Nomophobia and Alcohol, Tobacco, and Cannabis Consumption in Adolescents in Galicia.

This study aimed at exploring the association of nomophobia with alcohol, tobacco, and/or cannabis consumption among high school students. We carried out a cross-sectional study among high school and vocational training students in Galicia, Northwest Spain (N = 3,100). Collected data included nomophobia, sociodemographic variables, and alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis consumption. Nomophobia was measured using the validated Nomophobia Questionnaire. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and their 95 percent confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using generalized linear mixed models. More than a quarter of the adolescents (27.7 percent) had nomophobia. We found an association between nomophobia and a high level of tobacco smoking in the last month in boys (OR = 2.16; 95 percent CI: 1.55-3.03). Nomophobia was also associated with higher odds of binge drinking in both genders (girls: OR = 1.86; 95 percent CI: 1.61-3.52; boys: OR = 2.29; 95 percent CI: 1.68-3.13) and with cannabis consumption in boys (OR = 1.74; 95 percent CI: 1.07-2.81). Our findings highlight the importance of a comprehensive investigation of the factors underlying alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis consumption in the adolescent population.

Contextual Determinants in Alcohol, Tobacco and Cannabis Consumption, Mood and Bullying during Adolescence.

The present study aimed to explore the differences in the consumption of alcohol, tobacco and cannabis, mood and bullying between adolescents. A cross-sectional study was carried out in five regions of Northern Spain (one in Galiza and four in central Catalonia) that share similar socioeconomic characteristics and encompass around 10,000 inhabitants each. Students living in Burela, Galiza (N = 71) were compared to those of Central Catalonia (N = 193). The independent variable was the municipality of residence. The dependent variables encompassed: weekly available pocket money, Family Affluence Scale, self-classified academic qualification, place of origin, alcohol consumption, tobacco and cannabis smoking, negative mood and bullying. The mean age and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) of participants were similar between the regions (Burela: 15.90 years (15.68-16.13) and Central Catalonia: 15.36 years (15.28-15.44)). More than half of the participants were females (Burela, Galiza (53.5%) and Catalonia (54.9%)). Prevalence ratios (PR) and their 95% CI were estimated using Poisson regression models. In comparison with adolescents from Burela (Galiza), those living in Central Catalonia had higher prevalence of diverse academic levels (adjusted PR = 3.92 (1.78-8.66)), tobacco consumption (adjusted PR = 2.41 (1.47-3.97)) and negative mood (adjusted PR = 5.97 (3.05-11.70)). Even when dealing with regions with similar socioeconomic characteristics and number of inhabitants, differences exist in terms of the socioeconomic level, tobacco consumption, mood and bullying, as reported by adolescents.

The Use of Non-Prescribed Prescription Drugs and Substance Use Among College Students: A 9-Year Follow-Up Cohort Study.

The use of non-prescribed prescription drugs (NPPD) is common in post-modern societies and a significant proportion of youth consume NPPD concomitantly to other drugs. We studied the prevalence of this consumption among university students in Spain, and its relationship to different patterns of alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use. A cohort study among university students (n=1,380) (2005-2015) was carried out. Students completed self-administered questionnaires at initial (n=1,363, 98.7%), at 2 years (n=875, 75%) and 9 years of follow-up (n=415, 30.5%). Consumption of medicines (last 15 days), risky alcohol consumption (RC), heavy episodic drinking (HED), and tobacco and cannabis use were measured. Multilevel logistic regressions for repeated measures were generated using consumption of medicines with or without medical prescription as dependent variables. Prevalence of RC, HED, tobacco and cannabis had significant reductions during the follow-up. The use of NPPD increased over time, from 35.5% and 33.3% at 18 and 22 years old, respectively, to 49.6% at 27 years old. The highest rates were found among cannabis, tobacco, RC and HED users. For females, cannabis and RC constitute signitifant risk factors for use of NPPD. Conversely, for males, tobacco and cannabis were risk factors for such use of medicines. Later onset of alcohol consumption constitutes a protective factor for females. Our results reveal high prevalence of NPDD among university students. Those who consume NPPD are -at the same time- more likely to be alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis users than those who take medication under prescription. Preventive strategies should be reinforced and focused on this target population to decrease these high levels of poly-consumption.

Association between negative mood states, psychoactive substances consumption and bullying in school-aged adolescents. / Asociación entre los estados de ánimo negativo, el consumo de sustancias psicoactivas y el bullying en adolescentes escolarizados.

OBJECTIVE: mental health problems during adolescence lead to increased morbidity and mortality. We intend to test the hypothesis that bullying and addictive substance use is related to negative mood states. METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional study among high school students in Burela (Northern Spain) (n=238). "Negative mood state" was defined as experiencing the following: feeling tired, sad, out of place, bored, hopeless, nervous or lacking sleep. Independent variables were binge drinking, having smoked tobacco or cannabis, and the corresponding perceived risk of using them. The variable bullying was also measured. Poisson regression models with robust variance were estimated, and Prevalence Ratios were obtained. RESULTS: 10.5% [CI 95% (7.2-15.2)] of the students reported suffering negative mood states. Students declaring low perceived risk of cannabis use [PR = 2.6 (1.2-5.5)], having tried this addictive substance at some point [PR = 3.1 (1.1-8.9)] and having suffered bullying [PR = 4.8 (2.4-9.6)] increased the risk of experiencing negative mood states. CONCLUSION: It would be advisable to design and implement interventions aimed at improving mental health during adolescence which account for the use of addictive substances and being a victim of bullying.

