Prevalence Of Substance Use Research Articles

Prevalence and correlates of self-reported substance use among undergraduate students in a medical college of North India: An observational study

Abstract Background: Medical education in India has been one of the toughest professional courses. A student away from home has full independence to try new things. Addictive substances are one of them. Objective: The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence and correlates of self-reported substance use in the last 6 months among apparently healthy undergraduate medical students. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was carried out at a tertiary care hospital and medical college located in Faridabad, Haryana, among medical undergraduates admitted between 2018 and 2021. Two hundred and twenty-four students were approached using stratified random sampling. Stratification was done according to the year of admission of students. Self-reported use of any substance in the last 6 months was the outcome variable. Results: The prevalence of self-reported substance use in the last 6 months among the medical undergraduate students was 27.2% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 21.7–33.3). Alcohol was used by majority (91.9%; 95% CI: 83.2–96.9%), and tobacco use was reported by 38.7% (95% CI: 27.3–51.1%); maximum among prefinal-year students (45.5%). The prevalence of any substance use was higher among those who had a history of use of alcohol in family (58.3% [95% CI: 44.3–72.2]) and those who used any type of substance before joining undergraduate medical course (80% [95% CI: 55.6–94.0]). Conclusion: More than one-fourth of students self-reported the use of any substance use. The pocket money obtained by students, their family history of use of alcohol, and male sex were determinants of substance use.

Prevalence and Patterns of Polysubstance Use (Tobacco and Other Substances) and Associated Factors: A Cross-Sectional Analysis in a High-Risk Cohort for Oral Cancer in Varanasi, India, with a Special Focus on Young Emerging Adults.

The dearth of population-based data on polysubstance use, especially in young emerging adults, presents a critical gap in understanding public health challenges, particularly in rural India, where tobacco and oral cancer are prevalent. This study addresses this gap by investigating the prevalence and patterns of substance use, with a focus on young emerging adults (18-29 years) within a high-risk cohort for oral cancer in Varanasi, India. The study involved a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from 10,101 participants within a high-risk cohort in rural settings of the Varanasi district between December 2020-June 2023. This region has high rates of tobacco use and oral cancer. Polysubstance use was defined as the lifetime concurrent use of two or more substances for at least a year. The study examined the prevalence of any substance use, polysubstance use, and associated socio-demographic factors. Univariable and multivariable analyses were employed to identify significant predictors. The prevalence of any substance use in the study population was 55.7%. Tobacco use was most prevalent (94.3%), followed by areca nut (44.8%), alcohol (6.6%), and cannabis (0.8%). Among young emerging adult substance users, the prevalence of polysubstance use was 42.6%. Predictors of polysubstance use included age, male gender, employment status, and income. This study offers vital insights into substance use among rural Indian communities, particularly among young adults who are at a critical juncture in their lives. The findings underscore the urgent need for evidence-based strategies to address this region's multifaceted public health challenge of polysubstance use. Literature is scarce on population-based data for the prevalence and pattern of polysubstance (tobacco and other substances) use in India, both for the young and adult population. We studied the prevalence and pattern of substance use in a predominantly rural district of India, which reportedly has the second-highest burden of oral cancer among all Indian population-based cancer registries. We found that more than half (55.7%) of the study population used at least one substance; among them, nearly half (42.4%) used two or more substances. Tobacco use was the most prevalent form (94.3%), followed by areca nut use (44.8%), alcohol (6.6%) and cannabis (0.8%). Polysubstance use was prevalent among young emerging adult substance users. Age, male gender, employment, and income were predictors of polysubstance use. Distinct sociocultural factors shaping substance use in India necessitate research.

