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Motyka MA, Al-Imam A, Haligowska A, Michalak M. Helping Women Suffering from Drug Addiction: Needs, Barriers, and Challenges. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:14039. [PMID: 36360917 PMCID: PMC9656705 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192114039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Statistical data on the use of various psychoactive substances indicate a narrowing of previous differences in substance use between men and women. Data from studies conducted among women suffering from drug addiction are increasingly published, with the authors highlighting the specific needs of this group and the difficulties that women with addiction problems encounter. The current study aimed to identify the barriers and needs of this audience, both when seeking help and during treatment. The method used in the study was secondary content analysis. To identify publications describing the barriers and needs of women suffering from drug addiction, we searched the PubMed database to find publications that met the adopted research objective. We set the data search period to the last ten years to examine the timeliness of the issue under study. The search yielded 199 research reports. Twenty-three articles describing 21 studies were included in the final analysis. The selected publications dealt with the difficulties and challenges faced by women with addiction problems. Barriers to accessing treatment for this group, the needs, and the challenges of helping women suffering from addiction were identified. Results showed that the barriers are mainly stigma but also deficits in the therapeutic offerings for this group. The primary need was identified as the introduction of appropriate drug policies, and the challenges, unfortunately, are the still-reported gender inequalities. To improve the situation of women, regular attention to these issues and the need to include them in national health strategies is essential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marek A. Motyka
- Institute of Sociological Sciences, University of Rzeszow, 35-959 Rzeszów, Poland
| | - Ahmed Al-Imam
- Department of Computer Science and Statistics, Doctoral School, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 61-806 Poznan, Poland
- Department of Anatomy and Cellular Biology, College of Medicine, University of Baghdad, Baghdad 10001, Iraq
- Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 2AD, UK
| | | | - Michał Michalak
- Department of Computer Science and Statistics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Rokietnicka 7 St. (1st Floor), 61-806 Poznan, Poland
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Muwfaq Younis N. Efficacy of Health Beliefs Model-Based Intervention in Changing Substance Use Beliefs among Mosul University Students: A Randomized Controlled Trial. RB 2022. [DOI: 10.21931/rb/2022.07.02.35] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Substance use disorders (SUD) are a significant health concern worldwide. Substance abuse is a persistent problem linked to high rates of illness and loss. These issues are also responsible for many healthcare workers and health bills. However, the Substance use problems are associated with capitalize health retrogradation, weakness and death due to impacts and exceed. Throughout Iraq, there is growing concern about the effects of violence and war on drug use. To see how effective HBM-based intervention is at changing college students' health beliefs about drug usage. Using a randomized controlled trial approach, experimental design is carried out throughout the current study to determine the efficacy of health beliefs model-based intervention in changing the belief related to substance use among university students in Mosul City from 26-November 2019 to 1-March 2021. The study sample consisted of 80 students who participated in the training program for behavioral change. The intervention for the experimental group involved a health education lecture about substance use. Analyzed data using SPSS, Version 23 using both descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (Means, SD, Number and percentage). These results revealed statistically significant differences among all concepts of the Health Belief Model related to substance use, adding to behavioral motivation, behavioral control and intention) overtime.
On the contrary, the perceived barrier was the only belief that showed no significant changes over time. According to the findings, the design of an HBM-based study could impact students' cognition and conduct in the field of drug dependence. Given the positive association across HBM dimensions and pupils' opinions, notably in "significant advantages and regarded harshness," These beliefs seemed to have a strong connection to each other and the avoidance of alcoholism.
Keywords: Efficacy, Health Beliefs Model, Belief, Substance Use, Students.
