Does knowing about the long-term health effects of alcohol matter? Evidence from a university sample in Lebanon

Background: Research linking awareness of health effects of alcohol and harmful alcohol drinking status is limited. Aims: To investigate the association between awareness of long-term alcohol effects and alcohol use disorders. Methods: University students aged 18–25 years (n = 1155) completed a self-filled survey. Participants were asked if they knew that alcohol causes: (1) problems in the liver; (2) cancers of the mouth, throat, oesophagus and breast; (3) damage to the heart; and (4) weakening of the immune system. Multinomial regression analyses were conducted to assess the association between awareness of long-term alcohol effects and alcohol drinking status, including Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-5) alcohol use disorders. Results: One third (32.8%) were past-year drinkers and 18% screened positive for DSM-5 alcohol use disorders. Compared to past-year drinkers with no alcohol use disorders, non-past-year ever drinkers were twice as likely to know about the link between alcohol and cancers of the mouth, throat, oesophagus and breast. Past-year drinkers with an alcohol use disorders were less likely to know about this association. Non-past-year ever drinkers (vs past-year drinkers with no alcohol use disorders) were also 2.6 times more likely to know the alcohol liver risks. Conclusions: There is a strong inverse relationship between awareness of the effects of alcohol and harmful consumption among young people, providing preliminary support for the protective nature of knowledge on alcohol drinking status. Efforts to increase public awareness of the long-term health effects of alcohol may be useful in reducing alcohol-related harm.

Investigating the effect of national government physical distancing measures on depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic through meta-analysis and meta-regression

Abstract (following PRISMA statement)O_ST_ABSBackgroundC_ST_ABSCOVID-19 physical distancing measures can potentially increase the likelihood of mental disorders. It is unknown whether these measures are associated with depression and anxiety. ObjectivesTo investigate meta-analytic global levels of depression and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic and how implementation of mitigation strategies (i.e. public transportation closures, stay-at-home orders, etc.) impacted such disorders. Data sourcesPubmed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, BIOSIS Citation Index, Current Content Connect, PsycINFO, CINAHL, medRxiv, and PsyArXiv databases for depression and anxiety prevalences; Oxford Covid-19 Government Response Tracker for the containment and closure policies indexes; Global Burden of Disease Study for previous levels of depression and anxiety. Study eligibility criteriaOriginal studies conducted during COVID-19 pandemic, which assessed categorical depression and anxiety, using PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scales (cutoff [≥] 10). Participants and interventionsGeneral population, healthcare providers, students, and patients. National physical distancing measures. Study appraisal and synthesis methodsMeta-analysis and meta-regresssion. ResultsIn total, 226,638 individuals were assessed within the 60 included studies. Global prevalence of both depression and anxiety during COVID-19 pandemic were 24.0% and 21.3%, respectively. There was a wide variance in the prevalence of both anxiety and depression reported in different regions of the world and countries. Asia, and China particularly, had the lowest prevalence of both disorders. Regarding the impact of mitigation strategies on mental health, only public transportation closures increased anxiety prevalence. LimitationsCountry-level data on physical distancing measures and previous anxiety/depression may not necessarily reflect local (i.e., city-specific) contexts. Conclusions and implications of key findingsMental health concerns should not be viewed only as a delayed consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also as a concurrent epidemic. Our data provides support for policy-makers to consider real-time enhanced mental health services, and increase initiatives to foster positive mental health outcomes. Systematic review registration numberhttps://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/JQGSF

Post-infection depression, anxiety and PTSD: a retrospective cohort study with mild COVID-19 patients

BackgroundIt remains unclear whether COVID-19 is associated with psychiatric symptoms during or after the acute illness phase. Being affected by the disease exposes the individual to an uncertain prognosis and a state of quarantine. These factors can predispose individuals to the development of mental symptoms during or after the acute phase of the disease. There is a need for prospective studies assessing mental health symptoms in COVID-19 patients in the post-infection period. MethodsIn this retrospective cohort study, nasopharyngeal swabs for COVID-19 tests were collected at patients homes under the supervision of trained healthcare personnel. Patients who tested positive for COVID-19 and were classified as mild cases (N=895) at treatment intake were further assessed for the presence of mental health disorders (on average, 56.6 days after the intake). We investigated the association between the number of COVID-19 symptoms at intake and depression, anxiety and PTSD, adjusting for previous mental health status, time between baseline and outcome, and other confounders. Multivariate logistic regression and generalized linear models were employed for categorical and continuous outcomes, respectively. FindingsDepression, anxiety and PTSD were reported by 26.2% (N=235), 22.4% (N=201), and 17.3% (N=155) of the sample. Reporting an increased number of COVID-related symptoms was associated with depression (aOR=1.059;95%CI=1.002-1.119), anxiety (aOR=1.072;95%CI=1.012-1.134), and PTSD (aOR=1.092;95%CI=1.024-1.166). Sensitivity analyses supported findings for both continuous and categorical measures. InterpretationExposure to an increased number of COVID-19 symptoms may predispose individuals to depression, anxiety and PTSD after the acute phase of the disease. These patients should be monitored for the development of mental health disorders after COVID-19 treatment discharge. Early interventions, such as brief interventions of psychoeducation on coping strategies, could benefit these individuals. FundingThe city health department of Sao Caetano do Sul (Secretaria Municipal de Saude da Prefeitura de Sao Caetano do Sul) funded the establishment and implementation of the COVID-19 platform.