Harmful Alcohol Drinking Research Articles

Analyzing the Relationship between Participation in Sports and Harmful Alcohol Drinking in Early Adolescence: Two-Year Prospective Analysis.

Alcohol drinking is an important health-related problem and one of the major risk factors for a wide array of non-communicable diseases, while there is a lack of studies investigating environment-specific associations between sports participation and alcohol drinking in adolescence. This study prospectively investigated the relationship between sports factors (i.e., participation in sports and competitive achievement), with the prevalence of harmful alcohol drinking (HD), and HD initiation in 14-to-16 years old adolescents from Bosnia and Herzegovina (n = 641, 337 females, 43% living in rural community). Participants were tested over 4-time points divided by approximately 6 months, from the beginning of high school to the end of the second grade. Variables included gender, factors related to sport participation, a community of residence (urban or rural), and outcome: alcohol consumption was assessed by the AUDIT questionnaire. Results evidenced that the prevalence of HD increased over the study period from 6 to 19%, with no significant differences between urban and rural youth. Logistic regression for HD as criterion evidenced adolescents who participated in sports and then quit as being at particular risk for drinking alcohol at the study baseline. Sports factors were not correlated with HD initiation in the period between 14 and 16 years of age. It seems that the problem of alcohol drinking should be preventively targeted in all youth, irrespective of living environment. Although sports participation was not evidenced as being a factor of influence on HD initiation, results highlight the necessity of developing targeted preventive campaigns against alcohol drinking for adolescents who quit sports.

Sport, Physical Activity and (Harmful) Alcohol Drinking in University Students During the First Year After COVID-19 Pandemic: Gender-Stratified Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract Introduction. COVID-19 pandemic increased consumption of alcohol (including harmful drinking – HD), and decreased physical activity levels (PAL) globally, but there is an evident lack of studies examining the problem in the post-pandemic period. This study aimed to evaluate gender-specific associations between sport participation and PAL (independent variables), and HD (dependent variable) among college/university students during the first post-pandemic year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and Methods. The participants were college/university students, aged 18 to 21 years (n = 788; 409 females) from Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. They were tested on socio-demographic factors, HD (using the AUDIT scale), sport participation and PAL (using the IPAQ questionnaire). Analysis of variance, Chi square test, and t-test for independent samples were used to evaluate differences, while logistic regression with dichotomized criterion (HD vs. non-harmful drinking – NHD) was calculated to establish associations between independent and dependent variables. Results. T-test indicated significant differences between HD and NHD in PAL (t-test = 2.16, p = 0.02), but only in males. Also, logistic regression indicated a significant correlation between PAL and HD in males (OR: 1.41, 95%CI: 1.11-1.76), while no association was evidenced: (i) between sport participation and HD (in both males and females), and (ii) between PAL and HD (in females). Conclusions. Results indicated that an overall increase in PAL could be helpful in decreasing HD among college/university students; however, to evaluate it more specifically, prospective analyses are needed.

COVID-19 and International Efforts to Reduce Harmful Drinking

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, efforts to promote health and well-being by reducing harms related to alcohol misuse are likely to be adversely affected by changing sales and policy environments, as well as social distancing requirements imposed to halt virus transmission. In response, the AB InBev Foundation adapted an initiative originally developed to reduce harmful alcohol drinking in five global “City Pilot” demonstration sites that sponsored partnerships between local coalitions and public institutions to reduce alcohol-related harms. Little is known about the effects of a prolonged pandemic on access to alcohol, alcohol misuse and related harms, and ongoing interventions designed to prevent or mitigate these harms. Participants in Community Steering Committees (SteerCos) associated with each City Pilot provided information about the history of the project and the context of implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic. We found that, where feasible, the City Pilots adapted their in-person prevention strategies for online delivery. They also modified the purpose of a Foundation-sponsored fund that was originally intended to support community-based alcohol harm prevention efforts. As repurposed, this fund financed local COVID-19 prevention and emergency response efforts and generated goodwill with community partners.

Occupational position and alcohol use disorders in Poland.