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Rostam-Abadi Y, Gholami J, Amin-Esmaeili M, Safarcherati A, Mojtabai R, Ghadirzadeh MR, Rahimi H, Rahimi-Movaghar A. Tramadol use and public health consequences in Iran: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Addiction 2020; 115:2213-2242. [PMID: 32196801 DOI: 10.1111/add.15059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 11/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Misuse of tramadol, an opioid prescription analgesic, is known as a public health challenge globally. We aimed to systematically review studies on the prevalence of non-prescribed use, regular tramadol use and dependence, tramadol-induced poisoning and mortality in Iran. METHODS Consistent with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, international (Medline, Scopus, Web of Science) and Persian (SID) databases were systematically searched up to June 2019. Other relevant data were collected through personal contacts and review of reference lists. Pooled estimates of prevalence of tramadol use in subgroups of males and females, percentage of tramadol poisoning among admitted poisoning cases, tramadol-associated seizures and mortality among tramadol poisonings and percentage of tramadol as a cause of death among fatal drug-poisoning records were estimated through a random-effects model. RESULTS A total of 84 records were included. Pooled estimates of last 12-month use of tramadol in the Iranian general population were 4.9% [95% confidence interval (CI) = 4.1-5.9] and 0.8% (95% CI = 0.2-1.8) among males and females, respectively. The estimates for last 12-month use among Iranian male and female university students were 4.8% (95% CI = 1.9-8.9) and 0.7% (95% CI = 0.3-1.1), respectively. Six heterogeneous reports indicated the existence of regular use of tramadol and dependence in Iran. Sixty-two studies provided data on tramadol-induced poisoning, seizures and mortality. The pooled estimate of the percentage of tramadol poisoning among all drug-poisoning patients was 13.1% (95% CI = 5.7-22.9). The overall estimates of seizures and mortality among tramadol-poisoning patients were 34.6% (95% CI = 29.6-39.8) and 0.7% (95% CI = 0.0-1.9), respectively. The pooled percentage of tramadol-related fatalities among drug-poisoned cases was 5.7% (95% CI = 0.5-15.4). CONCLUSION Despite control policies, tramadol use is as prevalent as the use of illicit opioids in Iran. Numerous cases of tramadol abuse, dependence, poisonings, seizures and hundreds of tramadol-related deaths have been reported in recent years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasna Rostam-Abadi
- Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jaleh Gholami
- Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoumeh Amin-Esmaeili
- Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Anousheh Safarcherati
- Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ramin Mojtabai
- Department of Mental Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | - Hosein Rahimi
- Division of Pharmaceuticals and Narcotics Affairs, Ministry of Health, Tehran, Iran
| | - Afarin Rahimi-Movaghar
- Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Kumar GS, Wien SS, Phares CR, Slim W, Burke HM, Jentes ES. Health profile of adult special immigrant visa holders arriving from Iraq and Afghanistan to the United States, 2009-2017: A cross-sectional analysis. PLoS Med 2020; 17:e1003118. [PMID: 32401775 PMCID: PMC7219704 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 04/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Between 2,000 and 19,000 Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders (SIVH) from Iraq and Afghanistan resettle in the United States annually. Despite the increase in SIV admissions to the US over recent years, little is known about the health conditions in SIV populations. We assessed the burden of select communicable and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in SIV adults to guide recommendations to clinicians in the US. METHODS AND FINDINGS We analyzed overseas medical exam data in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Electronic Disease Notification system (EDN) for 19,167 SIV Iraqi and Afghan adults who resettled to the US from April 2009 through December 2017 in this cross-sectional analysis. We describe demographic characteristics, tuberculosis screening results, self-reported NCDs, and risk factors for NCDs (such as obesity and tobacco use). In our data set, most SIVH were male (Iraqi: 59.7%; Afghan: 54.7%) and aged 18-44 (Iraqi: 86.3%; Afghan: 95.6%). About 