Characteristics of adults who reported not having had COVID-19 in Spain after the first two years of the pandemic and associated factors.

BACKGROUND: There is little evidence regarding the characteristics of adults who self-reported not having had COVID-19 after two years of the pandemic. This study aimed to analyse the characteristics of no-COVID-19 respondents and the associated factors to better understand which may have conditioned not having had the disease as guidance to help in the design of better public health strategies. METHODS: This cross-sectional, observational study was conducted in the Spanish general population in a representative sample of 1051 adults who completed an online survey in September 2022. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess which factors were related to reporting not having had COVID-19. RESULTS: Almost half of the respondents (47.8%) reported not having ever had COVID-19. Significant differences were found between people who reported having had and not having had COVID-19 according to sex, age, education level, employment and living with children. No-COVID-19 respondents had greater concern and less fear of the disease and were more worried about the new variants. After the multivariable analysis, factors associated with no-COVID-19 respondents were male sex (OR)=1.40; 95% (CI=1.07-1.82), older age (OR=1.01; 95% CI=1.01-1.03), having a greater perception of disease severity if infected (OR=4.71; 95% CI=2.97-7.47), greater adherence to preventive measures (OR=1.02; 95% CI=1.01-1.03), and having received a complete vaccination schedule and booster dose (OR=1.56; 95% CI=1.03-2.36). CONCLUSIONS: Analysing the characteristics of people reporting not having had COVID-19 can support public health decision-makers in designing better interventions and facilitating the implementation of effective prevention and control measures to prepare for and respond to a possible future pandemic.

Age differences in knowledge, attitudes and preventive practices during the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain.

This study aims at describing the evolution of Spanish population preventive practices during the COVID-19 pandemic of the between January and June 2021, and differences by age group. Data was drawn from the COSMO-Spain online survey, rounds (R) 4, 5 and 6. Multiple linear regression models with preventive practices as dependent variable were performed. Preventive practices (p = 0.001) and concern about coronavirus (p = 0.003) decreased throughout the three rounds, knowledge decreased from R4 to R6 (p = 0.002) and health literacy had a higher value in R6 (p < 0.001). Older the age was associated with higher the frequency of preventive practices, and levels of health literacy and concern about coronavirus (p < 0.001). The regression model showed that, in the 18-29 year group, a greater frequency of preventive practices was associated with being female (ß = 0.20; p < 0.001), greater concern about coronavirus (ß = 0.16; p < 0.018) and frequency of information seeking (ß = 0.24; p < 0.001). For 61 years old and older, a higher frequency of preventive practices was associated with greater concern about coronavirus (ß = 0.21; p < 0.002) and lower pandemic fatigue (ß = - 0.13; p < 0.037). These findings point to the need for effective public health interventions tailored to the characteristics of age population groups.

Trends in COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance in Spain, September 2020‒May 2021.

Objectives. To analyze factors associated with COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in Spain, over time. Methods. We used data from a national study that included 5 online surveys carried out every 2 months from September 2020 to May 2021. Each round recruited a sample of 1000 participants aged 18 years or older. We performed a multivariable logistic regression with vaccination acceptance as the dependent variable. We evaluated time trends through the interaction terms of each of the explanatory variables and the time. Results. Vaccination acceptance increased from 43.1% in September 2020 to 84.5% in May 2021. Sex, age, concerns about disease severity, health services overload, and people not wearing a face mask, together with adherence to preventive behavior, health literacy, and confidence in scientists, health care professionals' information, and adequacy of governmental decisions, were variables associated with vaccination acceptance. Conclusions. In a changing situation, vaccine acceptance factors and time trends could help in the design of contextualized public health messages. It is important to strengthen the population's trust in institutions, health care professionals, and scientists to increase vaccination rates, as well as to ensure easy access to accurate information for those who are more reluctant. (Am J Public Health. 2022;112(11):1611-1619. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2022.307039).