Characterization of substance use pattern among secondary school students in Nasarawa State, Nigeria

BackgroundThe prevalence of substance use among secondary school children in Nasarawa State, North-Central Nigeria, is unknown.ObjectiveTo provide comprehensive prevalence estimates of substance use and associated factors among in-school adolescents in Nasarawa, Nigeria.Methods A cross-sectional, multi-stage survey was conducted among 1600 students in 26 schools. Students completed a self-administered questionnaire regarding socio-demographics and substance use habits. The questionnaire was adapted from a standardized questionnaire.ResultOf the 1518 who completed the questionnaire, there were more boys (51.3%) than girls. Most participants were 16–18 years old (55.3%), attending non-residential (70%), private (54.4%), and mixed-sex schools (79.3%). Most were Christians (83.4%) and from monogamous families (73.2%). The prevalence of ever-tried cigarette smoking was 14.8%, marijuana (13.6%), and inhalants (12.9%). Students > 18 years were more likely to ever try cigarette smoking (aOR 1.88, 95%CI 0.99–3.58), tried during the last 12 months (aOR 2.29, 95%CI 1.18–4.46), and tried during the last 30 days (aOR 2.41, 95%CI 1.12–4.84) than those younger. Students whose either parent smoked were more likely to ever try cigarette smoking (aOR 9.9, 95%CI 6.95–14.23), marijuana (aOR 9.74, 95%CI 6.78–13.99), inhalants (aOR 7.27, 95%CI 5.04–10.50), and other psychoactive substances (aOR 9.25, 995%CI 6.53–13.11) than students whose parents do not. Substance usage was influenced by factors such as being Muslim and in SS1 class, attending a public and non-residential school, coming from polygamous homes, and living with single parents.ConclusionSecondary school students in Nasarawa State exhibit variable substance use behaviors, influenced by socio-demographic factors, requiring consideration in substance use interventions.

The prevalence of tobacco, alcohol, stimulant, khat, and cannabis use among school-going students in African and Arab countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The objectives of this review and meta-analysis were twofold: first, to determine the prevalence of substance use among school-going children in Arab and African countries; and second, to highlight the considerable influence of variables such as the nation's region and the timeframe of the study on the prevalence of substance use. Research was sourced from Science Direct, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and PubMed. Thirty-seven articles were incorporated in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. This review included studies published from 2013 to 2023. The statistical metaanalysis was performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis ver. 3 software. Across 37 studies, the total number of study participants was 73,508. The meta-analysis revealed that tobacco was the most commonly used substance, with a prevalence of 16% (95% confidence interval [CI], 12.7%-20.02%). This was closely followed by alcohol, which had a prevalence of 15% (95% CI, 10.5%-22.8%), stimulants at 11.4% (95% CI, 7.4%- 17%), khat at 10% (95% CI, 5.7%-15%), and cannabis at 8% (95% CI, 3.3%-18.4%). Notably, alcohol was the only substance that showed an increasing trend in prevalence from before to after 2019, rising from 13.3% (95% CI, 6.2%-26.1%) to 17% (95% CI, 10.2%-27%) (p< 0.001). Additionally, the prevalence of substance use varied significantly between Arab and African countries (p< 0.001). Although the prevalence of substance use among school-going populations has significantly decreased over time, with the exception of alcohol, it is imperative that both African and Arab countries implement comprehensive measures and stringent laws to address the production and marketing of substances.

Evaluating a transitional housing program for people who use substances (PWUS) who experience homelessness and live with a mental health issue: a mixed-methods study protocol in Sudbury Ontario

BackgroundA new transitional housing program was established in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, in response to the escalating global prevalence of substance use and homelessness, and the specific challenges faced in Northern Ontario. This protocol outlines a comprehensive program evaluation to assess its impact on patient outcomes, healthcare utilization, and client perspectives.MethodsWe will conduct a parallel mixed-method study that includes the analysis of single-center-level administrative health data and primary data collection. This includes a longitudinal observational study (target n = 1,200), pre- and post-admission quantitative interviews (target n = 40), and qualitative interviews (target n = 40). We will implement a participatory approach to this evaluation collaborating with people who use substances, frontline staff, and decision-makers. Data analysis methods include a range of statistical techniques, including logistic regression models, Cox proportional hazards models, Kaplan-Meier curves, Generalized Estimating Equations, and thematic qualitative analysis, ensuring a robust evaluation of patient outcomes and healthcare utilization.DiscussionThis protocol underpins a comprehensive assessment aimed at providing insights into the program’s effectiveness in addressing substance use-related challenges, reducing healthcare disparities, and improving patient outcomes, such as stable housing and increased social capital. All study procedures adhere to the ethical principles outlined in the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans. Findings will be disseminated progressively through established committees and working groups and subsequently published in peer-reviewed journals. Anticipated outcomes include informing evidence-based healthcare decision-making and driving improvements in addiction treatment practices within healthcare settings.

