scholarly journals Evidence for an increase in cannabis use in Iran – A systematic review and trend analysis

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. e0256563
Author(s):  
Yasna Rostam-Abadi ◽  
Jaleh Gholami ◽  
Masoumeh Amin-Esmaeili ◽  
Shahab Baheshmat ◽  
Marziyeh Hamzehzadeh ◽  
...  

Background and aims Cannabis is the most widely used illicit substance globally. In this systematic review, we examined the prevalence and trends of cannabis use and cannabis use disorder in Iran. Methods We searched International and Iranian databases up to March 2021. Pooled prevalence of use among sex subgroups of the general population, university and high school students, combined youth groups, and high-risk groups was estimated through random-effects model. Trends of various use indicators and national seizures were examined. Results Ninety studies were included. The prevalence estimates of last 12-month cannabis use were 1.3% (95%CI: 0.1–3.6) and 0.2% (95%CI: 0.1–0.3) among the male and female Iranian general population, respectively. The prevalence of cannabis use disorder among general population in national studies rose from 0% in 2001 to 0.5% in 2011. In the 2016–2020 period, the pooled prevalence estimates of last 12-month cannabis use were 4.9% (95% CI: 3.4–6.7) and 0.3% (95% CI: 0.0–1.3) among males and females of “combined youth groups”, respectively. The linear trend of last 12-month cannabis use among males of "combined youth groups" and among female university students increased significantly from 2000 to 2020. Conclusions Prevalence of cannabis use in Iran is low compared to many countries. However, there is strong evidence of an increase in cannabis use among the youth and some evidence for an increase in cannabis use disorder.

Author(s):  
Mohammad Aryaie ◽  
Hamid Sharifi ◽  
Zahra Khorrami ◽  
Gelayol Ardalan ◽  
Leila Rajaei ◽  
...  

Background: Cigarette smoking is a shared risk factor for a variety of health conditions. Aims: To estimate the prevalence of cigarette smoking among Iranian adolescents and young adults. Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus and domestic databases from January 2001 to December 2018. Cross-sectional studies that reported the prevalence of cigarette smoking among high school students, university students or general population aged 14–30 years were eligible. Data on prevalence of smoking, age and gender of subjects, sample size, date, and location of studies were extracted by 2 independent reviewers. Results: We included 99 studies in the analysis. For high school students, the pooled life-time prevalence of cigarette smoking was 13% in girls and 23% in boys. For university students, the life-time prevalence was 11% in women and 33% in men. The pooled prevalence of current and regular smoking among high school boys was 9% and 5%, respectively, compared with 3% and 1% in girls. The pooled prevalence of current and regular smoking among male university students was 22% and 11%, respectively, compared with 5% and 1% among female students. The prevalence of current smoking among the general population aged 15–24 years was 3.3–13.9%. The prevalence of regular smoking among this population was 1.0–10.2%. Conclusion: Cigarette smoking is notable among Iranian young adults especially boys and university students. Our findings call for reinforcement of tobacco prevention and control policies across Iranian schools and universities.


2020 ◽  
Vol 54 (10) ◽  
pp. 970-984 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas Buckley ◽  
Emma J Glasson ◽  
Wai Chen ◽  
Amy Epstein ◽  
Helen Leonard ◽  
...  

Background: Children and adolescents with intellectual disability are at risk of developing psychiatric symptoms and disorders; yet, the estimates reported in the literature have been inconsistent, presenting a potential barrier for service planning and delivery. Sources of variability could arise from differences in measurement instruments as well as subgroup membership by severity of intellectual disability, gender and age. This systematic review aimed to address these gaps. Method: MEDLINE and PsycINFO databases were searched from inception to 2018 and selected studies were reviewed. Studies were included if they reported point prevalence estimates of mental health symptomology or diagnoses in a general population of 6- to 21-year-old individuals with intellectual disability. The Joanna Briggs Institute Prevalence Critical Appraisal Checklist was applied to eligible papers to appraise their scientific strength. Pooled prevalence for mental health symptomology was determined using a random-effects meta-analysis. Results: A total of 19 studies were included, including 6151 children and adolescents. The pooled prevalence estimate captured by the Developmental Behaviour Checklist was 38% (95% confidence interval = [31, 46]), contrasting with 49% (95% confidence interval = [46, 51]) captured by the Child Behaviour Checklist; both rates were higher than a non-intellectual disability population. Severity of intellectual disability did not significantly influence the Developmental Behaviour Checklist risks. Insufficient data were available to conduct statistical analyses on the effects of age, gender and socioeconomic status. Of diagnosed psychiatric disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (30%), conduct disorder (3–21%) and anxiety disorders (7–34%) were the most prevalent conditions. Conclusion: This review consists of the largest sample hitherto evaluated. In the intellectual disability population, mental health comorbidities could be better detected by a symptom phenotype than a psychiatric diagnostic phenotype. Crucially, future research needs to address the effect of measurement validity in the intellectual disability population. Estimated prevalence rates were high compared to the general population, indicating the importance of systematic screening, case detection and appropriate management.


