed Bormann III gastric malignancy. Gastric biopsy determined undifferentiated epithelial malignancy; the immunohistochemical mark (+) for AFP and PAS Diastase confirmed a hepatoid gastric adenocarcinoma. A rare variant of gastric adenocarcinoma was evident, which often mimics an HCC. In this case, multiple liver metastases were observed that differed from the diagnosis of HCC, so this variant must always be taken into account when a primary gastric tumor presents with hepatic metastases.

"That person stopped being human": Intersecting HIV and substance use stigma among patients and providers in South Africa

BACKGROUND

South Africa has the largest number of people living with HIV in the world. Concurrently, problematic alcohol and other drug use (AOD) is prevalent in the country and associated with poor HIV treatment outcomes. Further, the high rates of stigma surrounding HIV and AOD contribute to poor HIV outcomes. Yet, how HIV stigma and AOD stigma together may affect HIV care has not been extensively studied in this context. Thus, we explored HIV and AOD providers' and patients' experiences of HIV and AOD stigma.

METHODS

We conducted 30 semi-structured interviews with patients living with HIV who were struggling with HIV medication adherence and problematic AOD use (n = 19), and providers involved in HIV or AOD treatment (n = 11) in Cape Town, South Africa to assess how HIV and AOD stigmas manifest and relate to HIV care.

FINDINGS

Two main themes around the intersection of HIV and AOD and their related stigmas were identified: (1) how patients use AOD to cope with HIV stigma; and (2) enacted/ anticipated AOD stigma from HIV care providers, which acts as a barrier to HIV care.

CONCLUSIONS

Intersecting HIV and AOD stigmas exist at multiple levels and increase barriers to HIV care in this setting. Accordingly, it is important that future interventions address both these stigmas at multiple levels.

Prohibiting alcohol sales during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has positive effects on health services in South Africa

As the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic evolves globally, we are realising its impact on communities from the disease itself and the measures being taken to limit infection spread. In South Africa (SA), 62 300 adults die annually from alcohol-attributable causes. Alcohol-related harm can be reduced by interventions, such as taxation, government monopolising retail sales, outlet density restriction, hours of sales and an advertising ban. To mitigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, SA instituted a lockdown that also prohibited alcohol sales. This led to a sharp reduction in unnatural deaths in the country from 800–1000/week to around 400/week during the lockdown. We reviewed three 2-week periods at a large rural regional hospital: Before Covid-19 (February), during social distancing (March) and during lockdown with alcohol ban (April). A dramatic drop in patient numbers from 145 to 64 (55.8%) because of assault, from 207 to 83 (59.9%) because of accidents, from 463 to 188 (59.4%) because of other injuries and from 12 to 1 (91.6%) because of sexual assaults was observed during the first 2 weeks of lockdown. As healthcare professionals, we need to advocate for the ban to remain until the crisis is over to ensure that health services can concentrate on Covid-19 and other patients. We encourage other African states to follow suit and implement alcohol restrictions as a mechanism to free up health services. We see this as an encouragement to lobby for a new normal around alcohol sales after the pandemic. The restrictions should focus on all evidence-based modalities.

Advancing alcohol research in low-income and middle-income countries: a global alcohol environment framework

Alcohol-related harm has gained increased attention in high-income countries (HICs) in recent years which, alongside government regulation, has effected a reduction in alcohol consumption. The alcohol industry has turned its attention to low-income and middle-income country (LMIC) markets as a new source of growth and profit, prompting increased consumption in LMICS. Alcohol use in LMICs is also increasing. There is a need to understand particularly in LMICs the impact of industry strategy in shaping local contexts of alcohol use. We draw on conceptualisations from food systems research, and research on the commercial determinants of health, to develop a new approach for framing alcohol research and discuss implications for alcohol research, particularly in LMICs, focusing on South Africa as an illustrative example. We propose a conceptualisation of the 'alcohol environment' as the system of alcohol provision, acquisition and consumption-including, critically, industry advertising and marketing-along with the political, economic and regulatory context of the alcohol industry that mediates people's alcohol drinking patterns and behaviours. While each country and region is different in terms of its context of alcohol use, we contrast several broadly distinct features of alcohol environments in LMICs and HICs. Improving understanding of the full spectrum of influences on drinking behaviour, particularly in LMICs, is vital to inform the design of interventions and policies to facilitate healthier environments and reduce the harms associated with alcohol consumption. Our framework for undertaking alcohol research may be used to structure mixed methods empirical research examining the role of the alcohol environment particularly in LMICs.

Differentiation of H. pylori-negative and positive gastric cancer via regulatory network analysis

AIM

To understand the molecular difference between H.pylori negative and positive gastric cancer, a regulatory network analysis is investigated.