Compliance with the main preventive measures of COVID-19 in Spain: The role of knowledge, attitudes, practices, and risk perception.

In epidemics such as COVID-19, major changes need to be made to the population's behavior to prevent infection and stop disease transmission. The three most recommended preventive measures are wearing a mask, washing hands with soap or hydroalcoholic gel, and watching an interpersonal distance of at least two meters (3W) from other people. This study aimed to assess adherence to these COVID-19-related three preventive measures and its association with knowledge, attitudes, risk perception, and practices in Spain. The COSMO-Spain survey, based on the WHO Behavioral Insights questionnaire on COVID-19, was conducted in the general Spanish population using an online questionnaire (n = 1,033). Sociodemographic, knowledge, attitudes, practices, and risk perception variables were included. A multivariable logistic regression model was carried out to evaluate the factors associated with compliance with the three preventive measures. Half of the respondents (49.8%) were women with a median age of 45 (Inter-quartile Range, IR = 21) years. In the logistic regression, the factors associated with 3W compliance were being over 45 years; knowing about how COVID-19 spreads and wearing masks properly; appropriate attitudes towards COVID-19 (greater agreement with mandatory mask use); high risk perception (feeling that the coronavirus is spreading rapidly, being concerned about non-mask wearers), and adherence to other preventive measures against COVID-19, such as staying at home. Adequate knowledge, attitudes and risk perception are determinants of 3W compliance. Developing effective health education programs and frequent communication strategies are necessary, particularly for those who adhere less to preventive measures.

Problemas de información a los padres y tutores en la asistencia a urgencias en menores de 14 a 17 años por consumo de sustancias psicoactivas / Issues with information given to parents and guardians on medical care in the emergency department relating to minors aged from 14 to 17 years due to psychoactive substance

INTRODUCCIÓN: El cumplimiento de los deberes de la patria potestad exige a los padres y/o tutores estar informados de aquellos aspectos relevantes relacionados con la salud del menor. La legislación actual reconoce la autonomía a partir de los 16 años o menores emancipados. En este trabajo se analiza la información que reciben los padres o tutores legales de los menores mayores de 14 años que acuden a un servicio de urgencias hospitalario general de tercer nivel por intoxicación aguda por alcohol y otras drogas de abuso incluidos medicamentos como las benzodiacepinas si se consumen con fines recreativos. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se revisaron las historias clínicas de los menores atendidos en el servicio de urgencias de un hospital de tercer nivel durante los años 2016 y 2017 para conocer la información referida a los padres y se entrevistó a los médicos y enfermeros de dicho servicio para conocer la información que daban a los padres/tutores. RESULTADOS: En las historias clínicas en las que se citaba que el menor iba acompañado por amigos (11,5%), 5 de ellas (9,6%) no especificaban si se había realizado el aviso a padres/tutores. De las 26 historias clínicas (50%) en las que no había especificación del acompañamiento, en 22 (42,3%) tampoco existía especificación del aviso. Mientras que 28 de los 35 encuestados (80%) afirma avisar siempre que el menor no hubiera ido acompañado por sus padres o tutores. CONCLUSIONES: Se pone de manifiesto la existencia de una falta de información de tipo asistencial relativa al aviso a padres/tutores, así como una discrepancia entre los datos proporcionados por los médicos y enfermeros y los obtenidos en las historias clínicas

BACKGROUND: In accordance with parental legal duties, parents and guardians should be informed about health issues relevant to child health. Current Spanish legislation acknowledges autonomy from 16 years or emancipated minors. This study analyses the information given to the parents or legal guardians of minors over 14 years of age attending a tertiary-level general hospital emergency department on psychoactive substance intoxication (alcohol, cannabis, benzodiazepines). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The medical records of minors treated in the emergency department of a tertiary-level hospital, between 2016 and 2017, were reviewed. A survey of medical and nursing professionals from the emergency services was also conducted. RESULTS: Of the medical records that mentioned that the minor attended the emergency department with friends (11.5%), 5 (9.6%) did not specify if the parents or guardians were called. Of the 26 medical records (50%) in which there was no mention of whether if the minor attended alone or accompanied, 22 (42.3%) made no mention of informing parents. The study data show that 28 of the 35 respondents (80%) always notified if the minor had not been accompanied to the emergency department by a parent or guardian. CONCLUSIONS: There is lack of information relating to informing parents/guardians, as well as a discrepancy between the data provided by health professionals and the medical reports analysed

Psychometric Assessment of the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q16) for Arabic/French-Speaking Migrants in Southern Europe.