Prevalence of Substance Use among Students in The University of Kufa, 2023

Background: Substance use involves psychoactive drug consumption (both legal and illegal), including alcohol, tobacco, heroin, cocaine, and medically restricted drugs. It's a global public health issue, with over 275 million people (over 5% of the global population aged 15-64) using substances, with a 22% increase since 2010. In Iraq, substance use is a major concern, especially among males. This study aims to assess the prevalence of substance use among students in the University of Kufa, and to identify its associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted in the University of Kufa during the period from February 15th till March 15th, 2023. Socio-demographic data was collected using a specially designed questionnaire and a total of (396) participants from four different colleges were randomly selected. Results: The study enrolled (396) participants with almost equal proportion from each of the included colleges. Mean age was (21.4 ± 2.2) years. More than half of the participants were females. Tobacco use was the most common used substance within recent year (19.9%) which was significantly higher among males (P-value &lt; 0.001). Pain killers use was the second most common (10.1%) with a significantly higher prevalence among females (P-value = 0.002). Conclusion: This study concludes that substance use is present among college students, mainly of tobacco and pain killers. Peer pressure was one of the important factors that influence substance use, especially among the vulnerable age group of 20-24 years.

Retention in primary care among unstably housed residents of a low-income, inner-city neighborhood with a high prevalence of substance use and related disorders

IntroductionAccess to and engagement with primary healthcare can be difficult for marginalized low-income populations residing in inner cities in high-income countries. We designed a study to examine retention in primary care among clients of a novel interdisciplinary primary care clinic in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, Canada who did not previously have access to care.MethodsBeginning in June 2021, clients of the Hope to Health clinic were offered enrolment in a cohort study which involved a baseline and follow-up surveys every six months, and linking their data to information from the clinic’s electronic medical records. We used Chi-square or Fisher’s Exact test and Wilcoxon rank sum test to compare clients who were lost to follow-up (LTFU) or deceased, with clients who were retained in care at the end of follow-up, Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to examine independent associations with mortality or LTFU.ResultsAmong 425 participants enrolled, the median age was 50 years (IQR 40–59), 286 (67.3%) participants were men and 128 (25.4%) were unstably housed at enrollment. Among 338 participants with at least six months of follow-up after enrolment, 262 participants (67.5%) were retained in care, 20 (5.2%) had moved, 57 (14.7%) were classified as LTFU, and 28 (7.2%) had died with a median of 19.9 months of follow-up time. The risk of death or LTFU was independently associated diagnosed with alcohol use disorder (AUD) (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] = 2.23 vs. not; 1.38–3.60), frequency of medical doctor visits (AHR = 0.69 per visit per 3 months; 0.60–0.79) and social work visits (AHR = 0.73 per visit per 3 months; 0.59–0.90. Stimulant use disorder or asthma were not significantly associated with retention in care.ConclusionWe found that a primary healthcare model of care was successful in retaining over two-thirds of clients in primary healthcare after more than 18 months of follow-up. Additional supports for those diagnosed with alcohol use disorder are needed to retain them in care.