Antecedentes: los problemas de salud mental durante la adolescencia suponen un aumento de la morbimortalidad y la discapacidad. Se pretende testar la hipótesis de que el bullying y el consumo de sustancias psicoactivas están asociados al estado de ánimo negativo.Métodos: estudio transversal entre estudiantes de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (ESO) (n=238) de los institutos de Burela (Lugo). El "estado de ánimo negativo" se definió a partir de los siguientes ítems: sentirse cansado/a, triste, desplazado/a, aburrido/a, desesperanzado/a, nervioso/a o insomne. Como variables independientes se consideraron: el binge drinking, el haber fumado alguna vez tabaco o cannabis, así como sus correspondientes percepciones de peligrosidad. Además, se midió la variable bullying. Se estimaron modelos de regresión de Poisson con varianza robusta y se obtuvieron Razones de Prevalencia (RP).Resultados: el 10,5% [IC95% (7,2-15,2)] de la población encuestada presentaba estado de ánimo negativo. La nula o baja percepción de peligrosidad para el cannabis [RP=2,6 (1,2-5,5)], haber probado alguna vez esta sustancia adictiva [RP=3,1 (1,1-8,9)] y haber sufrido bullying [RP=4,8 (2,4-9,6)] se asociaban al estado de ánimo negativo.Conclusiones: sería recomendable crear intervenciones para la mejora de la salud mental durante la adolescencia que tengan en cuenta el consumo de sustancias adictivas y el hecho de haber sufrido bullying.

Heavy Drinking and Non-Medical Use of Prescription Drugs among University Students: A 9-Year Follow-Up.

Purpose: Investigations suggest non-medical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD) is associated with heavy drinking and polydrug use among university students. Our aim is to determine the prevalence of NMUPD among university students and to analyze its association with alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis use, and to study the role of the age of drinking onset. Methods: Cohort study among university Spanish students (n = 1382). Heavy drinking (HED) and risky consumption (RC) were measured with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Questions related to tobacco and cannabis consumption were also formulated. NMUPD refers to sedative, anxiety, or pain medication intake within the last 15 days without medical prescription. All variables were measured at 18, 20, and 27 years. Multilevel logistic regression for repeated measures was used to obtain adjusted OR (odds ratios). We analyzed the results from a gender perspective. Results: Prevalence of NMUPD were higher in students who already partook in NMUPD at the beginning of the study. NMUPD in women at 27 is 3 times higher than at 18, while in men it is twice. Among females, RC (OR = 1.43) and cannabis consumption (OR = 1.33) are risk factors for NMUPD, while later onset of alcohol use (OR = 0.66) constitutes a protective factor. No significant differences were found for males. Conclusions: NMUPD is prevalent among university students. RC and early onset of alcohol use were associated with higher prevalence of NMUPD in females. The prevalence of NMUPD increased with age in both sexes. Strategies for reducing risky drinking and delaying onset of drinking should be provided for university students. Pharmacists and parents should be alerted to the risk of NMUPD.

Alcohol, tobacco and cannabis consumption in adolescents from a multicultural population (Burela, Lugo). / Consumo de alcohol, tabaco y cannabis en adolescentes de una población multicultural (Burela, Lugo).

Social inequalities have been associated with morbidity and mortality. Gender, ethnic group and inequalities were studied in an adolescent population to analyze alcohol, tobacco and cannabis consumption. We carried out a cross-sectional study of pupils from high schools in Burela (northern Spain) (n=238). We used the "Factors de Risc en Estudiants de Secundária" questionnaire designed by Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona. Independent variables: nationality and weekly pocket money. Dependent variables: expectations and consumption of alcohol, tobacco and marihuana. Logistic regression was used. Participation in the study reached 91%. The proportion of pupils that have tried alcohol on occasion increases with age (27.3%, 47.7%, 75.9%), as with tobacco (1.8%, 7.6%, 17.0%), and cannabis (0%, 3.1%, 7.0%). Higher levels of spending money constitute a risk factor for tasting alcohol (OR=3.01), for high-risk consumption (OR=3.35), for getting drunk (OR=6.45) and for trying marijuana (OR=15.30). Sex and nationality were not shown to be associated with the use of any of these three drugs. The results of our study show that consumption of alcohol, tobacco and cannabis increases with age and with increased spending money. The data do not support the argument that foreign pupils are a risk group for alcohol consumption, so they should not be stigmatized.

Las desigualdades en salud en la adolescencia se han asociado a la morbimortalidad de los sujetos. Este estudio pretende evaluar el efecto de género, nacionalidad e inequidades sociales sobre el consumo de alcohol, tabaco y cannabis en adolescentes en un contexto multicultural. Se ha realizado un estudio transversal entre los estudiantes de Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (ESO) de los institutos de Burela (Lugo) (n=238). Se utilizó el cuestionario "Factors de Risc en Estudiants de Secundária" diseñado por la Agència de Salut Pública de Barcelona. Variables independientes: nacionalidad y el dinero disponible semanal. Variables dependientes: expectativas y consumo de alcohol, con consumo de tabaco y marihuana. Se generaron modelos de regresión logística multivariante. La participación en el estudio alcanzó el 91%. La proporción de alumnos que ha probado el alcohol aumenta con la edad (27,3%, 47,7% y el 75,9%), como ocurre con el tabaco (1,8%, 7,6% y 17%) y el cannabis (0%, 3,1%, 7%). La mayor disponibilidad económica constituye un factor de riesgo para haber probado el alcohol (OR=3,01), para su consumo de riesgo (OR=3,35), para haberse emborrachado (OR=6,45) y para haber probado la marihuana (OR=15,30). Sexo y nacionalidad no han evidenciado relación con el consumo de ninguna de estas drogas. Los resultados de nuestro estudio muestran que el consumo de alcohol, tabaco y cannabis aumenta con la edad así como con la mayor disponibilidad económica. Los resultados constatan que los alumnos inmigrantes no constituyen un grupo de riesgo y por ello no deben ser estigmatizados.