Improving health literacy (HL) is critical for addressing health inequalities. Low literacy rates are believed to be more prevalent in ethnic minorities, which may have an impact on people's health. For measures to be implemented in this regard, HL must be evaluated to obtain specific indicators. Our aim, therefore, was to develop a version of the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q16), which is recommended to be used with vulnerable populations, suited to Arabic/French-speaking migrants who reside in south-eastern Spain, and to explore its psychometric properties for assessing health literacy in this population. A cross-sectional survey was carried out in a convenient sample of 205 migrants. The structural validity was calculated by a confirmatory factorial analysis (CFA), which suggested appropriate adjustment indicators, and which indicated that the three-dimensional model is adequately adjusted to the data obtained in the study. The coefficient omega showed high internal consistency in the three HL dimensions (health care, disease prevention, and health promotion). Concurrent validity presented a significant correlation with the Newest Vital Sign test (r = 0.390; p < 0.001). The multigroup CFA showed that the heterogeneity of the sample used was not a problem for establishing the structural validity of the scale. The Arabic/French version showed good construct validity.

Conocimientos sobre el tratamiento y baja adhesión terapéutica de los pacientes anticoagulados / Knowledge about treatments and low adherence to therapy of anticoagulated patients

The main objective of this study is to measure health literacy in patients treated with oral anticoagulants and their knowledge about their treatment, and to analyze the relationships between health literacy, knowledge of their treatment, adherence, the occurrence of adverse drug reactions and several demographic and socioeconomic factors. The studied population consisted of patients going to a pharmacy with a medical prescription for oral anticoagulants. We used the abbreviated questionnaire of the European Project of Health Literacy HLS-EU-Q16 to measure health literacy and structured interviews in order to measure general knowledge about the treatment. From 133 patients in treatment with anticoagulants, 49.6% were male and the mean age was 69.72 ± 12.66 years. The levels of health literacy were in accordance with those reported by recent literature, with 51.1% of the sample having an adequate level of health literacy, 33.8% a problematic level and 15% an insufficient level. One in two patients had limited health literacy. Health literacy levels and patient knowledge were poor, and there was a relationship between them. Both decrease with age and increase with formal educational level and perceived socioeconomic status. We found no relationship between self-reported compliance or self-reported complications and health literacy or knowledge. Strategies should be implemented to promote empowerment, especially in chronic patients and those populations with fewer competencies in health information management

El objetivo principal de este trabajo es medir la alfabetización en salud en pacientes anticoagulados y sus conocimientos sobre el tratamiento que están utilizando, y analizar su relación con la adhesión, la aparición de complicaciones derivadas del medicamento y distintos factores sociodemográficos. La población en estudio consistió en pacientes que acuden a la Oficina de Farmacia con prescripción de anticoagulantes orales. Empleamos el cuestionario abreviado del Proyecto Europeo de Alfabetización en Salud HLS-EU-Q16 y realizamos entrevistas para medir los conocimientos sobre el tratamiento. De los 133 pacientes en tratamiento, 49.6% eran hombres y la media de edad era 69.72 ± 12.66 años. Los niveles de alfabetización en salud están en consonancia con los informados en la literatura reciente, de forma que el 51.1% presentaba un nivel de alfabetización en salud suficiente; el 33.8%, problemática, y el 15%, insuficiente. Uno de cada dos pacientes tenía un nivel limitado de alfabetización en salud. Los niveles de alfabetización en salud y el conocimiento de los pacientes son bajos, están relacionados entre sí y disminuyen con la edad, aumentan con el nivel educativo y socioeconómico. No encontramos elación entre la adhesión terapéutica y la aparición de complicaciones con alfabetización en salud o el conocimiento. Es necesario implementar estrategias para favorecer el empoderamiento, especialmente en los enfermos crónicos y los colectivos que presentan menos competencias a la hora de desenvolverse en el manejo de la información en salud

