Danilo P. Locatelli

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

BackgroundBinge 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.MethodsBrazilian 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.ResultsAlmost 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]).ConclusionThe 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.

The Brazilian smoker: a survey in the largest cities of Brazil

OBJECTIVE To understand the sociodemographic factors associated with daily consumption of cigarettes and pattern of cigarette use among Brazilian smokers. METHOD A cross-sectional study was performed in 2005 involving the 108 largest Brazilian cities. Data were collected through interviews with subjects aged 12 to 65 years in randomly selected households. Based on a questionnaire adapted to the Brazilian context, a logistic regression model was used to investigate the association between the sociodemographic characteristics of the sample and smoking. RESULTS Of the 7,921 subjects interviewed, 16.4% reported daily use of cigarettes. The smoking prevalence was similar between genders, although women reported to start smoking at a later age and smoke fewer cigarettes per day. Almost 65% of the smokers were interested in quitting or reducing their smoking habit. The main sociodemographic characteristics associated with smoking were as follows: adult age (30-59 years old), unemployment, low education level, and low socioeconomic level. Alcohol abuse was also shown to be associated with smoking. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that adverse socioeconomic characteristics are implicated in increased susceptibility to smoking in Brazil. In our sample, a high proportion of smokers reported interest to quit or reduce smoking. These data suggest that sociodemographic factors should be considered in the elaboration of smoking prevention and treatment policies.

Socioeconomic influences on alcohol use patterns among private school students in São Paulo

OBJECTIVES To describe alcohol use by socioeconomic level and gender among private high school students in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS Cross-sectional study of students in private schools in São Paulo. An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was distributed in the classroom. A total of 2,613 students were selected by the stratification and conglomerate methods. Chi-squared tests, t-tests and ANOVA were used to test for associations between alcohol use and gender and socioeconomic status; for binge drinking, an ordered logistic regression model was developed. RESULTS Overall, 88% of students reported lifetime alcohol use, with 31.6% in combination with energy drinks. Half of the students (51.3%) reported alcohol use in the last month, most frequently beer (35.2%), alcopop (32%) and vodka (31.7%); 33.2% reported binge drinking in the last month (5 drinks per occasion). Most evaluated parameters showed higher rates of use among males and higher social classes. The regression model exhibited an increasing rate of binge drinking with increasing socioeconomic status. CONCLUSIONS The results suggest that socioeconomic features help to define alcohol use among São Paulo students. Use behaviors such as binge drinking are more prevalent among students from the upper social classes.

Nonprescribed use of tranquilizers or sedatives by adolescents: a Brazilian national survey.

BackgroundAlthough the nonprescribed use of tranquilizers or sedatives by adolescents is a cause for concern in many countries, there is a shortage of data from low and middle income countries (LAMIC). The present study aims to estimate the prevalence of nonprescribed use of tranquilizers/sedatives by adolescents in Brazil, and to assess how socioeconomic and demographic circumstances, as well as indicators of access to these substances are associated with their use and with risk perception.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted using a multi-stage probability sample of 18131 high school students from public and private schools from all 27 Brazilian state capitals. A self-reporting questionnaire was used to obtain information on social and economic circumstances, nonprescribed use of tranquilizers or sedatives and risk perception of their use.ResultsLifetime nonprescribed use of tranquilizers or sedatives was reported by 5% of respondents, more commonly among females (OR: 2.19, 95% CI: 1.75-2.75) and those attending private schools (OR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.17-1.84). The use of tranquilizers/sedatives by relatives or friends was associated with nonprescribed use by the participant (OR: 4.26, 95% CI: 3.46-5.23) and a majority of lifetime users obtained these substances from a family environment (82%). Previous medical prescription was independently associated with nonprescribed use (OR: 6.61, 95% CI: 4.87-8.98) and with low risk perception (OR: 2.42, 95% CI: 1.12-5.24).ConclusionsA substantial proportion of Brazilian adolescents use nonprescribed tranquilizers/sedatives. Easy access to these substances seems to play an important role in this use and should be tackled by preventive and treatment interventions.