Investigation of prevalence of substance use disorders using direct and indirect methods and factors affecting initiation of substance use

ABSTRACT Background Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) are among some of the major health problems in different societies, especially in Iran, resulting in devastating outcomes. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of SUDs using both direct and indirect (network scale-up (NUS) and cross-wise model (CM) methods and to identify the factors affecting initiation of substance use. Methods The study was conducted among people aged 15–69 years in Kermanshah, Iran, with a total of 6127 people selected utilizing a stratified sampling method. Results The prevalence of SUDs was estimated at 3.85% by direct CM, 11.05% by indirect CM and 10.07% by NUS. The results of multivariate logistic regression revealed that the most important factors in increasing the chance of substance use were history of substance use in the family, mental diseases, poor economic status, and age group of 31–45 years. Conclusion Regarding the almost three-fold prevalence of indirect methods for estimating the prevalence of SUDs compared to direct methods on the one hand and the high prevalence of substance use in the province on the other, special prevention health programs are required by considering the groups at risk.

Prevalence of substance use among a sample of patients attending an outpatient psychiatric clinic in Amman, Jordan

BackgroundThe issue of substance use is increasingly being recognised as a significant global public health concern. In relation to its influence in the Arab world, scholarly investigation continues to be regarded as relatively constrained in scope. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of substance use among patients with psychiatric disorders, as well as the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of this patient population.This cross-sectional study included 671 patients with psychiatric disorders who attended an outpatient private psychiatric clinic in Amman, Jordan, between January and May 2023. We compared the demographic and clinical characteristics of substance-using and non-substance-using patients. Bivariate and multiple binary logistic regression analyses were used to investigate factors associated with substance use.ResultsThe patients were aged 20–80 years, with a mean age of 32.45 ± 10.18 years. Most patients were men, more than half were single and unemployed, and mood disorders were the most prevalent psychiatric disorder. Male sex, a younger age, lower educational attainment, current unemployment, and having a family history of substance use were associated with substance use. Substance users exhibited a higher propensity for engaging in self-harming behaviours, having medical conditions, and being subjected to emotional trauma.ConclusionsThis study found that patients with psychiatric disorders are vulnerable to experiencing substance use. Clinicians should contemplate directing their attention towards patients as a strategy to proactively address the issue of emerging substance use and enhance overall treatment outcomes.

Substance use during pregnancy and postpartum among individuals with perinatally-acquired HIV in the United States

Use of cannabis and alcohol were common during pregnancy and the first year postpartum among people with HIV in the United States (2007–2019), but there were no major differences in substance use during pregnancy based on mode of HIV acquisition. The relatively high prevalence of substance use in this population, particularly postpartum alcohol and cannabis use, warrants further attention.

Associations between college enrollment and trends in substance use among young adults in the US from 2015 to 2019

ABSTRACT Background: Substance use among college students has negative academic and health outcomes. Identifying substances that are more commonly used by students than non-students can reveal specific risks in the college environment. Objectives: To examine associations between college enrollment and prevalence and trends of use of a comprehensive list of substances. Methods: The sample included 2015–2019 participants in the National Survey on Drug Use and Health who were aged 18 to 22 and who were full-time enrolled or not enrolled in college. Prevalence of substance use was calculated for four subgroups: college males (n = 6,707), college females (n = 8,284), non-college males (n = 10,019), and non-college females (n = 9,266). Multivariate logistic regression was used to model the relationships between enrollment and substance use. Temporal trends in substance use prevalence were calculated for each subgroup. Results: College enrollment was associated with prescription stimulant misuse (aOR 1.50, 95% CI: 1.35–1.67), alcohol use (aOR 1.36, 95% CI: 1.27–1.47), and binge drinking (aOR 1.22, 95% CI: 1.15–1.30). From 2015 to 2019, the only substance whose use significantly increased among any subgroup was cannabis. The increase occurred among females only (+4.7% in college females and +5.6% in non-college females; both p < .01). Conclusions: College enrollment is most strongly associated with prescription stimulant misuse, suggesting that colleges should consider explicitly including stimulant misuse prevention in their health promotion strategies. The increasing use of cannabis among females warrants clinicians’ attention to routine screening for use and provision of information about the mental health impacts of cannabis.

