A Clinical Trial Comparing Smoking Cessation Interventions at Two Levels of Intensity in Stroke Patients, Stratified by the Presence of Insular Cortex Lesions.

INTRODUCTION: Smoking is a stroke risk factor but the most efficient way to promote cessation is unknown. The smoking behavior in patients during the first 2 years post-stroke is studied comparing brief advice and intensive behavioral counseling interventions, taking into consideration biological, psychological, and social factors. METHODS: Randomized clinical trial of 196 stroke patients, stratified by the presence or not of an insular cortex lesion, with two levels of smoking cessation intervention. RESULTS: The study retention rate was 85.2%. Abstinence point prevalence at three months after stroke was 50% in the brief advice group and 51.7% in the intensive behavioral counseling group (p = .82) and at 24 months, 48.3% in the brief group and 47.5% in the intensive group (p = .92). Most relapses occurred in the first weeks. After 3 months the curves separated with fewer events in the intensive group and at 24 months the Hazard Ratio was 0.91 (95% CI = 0.61 to 1.37; p = .67). Twenty-four months after stroke, patients with an insular lesion were more likely to be abstinent (OR 3.60, 95% CI = 1.27 to 10.14), as were those who lived with a partner (OR 2.31, 95% CI = 1.17 to 4.55) and those who were less dependent (OR 0.84, 95% CI = 0.73 to 0.97). CONCLUSIONS: A high percentage of patients gave up smoking in both intervention groups with no significant differences between the two. The effect of the insular lesion on smoking cessation, which is early and continued after two years, is particularly notable. IMPLICATIONS: This two-year clinical trial compares for the first time the efficacy of two different intensities of smoking cessation intervention in stroke patients, taking into consideration the effect of the insula. Good results are obtained both in the short and medium-term in people with stroke, especially when this is accompanied by an insular cortex lesion, but there is no evidence that better results are obtained with longer, more time-intensive, and possibly more costly follow-ups obtain better results than are obtained with briefer interventions.

Polydrug use and its relationship with the familiar and social context amongst young college students.

The prevalence of polydrug use continues to grow among Spanish college students. The European Observatory for Drugs and Addictions establishes three different types of polydrug use: Pattern A (consumers of alcohol and tobacco), Pattern B (consumers of cannabis plus alcohol and/or tobacco) and Pattern C (consumers of cannabis plus alcohol plus tobacco plus at least one other kind of illegal drug). The objectives are: 1) to study the frequency of substance consumption among a sample of young Spanish undergradudates studying health and sports science according to their sex; 2) to describe the patterns of polydrug use; 3) to study the relationship between the polydrug use of the participants and polydrug use within their closest environment (parents, sisters or brothers, best friend and partner). The sample was composed of 480 Spanish undergraduates (43.7% females) aged 18 to 36. The level of drug consumption of students and their closest reference persons was evaluated by means of a self-report measure. A total of 46% of the participants reported consumption of two or more substances; among them 29.4% corresponded to Pattern A, 50.7% to Pattern B and 16.7% to Pattern C, while 3.2% corresponded to other multiple consumption patterns (alcohol + cocaine; alcohol + cocaine + tobacco; alcohol + inhalants; amphetamines + hallucinogens + Spice). An important correlation was observed concerning polydrug use between participants and their closest reference persons: the more the reference person is a multiple consumer, the more the participant tends to consume. Polydrug use within the closest environment emerges as one of the key elements to be taken into account in further prevention programs.

