Association between thromboembolic events and COVID-19 infection within 30 days: a case-control study among a large sample of adult hospitalized patients in the United States, March 2020-June 2021.

The association between thromboembolic events (TE) and COVID-19 infection is not completely understood at the population level in the United States. We examined their association using a large US healthcare database. We analyzed data from the Premier Healthcare Database Special COVID-19 Release and conducted a case-control study. The study population consisted of men and non-pregnant women aged ≥ 18 years with (cases) or without (controls) an inpatient ICD-10-CM diagnosis of TE between 3/1/2020 and 6/30/2021. Using multivariable logistic regression, we assessed the association between TE occurrence and COVID-19 diagnosis, adjusting for demographic factors and comorbidities. Among 227,343 cases, 15.2% had a concurrent or prior COVID-19 diagnosis within 30 days of their index TE. Multivariable regression analysis showed a statistically significant association between a COVID-19 diagnosis and TE among cases when compared to controls (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.75, 95% CI 1.72-1.78). The association was more substantial if a COVID-19 diagnosis occurred 1-30 days prior to index hospitalization (aOR 3.00, 95% CI 2.88-3.13) compared to the same encounter as the index hospitalization. Our findings suggest an increased risk of TE among persons within 30 days of being diagnosed COVID-19, highlighting the need for careful consideration of the thrombotic risk among COVID-19 patients, particularly during the first month following diagnosis.

Hepatitis C Virus and Hispanic Criminal Justice Clients: A Missed Opportunity.

To compare the willingness for HCV testing, HCV-knowledge, socio economic status, and HCV related risky behavior among male and female Latino offenders. Participants (n = 201) were recruited from the corrections system in Miami and interviewed. Backward stepwise logistic regression was conducted to compare gender-associated risk. Females (n = 81) were more likely to be engaged in risky sexual and drug behavior compared to males (n = 120). Overall, around 70% of the study population were interested to be tested for HCV if offered with no gender difference (OR 1.4, 95% CI 0.4-4.9). However, females were more likely to have lower income (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.5-0.9) and engage in more HCV related risky sexual behaviors (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.3-6.2), despite having better HCV related knowledge in five out of six items (OR 1.5-3.2), but had less crime activity (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.5-0.8). HCV screening among Latino offenders would offer an efficient opportunity to reduce its burden as well as increase knowledge among vulnerable and high-risk population.

Changing demographic among Latino MSM diagnosed with HIV in Florida, 2007-2016.

The study's objective was to assess temporal changes in birth country and age among newly diagnosed Latino men who have sex with men (MSM). We used records from Hispanics/Latinos (2007-2016) who were reported to the Florida HIV/AIDS surveillance system. We compared trends in birth country/region and age by year using a two-sided Cochran-Armitage Trend Test. Of 12,427 new diagnoses, 85.9% were among men. Of men, 79.5% were MSM. The proportion attributable to MSM increased from 70.0% in 2007-85.7% in 2016 (p-value < .0001). Compared with the trend in the proportion of MSM cases born in US-mainland, the proportion born in Cuba (20.0-29.9%; p-value < .0001) and South America (13.8% to 23.2%; p-value < .0001) increased significantly over time, and the proportion born in Central America (8.1% to 4.5%; p-value < .0001) decreased significantly over time. Compared with the trend in the proportion of MSM aged 35-49 years, the proportion aged 13-24 (15.4% to 20.6%; p-value < .0001) and 25-34 (25.0% to 35.6%; p-value < .0001) years increased significantly over time. In Florida, HIV prevention and screening strategies should be enhanced for Cuban and South American immigrants and young Latinos to address the increasing trend in new diagnoses among Latino MSM.