2021 ◽  
pp. 106667
Author(s):  
Nathan Cantor ◽  
Mila Kingsbury ◽  
Hayley A. Hamilton ◽  
T. Cameron Wild ◽  
Akwasi Owasu-Bempah ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Luken ◽  
Johannes Thrul ◽  
Renee M. Johnson

Abstract Objective To determine the relationship between lifetime e-cigarette use and current cannabis use among youth. Our analyses accounted for county variability, in addition to student-level covariates. Methods This study examined responses from high school students on a state-level population survey, the 2018 Maryland Youth Risk Behavior Survey/Youth Tobacco Survey, a cross-sectional, complex survey sample. Of participating students, final analyses included an unweighted sample of 41,091 9th to 12th grade students who provided complete reports for measured variables. Analyses with survey weights were conducted between August 2019 and May 2020. A multivariable logistic regression was conducted to investigate the association between lifetime e-cigarette use and current (past 30-day) cannabis use, after controlling for county, lifetime cigarette use, current (past 30-day) alcohol use, emotional distress, and demographics. Results Lifetime e-cigarette use significantly increased the odds of current cannabis use among Maryland high school students (aOR = 6.04; 95% CI 5.27, 6.93). Other significant risk factors for current cannabis use included lifetime cigarette use (aOR 2.23, 95% CI 1.86, 2.68) and current alcohol use (aOR 5.21, 95% CI 4.42, 6.14). Significantly higher odds of current cannabis use were also found among older high school students, males, non-Hispanic Blacks and students identifying as other race, and those reporting emotional distress. Conclusions Lifetime e-cigarette use among Maryland high school students is strongly associated with current cannabis use when including counties as a covariate. Non-significant county differences, however, suggest smaller geographical units may be required to control for variability. Efforts should focus on reducing youth e-cigarette use to decrease cannabis use. Maryland’s recent implementation of Tobacco 21 and a ban on flavored e-cigarettes will be of interest for future evaluations.


2019 ◽  
Vol 194 ◽  
pp. 500-517 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dustin C. Lee ◽  
Nicolas J. Schlienz ◽  
Erica N. Peters ◽  
Robert H. Dworkin ◽  
Dennis C. Turk ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 63-69
Author(s):  
Simone D. Holligan ◽  
Wei Qian ◽  
Margaret de Groh ◽  
Ying Jiang ◽  
Scott T. Leatherdale

Introduction This study examined the associations of micro-level factors with current alcohol use and binge drinking among a large sample of Canadian youth. Methods This descriptive-analytical study was conducted among high school students enrolled in the COMPASS study between 2012/13 and 2017/18. We used generalized estimating equations modelling to determine associations between micro-level factors and likelihood of current versus non-current alcohol use and binge drinking among respondents. Results Students reporting current cannabis use were more likely to report current alcohol use over never use (odds ratio [OR] = 4.46, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 4.33–4.60) compared to students reporting non-current cannabis use. Students reporting current smoking of tobacco products were more likely to report current binge drinking over never binge drinking (OR = 2.52, 95% CI: 2.45–2.58), compared to non-smoking students. Students reporting weekly disposable incomes of more than $100 were more likely to report current over never binge drinking (OR = 2.14, 95% CI: 2.09–2.19), compared to students reporting no weekly disposable income. Conclusion Higher disposable incomes, smoking of tobacco products and use of cannabis were associated with current alcohol use and binge drinking among youth. Findings may inform design of polysubstance use prevention efforts in high schools.


BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S283-S284
Author(s):  
Nivedita Rebbapragada ◽  
Vivek Furtado ◽  
George William Hawker-Bond

AimsTo report pooled prevalence of all mental disorders among the general prison population in the United Kingdom (UK). This includes individuals in Young Offender Institutions (YOI), youth custody and adult prisons across all categories. A secondary aim explores possible sources of heterogeneity by performing subgroup and meta-regression analysis across certain covariates (e.g. sex of prisoner). We hypothesise that contemporary estimates of mental disorders are higher than the general population.BackgroundPrevalence of mental health problems among prisoners are considerably higher than the general population; this poses an important public health concern. Individuals who require diversion to appropriate psychiatric services are becoming embroiled in the revolving door of the criminal justice system. However, there are no up-to-date reviews assessing prevalence of mental disorders across the general prison population in the UK. This study aims to address this gap.MethodWe conducted a systematic search of PsycINFO (1923 – October 2019), MEDLINE (1946 – October 2019), EMBASE (1947 – October 2019) and Web of Science (all years) of articles reporting prevalence of mental disorders in UK prison populations (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42019132685). The Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Appraisal Checklist for Studies Reporting Prevalence Data assessed study quality and bias. Pooled prevalence of each mental disorder was calculated using Stata statistical software 16.0 via the metaprop command. Forest plots present prevalence estimates with study weights and associated 95% confidence intervals (CI). Overall, 20 studies satisfied inclusion criteria, comprising of 12,335 prisoners across England, Wales and Scotland.ResultWe identified higher rates of neurotic disorders (28.9%, 95% CI 0.71–74.7%), personality disorders (23.5%, 95% CI 13.6–35.2%), alcohol (22.7%, 95% CI 12.2–35.1%) and drug dependence (26.7%, 95% CI 15.0–40.4%). The lowest prevalence rates included schizophrenia (2.42%, 95% CI 0.78–4.84%), panic disorders (3.88%, 95% CI 3.17% – 4.64%), adjustment disorders (3.83%, 95% CI 1.19–7.84%) and intellectual disability (2.90%, 95% CI 0.90–5.80%). Meta-regressions for psychotic disorder and personality disorder revealed no significant differences across study year, sample size and gender.ConclusionOur prevalence estimates of mental disorders in prisons are higher than the general English population. However, we should acknowledge the influence of considerable heterogeneity. These findings demonstrate the need to quantify current prevalence of mental disorders amongst prisoners in the UK. We recommend for the government to consider performing an up-to-date census of psychiatric morbidity to facilitate service provision.


2018 ◽  
Vol 94 (4) ◽  
pp. 255-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lukas Baumann ◽  
Manuel Cina ◽  
Dianne Egli-Gany ◽  
Myrofora Goutaki ◽  
Florian S Halbeisen ◽  
...  

BackgroundMycoplasma genitalium is a common cause of non-gonococcal non-chlamydial urethritis and cervicitis. Testing of asymptomatic populations has been proposed, but prevalence in asymptomatic populations is not well established. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of M. genitalium in the general population, pregnant women, men who have sex with men (MSM), commercial sex workers (CSWs) and clinic-based samples,MethodsWe searched Embase, Medline, IndMED, African Index Medicus and LILACS from 1 January 1991 to 12 July 2016 without language restrictions. We included studies with 500 participants or more. Two reviewers independently screened and selected studies and extracted data. We examined forest plots and conducted random-effects meta-analysis to estimate prevalence, if appropriate. Between-study heterogeneity was examined using the I2 statistic and meta-regression.ResultsOf 3316 screened records, 63 were included. In randomly selected samples from the general population, the summary prevalence was 1.3% (95% CI 1.0% to 1.8%, I2 41.5%, three studies, 9091 people) in countries with higher levels of development and 3.9% (95% CI 2.2 to 6.7, I2 89.2%, three studies, 3809 people) in countries with lower levels. Prevalence was similar in women and men (P=0.47). In clinic based samples, prevalence estimates were higher, except in asymptomatic patients (0.8%, 95% CI 0.4 to 1.4, I2 0.0%, three studies, 2889 people). Summary prevalence estimates were, in the following groups: pregnant women 0.9% (95% CI 0.6% to 1.4%, I2 0%, four studies, 3472 people), MSM in the community 3.2% (95% CI 2.1 to 5.1, I2 78.3%, five studies, 3012 people) and female CSWs in the community 15.9% (95% CI 13.5 to 18.9, I2 79.9%, four studies, 4006 people).DiscussionThis systematic review can inform testing guidelines for M. genitalium. The low estimated prevalence of M. genitalium in the general population, pregnant women and asymptomatic attenders at clinics does not support expansion of testing to these groups.Registration numbersPROSPERO: CRD42015020420


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