An anti‐inflammatory as a recreational drug in brazil

Benzydamine hydrochloride is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, with medical indication for disorders of the oral and vaginal mucosa. It is available in a number of countries and in different pharmaceuticals preparations, such as pills, vaginal douche preparations, mouthwash, dermal cream and aerosol. In Brazil, it can be purchased for less than US

Estilos parentais como fator de proteção ao consumo de tabaco entre adolescentes brasileiros

5 a unit. One of the few case reports on the recreational use of this substance was a 22 year-old male who discovered information on the web about its hallucinogenic properties and decided to experiment. The subject described a state of hyperactivity, excitation, visual hallucinations and muscle weakness. Recently we also identified the benzydamine recreational use among 2.3% of a sample of 5208 students of Sao Paulo, the largest city of Brazil. The sample was composed of 12 to 18 year-old students from private schools, with the main characteristic of belonging to the wealthiest socioeconomic status of the country. Most of the cases were high school students, and no differences were found between gender.

Nonprescribed use of tranquilizers and use of other drugs among Brazilian students

The objective was to evaluate the relationship between tobacco use (previous month and frequent use), parenting styles and parental smoking behavior in a sample of high school students. Participants were recruited from public and private high schools from 27 Brazilian state capitals (N = 17,246). The overall prevalence of tobacco use in life was 25.2%; 15.3% in the previous year; 8.6% in the previous month; and 3.2% for frequent use. Tobacco use by the parents was reported by 28.6% of the students. Regarding parenting styles, 39.2% were classified as negligent, 33.3% authoritative, 15.6% as indulgent and 11.9% authoritarian. Compared to adolescents with authoritative parents, those with negligent or indulgent parents were more prone to report tobacco use during the last month or frequent use. This study showed an association between parenting styles and tobacco use by high school students. Authoritative parents were associated with protection from frequent and previous month tobacco use among adolescents.El objetivo fue analizar la asociacion entre el consumo de tabaco (durante el mes y su frecuencia) con los estilos parentales y el habito de fumar de los padres, en una muestra de estudiantes de secundaria. Los participantes fueron reclutados de escuelas publicas y privadas de 27 capitales estatales de Brasil (n = 17.246). La prevalencia de uso en la vida fue un 25,2%, en el ultimo ano 15,3%, en el ultimo mes 8,6%, y 3,2% de uso frecuente. El consumo de tabaco parental fue reportado por un 28,6% de los estudiantes. 39,2% de los padres fueron clasificados como negligentes, 33,3% autoritativos, 15,6% indulgentes y 11,9% autoritarios. Comparados con los adolescentes con padres autoritativos, aquellos con padres negligentes o indulgentes reportaron mas uso de tabaco durante el ultimo mes o uso frecuente. Se encontro asociacion entre estilos parentales y uso de tabaco por parte de los estudiantes. El estilo parental autoritativo se asocio con la proteccion para el uso del tabaco en el mes y frecuencia entre los adolescentes.

Parenting styles as a tobacco-use protective factor among Brazilian adolescents

OBJECTIVES To describe patterns of nonprescribed use of tranquilizers by students aged 10 to 18 years and assess the sociodemographic characteristics of these adolescents and their use of other substances. METHODS A randomized and stratified sample of 47,979 students from state and private schools of the 27 Brazilian state capitals completed a self-report questionnaire. Poisson regression was used to estimate the associations between tranquilizer use and sociodemographic factors, as well as the use of other psychotropic substances. RESULTS The lifetime prevalence of nonprescribed use of tranquilizers was 3.9%. Use was most common among girls, wealthier adolescents, and those from private schools. An association was found between use of tranquilizers and lifetime use of alcohol (prevalence ratio [PR] = 3.15; 95% confidence intervals [95%CI] 2.58-3.85), tobacco (PR = 2.61; 95%CI 2.31-2.95), illicit drugs (PR = 3.70; 95%CI 3.19-4.29), and other prescription drugs (PR = 7.03; 95%CI 6.18-7.99). As the number of substances adolescents reported having used increased, so did the nonprescribed use of tranquilizers. CONCLUSIONS Nonprescribed use of tranquilizers by adolescents might indicate the use of other substances, including high-risk combinations such as tranquilizers and alcohol. The risks of this association should be addressed during the early stages of drug prevention programs.

