RESUMO
In recent evidence from the United States, there generally are no male-female differences in the probability of drug use among persons who report an opportunity to try the drugs. This is an important observation that might help us understand male-female differences in later drug use and dependence, but the observation needs to be replicated elsewhere. We begin this replication process using data from a 1996 national school survey of drug involvement among 6,477 students age 12-18 in Panama. We first examine the occurrence of an opportunity to use drugs by grade. We then follow these analyses with an examination of male-female differences in drug opportunity patterns. We found opportunities to use drugs and actual drug use to be greater at higher grade levels. Also, we found the probability of making a transition to use, given an opportunity, to be more likely among upper-grade students. Consistent with results observed in the United States, we found males in Panama to be more likely to have an opportunity to use marijuana, crack-cocaine, and other forms of cocaine, but not more likely than females to make a transition into drug use once an opportunity had occurred to try each drug. These findings are discussed in relation to the epidemiology and prevention of drug use in Panama and elsewhere, and future research on male-female differences in drug involvement.
Assuntos
Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Substâncias/epidemiologia , Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Substâncias/psicologia , Adolescente , Idade de Início , Criança , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Panamá/epidemiologia , Probabilidade , Instituições Acadêmicas , Distribuição por Sexo , Estudantes/psicologia , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
This report provides the first epidemiological evidence on tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use among school students in Panama, using data from a student survey completed in 1996. Specifically, we examine sex, age, grade level, type of school, and urban-rural variations in the occurrence of tobacco, alcohol, and other drug use. Estimates of lifetime prevalence and past-year use of these products were obtained using data from Panama's 1996 National Youth Survey on Alcohol and Drug Use (n = 6,477). To account for the multistage sampling design of the survey, all estimates and respective standard errors are derived by the Taylor series approximation method using Epi Info 6.0 CSAMPLE software. In general, more males, more older students, and more students in higher grades have used licit and illicit drugs, even though male-female differences tend to be small. Public-private school differences and urban-rural trends vary depending on the drug. The findings of this study are discussed in relation to the epidemiology and prevention of drug use in Panama. Based on these data, we seek to provide information to be used by the Government of Panama in its planning for prevention programs directed toward students in Panamanian schools.
Assuntos
Comportamento do Adolescente , Alcoolismo , Fumar , Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Substâncias , Adolescente , Criança , Feminino , Inquéritos Epidemiológicos , Humanos , Masculino , Panamá/epidemiologia , População Rural , Estudos de Amostragem , Instituições Acadêmicas/classificação , Razão de Masculinidade , População UrbanaRESUMO
The present paper describes a rapid assessment carried out in 1996 at Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, with a view to defining the sociocultural groups at risk and gaining insight, through the comments of those interviewed, into their perceptions of the phenomenon of drug abuse, their reasons for abusing drugs, the drugs most frequently abused and the psychological and social factors involved when they enter, remain in and finally leave drug-abusing circles. By using qualitative methodology and techniques it was possible to gain access to the typical world inhabited by the interviewees, and thus to characterize the subjects of the study in the light of their closest social reference points (family, peer group, education and work). Among the conclusions of the study are the following: drug abuse is a complex and dynamic phenomenon that has occurred throughout the society of Santa Cruz, fostered by cultural and economic factors; there is a need for society, and especially the Government, to devise a specific, focused and diversified range of services, both in prevention and in rehabilitation, with integration and participation being key features of such initiatives; and the mechanisms for controlling the production of drugs and drug trafficking need to be strengthened.
Assuntos
Vigilância da População/métodos , Detecção do Abuso de Substâncias/métodos , Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Substâncias/epidemiologia , Transtornos Relacionados ao Uso de Substâncias/prevenção & controle , Saúde da População Urbana , Adolescente , Adulto , Bolívia/epidemiologia , Feminino , Grupos Focais , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Humanos , Masculino , Fatores de Risco , Fatores Socioeconômicos , Inquéritos e Questionários , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
One hundred thirteen adult victims of a major Latin American disaster were screened for emotional distress 1 and 5 years after the catastrophe. We used the Self-Reporting Questionnaire to identify emotionally distressed victims. Results indicate that the prevalence of emotional distress decreased from 65% in 1986 to 31% in 1990. However, a comparison of the symptomatology on these two assessments indicates a similarity in the frequency and profiles of symptoms among the distressed. Also, the most frequent symptoms and the strongest predictors of emotional distress were essentially the same. These findings provide empirical support to the clinically observed course of emotional symptomatology of disaster victims and to the focused training of health workers on selected emotional problems that are consistently present over time.