El policonsumo de drogas es cada vez más prevalente entre los jóvenes españoles. El Observatorio Europeo de las Drogas y las Toxicomanías establece tres tipologías de policonsumo: Patrón A (consumidores de alcohol y tabaco), Patrón B (consumidores de cannabis junto con alcohol y/o tabaco) y Patrón C (consumidores de cannabis junto con alcohol y tabaco y al menos otra droga ilegal). Los objetivos son: 1) estudiar la frecuencia de consumo de drogas en una muestra de jóvenes universitarios españoles del ámbito de la salud y el deporte según el sexo; 2) describir los patrones de policonsumo; 3) estudiar la relación entre el policonsumo de los participantes y el policonsumo de las personas de su entorno próximo (padres, hermanos, pareja y mejor amigo). La muestra consta de 480 universitarios (43.7% chicas) entre 18 y 36 años. Se administró un autoinforme para evaluar el policonsumo de los participantes y de sus referentes más próximos. Un 46% de los participantes eran consumidores de dos o más sustancias, de los cuales un 29.4% correspondían al Patrón A, un 50.7% al Patrón B, un 16.7% al Patrón C y un 3.2% a otros patrones de policonsumo (alcohol + cocaína; alcohol + cocaína + tabaco; alcohol + inhalantes; anfetaminas + alucinógenos + Spice). Se observa una elevada concordancia entre el policonsumo de los participantes y el de sus referentes próximos, de modo que si el referente es policonsumidor es más probable que el participante también lo sea. El policonsumo de drogas en el entorno próximo de los jóvenes deviene uno de los elementos clave a tener en cuenta en futuras campañas preventivas.

Sex-Related Differences in Post-Stroke Anxiety, Depression and Quality of Life in a Cohort of Smokers.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to study anxiety, depression and quality of life in smokers after stroke by sex. METHODS: A longitudinal prospective study with a 24-month follow-up of acute stroke patients who were previously active smokers. Anxiety and depression were evaluated with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale, and quality of life was evaluated with the EQ-5D questionnaire. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty patients participated (79.4% men); their mean age was 57.6 years. Anxiety was most prevalent at 3 months (18.9% in men and 40.5% in women) and depression at 12 months (17.9% in men and 27% in women). The worst perceived health occurred at 24 months (EQ-VAS 67.5 in men and 65.1 in women), which was associated with depression (p < 0.001) and Rankin Scale was worse in men (p < 0.001) and depression in women (p < 0.001). Continued tobacco use was associated with worse perceived health at 3 months in men (p = 0.034) and at 12 months in both sexes. Predictor variables of worse perceived health at 24 months remaining at 3 and 12 months were tobacco use in men and neurological damage in women. CONCLUSION: Differences by sex are observed in the prevalence of anxiety and depression and associated factors and in the predictive factors of perceived health.

Cigarette, e-cigarette and waterpipe cognitions and use among university students in Guangzhou, China.

INTRODUCTION: There is currently little research on polytobacco use in China. The present study examined cognitions that predicted the use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes and waterpipes in a Chinese sample of students. METHODS: A convenience sample of 281 university students, obtained using snowball sampling, completed an online survey during the 2019-2020 academic year in Guangzhou, China. RESULTS: Men more strongly agreed, than women, with the possible advantages of using alternative nicotine and tobacco products, including: young people who smoke have more friends, smoking makes young people look cool, smoking makes young people feel more comfortable, smoking helps relieve stress, and it would be easy to quit. Factors significantly associated with regular cigarette use were the cognitions: 'I would smoke if my best friend offered', 'Young people who use these products have more friends', and 'It would be easy to quit these products' (global good classifications= 80.1%). In the case of waterpipes, agreement with the cognition: 'The product helps people relieve stress' was significantly associated with its use (global good classifications=80.1%). In the case of e-cigarettes, agreement with the cognitions: 'I would smoke if my best friend offered' and 'It would be easy to quit using these products' were significantly associated with the use of e-cigarettes (global good classifications=74.7%). CONCLUSIONS: The results highlight the need to develop prevention programs that prepare young Chinese people to resist social pressure from friends to use tobacco products. There is also evidence of the need to facilitate and disseminate rigorous scientific information among young people about the possible negative health effects of alternative tobacco products. There were also gender differences in the use of these products and in the cognitions towards their use, so it is important to take the gender perspective into account in the analysis of the results and when writing future questionnaire items.