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori as the one of the most leading causes of gastric cancer is yet to be studied in terms of its molecular pathogenicity.

METHODS

Cytoscape version of 3.7.2 with its applications was employed to conduct this study via corresponding algorithms.

RESULTS

A total of 161 microRNAs were identified differentially expressed in the comparison of two groups of gastric cancer including negative and positive with H.pylori infection. CluePedia explored the regulatory network and found down-regulation dominant while considering the linked hub genes.

CONCLUSION

It can be concluded that the presented microRNAs and target genes could have associations with H.pylori carcinogenesis in gastric cancer through dysregulation of some vital biological processes. These microRNAs and target genes include hsa-miR-943, hsa-miR-935, hsa-miR-367, hsa-miR-363, hsa-miR-25, and hsa-miR-196b and ADRA1A, KCNA4, SOD1, and SESN3, respectively. However, verification analysis in this regard is required to establish these relationships.

Recombinant human milk fat globule-EGF factor VIII (rhMFG-E8) as a therapy for sepsis after acute exposure to alcohol

BACKGROUND

Alcohol intake predisposes to infections and sepsis. Alcohol and sepsis inhibit the expression of milk fat globule epidermal growth factor-factor VIII (MFG-E8), a glycoprotein essential for optimal efferocytosis, resulting in the release of proinflammatory molecules and increased sepsis severity. We previously reported that recombinant mouse (rm) MFG-E8 attenuates sepsis-induced organ injury in rats with acute alcohol intoxication. In order to develop a therapy that can be safely used in humans, we have produced recombinant human (rh) MFG-E8 and evaluated its efficacy to ameliorate sepsis after acute exposure to alcohol.

METHODS

We induced acute alcohol intoxication with a bolus injection of alcohol (1.75 g/kg BW) followed by an intravenous infusion of 300 mg/kg/h alcohol for 10 h. Sepsis was then induced by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). At -10, 0, and 10 h relative to CLP, rats received MFG-E8 or vehicle (albumin) intravenously. Animals were euthanized at 20 h after CLP for blood and tissue collection. Additional groups of animals were used for a survival study.

RESULTS

Compared to vehicle, rhMFG-E8 treatment ameliorated blood levels of proinflammatory cytokines (% improvement: TNF-α 49.8%, IL-6 34.7%) and endotoxin (61.7%), as well as of transaminases (AST 36.2%, ALT 40.1%) and lactate (18.4%). Rats treated with rhMFG-E8 also had a significant histological attenuation of the acute lung injury, as well as a reduction in the number of apoptotic cells in the thymus (43.4%) and cleaved caspase 3 (38.7%) in the spleen. In addition, rhMFG-E8 improved the 10-day sepsis survival rate from 45 to 80% CONCLUSION: rhMFG-E8 significantly ameliorated sepsis in rats with acute alcohol exposure, demonstrating rhMFG-E8's potential to be developed as an effective therapy for sepsis in alcohol abusers.

Alcohol use disorders

Alcohol use disorders consist of disorders characterised by compulsive heavy alcohol use and loss of control over alcohol intake. Alcohol use disorders are some of the most prevalent mental disorders globally, especially in high-income and upper-middle-income countries; and are associated with high mortality and burden of disease, mainly due to medical consequences, such as liver cirrhosis or injury. Despite their high prevalence, alcohol use disorders are undertreated partly because of the high stigma associated with them, but also because of insufficient systematic screening in primary health care, although effective and cost-effective psychosocial and pharmacological interventions do exist. Primary health care should be responsible for most treatment, with routine screening for alcohol use, and the provision of a staggered treatment response, from brief advice to pharmacological treatment. Clinical interventions for these disorders should be embedded in a supportive environment, which can be bolstered by the creation of alcohol control policies aimed at reducing the overall level of consumption.

Research Protocol to Evaluate the Effects of Alcohol Policy Changes in Lithuania

Aims

To point out the importance for public health to evaluate the past policy changes (2016-2018) in Lithuania. To present a research protocol to conduct this evaluation.

Short summary

The staggered implementation of key alcohol policies in Lithuania over the past two years offers the possibility to evaluate 'best buys' for alcohol policies for this country. Lithuania is the only country where all 'best buys' were implemented over a short period of time, so this evaluation will be unique.

Methods

Quasi-experimental design based on interrupted time-series analysis of monthly routine statistics of morbidity and mortality indicators as well as key variables on the pathway between alcohol exposure and health outcomes.

Conclusions

For the public health community, results of the evaluation of these policy changes will be of critical importance.