6 research outputs found
A national snapshot of substance misuse among child and adolescent psychiatric inpatients in Malta
This paper reports on a patient record survey that was undertaken with the central aim of establishing reliable, baseline information to inform strategic planning and organisation of future CAMHS in Malta. The records of the total population of children and adolescents admitted into the psychiatric hospital over a five year period were surveyed. Results showed that the characteristics and circumstances of children and adolescents with mental disorder and comorbid substance misuse in Malta are similar to those described in international studies. The survey emphasized the pressing need for further research into this sub group and also highlighted gaps in reliable data systems locally.peer-reviewe
A NATIONAL SNAPSHOT OF SUBSTANCE MISUSE AMONG CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRIC INPATIENTS IN MALTA
This paper reports on a patient record survey that was undertaken with the central aim of establishing reliable, baseline
information to inform strategic planning and organisation of future CAMHS in Malta. The records of the total population of children
and adolescents admitted into the psychatric hospital over a five year period were surveyed. Results showed that the characteristics
and circumstances of children and adolescents with mental disorder and comorbid substance misuse in Malta are similar to those
described in international studies. The survey emphasised the pressing need for further research into this sub group and also
highlighted gaps in reliable data systems locally
A survey of energy drinks consumption amongst medical students and foundation year doctors in Malta
Objectives: To explore the consumption patterns of energy drinks and associated factors, amongst medical students and foundation year doctors in Malta.
Methods: Data was collected from medical students and foundation year doctors from the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, by means of an electronically administered cross-sectional, self-reported survey. The response rate was 42% (n=305). IBM SPSS 23 was used for statistical analysis.
Results:
Energy drinks consumption amongst the sample was 68.2% (n= 208). Most participants (60.1%) started consuming energy drinks between 16-20 years, followed by those between 11-15 years (34.6%). Males are more likely to consume energy drinks than females. Participants who consume energy drinks are more likely to also drink coffee (85.1%), alcohol (88.0%) and smoke tobacco (18.3%). Common reasons for drinking energy drinks were for mixing with alcohol (37.5%) and during studying/major projects (30.8%). The majority of the participants (52.1%) experience psychological side effects due to energy drinks, the most common being stimulating/hyperactivity (42.6%), followed by anxiety (14.8%). Over half of the participants (54.8%) claimed to suffer from physical side effects
Conclusions: Energy drink consumption is common amongst this population and certain aspects of consumption are a cause for concern. Greater public education of the risks of these drinks is recommended especially to young age groups. Legislation may be required to control the marketing and sales and accessibility of these drinks.peer-reviewe
Risk factors for self-harm in children and adolescents admitted to a psychiatric hospital in Malta
The aim of this research was to identify risk factors
for self-harm amongst the total population of children
and adolescents admitted to an in-patient psychiatric
hospital over a five-year period. A retrospective audit of
patient records (N = 212) covering 2010 to 2014 (both years
included) showed that approximately 38% of all children
and adolescents who were in-patients at the psychiatric
hospital during the study period harmed themselves prior
to admission. Male gender was found to be associated
with self-harm. Results also suggested that family factors,
specifically living with a single parent, significantly added
to the risk of self-harm amongst the study population.
Although the findings revealed that being male and hailing
from a single-parent family are significant risk factors for
self-harm in Maltese children and adolescents, this study
did not establish why this is the case, therefore suggesting
the need for further research. A prospective, longitudinal
design would assess predictors of self-harm more clearly.
Furthermore, self-reports would increase accuracy and
reduce third-party reporter bias, while permitting more indepth
exploration of the risk factors involved in child and
adolescent deliberate self-harm.peer-reviewe