RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Psychological well being and the degree of satisfaction with life are likely to affect a range of social behaviours and determine uptake of health and social services. It is important to identify the factors that inform these constructs. AIMS: We sought to identify the variables which best predicted psychological well being in the Caribbean country, Jamaica and also those associated with feelings of satisfaction with life. METHODS: Interviews were conducted on young adults aged 15-50 years as part of a sexual decision-making survey in Jamaica. Information was collected on a range of social, health and demographic variables and a measure of psychological well being--Centre for Epidemiological Studies of Depression (CES-D). Satisfaction with life was measured using a Likert scale in response to the question 'Are you satisfied with your life as a whole?' Multiple regression analyses were used to determine the predictors of psychological well being and satisfaction with life. RESULTS: There were 2580 respondents (1601 women and 979 men). The mean age was 29.7 years (standard deviation 9.2 years). Women had lower levels of psychological well being and satisfaction with life. Independent predictors of lower psychological well being were having an acute illness, having a chronic illness in women and high religious behaviour in men. Satisfaction with life was predicted by younger age, marital status and employment. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that health variables are more important for psychological well being while social circumstances are more significant for satisfaction with life. There are important gender differences in the mediation of psychological well being as well as age differences in the variables associated with satisfaction with life.
Assuntos
Nível de Saúde , Estilo de Vida , Satisfação Pessoal , Qualidade de Vida , Autoimagem , Comportamento Social , Adolescente , Adulto , Tomada de Decisões , Feminino , Humanos , Jamaica , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Comportamento SexualRESUMO
Because of the high prevalence of marijuana smoking in Jamaica, it is important to know if this practice is associated with increased risk for STD infections. A national sample of 2 580 randomly selected Jamaicans, aged 15 to 49 years were administered a questionnaire to measure a number of health and behavioural variables. The results indicated that more persons who smoked marijuana before sex had a history of STD infections than non-marijuana smokers, the difference was significant among men (46% vs 26%, p < 0.001) but not among women (19% vs 8%, p = 0.09). There was no difference in age, however, more of the smokers were unmarried, poorly educated and unemployed than persons who did not smoke marijuana before sex. They were also more likely to engage in high risk sex behaviours and other risk taking behaviors than non-smokers. The results of multiple logistic regression analyses indicated that marijuana smoking before sex was an independent risk factor for STDs among men (Odds Ratio = 2.0, p = 0.04). Although it was not possible to determine if the association was causal, the increased risk for STDs among men who smoke marijuana before sex should be incorporated into the Jamaican STD/AIDS control programme by making special efforts to encourage condom use among marijuana smokers.
Assuntos
Fumar Maconha/efeitos adversos , Fumar Maconha/epidemiologia , Comportamento Sexual , Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis/epidemiologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Feminino , Inquéritos Epidemiológicos , Humanos , Jamaica/epidemiologia , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Razão de Chances , Fatores de Risco , Assunção de Riscos , Inquéritos e QuestionáriosRESUMO
Because of the high prevalence of marijuana smoking in Jamaica, it is important to know if this practice is associated with increased risk for STD infections. A national sample of 2,580 randomly selected Jamaicans, aged 15 to 49 years were administered a questionnaire to measure a number of health and behavioural variables. The results indicated that more persons who smoked marijuana before sex had a history of STD infections than non-marijuana smokers, the difference was significant among men (46 percent vs 26 percent, p < 0.001) but not among women (19 percent vs 8 percent, p = 0.09). There was no difference in age, however, more of the smokers were unmarried, poorly educated and unemployed than persons who did not smoke marijuana before sex. They were also more likely to engage in high risk sex behaviours and other risk taking behaviors than non-smokers. The results of multiple logistic analyses indicated that marijuana smoking before sex was an independent risk factor for STDs among men (Odd Ratio = 2.0, p = 0.04). Although it was not possible to determine if the association was causal, the increased risk for STDs among men who smoke marijuana before sex should be incorporated into the Jamaican STD/AIDS control programme by making special efforts to encourage condom use among marijuana smokers
Assuntos
Adolescente , Adulto , Feminino , Humanos , Comportamento Sexual , Fumar Maconha/psicologia , Fumar Maconha/epidemiologia , Infecções Sexualmente Transmissíveis/prevenção & controle , Fatores Socioeconômicos , Razão de Chances , Fatores de Risco , Fatores Etários , Escolaridade , JamaicaRESUMO
Despite the disproportionate use of "hard drugs" in certain ethnic minority communities, and the unique patterns of drug abuse in others, many have complained that there remains an absence of attention paid to the special problems of substance abuse by Afro-Americans, American Indians, Asian Americans, and Latinos. Furthermore, no comprehensive review of drug abuse by American ethnic minorities has ever been undertaken. In response to these concerns, an assessment of the current status of the drug abuse field, relative to ethnic minorities, was undertaken. The review included delineation of ethnic-specific problems and the institutional and scientific responses to those concerns. Strategies for addressing inadequacies are proposed.