The following analysis covers the role of the occupational structure in the prevalence of alcohol use disorders (AUDs). The authors investigated whether the occupational position affected the prevalence of AUDs among men and women, and how this relationship varied in lifetime and past year periods. Data were taken from the General Population Survey on Mental Health in Poland (EZOP) utilizing the Composite International Diagnostic Interview questionnaire (N = 2806). Binary and multiple regression models were employed to assess the risk of AUDs adjusted for the occupational structure and socio-demographic variables. The occupational position affects the prevalence of AUDs in men, while it has no impact on AUDs in women. Skilled and non-skilled workers suffer from AUDs to a greater extent than those in higher occupational positions. However, the risk of alcohol harm in women seems to be equally distributed across the occupational structure. The uneven pattern of alcohol harm in men and women can be possibly explained by shifting working conditions and work environments, as well as traditional gender roles affecting alcohol behaviors. The findings of the study support further development of the occupational position concept in alcohol research. The problem of harmful alcohol drinking in women across the occupational structure warrants a more in-depth inquiry. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2021;34(5):591-602.

Alcohol Use Disorder and Its Associate Factors Relating to Patients with Severe Mental Disorders Attending Psychiatric Follow-Ups in Northwest Ethiopia.

BackgroundPatients with mental disorders have high rates of co-existing alcohol use disorder and vice versa. Alcohol use disorder has emerged as a major challenge to intervene patients with severe mental disorders. It is under-recognized and has not been investigated well in low-income countries like Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associate factors of alcohol use disorder among patients with severe mental disorders attending psychiatric follow-ups at the University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital, northwest Ethiopia.MethodsA total of 384 patients with severe mental disorders selected by a systematic random sampling technique took part in the interviews for this cross-sectional study. The alcohol use disorder identification test was used to assess the problem. Univariate and multivariate binary logistic regressions were computed to examine the associated factors. An adjusted odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used for reporting the result.ResultsThe prevalence of alcohol use disorder among patients with severe mental disorders was 36.2%. Of the participants, 23.5%, 8.6%, and 4.1% had hazardous, harmful alcohol drinking and alcohol dependency, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, male sex, younger age, psychotic and bipolar disorder diagnoses, having poor social support, moderate and high perceived stress, and current tobacco smoking were factors significantly associated with alcohol use disorder.ConclusionThe prevalence of alcohol use disorder among patients with severe mental disorders was found to be high. Early intervention and integrating treatment services for co-existing mental disorders and alcohol use disorder is important. The special treatment, where it is offered for young male patients and those with the diagnosis of psychotic and bipolar disorders, is recommended to promote the uptake of alcohol and mental health treatment services.

SPORT FACTORS AS CORRELATES OF SMOKING, DRINKING AND MULTIPLE SUBSTANCE MISUSE IN ADOLESCENCE: CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Sport participation is frequently considered as protective factor against substance misuse (SUM) in adolescence, but there is an evident lack of empirical studies which examined this problem taking into account various facets of sport participation (sport factors). This study aimed to evaluate possible associations between various sport factors and SUM in older adolescents from Croatia. The sample comprised 788 adolescents (16-to 18 years of age, 45% females). Variables included sport factors (participation in individual and team sports, competitive achievement in sports, and experience in sports), and SUM data (cigarette smoking, harmful alcohol drinking (HD), and simultaneous HD and smoking [multiple-SUM]). Boys were more involved in sports, and were more likely to be engaged in HD and MSUM than girls. Logistic regressions provided no evidence about significant association between sport factors, and smoking and HD. Sport factors were significantly associated to multiple-SUM, with lower likelihood of MSUM in adolescents who achieved better sport success (OR: 0.57, 95%CI: 0.40-0.78), who were involved in individual sports (OR: 0.71, 95%CI: 0.50-0.91), and team sports (OR: 0.80, 95%CI: 0.56-0.99). Sport factors may be observed as being protective against multiple-SUM, which is explained by characteristics of the sport participation in youth (i.e. orientation toward success, age-bonding, adult supervision).