Smoking cessation 1 year poststroke and damage to the insular cortex.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Hospitalization as a result of stroke provides an opportunity to stop smoking that is often not taken up. The present study analyzes sociodemographic, psychological, and lesion-related variables to identify associated factors for smoking cessation during the first year after stroke. METHODS: We conducted a prospective longitudinal study with a 1-year follow-up of a cohort of 110 patients with acute stroke who were smokers at the time of diagnosis and were admitted consecutively between January 2005 and July 2007. RESULTS: On hospital release, 69.1% had given up smoking but at 1 year, only 40% had stopped smoking. Of the 110 patients, 27 (24.5%) had an acute stroke lesion in the insular cortex, of which 19 (70.3%) were nonsmokers at 1 year. Strongly associated factors in giving up smoking were the location of the lesion in the insular cortex (OR, 5.42; 95% CI, 1.95-15.01; P=0.001) and having the intention of giving up before the stroke, comparing precontemplating patients (without intention of giving up in the near future) with contemplating and prepared patients (intention of stopping in the near future; OR, 7.29; 95% CI, 1.89-28.07; P=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Of patients with stroke who were smokers, only 4 of 10 patients had stopped smoking 1 year after admission. Our results show that the variables best predicting smoking cessation in patients with a stroke diagnosis 1 year after hospital discharge are insular damage and the prestroke intention to stop.

Family Climate and Intention to Use Cannabis as Predictors of Cannabis Use and Cannabis-Related Problems among Young University Students.

Determining the predictive variables associated with cannabis use and cannabis-related problems can ease the identification of young cannabis consumers who can benefit from prevention interventions. This study aimed: (1) to describe, among university students, the cannabis use and cannabis-use problems, intention to use cannabis and family climate based on the gender and the people the student lives with; (2) to explore whether the family climate and intention to use cannabis are predictors of cannabis use and cannabis-related problems. The sample was composed of 339 Spanish undergraduates (51.9% females) in a 17-to-25 age range (19.67 ± 1.53). The variables were assessed through a battery based on the ESPAD survey, cannabis abuse screening test, cannabis use intention questionnaire and family climate scale. More men than women had used cannabis in the precedent year and showed greater intention to use cannabis, whereas more women than men showed greater self-efficacy in not using cannabis. The family climate did not predict cannabis use and cannabis-related problems. However, subjective norms and self-efficacy were key predictors of cannabis use and cannabis-use problems, respectively. Different factors seemed to predict the use cannabis in the past year versus cannabis-related problems, and these differences may help inform the development and delivery of preventative efforts.

Facebook Intrusion as a Mediator Between Positive Capital and General Distress: A Cross-Cultural Study.

Background: Social networking sites (SNSs) play an important role in many aspects of life nowadays, and it seems to be crucial to explore their impact on human well-being and functioning. The main aim of the study was to examine the mediating role of Facebook intrusion between positive capital and general distress. Positive capital was considered as comprising self-esteem, ego-resiliency, and self-control, while general distress was seen as having three dimensions: depression, anxiety, and stress. Methods: The sample consisted of N = 4,495 participants (M = 22.96 years, SD = 5.46) from 14 countries: Australia, Cyprus, Greece, Hong Kong, Lithuania, New Zealand, Peru, Poland, Russia, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and United States. We used the following methods: the Facebook Intrusion Questionnaire (FIQ), the Self-Esteem Scale (SES), the Brief Self-Control Scale (SCS), The Ego Resiliency Revised Scale and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Results: We found that Facebook intrusion was a mediator between self-esteem and general distress and between self-control and general distress. Limitations: The present study was based on a cross-sectional study, and the measures used were self-report measures. The majority of the participants were recruited using convenience sampling. Conclusions: The present findings contribute to a better understanding on how the social media have impact on individual mental health. Implications for future studies are discussed.

Cigarette, E-Cigarette and Waterpipe Use among Young Adults: Differential Cognitions about These Three Forms of Smoking.