Asociación entre victimización por bullying y consumo de sustancias entre la población universitaria de España / Association between bullying victimization and substance use among college students in Spain

Este estudio tiene como objetivo analizar la prevalencia y la asociación entre victimización y consumo de sustancias psicoactivas entre la población universitaria en el sureste de España en una muestra de 543 estudiantes universitarios seleccionados aleatoriamente (405 mujeres y 138 hombres con una media de edad de 22,6 años). Estudio transversal analítico, la recogida de los datos se llevó a cabo por medio de una encuesta anónima que recogía información acerca de victimización y consumo de drogas durante los últimos 12 meses. Los resultados muestran que un 62,2% de los estudiantes había sufrido algún tipo de victimización y un 82,9% había consumido alguna sustancia psicoactiva, con una asociación estadísticamente significativa entre ambas variables analizadas. Además, el análisis de regresión logística mostró que el consumo de sustancias psicoactivas se relacionaba con diferentes tipos de victimización. Nuestros hallazgos confirman la necesidad de implementar programas para prevenir la relación entre victimización y consumo de sustancias

The purpose of this study is to analyze the prevalence and association between victimization and substance use among the university population in the southeast of Spain in a sample of 543 randomly selected college students (405 females and 138 males with an average age of 22.6 years). As a cross-sectional study, data was collected through an anonymous survey to assess victimization and drug use over the last 12 months. Results indicated that 62.2% of college students reported bullying victimization and 82.9% consumed some type of psychoactive substance, and found a statistically significant association between both variables measured. Additionally, logistic regression analysis confirmed the association between psychoactive substance use and different types of victimization. Our findings confirm the need for prevention to prevent this relation between victimization and substance use

Association between bullying victimization and substance use among college students in Spain. / Asociación entre victimización por bullying y consumo de sustancias entre la población universitaria de España.

The purpose of this study is to analyze the prevalence and association between victimization and substance use among the university population in the southeast of Spain in a sample of 543 randomly selected college students (405 females and 138 males with an average age of 22.6 years). As a cross-sectional study, data was collected through an anonymous survey to assess victimization and drug use over the last 12 months. Results indicated that 62.2% of college students reported bullying victimization and 82.9% consumed some type of psychoactive substance, and found a statistically significant association between both variables measured. Additionally, logistic regression analysis confirmed the association between psychoactive substance use and different types of victimization. Our findings confirm the need for prevention to prevent this relation between victimization and substance use.

Este estudio tiene como objetivo analizar la prevalencia y la asociación entre victimización y consumo de sustancias psicoactivas entre la población universitaria en el sureste de España en una muestra de 543 estudiantes universitarios seleccionados aleatoriamente (405 mujeres y 138 hombres con una media de edad de 22,6 años). Estudio transversal analítico, la recogida de los datos se llevó a cabo por medio de una encuesta anónima que recogía información acerca de victimización y consumo de drogas durante los últimos 12 meses. Los resultados muestran que un 62,2% de los estudiantes había sufrido algún tipo de victimización y un 82,9% había consumido alguna sustancia psicoactiva, con una asociación estadísticamente significativa entre ambas variables analizadas. Además, el análisis de regresión logística mostró que el consumo de sustancias psicoactivas se relacionaba con diferentes tipos de victimización. Nuestros hallazgos confirman la necesidad de implementar programas para prevenir la relación entre victimización y consumo de sustancias.