Physical Activity and Successful Pregnancy in 6 Months: A Finding from the Pregnancy and Urban Environment Study

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the association between physical activity and pregnancy in 6 months among infertile women who underwent in vitro fertilization (IVF).Methods: The participants included in this study were infertile women who underwent IVF at Cha Fertility Center in Seoul Station from October 2019 to February 2020. Of 132 women who agreed to participate in the study, one was eliminated for omitting the exercise questionnaire. A survey assessing the level of physical activity of infertile women was conducted using the Korean version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaires. We calculated metabolic equivalent task-minutes (MET-min) scores and obtained their IVF results after 6 months of the survey. Participants with less than 3,000 MET-min were classified into the minimally active group, and those with ≥3,000 MET-min were classified as the healthenhancing group. The 2 groups were compared based on age, anti-Müllerian hormone levels, body mass index, infertility duration, nulliparity, harmful alcohol drinking, history of smoking, obesity, male factors, and pregnancy rates. Adjusted relative risk for pregnancy was calculated using log-binomial regression analysis.Results: There was no significant difference in basal characteristics between the less active and health-enhancing groups. When controlling for all covariates, the relative risk for pregnancy was close to null with health-enhancing activity. The adjusted pregnancy rate decreased with increasing MET-min in the generalized additive model.Conclusion: We observed no positive association between physical activity and pregnancy rate among interfile women undergoing IVF. To confirm our findings, subsequent interventional studies would be needed.

Polysubstance use and adherence to antiretroviral treatment in the Miami Adult Studies on HIV (MASH) cohort

ABSTRACT Evidence for a relationship between polysubstance use, depression, and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is limited. The objectives of this study were to examine the associations of depression, illicit drug, and alcohol use with adherence to ART. People living with HIV (PLHIV) from the Miami Adult Studies on HIV cohort were asked about the number of doses of their ART medication missed to assess ART adherence. Harmful alcohol drinking was evaluated using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test and illicit substance use assessed with self-report and urine screen. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale was used to assess depression symptoms. Of 391 PLHIV, 16.6% missed at least one dose (range:1–4) in the past four days. Cocaine/crack, opiate use, and depression were significantly independently associated with a greater mean number of doses missed. The mean number of doses missed was significantly greater among participants who used alcohol in combination with cocaine/crack, marijuana, and tobacco compared to non-users. In conclusion, polysubstance use increased the risk for poor ART adherence among PLHIV. The use of cocaine/crack or opiates individually and depressive symptoms also promote poor ART adherence. An integrated approach targeting substance disorders and depression may help achieve better ART adherence.

Effectiveness of Screening and Brief Alcohol Intervention at the Workplace: A Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial at Five Japan-Based Companies.

Despite evidence regarding the effectiveness of screening and brief interventions for excessive alcohol use in primary care, these tools are not a part of routine practice. It has been suggested that using these tools at the workplace may be critical to alcohol-associated harm; however, evidence for this claim is unclear. The aim of this article is to develop a study protocol which evaluates the effect of brief alcohol intervention at the workplace to reduce harmful alcohol drinking. A randomized controlled trial involving employees (aged 20-74 years) of five Japan-based companies who were screened "positive" by Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) is on-going. Participants were randomized into "Patient Information Leaflet" (control group), "Brief Advice and Counselling," and "Five-minute Brief Advice" groups. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess alcohol consumption, lifestyle behavior, health status, work performance, and consequences of alcohol use. Data of laboratory markers were collected from routine health checkups. A total of 351 participants were randomized into Patient Information Leaflet (n = 111), Brief Advice and Counselling (n = 128), and Five-minute Brief Advice (n = 112) groups. Participants were mostly men with a median age of 49 years. Median AUDIT score and weekly alcohol consumption were 11 points and 238 g/week, respectively. Two-thirds of the participants were manufacturing workers. This study protocol developed the first trial in Japan to investigate the effect of brief alcohol intervention combined with a recommended screening tool at the workplace. Our findings can provide evidence on the effectiveness and relevance of these tools to occupational health.

The Activity of N-acetyl-β-hexosaminidase in the Blood, Urine, Cerebrospinal Fluid and Vitreous Humor Died People Due to Alcohol Intoxication.

