Comparative study of the perceived quality of life of patients in treatment for cocaine and heroin dependence in Spain: differences by gender and time in treatment.

This is a cross-sectional study in which we compared the perceived quality of life (QoL) of patients receiving outpatient treatment for cocaine (n = 727) and heroin dependence (n = 469), by analyzing differences by gender and time in treatment. Participants were recruited from addictive behavior centers in Spain in 2004. The World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment Instrument (WHOQOL-Bref) was used as a measure. Analysis of covariance and multivariate linear regression were used. This study shows the relevance of considering the role of gender in QoL studies, and the need to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment in the improvement of QoL. Limitations of the study were noted.

[Christmas work dinners. A pattern of recreational use of alcohol and other drugs?]. / Las cenas navideñas de empresa. Un modelo de consumo recreativo de alcohol y otras drogas?

The aim of this study was to develop an exploratory approach to characterizing the pattern of recreational abuse of alcohol and other drugs abuse at Christmas work dinners. An adaptation of the rapid assessment methodology RARE was carried out through the combination of quantitative (rapid assessment surveys, n=444) and qualitative (observations and semistructured interviews, n=8) techniques. The fieldwork was carried out at 13 restaurants in Valencia and Alicante (Spain) in December 2007. In general we observed a marked increase in the use of alcohol and other substances compared to the rest of the year, though restaurant staff perceived a decrease in alcohol abuse attributable to new road traffic legislation. Cocaine is perceived as the illicit substance most widely used at such events. Younger coworkers initiate older ones in the use of illicit drugs, and the the latter may use this behaviour as a means of feeling younger and more uninhibited. Christmas work dinners propitiate a recreational substance-use pattern that requires adapted preventive and restrictive interventions, such as the introduction of suitable transport initiatives and the restriction of alcohol serving hours.

[Hospital admissions for infectious diseases: 1999-2003 incidence in one health district in the autonomous community of Valencia, Spain]. / Ingresos hospitalarios por enfermedades infecciosas: incidencia desde 1999 hasta 2003 en un area sanitaria de la Comunidad Valenciana.

BACKGROUND: . Infectious diseases are still currently one of the leading causes of death and illness. Their dynamic nature justifies the epidemiological study thereof. This study is aimed at analyzing the incidence of infectious diseases most often conditioning hospital admissions. METHODS: A study was conducted of those individuals admitted to hospital during the 1999-2003 period whose main diagnosis at admission to hospital had been encoded according to the International Disease Classification (ICD 9-CM) as an infectious disease in the Minimum Basic Data Set. A total of 2010 active infectious disease codes were selected and were grouped into 25 groups as per the ICD 9-CM. The target population was that of one district in the Autonomous Community of Valencia. RESULTS: A total of 9.7% of the admissions during the period under study (8,585 records) were due to an infectious disease. Those affected averaged 38 years of age, median age of 37, standard deviation 31 and the range of 1-102 years. The admissions of males (54.5%) prevailed over females (48.5%). The incidence rate of admissions due to infectious diseases was 728 cases / 100,000 inhabitants / year. The highest rate of admissions was among young children and the elderly. The groups of diseases showing the largest number of admissions were, in descending order, infectious digestive, respiratory and genitourinary diseases. CONCLUSION: The hospital admissions due to infections diseases totaled one tenth of the admissions, and 7/1000 inhabitants/year required hospitalization for an infectious disorder. The highest incidence rates were found for intestinal diseases, digestive, respiratory and genitourinary tract diseases among the childhood-aged population, but also, although in smaller percentages, among individuals over 65 years of age.

[Gender and accessibility barriers to treatment in alcohol abuse patients in the Autonomous Region of Valencia]. / Género y barreras de accesibilidad al tratamiento en pacientes adictos al alcohol de la Comunidad Valenciana.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed at identifying the factors that contribute to delaying the access of alcohol abuse patients to specific treatment centres in the Autonomous Region of Valencia (Spain). METHOD: 563 patients from Addictive Behaviours Units (UCA) and Alcohology Units (UA) were interviewed. A survey was conducted which included items on previous requested treatment in other centres and on barriers of accessibility to treatment in specific ambulatory centres. A descriptive analysis and t-student and ANOVA with Scheffé post-hoc tests were carried out. RESULTS: 59.7% of respondents said they had requested previous treatment in non-specific resources due to physical or psychical trouble that they now relate to their alcohol use although they did not do so at the time, in addition to being motivated by their own alcohol abuse (42.8%). The most attended resources were Primary Care and Specialist Unit Care. Women showed a higher demand for treatment in Mental Health Services (p < 0,05). The most important treatment barriers were included in the axis "unawareness of illness and related problems" (2.2; dt = 0,6). Women obtained higher scores in the axes "stigmatisation and environment response" and "treatment intrinsic factors". CONCLUSIONS: gender differences in barriers that delay access to treatment do exist. It is necessary to build gender-adapted intervention guidelines to be used in Primary Care and Mental Health services to reduce the accessibility barriers to treatment.

Predictors of driving after alcohol and drug use among adolescents in Valencia (Spain).

BACKGROUND: Driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs has been identified as a risk factor for road traffic crashes. We have assessed the prevalence and predictor factors for driving after alcohol and drug use by adolescents. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey involving 11,239 students aged 14-18 years from 252 private and public schools in the Valencia region of Spain was conducted. The prevalence and predictors of driving after alcohol use, alcohol and drug use, or drug use during the previous 6 months were measured. RESULTS: Of the students who reported driving (20%), 45.1% indicated driving after alcohol and drug use. The consumption of various drugs was higher among students who drove a vehicle compared with those who did not. The likelihood of driving after consuming alcohol, or alcohol and drugs, increased in line with the number of standard drink units per week, reports of any lifetime alcohol- or drug-related problems, and poor family relationship. In addition, masculine gender and early alcohol use increased the likelihood of driving after consuming alcohol. CONCLUSIONS: Driving after alcohol and drug use is quite prevalent among adolescents in the Valencia region of Spain. There is a need for implementation of targeted policies for adolescents. This should focus on education and information on alcohol/drug use and driving.