BACKGROUND: Polytobacco use is common among young adults. The purpose of the present study was to investigate a number of cognitions related to the use of three tobacco products (cigarettes, e-cigarettes and waterpipes) among young adults. METHODS: Participants (n = 799, 59.4% women) aged 18-25 years old (M = 21.8, SD = 1.7) completed an online tobacco cognitions questionnaire. RESULTS: For all three tobacco products, there was significantly more agreement with the cognition "I would smoke if my best friend offered" among tobacco users (used one or more tobacco products) than among non-users. For e-cigarettes and waterpipes, there was significantly more agreement with the cognition "It would be easy to quit these products" than was reported by non-users. Polytobacco users (three tobacco products) endorsed the cognitions scale (the six cognition items were combined to form a single cognitions scale for each tobacco product) significantly more than non-users for cigarettes and e-cigarettes. Furthermore, waterpipe users, polytobacco users, dual users and single users all endorsed the combined cognitions scales more strongly than non-users. CONCLUSIONS: Efforts to prevent polytobacco use should ensure that young adults have the necessary self-efficacy to resist peer pressure and provide them with clear information about the health risks associated with using alternative tobacco products.

Sex and Polytobacco Use among Spanish and Turkish University Students.

Polytobacco use has become increasingly popular among young adults, particularly males, and can be defined as the concurrent use of regular cigarettes and other tobacco products (e.g., e-cigarettes). The present study investigated the use of legal smoking products (cigarettes, waterpipe and electronic cigarettes) among young adults (n = 355) in Spain and Turkey. The survey measured demographics, lifetime and past month tobacco use, waterpipe and e-cigarette use, whether waterpipes and e-cigarettes contained nicotine and reasons for using these substances. The majority of the Turkish (men = 80% and women = 63.9%) and Spanish sample (men = 61.4% and women = 69.3%) were polytobacco users. The most common reason for using e-cigarettes was "to experiment, to see what is like" (Turkish sample: men 66.7% and women 57.1; Spanish sample: men 72.7% and women 93.8%). The most common reason to use regular cigarettes was "to relax and relieve tension" (Turkish sample: men 88.9% and women 77.6%; Spanish sample: men 78.1% and women 76%), while for waterpipe users, the most common reason was "to experiment, to see what it is like" (Turkish sample: men 93.3% and women 80%; Spanish sample: men 78.9% and women 93.8%). The implications for prevention and future research are discussed.

Predictors of intentions to use cigarettes and electronic-cigarettes among high school students.

PURPOSE: Tobacco is the second most commonly used drug by Spanish high school students and e-cigarette use has increased over the last three years among this population. Students who reported smoking tobacco and/or e-cigarette use often have friends and family that also consume these substances. The aims of the present study were to: determine the prevalence of tobacco and electronic cigarette consumption among young adolescents, the age of initiation and the intention to consume both of these substances in the future; study the relationships between their current tobacco and e-cigarette consumption status, intentions to consume these substances in the future and the consumption of these substances by family members living in their home and friend's consumption status; investigate the relationship between their current tobacco and e-cigarette consumption status, friends' consumption status and their intention to consume each substance in the future; analyse the relationship between current consumption status, intentions to consume in the future and perceived risk; identify the main predictors of intentions to use these substances in the future. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2017. The sample consisted of 468 school students in the first cycle of secondary education in Catalonia, Spain. The participants who were aged between 11 and 15 years old, with 49.4% being female. RESULTS: A stepwise binary logistic regression showed that the best predictors of the intention to smoke tobacco in the future were: having tried tobacco, being a current consumer, having a family member smoking at home and having a low perceived risk of smoking. The best predictors of the intention to use electronic cigarettes in the future were: having tried tobacco, being a current consumer and having friends who smoke or use electronic cigarettes. CONCLUSION: Smoking prevention programs must consider the social network surrounding teenagers, particularly close friends and family. Intervention strategies for delaying the onset of tobacco or e-cigarette consumption are greatly needed.