Background: The article aimed to assess the activity of the hexosaminidase (HEX) and its HEX A and HEX B isoenzymes in persons who suddenly died due to ethanol poisoning and explain the cause of their death. Methods: The research involved two groups of the deceased group A—22 people (20 males, 2 females; the average age 46 years) who died due to alcohol intoxication (with the blood alcohol content of 4‰ and above in all biological materials at the time of death—blood, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, and vitreous humor), and group B—30 people (22 males, 8 females; the average age 54 years), who died suddenly due to other reasons than alcohol. Results: The highest activity of the HEX was found in the serum of A and B groups. A significantly lower activity of HEX, HEX A, and HEX B was observed in the urine of group A in comparison to the sober decedents. Conclusion: The lower activity of HEX and its isoenzymes in the dead’s urine due to ethanol poisoning may suggest its usefulness as a potential marker of harmful alcohol drinking. Damage done to the kidneys by ethanol poisoning may be one of the possible mechanisms leading to death. Kidneys may be damaged intravitally via the inflammatory agent. Thus, it is necessary to conduct further research to evaluate the diagnostic usefulness of exoglycosidases while determining the death mechanisms of people who lost their lives due to ethanol poisoning.

The health behaviour of homosexual and heterosexual women in context of theory of salutogenesis

Aim of the studyComparison of the particular health behaviours and levels of sense of coherence between groups of women who have sex with women (WSW) and women who have sex only with men.Subject or material and methodsThe groups of 33 WSW and 31 women who have sex only with men were investigated. The health behaviours were studied with Inventory of Health Behaviours and the author’s survey, physical activity the Polish version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, the sense of coherence with SOC-29 scale. Probability of harmful or risky alcohol drinking was verified by the screening test CAGE (abbreviation from: Cut, Angry, Guilty, Empty).ResultsWomen who have sex exclusively with men scored higher than WSW in the positive mental attitude. WSW reported more frequent sexual contacts with strangers, admitted using more various psychoactive substances. WSW had lower rates of sense of comprehensibility and manageability and higher level of physical activity.DiscussionWSW and women who have sex only with men show many similarities in their health behaviour and sense of coherence. All the observed differences concern some aspects of less traditional and less healthy lifestyle and less positive mental attitude among WSW. It can be explained by a psychosocial situation and experienced minority stress in this population. Our observation coincides with the results of previous studies.ConclusionsWSW present characteristics which predispose to having more health problems, than women who have sexual contacts exclusively with men. We conclude that WSW should become receivers of special health prevention programs, adjusted to their specific needs.

Patterns and temporal change of psychopathological symptoms among inpatients with alcohol use disorder undergoing a twelve-step based treatment

BackgroundPatients diagnosed with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) present an increased risk for experiencing severe internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Involvement in twelve-step based treatment programs, such as the Minnesota Model (MM), can contribute to improvement of an individual’s psychopathological symptom profile. The present study’s main objective was to examine profiles and change trajectories of psychopathological symptoms of AUD subgroups during an eight-week long period of MM treatment attendance. MethodInpatients with AUD (N = 303) who attended MM treatment programs participated in the present study. Latent Class Growth Analysis (LCGA) was used to evaluate the psychopathological symptom change trajectories assessed by using the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI). Multiple comparisons and multinomial logistic regression were performed to validate the subgroups. ResultsThree subgroups were identified: low severity (48.5%), moderate severity (35.2%), and high severity (16.2%) symptomatic subgroups. The moderate severity class demonstrated the largest effect in terms of symptoms decrease. Higher severity classes showed significantly higher rates of harmful alcohol drinking and drinking motives. ConclusionsThe present study identified three severity-based subgroups which indicate that psychopathology sits on a spectrum of severity among AUD patients. The findings highlight the associations between AUD and internalizing symptoms, negative reinforcement drinking motives, and the symptomatic improvement that can occur among those participating in MM treatment programs.

Multiple self-care behaviors and associated factors in community-dwelling patients with hypertension in Myanmar.