Prevalence and patterns of traditional bullying victimization and cyber-teasing among college population in Spain.

BACKGROUND: Traditional bullying victimization and the growing number of cyber-teasing victims during the last decade is a major public health concern. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between students' experiences of traditional bullying victimization and cyber-teasing and the sociodemographic characteristics of a sample composed of college students in Spain. METHODS: In the fall of 2014, 543 sixth-grade students from southeast Spain completed an anonymous survey on their experience of both kinds of to ascertain any relationship with sociodemographic characteristics, including gender, nationality, economic problems, family conflicts and alcohol and cannabis use. RESULTS: A total of 62.2% of the students reported to having suffered traditional bullying victimization and 52.7% reported that they had been subject to cyber-teasing. 40.7% of participants had been victims of traditional bullying victimization and cyber-teasing in the past 12 months. Most (65.7%) of the victims were at the same time cyber-teasing victims; 77.6% of cyber-teasing victims were also victimized in a different manner. Traditional bullying victimization was higher among boys than among girls, while female students were more likely to have been subjected to cyber-teasing than male students. The characteristics that most heavily influenced suffering traditional bullying victimization were economic problems, family conflicts and cannabis use. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm overlapping results in the risk factors that influence suffering both traditional bullying victimization and cyber-teasing: there was a strong influence of certain sociodemographic and individual characteristics of the college population, suggesting that specific policies are necessary to improve college students' environment in Spain.

Prevalencia y predictores del consumo de sustancias psicoactivas entre varones en prisión / Prevalence and predictors of psychoactive substance use among men in prisons

Objetivo: El consumo de sustancias psicoactivas entre población penitenciaria es un importante problema de salud pública por su magnitud y consecuencias. El objetivo ha sido estimar su prevalencia en prisión y analizar su asociación con factores sociodemográficos y penitenciarios, destacando el mayor tamaño de la prisión. Métodos: Encuesta autoadministrada en 2484 internos varones de ocho centros penitenciarios de diferentes tamaños en España durante el año 2014. Se calculó la prevalencia de consumo de sustancias psicoactivas durante los últimos 6 meses en prisión con sus intervalos de confianza del 95% (IC95%). La asociación entre el consumo de sustancias y las variables sociodemográficas y penitenciarias se analizó con razones de prevalencia ajustadas para el total de las variables analizadas. Resultados: La prevalencia de consumo de sustancias psicoactivas durante los últimos 6 meses en prisión fue del 59,9% (IC95%: 57,9-62,0). Entre las variables sociodemográficas asociadas a un mayor consumo destacó el consumo de sustancias previo al ingreso en prisión (6,90; IC95%: 5,51-8,65) y ser reincidente en prisión (2,41; IC95%: 2,04-2,85). En las prisiones con mayor tamaño se hallaron mayores frecuencias de consumo. Conclusiones: Se encontró una alta prevalencia de consumo de sustancias psicoactivas en prisión, con diferencias significativas según el perfil de delincuente y el tamaño de la prisión (AU)

Objective: The use of psychoactive substances among the prison population is an important public health issue because of its magnitude and health consequences. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of psychoactive substance use among the prison population and to analyse its association with sociodemographic and penitentiary factors, particularly the size of the prison. Methods: Data were gathered using a self-administered questionnaire among 2,484 random male inmates in eight prisons of different sizes in Spain. The prevalence of psychoactive substance use with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) during the last 6 months in prison were estimated. Prevalence ratios were used to estimate the association between psychoactive substance use and sociodemographic and penitentiary characteristics. Results: The prevalence of psychoactive substance use in the past 6 months in prison was 59.9% (95% CI: 57.9-62.0). Notable among the sociodemographic variables associated with substance use were drug consumption prior to imprisonment (6.90; 95% CI: 5.51-8.65) and recidivism in prison (2.41; 95% CI: 2.04-2.85). The largest prisons showed a higher frequency of drug use than other prisons. Conclusions: A high prevalence of psychoactive substance use was found in prisons and significant differences were found according to delinquent profile and the size of the prison (AU)

[Prevalence and predictors of psychoactive substance use among men in prisons]. / Prevalencia y predictores del consumo de sustancias psicoactivas entre varones en prisión.

