Carmen Meneses

Mujeres y psicofármacos, la investigación en atención primaria.

En este articulo se revisan algunos resultados obtenidos en investigaciones nacionales e internacionales realizadas sobre el uso de psicofarmacos, especialmente de aquellos estudios sobre la prescripcion y uso por las mujeres. Los resultados muestran que una parte importante de la produccion cientifica se centra en el estudio de la deteccion de los trastornos en Atencion Primaria o Especializada y en la morbilidad psiquiatrica de manera comparada entre los sexos. La mayor parte de las investigaciones realizadas en este ambito tiene un caracter clinico y epidemiologico. Constituyen una excepcion investigaciones realizadas en Estados Unidos o en el norte de Europa que buscan explicar los motivos razones para un consumo y prescripcion diferencial de psicofarmacos, siendo las mujeres las principales afectadas. Se han analizado investigaciones que aportan informacion para poder responder a la pregunta: Por que las mujeres reciben los dos tercios de las prescripciones con psicofarmacos? Vemos que las mujeres tienen mayor probabilidad que los varones de que les prescriban psicofarmacos.

Diferencias de género en el consumo diario de tabaco e intensivo de alcohol en adolescentes latinoamericanos en tres áreas españolas (Andalucía, Madrid y País Vasco)

El consumo diario de tabaco e intensivo de alcohol en la adolescencia puede configurarse como habitos persistentes para la vida adulta. En este trabajo se pretende explorar las diferencias entre chicos y chicas adolescentes de origen latino con consumos intensivos de tabaco y alcohol, dado que son escasos los trabajos en Espana que introducen la variable cultural o etnica. Se trata de un estudio trasversal mediante encuesta escolar, a 1126 adolescentes de origen latino, escolarizados en la Educacion Secundaria en tres zonas espanolas, de 12 a 19 anos. Entre los resultados destacamos que el 9,4% de los chicos y el 5,6% de las chicas latinas fumaban diariamente y el 24,2% de los chicos y el 19% de las chicas bebio cinco o mas bebidas alcoholicas en el ultimo evento. Fumar diariamente se asocio con ser chico, fumar el padre, fumar la pareja, actuando como factor de proteccion hacer deporte. Ser chico, emborracharse y haber ido de botellon aumenta la probabilidad de consumir alcohol de forma intensiva. Para concluir destacamos que existen diferencias de genero en los consumos de tabaco y alcohol en el tipo de consumo intensivo pero no se aprecia cuando se trata del uso de estas sustancias. Se plantea la necesidad de tener en cuenta la variable de origen cultural en las intervenciones educativas sociosanitarias

Es necesaria una intervención diferencial de género en la prevención universal y selectiva del consumo de drogas en adolescentes

OBJECTIVES To examine the significant differences in smoking, drug and alcohol use between adolescent boys and girls, and to raise the possible need to design and implement prevention programs from a gender perspective. METHOD A qualitative study using eight discussion groups of adolescents aged 14-18 years (n=56) and 6 semi-structured interviews with experts and professionals in drug prevention in the Community of Madrid. Categorical interpretive analysis was performed. RESULTS The adolescents and prevention professional indicated differences between boys and girls in drug and alcohol use. The significances, reasons associated with the consumption and the patterns of consumption were perceived differently by each sex. To lose weight, calm down or an image of rebelliousness was related to girls who smoked, while boys smoked less because they did more sports. The perception of certain precocity of drug consumption was associated with the step from school to Higher Education Institutions. They found smoking associated with a good social image among their groups. Adolescents showed the ineffectiveness of the campaigns and prevention messages they received, incoherence of adults between messages and actions, and the attraction of all behaviours that are banned. Professionals observed the need to include a gender perspective in prevention programs, but did not know how to achieve it, mainly because it has been translated into different activities for each sex until now. CONCLUSIONS The significant differences associated with smoking, drug and alcohol use observed in the adolescents should lead us to design and implement prevention programs that incorporate a gender perspective. It is perhaps from this strategy where drug and alcohol use among girls can be reduced.

Can Clients Who Pay for Sexual Services Help Victims of Sex Trafficking

This article explores the possibility that clients of prostitution could help victims of trafficking. In Spain, prostitution is not prohibited and the men who pay for sex are the first people who make contact with victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation. Ninety-seven interviews concerning the possible detection and reporting by clients of trafficking for prostitution were analysed, (48 of them with key informants “NGO members, prosecutors and police officers “17 interviews with clients of prostitution and 22 with women who were victims of sex trafficking). The findings presented here show two types of clients, Personalisers and Thingers , with the former being the most likely to collaborate in the detection and rescue of victims of trafficking. However greater awareness in clients of prostitution is needed to enable them to collaborate.

The Role of Religion and Religiosity in Alcohol Consumption in Adolescents in Spain

This study explored the relationship between religion, religiosity and alcohol consumption in a sample of 2.890 adolescents (ages 12–18) in Madrid, Spain. Results showed that non-believers were the group that consume and abuse alcohol the most, as opposed to Catholics. Besides, religiosity was related to a lower alcohol use. Therefore, religion and religiosity in Spanish adolescents appear to be related to a low alcohol use. This contribution may help to clarify the risk and protection factors for alcohol consumption by adolescents and contribute to strengthening the preventive actions.

Use, Misuse, and Gender Differences

The use of drugs in Western societies has been associated with male gender roles and behaviors and is poorly regarded in female behavior. For men, drug use has most often been regarded as a risk behavior, a deviation, or an illness when serious consequences for health arise. On the other hand, for women, drug use has been viewed as a vice, a disease, a response to female problems or disorders, and, above all, as a transgression of women’s traditional roles.