Perspectives on addiction-related problems in India.

To offer insights into various salient substance use and addictive behaviours related aspects as applicable to India. We synthesised the published literature on addictive disorders from India. While not a systematic review of all available literature, the synthesis captures relevant themes including salient epidemiological findings, issues related to the prevention and management services targeted at addictive disorders, key observations in the context of the state of addiction science in the country, the policy status and its implications for the country. In general, the prevalence of substance use in India seems to be lower compared with global averages. For opioids, the prevalence rate is higher than the global average. Addiction prevention and treatment options for persons with addictive disorders in India can be best described as 'diverse': there is a wide range of services available, which vary across settings. Some models, services and products aimed at prevention and treatment of addictive disorders have been developed in the country. The policy, regulatory framework and programs targeted at addictions are not entirely in sync with the science. India has a substantial body of addiction science research. The addiction landscape in India is complex and evolving. There is a heterogeneity not only across the different themes related to addiction, but also within the themes across different parts of the country.

Prevalence of substance use among adolescents residing in urban slums of Vellore: A cross-sectional study.

Adolescent substance abuse is a growing public health concern. Adolescence is the starting point for adult substance misuse. The likelihood of acquiring dependence in adulthood is significantly decreased when substance use is not initiated during adolescence. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of substance use among teenagers, as well as to determine the age of initiation and identify the factors that are linked to substance use. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in an urban community in Vellore by a tertiary care teaching hospital. A structured questionnaire was administered by the principal investigator to all adolescent boys aged between 10 and 19 years residing in that area for the past year who gave informed consent/assent to assess the prevalence of substance use among teenagers. The total number of adolescent boys enrolled in the study was 266. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of the participants was 16.14 (2.2) years, with a median age of 16 years. Out of the 266 adolescent boys, 33.8% are currently using substances and 15% were past users. The common substance used was smoking tobacco (30%), followed by alcohol consumption (29%). The minimum age of initiation of smoking tobacco and ganja use was 9 and 7 years, respectively. Significant predictors of substance usage included the participant's educational background and the substance use of their parents. According to this community-based study's findings, smoking tobacco was the most frequently used substance by teenagers, with a higher prevalence of current substance use. Substance misuse in the family was substantially associated with increased drug usage among teenagers. Notwithstanding having an adequate comprehension of the negative results of substance utilisation, teenagers develop this habit, which they might carry into adulthood. It is therefore necessary to establish comprehensive prevention and control programs in schools and the community that target teenagers and their parents.

Cannabis use, mental health and suicide attempts among adolescents in Puerto Rico

Abstract Cannabis is the most widely used illicit substance worldwide, with recent reports estimating an 11.6% annual prevalence of use in North America. Mental health, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts and completed suicides, has been the focus of several studies exploring its association with frequent cannabis use. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association between cannabis use, mental health symptoms and suicide attempts among adolescent students in Puerto Rico. Consulta Juvenil X is a monitoring program that aims to study the prevalence of substance use, mental health and violent behavior as well as the risk factors associated with those practices. The survey was conducted during the 2018-20 academic year. The study utilizes a self-administered questionnaire. The sample included 4,668 (54%) females and 3,977 (46%) males. Half of the sample was between seventh and ninth grade with a median age of 15 years old. The majority of the sample was recruited from the public school system in Puerto Rico (70.3%). The prevalence of marihuana use in the public and private schools participating in the study was 9.4% and the suicide attempts was 7.6%. Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed that students who use marihuana during the last year were significantly more likely to report depressive and anxiety symptoms after controlling for sociodemographic variables. Moreover, adolescents who use marihuana were significantly more likely to report suicide attempts after controlling for depression symptoms (OR = 3.07; 95%CI: 2.53-3.72). Findings of this study suggest that adolescents who report marihuana use seem to be at higher risk for mental health problems and suicide attempts. Understanding who is most likely to report marihuana use is important in developing interventions to prevent mental health problems and suicidal behaviors. Key messages • Findings of this study suggest that adolescents who report marihuana use seem to be at higher risk for mental health problems and suicide attempts. • Understanding who is most likely to report marihuana use is important in developing interventions to prevent mental health problems and suicidal behaviors.