OBJECTIVE: The use of psychoactive substances among the prison population is an important public health issue because of its magnitude and health consequences. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of psychoactive substance use among the prison population and to analyse its association with sociodemographic and penitentiary factors, particularly the size of the prison. METHODS: Data were gathered using a self-administered questionnaire among 2,484 random male inmates in eight prisons of different sizes in Spain. The prevalence of psychoactive substance use with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) during the last 6 months in prison were estimated. Prevalence ratios were used to estimate the association between psychoactive substance use and sociodemographic and penitentiary characteristics. RESULTS: The prevalence of psychoactive substance use in the past 6 months in prison was 59.9% (95% CI: 57.9-62.0). Notable among the sociodemographic variables associated with substance use were drug consumption prior to imprisonment (6.90; 95% CI: 5.51-8.65) and recidivism in prison (2.41; 95% CI: 2.04-2.85). The largest prisons showed a higher frequency of drug use than other prisons. CONCLUSIONS: A high prevalence of psychoactive substance use was found in prisons and significant differences were found according to delinquent profile and the size of the prison.

Implicaciones del consumo de sustancias psicoactivas sobre la salud de hombres privados de libertad / Implications of psychoactive substances on the health of men deprived of liberty

Objetivo: Describir las frecuencias de consumo de alcohol y otras drogas, así como de diferentes tipos de victimización en la población reclusa de los centros penitenciarios de Castilla-La Mancha. Material y métodos: Estudio transversal analítico con una muestra de personas privadas de libertad en cuatro centros penitenciarios de Castilla-La Mancha. Se distribuyó una encuesta de victimización anónima entre un total de 425 internos, con un margen de confianza del 95%. Resultados: Las agresiones verbales se presentan como las más comunes, con un 41,4% (n=176), situándose en el extremo contrario la victimización sexual con un 7,8% (n=33). Respecto a la sustancia más habitual, destaca el cannabis con un 40,2% (n=171) de consumidores en el mes previo. Conclusiones: La victimización y el consumo de sustancias en prisión son una realidad, y se encuentra una asociación estadísticamente significativa entre ambos fenómenos. Resulta necesario su estudio para el planteamiento de medidas preventivas y mejorar la vida en prisión (AU)

Objective: To describe the frequency of the use of alcohol and other drugs, as well as different types of victimization in men deprived of liberty in the prisons of Castile-La Mancha (Spain). Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of men deprived of liberty in four prisons in Castile-La Mancha. An anonymous questionnaire on victimization was distributed among a total of 425 prisoners, with a confidence interval of 95%. Results: The most commonly reported assaults were verbal, affecting 41.4% of the prisoners (n=176) and the least common were sexual, affecting 7.8% (n=33). The most commonly consumed substance was cannabis, with 40.2% (n=171) of prisoners consuming it in the previous month. Conclusions: Victimization and substance use is a reality in prisons, and there is a statistically significant association between the two phenomena. This association should be further studied to design preventive measures and improve prison life (AU)

Abusos y agresiones sexuales en prisión, percepción de los internos sobre la existencia de desórdenes mentales como factor de vulnerabilidad / Abuse and sexual assault in prison-inmates on perception of the existence of mental disorders as a factor of vulnerability