E-cigarette use is associated with other tobacco use among US adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: To examine whether tobacco initiation via e-cigarettes increases the likelihood of subsequent tobacco use among a large representative sample of US adolescents. METHODS: This study is a retrospective longitudinal analysis from a representative sample of US middle and high school students (n = 39,718) who completed the 2014 and 2015 National Youth Tobacco Survey. The adjusted odds ratios of lifetime and current use of tobacco use were estimated by logistic regression analysis while controlling for important socio-ecological factors associated with tobacco use. RESULTS: E-cigarette initiators were more likely to report current use of cigarettes (AOR 2.7; 1.9-4.0, p < 0.001), cigars (AOR 1.7; 1.2-2.4, p < 0.01), or smokeless tobacco (AOR 3.1; 2.2-5.4, p < 0.001), and lifetime use of the same products as well. Also, lifetime and current use of e-cigarettes significantly increased the likelihood of cigarettes, cigars, and smokeless tobacco use. CONCLUSIONS: Initiation of tobacco via e-cigarette, lifetime, and current use of e-cigarettes are associated with higher odds of lifetime and current use of cigarettes, cigars, and smokeless tobacco. Collectively this suggests e-cigarettes may lead to an increased use of tobacco among adolescents.

E-cigarette marketing exposure and combustible tobacco use among adolescents in the United States.

E-cigarette advertising has been shown to be associated with use of e-cigarettes, but its association with tobacco use has not been studied. Therefore, we examined the association between e-cigarettes advertisement and tobacco use. Data from nationally representative 22,007 middle and high school students (grades 6-12) were used to conduct the analysis. Logistic regression models estimated the adjusted odds ratios (AOR) of ever and current use of cigarette, hookah, cigar, and polytobacco use. Odds ratios were weighted and adjusted for study design, non-response rates, school level, gender, race/ethnicity, e-cigarette use, and smoking at home. E-cigarette marketing exposure was significantly associated with ever use of cigarettes (AOR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1-1.5), hookah (AOR: 1.4, 95% CI: 1.2-1.7), cigars (AOR: 1.5, 95% CI: 1.4-1.6), and polytobacco (AOR: 1.7, 95% CI: 1.5-1.8). Likewise, E-cigarette marketing exposure was significantly associated with current use of cigarettes (AOR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1-1.6), hookah (AOR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.03-1.7), cigars (AOR: 1.3, 95% CI: 1.1-1.6), and polytobacco use (AOR: 1.8, 95% CI: 1.5-2.1). The results suggest that e-cigarette advertisement is associated with use of cigarettes, hookah, cigars, and polytobacco products. These results add to the evidence about the risks of e-cigarette marketing and highlight the need for stricter regulation of e-cigarette advertisements.

Deaths Due to Screenable Cancers Among People Living With HIV Infection, Florida, 2000-2014.

INTRODUCTION: Because of antiretroviral therapy, people living with HIV infection are surviving longer and are at higher risk for chronic diseases. This study's objective was to assess the magnitude of deaths due to cancers for which there are screening recommendations for people living with HIV in Florida. METHODS: Florida Department of Health Enhanced HIV/AIDS Reporting System data were matched with Department of Health Vital Records and the National Death Index to identify deaths and their causes through 2014. The sex-specific and cause-specific mortality rates and indirect standardized mortality ratios (SMRs, using U.S. mortality rates as a standard) were calculated during 2016 for people reported with HIV infection 2000-2014. RESULTS: Despite the competing risk of HIV mortality, among the 25,678 females, there was a higher risk of cervical (SMR=6.32, 95% CI=4.63, 8.44), colorectal (SMR=2.05, 95% CI=1.44, 2.83), liver (SMR=8.96, 95% CI=5.39, 14.03), and lung (SMR=5.82, 95% CI=4.80, 6.96) cancer mortality and lower risk of breast cancer mortality (SMR=0.57, 95% CI=0.42, 0.76). Among 63,493 males, there was a higher risk of liver (SMR=5.50, 95% CI=4.47, 6.70) and lung (4.63, 95% CI=4.11, 5.19) cancer mortality. Among males, the lung cancer SMR significantly declined 2000-2014 (p<0.05), but was still high in 2012-2014 (SMR=3.59, 95% CI=2.87, 4.43). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate the importance of primary and secondary cancer prevention during primary care for people living with HIV infection.