ABSTRACTThis study aimed to identify the prevalence of self-care behaviors and the associated factors among hypertensive patients in primary care in Myanmar. This cross-sectional study was conducted from April to May 2019 among 410 hypertensive patients in Myitkyina Township, Kachin State, Myanmar. Hypertensive patients aged 30–70 years old and being registered at the community health centers in Myitkyina Township were selected using multi-stage cluster random sampling. Self-care behaviors were measured by Hypertensive Self-Care Activity Level Effect (H-SCALE). Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to explore the associated factors. Prevalence of adherence to multiple self-care behaviors were low: avoidance of tobacco use at 50.2%, followed by physical activity at 24.9%, medication at 24.1%, weight management at 9.5%, and healthy diet at 2.7%, while abstinence from harmful alcohol drinking was high at 97.8%. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that younger patients, low family income, inadequate knowledge, and no comorbidity were associated with non-adherence to medication. Living in rural area and having poor self-efficacy were associated with non-adherence to weight management, while being younger, female and having poor self-efficacy were also associated with non-adherence to physical activity. Compared with Kachin, other ethnics were more likely to be non-adherent to avoidance of tobacco use. Although a majority of respondents were not harmful drinkers, adherence to medication, healthy diet, physical activity, weight management and avoidance of tobacco use were very low. Health practitioners should provide education programs for hypertensive patients to direct them towards practical techniques in managing their blood pressure.

Faktori koji utiču na razvoj depresije kod osoba koje konzumiraju alkohol

Introduction: About 90% of people consume alcohol at some point in their lives. Alcohol abuse occurs in 5-10% of these, while addiction develops in 10% of men and 3-5% of women. Alcohol consumption can induce depression or contribute to its severity. Objective: The study aimed to examine the existence of statistically significant associations between patterns of drinking alcohol, duration of alcohol use, and sociodemographic factors with depression present in persons consuming alcohol. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study included 100 individuals, 25.0% women and 75.0% men, with an average of 53.0 ± 1.5 years consuming alcohol over a period of eight months, from 01.10.2018. to 01.06.2019. at the Krupa Health Center on the Una. In addition to the additional tests, they also used the Audit of Identity Disorders Identification Disorders (AUDIT) test and Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI). Results: Participants with harmful alcohol drinking had a statistically significant presence of depression compared to subjects with other alcohol drinking patterns (p <0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the presence of depression in relation to the duration of alcohol use (p = 0.09) and the gender of subjects consuming alcohol (p = 0.07). Participants aged 40-59 with high school diploma who consumed alcohol had statistically significant presence of depression in relation to other good groups and the level of education (p <0.05).Conclusion: The study confirmed the significant role of harmful alcohol drinking, the age and level of education in the development of depression in persons consuming alcohol.

Social distribution of tobacco smoking, alcohol drinking and obesity in the French West Indies

BackgroundTobacco smoking, alcohol and obesity are important risk factors for a number of non-communicable diseases. The prevalence of these risk factors differ by socioeconomic group in most populations, but this socially stratified distribution may depend on the social and cultural context. Little information on this topic is currently available in the Caribbean. The aim of this study was to describe the distribution of tobacco smoking, alcohol drinking and obesity by several socioeconomic determinants in the French West Indies (FWI).MethodsWe used data from a cross-sectional health survey conducted in Guadeloupe and Martinique in 2014 in a representative sample of the population aged 15–75 years (n = 4054). All analyses were stratified by gender, and encompassed sample weights, calculated to account for the sampling design and correct for non-response. For each risk factor, we calculated weighted prevalence by income, educational level, occupational class and having hot water at home. Poisson regression models were used to estimate age-adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).ResultsCurrent smoking and harmful chronic alcohol use were more common in men than in women (PR = 1.80, 95% CI = 1.55–2.09; PR = 4.53, 95% CI = 3.38–6.09 respectively). On the other hand, the prevalence of obesity was higher in women than in men (PR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.57–0.79). Higher education, higher occupational class and higher income were associated with lower prevalence of harmful alcohol drinking in men (PR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.25–0.72; PR = 0.73, 95% CI = 0.53–1.01; PR = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.51–1.03 respectively), but not in women. For tobacco smoking, no variation by socioeconomic status was observed in men whereas the prevalence of current smoking was higher among women with higher occupational class (PR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.13–1.91) and higher income (PR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.11–2.03). In women, a lower prevalence of obesity was associated with a higher income (PR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.33–0.56), a higher occupational class (PR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.50–0.80), a higher educational level (PR = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.26–0.50) and having hot water at home (PR = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.54–0.80).ConclusionWomen of high socio-economic status were significantly more likely to be smokers, whereas alcohol drinking in men and obesity in women were inversely associated with socioeconomic status.