The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) amongst Young Spanish Adults / La escala de resiliencia de Connor-Davidson en adultos españoles jóvenes

The interest in resilience has grown over the last few decades due to its relationships with health, well-being, and quality of life. Several instruments have been developed to measure resilience, with one of the most common being the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). This scale has been validated in many cultures with divergent results. This paper investigates the factor structure of the CD-RISC. Participants were 3,214 students (62.1% female, mean age = 21.01, SD = 2.86) who were randomly divided into two equal subsamples (n = 1,607). One subsample was used to explore which models best fit the data and these models were fitted using the other subsample. Confirmatory factor analysis did not support the original 5-factor CD-RISC. The analyses supported unidimensional scale structures for both the 22-item and 10-item versions of the scale. The shorter instrument reduces the time needed to answer the questionnaire, allows it to be combined with other instruments, and does not require large sample sizes

El interés por el estudio de la resiliencia ha aumentado en las últimas décadas debido a su relación con la salud, el bienestar y la calidad de vida. Se han desarrollado diversos instrumentos para medir la resiliencia, siendo uno de los más comunes la Escala de Resiliencia de Connor-Davidson (CD-RISC). Esta escala ha sido validada en muchas culturas con resultados diversos. En este trabajo se analiza la estructura factorial del CD-RISC en una muestra de 3,214 estudiantes (62.1% mujeres, edad media =21.01, DT = 2.86) que fueron divididos aleatoriamente en dos submuestras iguales (n = 1,607). Se exploró en una de las submuestras qué modelos se ajustaban mejor a los datos y estos modelos fueron ajustados en la otra submuestra. El análisis factorial confirmatorio no avaló la estructura de 5 factores del CD-RISC, sino que confirmó una estructura unidimensional de 22 y de 10 items. La escala de 10 items reduce el tiempo de aplicación del cuestionario, permite combinarlo con otros instrumentos y no requiere muestras muy grandes

Types of polydrug use among Spanish adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the types of polydrug use among Spanish adolescents. METHOD: 1501 high school students (50.6% female) aged 12 to 17years old (mean age=14.03, SD=1.28), from public schools in the city of Girona (Catalonia, Spain), completed the survey. RESULTS: In the previous six months 20.9% of the Spanish adolescents used alcohol, 18.8% tobacco, 10.5% cannabis and 0.7% cocaine. Specifically, 28.6% of the sample (n=429; 29% males and 28.2% females) used at least one drug and 13.9% reported polydrug use (n=208; 12.6% males and 15.1% females). The present research also found that the most critical ages for starting polydrug use were 14 and 15years old. More than one quarter (27.9%) of the adolescent polydrug users were type A (tobacco and alcohol), 67.8% were type B (cannabis together with tobacco and/or alcohol) and 3.4% were type C (cannabis together with tobacco and/or alcohol, and cocaine). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that Spanish adolescents, particularly males, commence polydrug use at an earlier age than other European adolescents. Early preventative strategies and a multisubstance perspective are greatly needed in Spain to avoid the initiation of polydrug use or to prevent progress onto heavier drugs.

Policonsumo de drogas y su relación con el contexto familiar y social en jóvenes universitarios / Polydrug use and its relationship with the familiar and social context amongst young college students

El policonsumo de drogas es cada vez más prevalente entre los jóvenes españoles. El Observatorio Europeo de las Drogas y las Toxicomanías establece tres tipologías de policonsumo: Patrón A (consumidores de alcohol y tabaco), Patrón B (consumidores de cannabis junto con alcohol y/o tabaco) y Patrón C (consumidores de cannabis junto con alcohol y tabaco y al menos otra droga ilegal). Los objetivos son: 1) estudiar la frecuencia de consumo de drogas en una muestra de jóvenes universitarios españoles del ámbito de la salud y el deporte según el sexo; 2) describir los patrones de policonsumo; 3) estudiar la relación entre el policonsumo de los participantes y el policonsumo de las personas de su entorno próximo (padres, hermanos, pareja y mejor amigo). La muestra consta de 480 universitarios (43.7% chicas) entre 18 y 36 años. Se administró un autoinforme para evaluar el policonsumo de los participantes y de sus referentes más próximos. Un 46% de los participantes eran consumidores de dos o más sustancias, de los cuales un 29.4% correspondían al Patrón A, un 50.7% al Patrón B, un 16.7% al Patrón C y un 3.2% a otros patrones de policonsumo (alcohol + cocaína; alcohol + cocaína + tabaco; alcohol + inhalantes; anfetaminas + alucinógenos + Spice). Se observa una elevada concordancia entre el policonsumo de los participantes y el de sus referentes próximos, de modo que si el referente es policonsumidor es más probable que el participante también lo sea. El policonsumo de drogas en el entorno próximo de los jóvenes deviene uno de los elementos clave a tener en cuenta en futuras campañas preventivas