2.3% of Afghan SIVH and 1.1% of Iraqi SIVH had a tuberculosis condition. About 0.3% of all SIVH reported having chronic hepatitis. Among all SIVH, 56.5% were overweight or had obesity, 2.4% reported hypertension, 1.1% reported diabetes, and 19.4% reported current or previous tobacco use. Iraqi SIVH were 3.7 times more likely to have obesity (95% CI: 3.4-4.0), 2.5 times more likely to report diabetes (95% CI: 1.7-3.5), and 2.5 times more likely to be current or former smokers (95% CI: 2.3-2.7) than Afghan SIVH. Limitations include the inability to obtain all SIVH records, self-reported medical history of NCDs, and the underdiagnosis of NCDs such as hypertension and diabetes because formal laboratory testing for NCDs is not used during overseas medical exams. CONCLUSION In this analysis, we found that 56.5% of all SIVH were overweight or had obesity, 2.4% reported hypertension, 1.1% reported diabetes, and 19.4% reported current or previous tobacco use. In general, Iraqi SIVH were more likely to have obesity, diabetes, and be current or former smokers than Afghan SIVH. State public health agencies and clinicians doing domestic screening examinations of SIVH should consider screening for obesity-as per the CDC's Guidelines for the US Domestic Medical Examination for Newly Arriving Refugees-and smoking and, if appropriate, referral to weight management and smoking cessation services. US clinicians can consider screening for other NCDs at the domestic screening examination. Future studies can explore the health profile of SIV populations, including the prevalence of mental health conditions, after integration into the US.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gayathri S. Kumar
- Immigrant, Refugee and Migrant Health Branch, Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Simone S. Wien
- Immigrant, Refugee and Migrant Health Branch, Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Christina R. Phares
- Immigrant, Refugee and Migrant Health Branch, Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Walid Slim
- Migration Health Division, International Organization for Migration, Erbil, Iraq
| | - Heather M. Burke
- Immigrant, Refugee and Migrant Health Branch, Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- Migration Health Division, International Organization for Migration, Amman, Jordan
| | - Emily S. Jentes
- Immigrant, Refugee and Migrant Health Branch, Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
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Bhatnagar A, Maziak W, Eissenberg T, Ward KD, Thurston G, King BA, Sutfin EL, Cobb CO, Griffiths M, Goldstein LB, Rezk-Hanna M. Water Pipe (Hookah) Smoking and Cardiovascular Disease Risk: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation 2020; 139:e917-e936. [PMID: 30845826 DOI: 10.1161/cir.0000000000000671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Tobacco smoking with a water pipe or hookah is increasing globally. There are millions of water pipe tobacco smokers worldwide, and in the United States, water pipe use is more common among youth and young adults than among adults. The spread of water pipe tobacco smoking has been abetted by the marketing of flavored tobacco, a social media environment that promotes water pipe smoking, and misperceptions about the addictive potential and potential adverse health effects of this form of tobacco use. There is growing evidence that water pipe tobacco smoking affects heart rate, blood pressure regulation, baroreflex sensitivity, tissue oxygenation, and vascular function over the short term. Long-term water pipe use is associated with increased risk of coronary artery disease. Several harmful or potentially harmful substances present in cigarette smoke are also present in water pipe smoke, often at levels exceeding those found in cigarette smoke. Water pipe tobacco smokers have a higher risk of initiation of cigarette smoking than never smokers. Future studies that focus on the long-term adverse health effects of intermittent water pipe tobacco use are critical to strengthen the evidence base and to inform the regulation of water pipe products and use. The objectives of this statement are to describe the design and operation of water pipes and their use patterns, to identify harmful and potentially harmful constituents in water pipe smoke, to document the cardiovascular risks of water pipe use, to review current approaches to water pipe smoking cessation, and to offer guidance to healthcare providers for the identification and treatment of individuals who smoke tobacco using water pipes.