Introducción: En España no hemos encontrado investigaciones que comparen las frecuencias de victimización sexual entre la población penitenciaria de una prisión diferenciando entre aquellos con o sin desórdenes mentales. El presente estudio ha sido realizado en el Centro Penitenciario de Albolote (Granada) para determinar las posibles relaciones entre ambos factores. Material y método: Se llevó a cabo un estudio descriptivo transversal analítico donde participaron un total de 270 personas privadas de libertad seleccionadas aleatoriamente sobre un total de 1.100 con un margen de confianza de un 95%, realizando los participantes una encuesta de victimización. Resultados: Un 17,7% (n = 48) de los internos participantes habían sufrido algún tipo de victimización sexual en prisión, donde además en un 6,6% (n = 18) de los casos se incluía la penetración. Aproximadamente un 62,2% de los internos perciben que tienen algún desorden mental, encontrando una relación estadísticamente significativa entre victimización sexual y la existencia de desórdenes mentales (p = 0,003) y entre victimización sexual durante la infancia y la posterior estancia en prisión (p = 0,016). Conclusiones: Las personas con algún desorden mental muestran mayores tasas de victimización sexual que los internos sin este tipo de problema, confirmando la vulnerabilidad de este colectivo penitenciario (AU)

Introduction: In Spain we have not found previous research comparing the frequencies of sexual victimization among the prison population of one jail differentiating between those with and without mental disorders. The present study was carried out in the prison of Albolote (Granada) to determinate possible relationships between both factors. Method: We have conducted a cross-sectional descriptive analytical study where a total of 270 randomly selected persons deprived of liberty involved a total of 1,100 with a confidence of 95%; making participants a victimization survey. Results: 17.7% (n = 48) of inmates participants had experienced some form of sexual victimization in prison, in addition 6.6% (n = 18) of cases included penetration. Approximately 62.2% of inmates perceive they have a mental disorder, finding a statistically significant relationship between sexual victimization and the existence of mental disorders (p = 0.003) and between childhood sexual victimization and the later stay in prison (p = 0.016). Conclusions: People with any mental disorder show higher rates of sexual victimization than inmates without this type of problem, confirming the vulnerability of this prison collective (AU)

[Implications of psychoactive substances on the health of men deprived of liberty]. / Implicaciones del consumo de sustancias psicoactivas sobre la salud de hombres privados de libertad.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the frequency of the use of alcohol and other drugs, as well as different types of victimization in men deprived of liberty in the prisons of Castile-La Mancha (Spain). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a sample of men deprived of liberty in four prisons in Castile-La Mancha. An anonymous questionnaire on victimization was distributed among a total of 425 prisoners, with a confidence interval of 95%. RESULTS: The most commonly reported assaults were verbal, affecting 41.4% of the prisoners (n=176) and the least common were sexual, affecting 7.8% (n=33). The most commonly consumed substance was cannabis, with 40.2% (n=171) of prisoners consuming it in the previous month. CONCLUSIONS: Victimization and substance use is a reality in prisons, and there is a statistically significant association between the two phenomena. This association should be further studied to design preventive measures and improve prison life.

Consumo de drogas en las prisiones de la Región de Murcia: características en función de la nacionalidad / No disponible

Objetivos: Comparar las pautas de consumo de drogas entre la población autóctona y extranjera penitenciaria en los Centros Penitenciarios de la Región de Murcia. Método: estudio transversal analítico con una muestra formada por 659 participantes. La recogida de datos se realizó por medio de un cuestionario formado por 40 ítems con respuesta tipo Likert donde se recogen variables sociodemográficas y de consumo de drogas durante el último mes en prisión. Resultados: un 29,8% (n=197) de los encuestados son extranjeros, el consumo de drogas es superior en los nacionales que en los extranjeros (66,2% vs 49,7%, respectivamente) siendo el cannabis, alcohol y cocaína las drogas más frecuentes para ambos colectivos. Por último se han analizados las correlaciones existentes entre las variables nacionalidad y consumo por medio de las pruebas de Odds ratio y valor de P

Objectives: To compare patterns of drug abuse among the native inmates and foreign inmates in the Prisons in Murcia Region. Method: a cross-sectional study with a sample of 659 participants. Data collection was conducted through a questionnaire consisting of 40 items with Likert-type response in which variables on sociodemographics and drug abuse during the last month in prison are compiled.Results: 29.8% (n=197) of respondents are foreigners, drug abuse is higher among national inmates that among foreign inmates (66.2% vs. 49.7%, respectively), cannabis, alcohol and cocaine being the most frequent substances for both groups. Finally, we have analyzed the correlations between nationality and drug abuse variables through testing Odds ratio and P value