32. Liver Transplantation in Alcoholic Liver Disease: Does It Impact on Socioeconomic Parameters?

Background and Aims: Active alcoholism is generally considered a contraindication to liver transplantation. The major concern both for treating team and family relates to vulnerability to relapse alcoholism. We aim to study the impact of liver transplantation on the psycho-social and economic parameters of patients with alcoholic liver disease. Methods: Study was designed as a prospective observational study. Data was collected using self made questionnaire (Aster transplant protocol psycho-social economic assessment). Patients who underwent liver transplantation for alcoholic liver disease between December 2015 to April 2018 were included in the study. Alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT) score >8 was used to diagnose harmful alcohol drinking. Results: During the study period we performed 126 liver transplantation of which 21 were for alcoholic liver disease. Out of 21 patients, 11 underwent deceased donor liver transplantation and 10 underwent living donor liver transplantation. Transplantation made a positive impact on all the psycho-social and economic parameters assessed. At six months after transplantation, 95.2% of were employed compared to 33.6% at pre-transplantation period. The average monthly income of the family was higher in the post-transplantation period compared to the pre-transplantation period. Liver transplant also made a positive impact on family unit. Conclusions: There is a definite positive impact for liver transplantation on the psycho-social and economic parameters of patients with alcoholic liver disease. The authors have none to declare.

Prevalence of behavioral risk factors of cardiovascular diseases and associated socio-economic factors among pregnant women in a rural area in Southern Nepal

BackgroundCardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have dramatically infiltrated populations living in abject poverty in Low- and Middle-income Countries (LMICs), and poor maternal and child health outcomes have been frequently reported for those with CVD risk factors. However, few studies have explored the behavioral risk factors of CVDs among pregnant women in rural settings. This study aimed at determining the prevalence and identifying the socio-economic predictors of behavioral risk factors of CVDs among pregnant women in rural area in Southern Nepal.MethodsA Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 52 clusters of Dhanusha District of Nepal in a total of 426 pregnant women in their second trimester using multistage cluster sampling method. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to assess independent associations between behavioral risk factors during pregnancy and maternal socio-economic characteristics.ResultsOf the 426 study participants, 86.9, 53.9, 21.3 and 13.3%, respectively, reported insufficient fruits and vegetables consumption, insufficient physical activity, tobacco use, and harmful alcohol drinking. Socio-economic factors significantly associated with more than one behavioral risk factors in expectant mothers with a primary level education (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.78; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) (1.35–5.72)), 20–34 years age group (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 0.27; 95% CI (0.13–0.56)), and those with the highest wealth index (AOR 0.36; 95% CI (0.16–0.84)).ConclusionHigher prevalence of behavioral risk factors for CVDs and their socio-economic factors prevailing among pregnant women living in rural Nepal call for immediate health promotion interventions such as community awareness and appropriate antenatal counseling.

Educational and sport factors as predictors of harmful alcohol drinking in adolescence: a prospective study in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The cause-effect relationship between educational and sport factors, and alcohol drinking in adolescents is rarely prospectively investigated. This study aimed to establish the possible influence of sport, scholastic and socio-demographic factors on harmful alcohol drinking (HD) and the initiation of HD in adolescents from Bosnia-Herzegovina. Study included 881 adolescents (49% females) and consisted of (1) baseline tests (16years of age) and (2) follow-up testing (18years of age). The independent variables were scholastic and sport-related factors. Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test was used, with the following dependent variables: (1) HD at baseline, (2) HD at follow-up, and (3) HD initiation. Logistic regressions were applied to define the relationships. Higher likelihood of HD was evidenced in children who performed poorly in school. Sport factors were positively correlated with HD at study baseline. Higher odds for HD initiation were found for adolescents who reported a lower GPA, a lower behavioral grade, more frequent school absences, and more unexcused school absences. The results showed scholastic failure as the predictor of HD initiation. The potential influence of sport factors on HD initiation should be studied at an earlier age.