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Al-Harbi FF, Gamaleddin I, Alsubaie EG, Al-Surimi KM. Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Anabolic-androgenic Steroid Use: A Cross-sectional Study among Gym Users in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Oman Med J 2020; 35:e110. [PMID: 32257419 PMCID: PMC7105805 DOI: 10.5001/omj.2020.28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) have been used internationally for enhancing physical appearance and performance despite their significant side effects. We sought to identify the prevalence of AAS use and its different risk factors among gym users in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional survey was distributed among gym users across 20 gyms in Riyadh. The cluster sampling technique was used to represent the four regions of Riyadh (North, South, East, and West). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the factors associated with AAS. Results Out of 482 participants, 29.3% reported using AAS. The mean age of the study participants was 27.2±6.9 years, 61.0% were single, 67.1% were educated, 35.5% were government employees, and 31.1% were students. The use of AAS was more prevalent among gym members who practiced weightlifting (45.5%), were employed in the private sector (35.8%), and aged > 25 years old (53.3%). Multiple logistic regression showed that the most significant factors associated with the use of AAS among gym members were: weightlifting, using supplementary vitamins or minerals, following special diets, knowing individuals who used AAS, and being offered AAS. Conclusions Our study provides clear evidence that the lifetime prevalence of AAS use is high among male gym members in Riyadh with modifiable risk factors. The results could help public health policymakers to take the necessary measures to alleviate the potential negative implications of AAS use at the community level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fares F Al-Harbi
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Ministry of the National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Islam Gamaleddin
- Department of Medical Sciences, Institute of Environmental Studies and Research, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.,General Directorate of Poison Control Centers, Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ettab G Alsubaie
- College of Medicine, King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khaled M Al-Surimi
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, College of Public Health and Health Informatics, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Honorary Senior Research Fellow, School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, UK
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7
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Al-Gburi K, Al-Murshedi R, Abd Alridha AM, Baiee H. A cross-sectional study of epidemiological factors associated with drug use among secondary school students. Journal of Substance Use 2020. [DOI: 10.1080/14659891.2020.1736664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Hasan Baiee
- College of Medicine of Hamorabi, University of Babylon, Babel, Iraq
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8
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Abstract
An understanding of alcohol's place in Iraq's history and society can help inform alcohol policy responses in that country and other Muslim majority countries. This article describes the history of alcohol in Iraq from ancient to modern times, with reflection on the challenges facing Iraqi youth today. A search was undertaken to identify peer-reviewed and gray literature that describes alcohol-related practices, norms, and values across the millennia in Iraq. A historical overview is provided of alcohol's use and context, with more detail on recent times. Alcohol was an important commodity in Iraq until the rise of Islam in the seventh century CE. Despite the subsequent Islamic restrictions on alcohol, alcohol remained present in Iraq's society and cultures. Recent studies provide varying descriptions of the prevalence of alcohol consumption, and there are challenges in researching this sensitive topic. External forces shaping alcohol use in Iraq include direct and indirect alcohol promotion, globalized media, and conflict and violence with its associated stress and trauma. Alcohol research and policy development in Iraq must consider the country's unique cultural, religious, historical, and political context. Iraq's youth may be subject to pressures to increase consumption, and thus policies must be informed by an understanding of the complex set of current perspectives and pressures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Al Ansari
- The University of Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Angela Dawson
- Faculty of Health, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia
| | - Kate Conigrave
- The University of Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.,Drug Health Services, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia
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9