The prevalence of polydrug use continues to grow among Spanish college students. The European Observatory for Drugs and Addictions establishes three different types of polydrug use: Pattern A (consumers of alcohol and tobacco), Pattern B (consumers of cannabis plus alcohol and/or tobacco) and Pattern C (consumers of cannabis plus alcohol plus tobacco plus at least one other kind of illegal drug). The objectives are: 1) to study the frequency of substance consumption among a sample of young Spanish undergradudates studying health and sports science according to their sex; 2) to describe the patterns of polydrug use; 3) to study the relationship between the polydrug use of the participants and polydrug use within their closest environment (parents, sisters or brothers, best friend and partner). The sample was composed of 480 Spanish undergraduates (43.7% females) aged 18 to 36. The level of drug consumption of students and their closest reference persons was evaluated by means of a self-report measure. A total of 46% of the participants reported consumption of two or more substances; among them 29.4% corresponded to Pattern A, 50.7% to Pattern B and 16.7% to Pattern C, while 3.2% corresponded to other multiple consumption patterns (alcohol + cocaine; alcohol + cocaine + tobacco; alcohol + inhalants; amphetamines + hallucinogens + Spice). An important correlation was observed concerning polydrug use between participants and their closest reference persons: the more the reference person is a multiple consumer, the more the participant tends to consume. Polydrug use within the closest environment emerges as one of the key elements to be taken into account in further prevention programs

Búsqueda de sensaciones y consumo de alcohol: El papel mediador de la percepción de riesgos y beneficios / Sensation seeking and alcohol use: The mediating role of perceived risks and benefits

La búsqueda de sensaciones es una de las variables de personalidad más estrechamente ligadas con la adopción de distintas conductas de riesgo, especialmente el consumo de alcohol y otras drogas. Además, la búsqueda de sensaciones influye en la valoración que los individuos realizan sobre los riesgos y sus posibles consecuencias. El objetivo de este estudio es analizar la relación entre la búsqueda de sensaciones y el consumo de alcohol en una muestra de 356 jóvenes con edades comprendidas entre los 18 y los 30 años. Además, hemos querido explorar el posible efecto mediador de las percepciones sesgadas de los individuos sobre los posibles riesgos y beneficios asociados al alcohol en la relación entre la personalidad y el abuso de alcohol. Los resultados obtenidos confirman la importancia de la búsqueda de sensaciones en la explicación del consumo abusivo de alcohol de los jóvenes y el papel mediador de las percepciones de riesgos y beneficios en la explicación de dicha relación. En la discusión del trabajo se analizan sus importantes implicaciones prácticas a la hora de diseñar intervenciones específicas dirigidas a prevenir los riesgos asociados al abuso de alcohol en jóvenes

Sensation seeking is one of personality variables more closely linked to the adoption of different risk behaviors, especially the use of alcohol and other drugs. In addition, sensation seeking influences valuation made by individuals about the risks and their possible consequences. The objective of this study is to analyze the relationship between sensation seeking and the consumption of alcohol in a sample of 356 young people aged between 18 and 25 years. In addition, we wanted to explore the possible effect mediator of biased perceptions of individuals about the potential risks and benefits associated with alcohol in the relationship between the personality and alcohol consumption. The results confirm the importance of sensation seeking in the explanation of the consumption of alcohol among young people and the mediating role of perceptions of risks and benefits in the explanation of the relationship. In the discussion of the work discussed their important practical implications when designing specific interventions aimed at preventing the risks associated with the consumption of alcohol in young people

Ventajas e inconvenientes del uso del preservativo con una pareja afectiva heterosexual / Advantages and disadvantages of using condoms with an intimate heterosexual partner

