RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Although there is a growing literature on racial/ethnic differences in alcohol, tobacco and other drug use among adolescents, relatively little is known about the social epidemiology of drug use within the black youth population. The purpose of this article is to address this knowledge gap. METHOD: Data from the Monitoring the Future Project are used to examine empirically the prevalence, trends and sociodemographic correlates of drug use among nationally representative samples of black eighth, tenth and twelfth graders (approximate N = 25,000). RESULTS: Alcohol is the drug most widely used by black youth, followed by tobacco and marijuana. By twelfth grade, seven in 10 black secondary students have used alcohol, less than 50% have smoked cigarettes, 25% have used marijuana and less than 2% have used cocaine. Trend data indicate that, although alcohol use has been relatively stable over time, cigarette and marijuana use are increasing. Gender and family structure are significant sociodemographic correlates of drug use, with use being, on average, higher among males than females, and higher among students who do not live with either of their parents than among those who live with at least one of their parents. The relationships between drug use and socioeconomic status, urbanicity and region vary depending on students' grade level and the specific drug in question. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide an important empirical baseline for future research on the epidemiology and etiology of drug use among young black people.
Asunto(s)
Consumo de Bebidas Alcohólicas/epidemiología , Negro o Afroamericano/estadística & datos numéricos , Trastornos Relacionados con Cocaína/epidemiología , Fumar Marihuana/epidemiología , Fumar/epidemiología , Adolescente , Consumo de Bebidas Alcohólicas/tendencias , Niño , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Fumar Marihuana/tendencias , Análisis Multivariante , Oportunidad Relativa , Prevalencia , Muestreo , Factores Sexuales , Fumar/tendencias , Factores Socioeconómicos , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Estados Unidos/epidemiología , Población Urbana/estadística & datos numéricos , Población Urbana/tendenciasRESUMEN
Although past research has long documented religion's salutary impact on adult health-related behaviors and outcomes, relatively little research has examined the relationship between religion and adolescent health. This study uses large, nationally representative samples of high school seniors to examine the relationship between religion and behavioral predictors of adolescent morbidity and mortality. Relative to their peers, religious youth are less likely to engage in behaviors that compromise their health (e.g., carrying weapons, getting into fights, drinking and driving) and are more likely to behave in ways that enhance their health (e.g., proper nutrition, exercise, and rest). Multivariate analyses suggest that these relationships persist even after controlling for demographic factors, and trend analyses reveal that they have existed over time. Particularly important is the finding that religious seniors have been relatively unaffected by past and recent increases in marijuana use.
Asunto(s)
Conductas Relacionadas con la Salud , Religión , Adolescente , Análisis de Varianza , Humanos , Estilo de Vida , Análisis Multivariante , Asunción de Riesgos , Trastornos Relacionados con Sustancias , Estados UnidosRESUMEN
Fibrin mixtures have been used as a solder in conjunction with argon ion lasers to create strong tissue welds in several organ systems. An analogous method of meniscus repair could obviate the need for partial meniscectomy and its subsequent degenerative effects in a subset of meniscal tears. This study measured the in vitro tensile strength in 4 groups of human menisci (1-mm x 2-mm x 5-mm sections): (1) bisected menisci repaired with fibrin clot mixture, (2) bisected menisci bonded by fibrin clot mixture and exposure to argon laser energy (energy density, 60 W/cm2), (3) bisected menisci repaired with 2 interrupted sutures, and (4) untreated meniscal controls. After irradiation with argon ion laser energy, the tensile strength of the laser-assisted fibrin clot-bonded menisci increased 40-fold over that of nonirradiated fibrin clot-bonded menisci. Suture controls (0.515 +/- 0.221 MPa) had a higher tensile strength than the fibrin clot mixture and irradiated groups; however, the suture controls had only 8.5% the strength of native menisci (6.081 +/- 0.221 MPa). Laser-assisted fibrin clot soldering may allow the opposing edges of a meniscal tear to be held together with a biologic scaffold, possibly inducing reparative cell migration and proliferation.