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Tag Archives: cross-sectional

Methamphetamine Users Show Greater than Normal Age-Related Cortical Grey Matter Loss

Abstract Background.  Methamphetamine (METH) abuse continues to be a major illicit drug of abuse. Neuroimaging findings suggest that METH is neurotoxic and may alter various brain structures, but the effect of METH on the aging brain has not been studied.

Sex, drugs and economic behaviour in Russia: A study of socio-economic characteristics of high risk populations

Abstract: Background: Russia faces a worsening IDU/HIV epidemic. This paper examines the social and economic characteristics of injecting drug users in two cities in Russia and compares this with the general population to explore their social and economic needs and the wider implications of the epidemic for the economy and society.Methods: A cross sectional survey of 711 IDUs in two Russian cities (Volgograd and Barnaul) recruited by a modified chain referral sampling method.

The importance of family management, closeness with father and family structure in early adolescent alcohol use

Aims To examine the importance of family management, family structure and father[ndash]adolescent relationships on early adolescent alcohol use.Design Cross-sectional data was collected across 30 randomly selected Australian communities stratified to represent a range of socio-economic and regional variation.Setting Data were collected during school time from adolescents attending a broad range of schools.Participants The sample consisted of a combined 8256 students (aged 10[ndash]14 years).Measurements Students completed a web-based survey as part of the Healthy Neighbourhoods project.Findings Family management[mdash]which included practices such as parental monitoring and family rules about alcohol use[mdash]had the strongest and most consistent relationship with alcohol use in early adolescence.

Availability of body art facilities and body art piercing do not predict hepatitis C acquisition among injection drug users in Montreal, Canada:…

Abstract: Background: Cross-sectional associations suggest that body art piercing (BAP) is a risk factor for hepatitis C (HCV) infection among injection drug users. The temporal basis of the relationship has not been established.Methods: Associations between HCV seropositivity, HCV incidence, recent BAP and BAP facility availability were evaluated among IDUs followed biannually between 2004 and 2008 in Montreal, Canada. A geographic information system was used to determine the availability of BAP facilities for each participant

Alcohol use and non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected patients in West Africa

Aim To investigate the association between alcohol use and adherence to highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients in subSaharan Africa.Design and setting Cross-sectional survey conducted in eight adult HIV treatment centres from Benin, Côte d’Ivoire and Mali.Participants and measurements During a 4-week period, health workers administered the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test to HAART-treated patients and assessed treatment adherence using the AIDS Clinical Trials Group follow-up questionnaire.Findings A total of 2920 patients were enrolled with a median age of 38 years [interquartile range (IQR) 32[ndash]45 years] and a median duration on HAART of 3 years (IQR 1[ndash]4 years). Overall, 91.8% of patients were identified as adherent to HAART.

Drug-related behaviors independently associated with syphilis infection among female sex workers in two Mexico–US border cities

Aims To identify correlates of active syphilis infection among female sex workers (FSWs) in Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez.Design Cross-sectional analyses of baseline interview data.

Comparative rates of violent crime among regular methamphetamine and opioid users: offending and victimization

Aims To determine the comparative levels of violent offending and victimization among regular methamphetamine and heroin users.Design Cross-sectionalSetting Sydney, Australia.Participants A total of 400 regular methamphetamine (METH) and heroin (HER) users (118 methamphetamine users: METH; 161 regular heroin users: HER; 121 regular users of both: BOTH).Findings Eighty-two per cent reported a life-time history of committing violent crime, 41% in the past 12 months. There were no group differences in life-time violence, but the METH group were significantly more likely than the HER group to have committed violence in the past 12 months (odds ratio 1.94)

Substance use and periodontal disease among Australian Aboriginal young adults

Aim To investigate the effects of tobacco, marijuana, alcohol and petrol sniffing on periodontal disease among Australian Aboriginal young adults.Design Cross-sectional nested within a long-standing prospective longitudinal study.Setting Aboriginal communities in Australia’s Northern Territory.