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Alharbi FF, Gamaleddin I, Alharbi SF, Almodayfer O, Allohidan F, Alghobain M, Arafah A, Al-Surimi K. Knowledge, attitudes and use of anabolic-androgenic steroids among male gym users: A community based survey in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Saudi Pharm J 2018; 27:254-263. [PMID: 30766438 PMCID: PMC6362160 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2018.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 11/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Recreational use of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) is a growing worldwide public health concern. However, studies assessing the level of awareness and knowledge of its effects on health are fairly limited, especially in developing countries, including Saudi Arabia. This community-based cross-sectional study was conducted to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices among male gym members toward AAS in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) from March to October 2016. Twenty gyms were randomly selected from four different geographical regions (clusters) within Riyadh. In total, 482 participants responded to the self-administered anonymous questionnaire, which covered socio-demographic data, data assessing knowledge, attitude and behavior related to AAS use. The mean (±standard deviation) age of study participants was 27.2 (±6.9) years. Among these, 29.3% of participants reported having used AAS, while the majority (53.5%) reported hearing of AAS use, mostly through friends. Most study participants reported awareness of the effects of AAS on muscle mass, body weight and muscles strength (53.2%, 51.1% and 45.5%, respectively). In contrast, a higher proportion of study participants were unaware of the side-effects of AAS use. A high proportion of study participants (43.2%) reported that they had been offered AAS and 68.7% believed that AAS are easily accessible. Most of the gym users (90.1%) reported never having used any narcotics or psychoactive drugs. Regression analysis revealed that use of anabolic-androgenic steroids is significantly associated with “weight lifting practice” OR [95%CI] = 1.9[1.02 − 3.61], P = 0.044; “using supplementary vitamins, OR [95%CI] = 7.8[4.05 − 15.03], P < 0.0001, knowing anyone using anabolic-androgenic steroids’ OR [95%CI] = 7.5[3.78 − 14.10], P < 0.0001, and someone advised Gym users to take anabolic-androgenic steroids” OR [95%CI] = 2.26[1.23 − 4.14], P < 0.008. Our findings suggest that the level of awareness regarding the possible side-effects of AAS is fairly limited. Thus, efforts directed toward educating the public and limiting access to AAS as well as health policy reforms are crucial to reduce future negative implications of AAS use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fares F Alharbi
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Ministry of the National Guard Health Affairs, College of Medicine, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Medicine, Mental Health Division, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Islam Gamaleddin
- Department of Medical Sciences, Institute of Environmental Studies and Research, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.,General Directorate of Poison Control Centers, MOH, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Samar F Alharbi
- Pharmacy Department, Security Forces Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Omar Almodayfer
- Department of Medicine, Mental Health Division, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fahad Allohidan
- Department of Medicine, Mental Health Division, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammed Alghobain
- Department of Medicine, Mental Health Division, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Asaad Arafah
- Department of Medicine, Mental Health Division, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khaled Al-Surimi
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Ministry of the National Guard Health Affairs, College of Public Health and Health Informatics, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Primary Care and Public Health Department, School of Public health, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Mahmood N, Othman S, Al-Tawil N, Al-Hadithi T. Impact of an education intervention on knowledge of high school students concerning substance use in Kurdistan Region-Iraq: A quasi-experimental study. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0206063. [PMID: 30379926 PMCID: PMC6209211 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0206063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Substance use among adolescents especially smoking, is becoming a public health problem in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. School-based health education is an appropriate approach for improving students' knowledge regarding substance use in an attempt to prevent or reduce such problem The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of an educational intervention for high school students to improve their knowledge for substance use and its negative consequences, which will, in turn, motivate students to take protective measures against substance use. METHODS This quasi-experimental (one group; pre, and post-test) design was carried out in Erbil city from January 2017 to June 2017. A random sampling technique was employed to collect a sample of 280 students amongst four high schools in Erbil city which is the capital of Kurdistan Region-Iraq. A self- administered questionnaire on knowledge assessment regarding substance use was developed and validated by the experts regarding the relevance of the items. A structured teaching program for imparting knowledge on various aspects of substance use was developed based on extensive review of literature and experts' opinion. The intervention program consisted of a series of 4 education modules. These modules were mainly taught by "Rabers" over a period of four weeks (one session per week). SPSS version 21 was used for data entry and analysis. Data was analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics (McNemar tests, paired t-test, and Chi-square test). RESULTS Out of 280 students, a total of 270 students completed a pre and post-intervention survey. Of the 270 students, 124 (45.9%) were males and 146 (54.1%) were females. The mean age ± SD of the participants was 16.59 ± 0.784 years, ranging from 15-18 years. The study reveals a statistically significant improvement in the mean score of knowledge of students following the implementation of a health education program from 15.959 ± 3.25 to 20.633 ± 3.26 (p < 0.001). Moreover, no one of the students remained with poor knowledge, and relatively more than half (50.2%) of the students have upgraded to good knowledge level. CONCLUSION Implementing a health education program about substance use on high school students in Erbil city had improved the knowledge of students about this topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazar Mahmood
- Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Iraq
- * E-mail:
| | - Samir Othman
- Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Iraq
| | - Namir Al-Tawil
- Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Iraq
| | - Tariq Al-Hadithi
- Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Iraq
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To systematically review current epidemiological literature on androgen abuse. Estimates from 32 empirical epidemiological articles were reviewed. RECENT FINDINGS Generally, androgen abuse epidemiology and prevalence is higher in Europe, the Middle East, North America (the USA), Oceania (Australia and New Zealand), and South America (Brazil) and lower in Africa and Asia. In contrast to the general population, androgen abuse epidemiology and prevalence is higher among athletes, injection drug users, recreational sportspeople, and sexual and gender minorities. SUMMARY From the 1970s, androgen abuse spread from athletes into the general population. Consistent with previous evidence, reviewed studies suggest that androgen abuse epidemiology and prevalence is higher in Western cultural contexts, the Middle East, and South America (Brazil) and lower in Africa and Asia. Evidence also corroborates indications that androgen abuse is less prevalent among women (vs. men), and in the general population in contrast to particular subpopulations consisting of athletes, injection drug users, recreational sportspeople, and sexual and gender minorities. Adolescents' androgen abuse should be of special concern. Androgen abuse in some nonsports occupations (e.g. security workers) requires further exploration. Polypharmacy and the Internet proliferation of androgens and other PIEDs require surveillance for prevention and harm reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic Sagoe
- Department of Psychosocial Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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12
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Abbas MJ, Alhemiary N, Razaq EA, Naosh S, Appleby L. The Iraqi national study of suicide: Report on suicide data in Iraq in 2015 and 2016. J Affect Disord 2018; 229:56-62. [PMID: 29306693 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2017.12.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2017] [Revised: 11/22/2017] [Accepted: 12/26/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Very little is known regarding the epidemiology of suicides in Iraq, given the lack of a national surveillance system. Therefore, the government initiated this project "The Iraqi National Study of Suicide METHODS: The study covered 13 (out of 18) provinces in Iraq. A data collection form was designed by the researchers. The forms were completed by police stations in the 13 provinces. Data were extracted from the legal investigation (which include police investigation, family reports and postmortem reports) of cases of when there was no clear cause of death and where there was final verdict of suicide made by judge after examining these reports. RESULTS There were 647 cases of suicide. The crude rate of suicide per 100 000 population was 1.09 (1.21 for males, 0.97 for females) in 2015 and 1.31 (1.54 for males and 1.07 for females) in 2016. The majority of cases (67.9%) were aged 29 years or below. The most common method was hanging (41%) followed by firearms (31.4%) and self-burning (19.2%). 24.1% of cases were reported to have psychiatric disorders, of which the most common diagnosis was depression (53.9%). In the majority of cases (82.1%) there were no previous attempts. Only a small minority were reported to have had psychological trauma (15.5%), financial problems (12.4%) or childhood abuse (2.2%). LIMITATIONS The study covered only 13 provinces in Iraq. We were able to calculate age-standardized rates for year 2016 only. Data are based on official police records and under-reporting and under-recognition of psychiatric disorders are possible. CONCLUSION On the basis of data available to this study, the suicide rate in Iraq is lower than the global rate. Suicide is more common in young people, where the gender distribution is almost equal. Social and cultural factors might have played a role in these patterns. The findings underscore the need of a national registry with a comprehensive and multipronged surveillance approach to correctly identify suicide events. This study aims to be the first step in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed J Abbas
- Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, Bradgate Unit, Glenfield Hospital, Groby Road, Leicester LE3 9EJ, United Kingdom.
| | | | | | | | - Louis Appleby
- University of Manchester, Chair, National Suicide Prevention Strategy Advisory Group for England, United Kingdom
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