Immigration Stress and Alcohol Use Severity Among Recently Immigrated Hispanic Adults: Examining Moderating Effects of Gender, Immigration Status, and Social Support.

OBJECTIVE: Identifying and understanding determinants of alcohol use behavior among Hispanic immigrants is an increasingly significant public health concern. Although prior research has examined associations of cultural stressors with alcohol use among Hispanics, few studies have tested these associations among recent adult immigrants. As such, this study aimed to examine (a) the association of immigration stress on alcohol use severity among recently immigrated Hispanic adults (≤ 1 year in the United States) and (b) the moderating effects of gender, immigration status, and social support. METHOD: A hierarchical multiple regression and moderation analyses were conducted on a sample of 527 participants in South Florida. RESULTS: Results indicated that, after controlling for demographic variables, preimmigration drinking behavior, and dimensions of social support, the association of higher immigration stress with higher alcohol use severity was statistically significant. Moderation analyses indicated that immigration stress had a statistically significant association with alcohol use severity among men, but not women. Also, dimensions of social support consistently reduced the deleterious effect of immigration stress on alcohol use severity. CONCLUSION: This study adds to the scarce literature on cultural stressors and alcohol use among recent Hispanic immigrants. Findings suggest that it may be important to design gender-specific interventions and that increasing levels of social support may offset the effects of immigration stress on alcohol use.

Offending Behavior, Drug Use, and Mental Health Among Foreign-Born versus U.S. Born Latino Criminal Justice Clients.

Little is known about the offending behavior and recidivism factors of Latinos by nativity (U.S. born, foreign-born). The present study focused on Latinos in community corrections (n = 201) in Miami, Florida, and examined differences in criminal activity, drug use, and mental health by nativity. Data were collected utilizing convenience sampling between June 2014 and December 2015. The research question was: what are the offending, drug use, and mental health histories of Latinos involved in community corrections? Participants were mostly male (n = 120; 59.7%), White (n = 105; 52.2%), and Cuban (n = 97; 48.3%). U.S. born community corrections clients (n = 141) were more likely to report more lifetime and recent criminal activity; and more likely to report lifetime and recent drug use behavior than foreign-born Latinos (n = 60). No differences were found in recent mental health. Correctional healthcare should tailor services such as substance abuse treatment differently toward U.S. born and foreign-born Latinos.

Predictors of nicotine withdrawal symptoms: findings from the first randomized smoking cessation trial in a low-income country setting.

OBJECTIVES: To identify predictors of nicotine withdrawal symptoms among smokers who participated in a randomized cessation trial in a low-income country. METHODS: We analyzed data from 269 smokers who participated in a randomized, placebo-controlled smoking cessation trial conducted in primary healthcare in Aleppo, Syria. All participants received behavioral counseling and were randomized to receive either 6 weeks of nicotine or placebo patch and were followed for one year. RESULTS: Throughout the study, lower total withdrawal score was associated with greater education (p = 0.044), older age of smoking initiation (p = 0.017), lower nicotine dependence (p = 0.024), higher confidence in ability to quit (p = 0.020), lower reported depression (p < 0.001), higher adherence to patch (p = 0.026), belief of receiving nicotine patches rather than placebo (p = 0.011), and waterpipe use (p = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS: Lower nicotine dependence, greater educational attainment, higher confidence in ability to quit and waterpipe use predict lower withdrawal severity. Waterpipe smoking may serve as a barrier to smoking cessation efforts in countries where its use is highly prevalent. Further, expectancies about the effects of pharmacotherapy appear to mediate the experience of nicotine withdrawal.