Perfil de los usuarios de una unidad móvil de drogodependencias en el sureste de España / No disponible

Introducción. Los programas de mantenimiento con metadona se enmarcan dentro de la filosofía de reducción del daño, destinados a mejorar la salud y la calidad de vida de los consumidores de drogas que no quieren o no pueden abandonar su adicción. Los objetivos de este trabajo son conocer el perfil de los sujetos adictos a la heroína cuando inician la demanda de tratamiento en un programa de mantenimiento con metadona, conocer si existen diferencias con respecto a los usuarios de otros recursos y la aceptación de la Unidad Móvil. Material y métodos. Estudio descriptivo, transversal, basado en un cuestionario a 135 sujetos, seleccionados mediante muestreo aleatorio estratificado, de entre todos los sujetos que demandan tratamiento por primera vez en una Unidad Móvil de Drogodependencias. Las variables analizadas han sido: características sociodemográficas, familiares, personales, de patrones de consumo, clínicas y relacionadas con la utilización de la Unidad Móvil. Resultados. Los sujetos son mayoritariamente hombres jóvenes (edad media= 26,2 ± 4,6 años), la edad media de abandono de los estudios es de 14,4 ± 2,3 años, habiendo sido detenidos en alguna ocasión el 74,1%. Consumen diariamente heroína, cocaína, benzodiacepinas, cannabis, alcohol y tabaco el 100%, 64%, 18%, 19%, 58%, y 98% de los sujetos, respectivamente. Más de un tercio de estos sujetos desconocían su estado serológico. El 37,8% de los sujetos no habían realizado tratamientos previos. En el 90% de los casos los sujetos refieren que la persona que les informó de las características y uso de la unidad móvil son sujetos que han utilizado también este recurso o lo siguen haciendo. Conclusión. El perfil de esta población viene definido por un bajo nivel socio-cultural y alto nivel de marginación, así como por un consumo precoz del alcohol, tabaco y cannabis. La unidad móvil de drogodependencias permite contactar con un grupo de población drogodependiente que no se había visto motivada para el tratamiento y que habitualmente se mantiene al margen de otros servicios asistenciales. La influencia de los pares para iniciar el tratamiento es elevada

Introduction. Metadone maintenance programmes are about harm reduction, as understood by a series of measures destined to improve the health and quality of life of those who do not want or who cannot give up their addiction. The aim of this paper is to describe the profile of heroin addict when they first sought treatment in a Mobile Drug dependency Unit (MDU), and their acceptance of the unit. Material and methods. Questionnaire-based, descriptive, transversal study of 135 subjects selected in a stratified random way from subjects seeking treatment for the first time in an MDU in Murcia (SE Spain). Details of socio-demographic characteristics, family, personal, consumption, and attendance at therapeutic programmes, clinics and the mobile unit itself were included. Results. The users were mostly young men with a mean age of 26.2 ± 4.6 years. The average school leaving age was 14.4 ± 2.3 years, and 74.1% had been detained previously by the police. The proportion of daily consumption among users for heroin, cocaine, benzodiacepines, cannabis, alcohol and tobacco was 100%, 64%, 18%, 19%, 58%, and 98%, respectively. 37.8% subjects had not received treatment previously. More than a third of users had no knowledge of their serological state. In 90% of cases, the person suggesting that the interviewed subject attended the MDU had himself used the service and continued doing so. Conclusion. The profile of the population seeking advice is defined by their low socio-cultural status, social alienation and early use of alcohol, tobacco and cannabis. The MDU was able to establish contact with a group from the drug-dependent population which had not been motivated to seek treatment before and which would normally shy away from other social services. The influence of partners on beginning treatment was high