Estilos parentales como factor protector para el consumo de tabaco entre adolescentes brasileños

The objective was to evaluate the relationship between tobacco use (previous month and frequent use), parenting styles and parental smoking behavior in a sample of high school students. Participants were recruited from public and private high schools from 27 Brazilian state capitals (N = 17,246). The overall prevalence of tobacco use in life was 25.2%; 15.3% in the previous year; 8.6% in the previous month; and 3.2% for frequent use. Tobacco use by the parents was reported by 28.6% of the students. Regarding parenting styles, 39.2% were classified as negligent, 33.3% authoritative, 15.6% as indulgent and 11.9% authoritarian. Compared to adolescents with authoritative parents, those with negligent or indulgent parents were more prone to report tobacco use during the last month or frequent use. This study showed an association between parenting styles and tobacco use by high school students. Authoritative parents were associated with protection from frequent and previous month tobacco use among adolescents.El objetivo fue analizar la asociacion entre el consumo de tabaco (durante el mes y su frecuencia) con los estilos parentales y el habito de fumar de los padres, en una muestra de estudiantes de secundaria. Los participantes fueron reclutados de escuelas publicas y privadas de 27 capitales estatales de Brasil (n = 17.246). La prevalencia de uso en la vida fue un 25,2%, en el ultimo ano 15,3%, en el ultimo mes 8,6%, y 3,2% de uso frecuente. El consumo de tabaco parental fue reportado por un 28,6% de los estudiantes. 39,2% de los padres fueron clasificados como negligentes, 33,3% autoritativos, 15,6% indulgentes y 11,9% autoritarios. Comparados con los adolescentes con padres autoritativos, aquellos con padres negligentes o indulgentes reportaron mas uso de tabaco durante el ultimo mes o uso frecuente. Se encontro asociacion entre estilos parentales y uso de tabaco por parte de los estudiantes. El estilo parental autoritativo se asocio con la proteccion para el uso del tabaco en el mes y frecuencia entre los adolescentes.

Binge drinking among Brazilian students: A gradient of association with socioeconomic status in five geo-economic regions

The objective was to evaluate the relationship between tobacco use (previous month and frequent use), parenting styles and parental smoking behavior in a sample of high school students. Participants were recruited from public and private high schools from 27 Brazilian state capitals (N = 17,246). The overall prevalence of tobacco use in life was 25.2%; 15.3% in the previous year; 8.6% in the previous month; and 3.2% for frequent use. Tobacco use by the parents was reported by 28.6% of the students. Regarding parenting styles, 39.2% were classified as negligent, 33.3% authoritative, 15.6% as indulgent and 11.9% authoritarian. Compared to adolescents with authoritative parents, those with negligent or indulgent parents were more prone to report tobacco use during the last month or frequent use. This study showed an association between parenting styles and tobacco use by high school students. Authoritative parents were associated with protection from frequent and previous month tobacco use among adolescents.El objetivo fue analizar la asociacion entre el consumo de tabaco (durante el mes y su frecuencia) con los estilos parentales y el habito de fumar de los padres, en una muestra de estudiantes de secundaria. Los participantes fueron reclutados de escuelas publicas y privadas de 27 capitales estatales de Brasil (n = 17.246). La prevalencia de uso en la vida fue un 25,2%, en el ultimo ano 15,3%, en el ultimo mes 8,6%, y 3,2% de uso frecuente. El consumo de tabaco parental fue reportado por un 28,6% de los estudiantes. 39,2% de los padres fueron clasificados como negligentes, 33,3% autoritativos, 15,6% indulgentes y 11,9% autoritarios. Comparados con los adolescentes con padres autoritativos, aquellos con padres negligentes o indulgentes reportaron mas uso de tabaco durante el ultimo mes o uso frecuente. Se encontro asociacion entre estilos parentales y uso de tabaco por parte de los estudiantes. El estilo parental autoritativo se asocio con la proteccion para el uso del tabaco en el mes y frecuencia entre los adolescentes.