Associations of ethnic discrimination with symptoms of anxiety and depression among Hispanic emerging adults: a moderated mediation model.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Emerging adulthood is often marked with elevated symptoms of anxiety and depression. Hispanic emerging adults may face cultural stressors such as ethnic discrimination that further increase levels of anxiety and depression symptoms. The study aims were to examine if (a) self-esteem mediated effects of ethnic discrimination on symptoms of anxiety and depression, and (b) if gender moderated the indirect effects of discrimination. DESIGN: The study design was cross-sectional self-report. METHOD: Two moderated mediation models were tested, with 1084 Hispanic emerging adults (ages 18-25) enrolled in institutions of post-secondary in the United States. RESULTS: Results indicated that (a) higher ethnic discrimination was associated with higher anxiety symptoms (ß = .05, p = .04), higher depression symptoms (ß = .06, p = .02), and lower self-esteem (ß = -.30, p < .001); (b) self-esteem mediated the associations of ethnic discrimination with anxiety and depression symptoms; and (c) gender moderated the indirect effects of discrimination, whereby self-esteem was a stronger mediator among men than women. Each moderated mediation model explained 26% of variability in symptoms of anxiety and depression, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that the mediating effects of self-esteem linking ethnic discrimination with symptoms of anxiety and depression vary between genders.

Alcohol use severity and depressive symptoms among late adolescent Hispanics: Testing associations of acculturation and enculturation in a bicultural transaction model.

Research has indicated that Hispanics have high rates of heavy drinking and depressive symptoms during late adolescence. The purpose of this study was to test a bicultural transaction model composed of two enthnocultural orientations (acculturation and enculturation); and stressful cultural transactions with both the U.S. culture (perceived ethnic discrimination) and Hispanic culture (perceived intragroup marginalization) to predict alcohol use severity and depressive symptoms among a sample of 129 (men=39, women=90) late adolescent Hispanics (ages 18-21) enrolled in college. Results from a path analysis indicated that the model accounted for 18.2% of the variance in alcohol use severity and 24.3% of the variance in depressive symptoms. None of the acculturation or enculturation domains had statistically significant direct effects with alcohol use severity or depressive symptoms. However, higher reports of ethnic discrimination were associated with higher reports of alcohol use severity and depressive symptoms. Similarly, higher reports of intragroup marginalization were associated with higher depressive symptoms. Further, both ethnic discrimination and intragroup marginalization functioned as mediators of multiple domains of acculturation and enculturation. These findings highlight the need to consider the indirect effects of enthnocultural orientations in relation to health-related outcomes.

The global epidemiology of waterpipe smoking.

OBJECTIVES: In the past decade, waterpipe smoking (a.k.a. hookah, shisha, narghile) has become a global phenomenon. In this review, we provide an updated picture of the main epidemiological trends in waterpipe smoking globally. DATA SOURCES: Peer-reviewed publications indexed in major biomedical databases between 2004 and 2014. Search keywords included a combination of: waterpipe, hookah, shisha along with epidemiology, patterns, prevalence and predictors. We also used different spellings of waterpipe terms commonly used. STUDY SELECTION: The focus was on studies with large representative samples, national data or high-quality reports that illuminated aspects of the epidemiology and trends in waterpipe smoking. DATA EXTRACTION: Multiple researchers extracted the data independently and collectively decided on the most important and pertinent studies to include in the review. DATA SYNTHESIS: Waterpipe smoking has become a global phenomenon among youth. The global waterpipe epidemic is likely driven by (1) the introduction of manufactured flavoured tobacco (Maassel); (2) the intersection between waterpipe's social dimension and thriving café culture; (3) the evolution of mass communication media; (4) the lack of regulatory/policy framework specific to the waterpipe. Waterpipe smoking is becoming the most popular tobacco use method among youth in the Middle East, and is quickly gaining popularity elsewhere. Important patterns of waterpipe smoking include the predominance among younger, male, high socioeconomic, and urban groups. Intermittent and social use are also noted patterns. CONCLUSIONS: Waterpipe smoking has become a global public health problem. Developing surveillance, intervention and regulatory/policy frameworks specific to the waterpipe has become a public health priority.