Adolescent gender differences in the determinants of tobacco smoking: a cross sectional survey among high school students in São Paulo

Background: Diverse psychosocial factors have been associated with the use of cigarettes by adolescents. We investigated gender differences in tobacco smoking, and factors correlated with smoking among boys and girls. Methods: Data was collected on recent cigarette smoking (CS) and related factors, with a focus on religious beliefs, leisure activities, family structure, relationships and parental monitoring from 2,691 private school-attending youths from 28 schools in São Paulo, Brazil, selected via probability sampling. Estimates were derived via weighted hierarchical logistic regression models. Results: There was no difference in the prevalence of recent cigarette smoking between boys and girls (14.2%). Older age (a_OR_boys = 1.71[1.33-2.21]; a_OR_girls = 1.73[1.35-2.23]), second-hand smoke exposure at home (a_OR_boys = 1.52[1.00-2.29]; a_OR_girls = 1.74[1.13-2.68]) and not having a religion (a_OR_boys = 1.99[1.41-2.81]; a_OR_girls = 1.78[1.14-2.78]) were associated with CS in boys and girls. Adolescents who went out often at night were more likely to be tobacco smokers (a_OR_boys = 8.82[3.96-19.67]; a_OR_girls = 14.20[6.64-30.37]). For girls, data suggest that CS was also associated with a lack of parental attention and care (a_OR_girls = 4.37[1.19-16.04]) and no participation in youth religious activities (a_OR_girls = 2.76[1.49-5.12]). For boys, CS was additionally associated with the loss of one or both parents (a_OR_boys = 3.75[1.78-7.85]). Conclusions: Although older age, living with smokers at home and lack of religion were common contributing factors to cigarette smoking among all adolescents, girls were influenced to a greater degree by family relationships and religiosity than boys. The study results may be materially important to the development of prevention programs that influence determinants connected to gender and the implementation of single-core models of prevention; gender differences must be considered in order to reduce adolescent CS

Perceptions of depressed patients on depressive disorder and antidepressant treatment: elements for the clarification of pharmaceutical care

The objective was to investigate the perceptions of those with depression regarding their condition and treatment and discuss these findings in the light of the pharmacist’s role in mental health. The study was based on mixed methods, qualitative and quantitative, within the public health network, in 2 health care units of different cities between April 2010 and August 2011; 89 female patients were selected, and 68 agreed to participate in the study. Most women reported feelings of loneliness, abandonment and discouragement, and they think their problems with personal relationships cause depression. They also affirmed that they had little information about the disorder, but had positive expectations regarding improvement in symptoms. Around half of the patients said they had no support from their families. Some patients reported some bias in relation to antidepressants, which might directly impact adherence to treatment. The pharmacists should take into consideration the beliefs of depressed patients when providing pharmaceutical care (PC) to them, because these beliefs may affect the effectiveness of the treatment.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Social factors associated to binge drinking: a cross-sectional survey among Brazilian students in private high schools

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Binge drinking (BD) seems to be related to health and social complications among adolescents. Considering that knowledge about BD in developing countries is limited and that in Brazil high socioeconomic status is a risk factor for alcohol abuse, this study sheds light about this phenomenon among adolescents from a different cultural background than prior North-American and European studies.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Brazilian students (n = 2691) selected through a representative, stratified and clustered sampling method were asked to answer a self-report questionnaire. The questionnaire contained questions about patterns of alcohol consumption, religious beliefs, leisure activities, family structure and relationships. Data were analyzed with basic contingency tables with Chi-square tests followed by a decision tree analysis and weighted logistic regression.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Almost thirty-five percent of the students reported recent binge drinking. BD in the past month was positively associated with older age (aOR = 1.5[1.2-1.7]), male gender (aOR = 1.5[1.2-2.0]) going out with friends almost every night (aOR = 33.9[14.2-80.7]), not living with mother (aOR = 2.4[1.3-4.7]), believing in God with little conviction (aOR = 1.6[1.2-2.0]) and rarely talking to parents about anything (aOR = 1.7[1.3-2.2]) or always about drugs (aOR = 1.8[1.3-2.5]). Factors inversely associated with BD were: paying lower monthly tuition fees (aOR = 0.5[0.4-0.9]), living with people who do not get drunk (aOR = 0.6[0.4-0.7]) and frequent engagement in worships (aOR = 0.7[0.5-0.9]).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The habit of BD in adolescents enrolled in private high schools in Brazil is strongly linked to the frequency with which they go out with friends at night. Factors such as religiosity, expressed by trust in God and participation in worship, and being enrolled in a school with cheaper tuition fees were associated with avoidance of BD in this population.</p