Evidencing Protective and Risk Factors for Harmful Alcohol Drinking in Adolescence: A Prospective Analysis of Sport-Participation and Scholastic-Achievement in Older Adolescents from Croatia.

Background: The prevalence of alcohol drinking (AD) in Croatian adolescents is alarming, but there is an evident lack of prospective analyses of the protective/risk factors of AD. This study aimed to prospectively investigate the relationships between scholastic and sport factors and harmful alcohol drinking (HD) in older adolescents. Methods: The participants (n = 644, 53.7% females) were 16 years of age at study baseline and were tested at baseline and again 20 months later (follow-up). The predictors included four variables of scholastic achievement and four factors evidencing involvement in sport. Criterion was AD observed on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), and results were later categorized into harmful drinking (HD) and non-harmful drinking (NHD). The HD at baseline, HD at follow-up and HD initiation during the study course were observed as criteria in logistic regression analyses, which were additionally controlled for confounders (age, gender, socioeconomic status, and conflict with parents). Results: With 22% and 29% adolescents who reported HD at baseline and follow-up, respectively, the prevalence of HD remains among the highest in Europe. Scholastic failure was systematically related to HD at baseline and follow-up, but scholastic variables did not predict HD initiation during the course of the study. The higher odds for HD at baseline were evidenced for current and former team sport athletes. Those who quit individual sport were more likely to engage in HD at follow-up. Longer involvement in sport (OR: 2.10, 95% CI: 1.18–3.72), higher sport result (OR: 3.15, 95% CI: 1.19–8.34), and quitting individual sport (OR: 13.13, 95% CI: 2.67–64.62) were predictive of HD initiation. Conclusions: The results indicated specific associations between sport factors with HD initiation, which is understandable knowing the high stress placed on young athletes in this period of life, mainly because of the forthcoming selection between junior (amateur) and senior (professional) level. The results did not allow interpretation of the cause-effect relationship between scholastic failure and HD in the studied period.

Harmful alcohol drinking among HIV-positive people in Nepal: an overlooked threat to anti-retroviral therapy adherence and health-related quality of life

ABSTRACTBackground: People living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) often suffer from alcohol-use disorders resulting in their poor health and treatment outcomes. Little is known about the association of harmful alcohol drinking with their adherence to anti-retroviral therapy (ART) and health-related quality of life (QOL) in low-resource settings.Objective: This study aimed to investigate associations between harmful alcohol drinking, adherence to ART and health-related QOL in HIV-positive people, stratified by gender, in Nepal.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 682 HIV-positive people on ART to measure their self-reported harmful alcohol drinking and non-adherence to ART in the previous month of data collection. We also measured health-related QOL using a WHOQOL-HIV BREF scale. The association between harmful alcohol drinking and non-adherence to ART was examined using multiple logistic regressions. Additionally, multiple linear regressions examined association between harmful alcohol drinking and QOL.Results: Harmful alcohol drinking was associated with non-adherence to ART among men (AOR: 2.48, 95% CI: 1.50, 4.11, p < 0.001) and women (AOR: 2.52, 95% CI: 1.32, 4.80, p = 0.005). Men were more likely to have lower score for the psychological (β = −0.55, p = 0.021) and level of independence (β = −0.68, p = 0.018) domains when they had harmful alcohol drinking. Moreover, women were more likely to have lower scores for the physical (β = −1.01, p = 0.015), social relations (β = −0.82, p = 0.033), environmental (β = −0.88, p = 0.011), and spiritual (β = −1.30, p = 0.005) domains of QOL when they had harmful alcohol drinking.Conclusions: Harmful alcohol drinking had a negative association with ART adherence and QOL in both HIV-positive men and women in Nepal. Screening for alcohol-use disorders and community-based counseling services should be provided while delivering ART services to improve treatment adherence and QOL.