Does parent-child connectedness influence substance use among Bhutanese adolescents: evidence from a national survey?

Highlights• Tobacco use was highest, followed by alcohol and marijuana use.• The prevalence of substance use was higher in male than female adolescents.• Parental homework supervision significantly lowered the odds of alcohol and tobacco use.• Parental free-time supervision significantly reduced the odds of alcohol and tobacco use.• No significant association was found between parent-child connectedness and marijuana use.

Prevalence of Substance Use Among Students in Health Colleges in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Substance misuse is a global and substantial health concern that includes the inappropriate use of illicit substances or prescription and over-the-counter medications, which subsequently leads to poor outcomes such as a mental health disorder, financial distress, work malfunction, and academic failure. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of substance use, identify associated risk factors, explore potential complications within this specific demographic, and investigate the relationship between sociodemographic/lifestyle variables such as age, gender, marital status, family income, smoking, physical activity, and academic variables including grade point averages (GPAs), study hours, and the parental educational level with substance use history among students in health colleges in Saudi Arabia. This quantitative, descriptive cross-sectional study employed a questionnaire-based approach to collect data from students in health colleges across the regions of Saudi Arabia in the year 2022. The study found the prevalence of the use of various substances among students in health colleges to be 20.2%. Multiple factors were found to be associated with substance abuse. Smoking habits were the strongest predictor of substance misuse, with 49.1% of smokers reporting a history of substance use, compared to only 15.5% of non-smokers. This makes smoking the most impactful lifestyle factor related to substance use. Sleep patterns also played a significant role. A notable 43.6% of those who took up to two hours to fall asleep reported substance use, followed by 32.4% of those with sleep disorders and 25.5% with poor sleep quality. Unpredictable sleep patterns and a history of sleep disorders further strengthened the link between disrupted sleep and substance misuse. Academic performance, specifically GPA, showed that individuals with lower academic achievement were more likely to report substance use. Among those with a GPA below 3.0, 43.5% had a history of substance use, while only 16.7% of those with a GPA above 4.5 did so. The findings underscored the high prevalence of substance use, even among students in health colleges, and shed light on its connection to specific determinants. This poses a serious public health concern, as substance use is associated with poorer GPA, diminished knowledge acquisition, and overall academic performance. This, in turn, may negatively impact their future roles as healthcare providers, compromising both the quality of patient care and their personal well-being. These results emphasize the need for further investigations to unravel the underlying mechanisms of substance misuse and formulate innovative strategies to address this pressing issue effectively.

Substance use by homeless clinic attenders in Sydney.

Describe patterns of substance use and comorbid conditions among clinic attenders in homeless shelters in Sydney. Retrospective cohort study of 2498 people who attended a psychiatric clinic at one of three homeless hostels between February 2008 and May 2020. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with self-reported substance use, psychiatric diagnosis and measures of social function. A total of 2041 of the 2498 (81.7%) reported the harmful use of at least one substance, with alcohol (61.8%), cannabis (50.9%) and stimulant drugs (34.9%) the three most common. Those reporting the regular use of two or more substances (1466, 58.7%) were more likely to have a history of early life and adult trauma, a diagnosis of personality disorder, a criminal conviction, receive the Disability Support Pension, be chronically homeless and sleep in the open. The study found a high rate of polysubstance use among homeless clinic attenders in Sydney, and an increase in the prevalence of substance use compared to previous studies. Substance use is both a cause and a consequence of homelessness, and services to address substance use have to be part of any program to reduce homelessness and sleeping in the open.