Se analiza la validez de constructo y la consistencia interna de un cuestionario sobre ventajas e inconvenientes del uso del preservativo con una pareja afectiva heterosexual, así como su capacidad para predecir el uso del preservativo en el pasado y la intención de uso en los próximos tres meses. Participan en el estudio 1711 estudiantes universitarios (46.3% varones y 60% menores de 21 años) elegidos mediante muestreo de conveniencia. Se emplea un diseño transversal y los datos se recogen mediante autoinforme voluntario y anónimo. Los resultados muestran que la consistencia interna del cuestionario es equiparable a la de otros instrumentos semejantes (alfas de Cronbach en escala de ventajas: 0.605 y en escala de inconvenientes: 0.725). Tanto las ventajas como los inconvenientes del uso del preservativo predicen significativamente su uso sistemático en el pasado, con un mayor peso de las ventajas. Entre los jóvenes que no lo han utilizado siempre, y únicamente en los varones, las ventajas predicen la intención de uso en los próximos tres meses. Los resultados apoyan la realización de programas preventivos que destaquen los beneficios derivados del uso de preservativo y, así mismo, reduzcan las percepciones negativas asociadas a su empleo, con una atención preferente a los primeros (AU)

The validity and internal consistency of an anonymous self-report questionnaire assessing the perceived advantages and disadvantages of using a condom with an affective heterosexual partner was analyzed. We also analyzed the ability of the questionnaire to predict condom use in the past and the intention to use a condom within the next three months. A convenience sample consisting of 1711 college students (46.3% males, 60% aged fewer than 21) participated in the study. A crosssectional design was used. The internal consistency of the survey was comparable to similar instruments (Cronbach’s alpha of 0.605 for the advantages scale, 0.725 for the disadvantages scale). Advantages and disadvantages scores predicted systematic past condom use, although advantages were a stronger predictor. Advantages predicted the intention to use a condom in the next three months, although only among participants who were male and did not always use condoms. These findings suggest the need for prevention programs emphasizing the benefits of condom use and combating negative perceptions of their use, although emphasizing the benefits may have a greater impact on behavior (AU)

Consumo de tabaco y etapa de cambio: el papel de los intentos previos para dejar de fumar / Smoking prevalence and stage of change: the role of failed smoking quit attempts

Los objetivos de esta investigación son conocer la distribución por etapas de cambio del consumo de tabaco en personal universitario y analizar el papel específico de los intentos previos de eliminación de su conducta. Con este propósito se diseñó un estudio descriptivo transversal y se envió un cuestionario sobre la conducta de fumar a una muestra aleatoria (N = 366) de los 1800 miembros del personal de una universidad española. La distribución de los sujetos fumadores y exfumadores por etapas de cambio fue la siguiente: precontemplación: 30,1%; contemplación: 11,8%; preparación: 1,3%; acción: 7,8% y mantenimiento: 49%. El 72,7% de los precontempladores, a pesar de que en la actualidad no presentan intención de cambio, y el 68,8% de los contempladores intentaron pasar a la acción en el pasado año. Al preguntar a los exfumadores por el número total de intentos de abandono del consumo de tabaco se observa que el 58,3% de los exfumadores en acción abandonaron el consumo de tabaco en un único y definitivo intento en comparación al 89,7% de los exfumadores en mantenimiento. En consecuencia se requieren intervenciones específicas dirigidas a movilizar el amplio grupo de fumadores que no perciben que fumar sea un problema. Asimismo es necesario plantear una adecuada preparación del fumador de forma que en un único y definitivo intento pueda abandonar el hábito, evitando así posibles efectos negativos de sucesivos fracasos en el abandono (AU)