Análise do conteúdo de propagandas de medicamentos psicoativos

El objetivo del estudio fue describir las figuras humanas retratadas en las propagandas de medicamentos psicoactivos con relación al género, la edad, la etnia y el contexto social. Se realizó un análisis del contenido de 86 anuncios publicitarios inéditos divulgados en Araraquara (sureste de Brasil), en el año 2005. La asociación entre las categorías fue analizada usando la prueba exacta de Fisher. Se detectó un predominio de mujeres (62,8%), siendo cuatro veces mas frecuentes que los hombres en propagandas de antidepresivos y ansiolíticos. La mayoría estaba constituida por jóvenes adultos (72%), de etnia blanca (98,8%). Las personas estaban en tiempo de ocio (46,5%), en sus casas (29%) o en contacto con la naturaleza (16,2%). El mensaje transmitido fue que los medicamentos tratan sintomatologías subjetivas de incomodidad del día a día, induciendo un reclamo irracional que puede reflejarse en la prescripción medicamentosaThe goal of this study was to describe the human figures portrayed in psychoactive drug advertising in terms of gender, age, ethnic group, and social context. Content analysis for 86 new pieces of printed advertisements released in 2005 was carried out. Fisher exact test was used to analyze the association between categories. There was a preponderance of women (62.8%) who were four times more present in advertisements for antidepressants and anxyolitics than men. Most of the people shown were Caucasian (98.8%) young adults (72%). These people were pictured in leisure activities (46.5%), at home (29%), or in contact with nature (16.2%). The message conveyed was that the drugs treat routinely felt subjective symptoms of discomfort, inducing in an irrational appeal that may affect drug prescription.O objetivo do estudo foi descrever as figuras humanas retratadas nas propagandas de medicamentos psicoativos quanto ao gênero, a idade, a etnia e o contexto social. Foi realizada análise de conteúdo de 86 impressos publicitários inéditos divulgados em Araraquara (SP) no ano de 2005. A associação entre as categorias foi analisada usando o teste exato de Fisher. Houve predomínio de mulheres (62,8%), sendo quatro vezes mais freqüentes que os homens em propagandas de antidepressivos e ansiolíticos. A maioria era constituída de jovens adultos (72%), de etnia branca (98,8%). As pessoas estavam em lazer (46,5%), em suas casas (29%) ou em contato com a natureza (16,2%). A mensagem transmitida foi que os medicamentos tratam sintomatologias subjetivas de desconforto do dia-a-dia, induzindo a um apelo irracional que pode refletir na prescrição medicamentosa

Graphitic Carbon Nitride as a Catalyst Support in Fuel Cells and Electrolyzers

Electrochemical power sources such as polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) require the use of precious metal catalysts, which are deposited as nanoparticles onto supports in order to minimize their mass loading and therefore cost. State-of-the-art/commercial supports are based on forms of carbon black. However, carbon supports present disadvantages including corrosion in the operating fuel cell environment and loss of catalyst activity. Here we review recent work examining the potential of different varieties of graphitic carbon nitride (gCN) as catalyst supports, highlighting their likely benefits, as well as the challenges associated with their implementation. The performance of gCN and hybrid gCN-carbon materials as PEMFC electrodes is discussed, as well as their potential for use in alkaline systems and water electrolyzers. We illustrate the discussion with examples taken from our own recent studies.This project has received funding from the European Union’s Graphene Flagship under Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme grant agreement No. 696656 – GrapheneCore1 and from the EPSRCEP/L017091/1. C.M. acknowledges the award of a Royal Society University Research Fellowship by the UK Royal Society