7 research outputs found
What differs former, light and heavy smokers? Evidence from a post-conflict setting
Background: Evidence suggests that people who live in regions affected
by the armed conflict are more likely to smoke. Objective: The purpose
of this study was to assess factors associated with smoking status in a
sample of students in the northern Kosovo province. Materials and
methods: A total of 514 students enrolled in University in Kosovska
Mitrovica, Kosovo, were recruited between April to June 2015 at Student
Public Health Center during mandatory health checks. Participants
filled in socio-demographic and behavioral questionnaire and Beck
Depression Inventory (BDI). Based on responses about smoking, students
were categorized in non-smokers, former smokers, light smokers (1-13
cigarettes/day) and heavy smokers (> 13 cigarettes/ day). Results:
Of 514 students, 116 (22.6%) classified themselves as smokers. Higher
education level of fathers (Odds ratio [OR]=2.89, 95% confidence
interval [CI] 1.30-6.44, p=0.009), not living with smokers (OR=0.42,
95%CI 0.15-0.97, p=0.017) and longer exposure to second hand smoke
(OR=1.07, 95%CI 1.01-1.13, p=0.036) was associated with former smoking.
Studying medical and natural sciences (OR=2.07, 95%CI 1.05-4.18,
p=0.040), consuming alcohol (OR=2.98, 95%CI 1.19-10.03, p=0.020),
living with smokers (OR=2.88, 95%CI 1.49-5.56, p=0.002), longer
exposure to second hand smoke (OR=1.06, 95%CI 1.01-1.11, p=0.019) and
having a more intense depressive symptoms (OR=1.08, 95%CI 1.03-1.13,
p=0.002) was associated with light smoking. Being male (OR=0.22, 95%CI
0.07-0.41, p=0.001), older (OR=1.47, 95%CI 1.21-1.78, p=0.001), living
with smokers (OR=3.78, 95%CI 1.69-8.07, p=0.001), longer daily exposure
to second-hand smoke (OR=1.10, 95%CI 1.04-1.16, p=0.001), and having
more severe depressive symptoms (OR=1.12, 95%CI 1.07-1.18, p=0.001)
were associated with heavy smoking. Conclusion: Smoking prevention and
cessation programs should include the entire community, because
exposure to environmental second hand smoke may facilitate initiation
and more intense smoking. Screening of student smokers for depression
should be prioritized in the process of rebuilding the framework for
primary and secondary prevention in the post-conflict period
Illict drug use and academia in North Kosovo: Prevalence, patterns, predictors and health-related quality of life
<div><p>Purpose</p><p>The purpose of this study were to estimate the prevalence and patterns of illicit drug use in a sample of University students from North Kosovo, to assess factors associated with illicit drug use and to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among students according to illicit drug use.</p><p>Methods</p><p>A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Student Public Health Center, where 514 University students were enrolled from April to June 2015 in North Kosovo. Participants completed the general socio-demographic and behavioral questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the SF-36 questionnaire for HRQoL assessment. Data on lifetime illicit drug use were self-reported.</p><p>Results</p><p>As much as 16.0% of students reported ever illicit drug use. The most frequently used drugs were marijuana (9.3%) and bromazepam (7.6%). Factors associated with ever illicit drug use were: being smoker and alcohol user, having chronic diseases and having higher depressive symptoms score. Ever illicit drug users reported all domains of HRQoL as worse.</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>These results could serve as a tool for implementation of preventive strategies and University policies to promote healthy lifestyles and behaviors. Measurement of HRQoL could also be used as indicator of the effect of interventions designed to reduce and/or prevent illicit drug use at institutions of higher education.</p></div
Prevalence of illicit drug use among students of University of Pristina temporarily settled in Kosovska Mitrovica.
<p>Prevalence of illicit drug use among students of University of Pristina temporarily settled in Kosovska Mitrovica.</p
Mean T scores of the SF-36 scales among students of University of Pristina temporarily settled in Kosovska Mitrovica according to illicit drug use.
<p>Mean T scores of the SF-36 scales among students of University of Pristina temporarily settled in Kosovska Mitrovica according to illicit drug use.</p
Factors associated with marijuana use among students of University of Pristina temporarily settled in Kosovska Mitrovica: Results of univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis.
<p>Factors associated with marijuana use among students of University of Pristina temporarily settled in Kosovska Mitrovica: Results of univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis.</p
Factors associated with illicit drug use among students of University of Pristina temporarily settled in Kosovska Mitrovica: Results of univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis.
<p>Factors associated with illicit drug use among students of University of Pristina temporarily settled in Kosovska Mitrovica: Results of univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis.</p