The aim of this research was to identify the stage of change distribution among university staff and also to analyse the role of failed attempts to quit smoking. A cross sectional survey design was used. Questionnaires about smoking habits were distributed among a representative sample (N= 366) of 1800 staff members at a Spanish university. The distribution of smokers and ex-smokers, by cessation phase, was as follows: precontemplation, 30.1%; contemplation, 11.8%; preparation, 1.3%; action, 7.8%; and maintenance, 49%. 72.7% of precontemplators and 68.8% of contemplators had attempted to take action in the past year. When asked about the number of prior smoking cessation attempts, the percentages of ex-smokers who reported having tried to quit smoking only once in the previous year were: action, 58.3%; and maintenance, 89.7%. So interventions developed specifically for precontemplators are needed. It would also seem appropriate to help prepare smokers to successfully achieve abstinence with only one try, thereby avoiding the potential negative effects of a relapse

Calidad de vida de los pacientes recién diagnosticados de esclerosis múltiple: influencia de las variables físicas y psicosociales / Quality of life of patients with recently diagnosed multiple sclerosis: impact of physical and psychosocial variables

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Calidad de vida relacionada con la salud y consumo de tabaco / Health related quality of life and tobacco consumption

La calidad de vida relacionada con la salud se ha descrito como un concepto multidimensionalque incluye la identificación de síntomas, el estado funcional, la percepción debienestar psicológico y la percepción general de salud. En el caso de la adicción al consumode tabaco, la preocupación por la salud actual o futura es uno de los motivos másinformados para dejar de fumar. En el presente estudio se analiza la relación entre la percepciónde la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud y la etapa de cambio en el abandonodel consumo de tabaco propuesta desde el modelo transteórico a fin de mejorar lasestrategias de intervención comunitaria y clínica para la cesación tabáquica. Se ha administradoel cuestionario SF-36 a una muestra formada por 201 fumadores y exfumadores.Los datos obtenidos indican peor salud física percibida en las etapas de cambio más próximasal abandono de tabaco y una peor salud mental percibida en las etapas con tabaquismoactivo. Se comparan los resultados con los observados en otras poblaciones y sediscuten las implicaciones a nivel de tratamiento y prevención del tabaquismo

Health-related quality of life (HRQL) has been described as a multidimensional conceptthat includes symptoms identification, functional condition, psychological wellbeing perceptionand general health perception. In the case of nicotine addiction, the concern aboutcurrent or future health is one of the most reported reasons for smoking cessation. Themain goal of this research is to investigate the relationship between HRQL perception andtobacco cessation stage formulated by the Tran theoretical model, with the aim to improvecommunity and clinical interventions. SF-36 questionnaire has been administered to asample of 201 smokers and ex-smokers. Results show worse perceived physical health instages of change closer to smoking cessation and worse perceived mental health in stagesof change with active tobacco habit. Results are compared with previous studies, whileimplications for tobacco consumption and prevention are discussed

Análisis del patrón de consumo de cannabis en estudiantes universitarios / Analysis of cannabis consumption pattern in university students

Se anliza el patrón de consumo de cannabis en una muestra de 580 jóvenes universitarios (88.4% mujeres, edad media 21.4 años). Si bien se observa que proporcionalmente más hombres que mujeres consumen habitualmente cannabis, la magnitud de consumo de los que se reconocen usuarios es similar en ambos sexos. Se detecta que la dependencia percibida al cannabis se incrementa en función de la magnitud de consumo. Existe una relación positiva entre consumo de tabaco y de cannabis: el 90% de los jóvenes que no ha probado nunca el tabaco tampoco ha probado nunca el cannabis, mientras que menos del 15% de los fumadores habituales de tabaco se hallan en esa situación. Estos resultados sugieren la necesidad de abordajes conjuntos para la prevención del conumo de drogas, principalmente en lo que se refiere al tabacco y el cannabis

The pattern of cannabis use amongst a sample of 580 university students (88.4% female, mean age 21.4 years old) were analysed. Proportionally more males than females normally consume cannabis, although there was no difference in the amount of consumption by gender. Perceived dependence on cannabis increased with the amount of consumption. There was also a positive relationship between tobacco and cannabis use, such that 90% of students who had never tried tobacco, had also never tried cannabis. Conversely, less than 15% of tobacco smokers have never tried cannabis. These findings suggest the need for combined actions to prevent drug consumption, particularly with regards to tabacco and cannabis