Prevalence of substance use among inpatients in two tertiary care hospitals in Tehran

ABSTRACT Background Non-medical use of substances among hospitalized patients is a significant medical challenge, disrupting effective patient care particularly in chronic disease conditions. Therefore, this study looked at how often patients admitted to two hospitals in Tehran might use substances. Methods The present study is a descriptive, cross-sectional research. 286 patients admitted to 12 departments of Rasoul Akram and Firoozgar hospitals in Tehran, were selected by simple random sampling. The WHO ASSIST tool was utilized to quantify the frequency of substance use across different categories. Results Our data revealed a lifetime, and recent (past three months) substance use frequency of 87.4% and 83.6% respectively. The most common substances among men were tobacco (81%), opioids (58%), and alcohol (48%), while sedatives (66%), tobacco (48%), and opioids (46%) were the most common substances among women. Young patients (18–39 years) had a history of substance use across all measured drug categories. The highest frequency of drug use was observed in psychiatry, neurology, orthopedics, and surgery departments. Conclusion Our research revealed a relatively high prevalence of drug use among hospitalized patients. These findings underscore the importance of integrating assessments for non-medical drug use and addiction disorders alongside patients’ existing illnesses to ensure comprehensive patient care.

The effects of substance use on non-communicable diseases among older adults aged 60 and above in the North-eastern States of India.

The North-eastern region of India has a relatively higher prevalence of substance use, which together with poor dietary practices and a lack of physical activity is one of the key risk factors for NCDs among older adults in the region. Understanding the prevalence of NCDs and their relationship to substance use can help develop preventive strategies and sensitization in North-eastern India. To assess the prevalence of NCDs and the strength of the association of substance abuse among the geriatric population of North-eastern states in India, for the development of preventive strategies. Data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI Wave-I, 2017-18) were drawn to develop this paper. The bi-variate and binary logistic regression analyses were carried out to predict the association between non-communicable diseases and substance use adjusting select socio-demographic characteristics. The paper revealed the prevalence of NCDs among urban people (61.45%) is higher than among rural people (42.45%). Hypertension (37.29%) can be seen as the most prevalent disease among the following given NCDs followed by Diabetes (8.94%). The chances of having Cancer are nineteen times higher (OR = 19.8; C.I. = 18.82-20.83) if an individual has past smoking behaviour after controlling for socio-demographic and physical activity variables. Since, the high prevalence of hypertension correlated with the high level of substance abuse, require immediate attention to develop appropriate intervention strategies for its control (substance abuse) and prevention of hypertension. In a lower middle-income country like India, preventive measures, rather than curative measures will be cost-effective and helpful.

Adolescents' Adverse Childhood Experiences, Poor Mental Health, and Substance Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic

PurposeAdverse childhood experiences (ACEs) increase the risk for poor mental health (MH) and substance use. We describe relationships between adolescents' ACEs, substance use, and poor MH occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic. MethodsWe conducted a secondary analysis of data among U.S. high school students aged <18 years, who participated in the nationally representative Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey. Data were collected from January to June 2021. Bivariate and multivariable analyses assessed associations between individual ACEs (physical, emotional abuse by parent or caregiver, parent or caregiver job loss, food insecurity, sexual violence, physical dating violence, or cyber bullying) and cumulative ACEs (0, 1–2, 3, 4+) experienced during the pandemic and substance use; stratified analyses assessed effects of poor MH on associations between ACEs and substance use. ResultsUse of all substances was higher among adolescents with ACEs, particularly those who experienced both ACEs and poor MH during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prevalence of substance use was especially high among adolescents exposed to any sexual violence or physical dating violence. Compared to adolescents without ACEs, a higher percentage of adolescents with 4+ ACEs reported current use of alcohol (adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR], 5.32) or marijuana (aPR, 5.86), misuse of prescription pain medications (aPR, 8.82), binge drinking (aPR, 7.70), and increased alcohol (aPR, 6.54) or drug (aPR, 7.09) use during the pandemic. DiscussionThe individual and combined impact of ACEs and MH on adolescent substance use reinforce the need for trauma-informed care and primary prevention of ACEs to prevent and mitigate poor MH and substance use among adolescents.