Addiction and Health
Year:2020 | Volume:12 | Issue:3|Papers Count:8

Background: Lead poisoning is now more common due to accidental or intentional exposure to opium impregnated with lead. We aimed to determine the relationship between the blood lead levels (BLLs) and basic characteristics in opium-poisoned children. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 32 children younger than 13 years old who had been admitted to Loghman Hakim Poison Center, Tehran, Iran, due to opium poisoning, were evaluated for BLLs. Patients’ demographics, symptoms, signs, and lab tests were evaluated as well as the BLLs. Findings: The median and range of age in children with opium poisoning were 14 and 141 months with minimum and maximum age of 3 and 144 months, respectively, and 62. 5% were boys. Their mean BLL was 9. 78 ± 3. 44 μ g/dl and in 70% of opium-poisoned children, BLL was ≥ 5 μ g/dl. There was a significant difference between mean BLLs in girls and boys (17. 07 ± 6. 57 μ g/dl in girls and 6. 61 ± 3. 22 μ g/dl in boys, P = 0. 02). We found a significant correlation between BLL and hemoglobin (Hb) level. In very low Hb level (< 8 g/dl), the BLL was higher but with increasing Hb level, BLL increased as well; in Hb levels > 14 g/dl, BLL decreased again (P = 0. 01). Conclusion: Although none of the children needed chelation therapy, strategies should be developed to prevent children from being exposed to opium and other materials impregnated with lead regarding its effects on all organs of children.

Background: Smoking tobacco is a significant health problem for humankind. Cigarettes could affect people’ s life from socioeconomic and psychosomatic aspects. The oral cavity is the first orifice through which cigarette smoke enters the body. Thus, it is directly exposed to cigarettes and their harmful ingredients. This study aimed to determine the effects of smoking cessation on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Methods: The subjects in the present observational study consisted of individuals visiting a specialized smoking cessation clinic in Tehran, Iran, to give up their smoking habit. After documentation of the subjects’ demographic data, the questionnaire [Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14)] was completed twice in three months (before giving up smoking and three months after initiating the program to quit smoking). Data analysis was performed using Sig. (2-tailed), paired t-test, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) at a confidence interval (CI) of 95%. Findings: Thirty-one subjects (29 men, 2 women) participated in this study. The mean age of the subjects was 37. 03 ± 11. 30 years. Although OHRQoL scores were increasing as to some parameters, including food tastes, anxiety, and a feeling of shame in the subjects after giving up smoking, it was not statistically significant (P > 0. 050). On the other hand, the relationship between the quality of life (QoL) (before and after stopping smoking) and age was significant (P = 0. 001 before quitting and P = 0. 050 after quitting). Conclusion: For a better understanding of the relationship between quitting smoking and an improvement in OHRQoL, it is necessary to perform more extensive studies in this field. The present study was a pilot study, which shed some light on the relationships between these parameters.

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of filter on the eventual carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks caused by the main toxic constituents of popular cigarette brands in Iran. Methods: At this laboratory study, the concentration of benzene, formaldehyde, arsenic, and cadmium in the mainstream smoke of 11 popular cigarette brands in Iran, on the without and with-filter modes was determined based on an established method. The hazard quotient (HQ), incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR), and mixture quantitative risk assessments (QRAs) were performed based on the QRA method recommended by United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Findings: The mean of HQ due to benzene, formaldehyde, arsenic, and cadmium in without-filter cigarette smoke was from 3. 96 to 3505. The findings indicated that the HQs related to benzene, formaldehyde, arsenic, and cadmium in cigarette smoke were decreased with filter by 48. 3%, 25. 3%, 37. 6%, and 49. 1%, respectively. The filter of cigarette decreased ILCR of benzene, formaldehyde, arsenic, and cadmium in cigarette smoke by 53. 02%, 25. 31%, 37. 70%, and 61. 01%, respectively. The mixture of non-carcinogenic and carcinogenic estimated risks due to inhalation of studied cigarettes smoke was very high and unacceptable. Conclusion: The cigarette filter plays an essential role in reducing inhalation exposure to hazardous compounds in mainstream cigarette smoke; nevertheless, the average of overall mixture HQs and ILCRs estimated caused by studied compounds was higher than the acceptable value. It is recommended that future empirical studies investigate the impact of the type of fiber used in cigarette filter on reducing carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic risks caused by cigarette smoke.

Background: Psychoactive substance use is a significant problem and the perception of physicians and medical students for this problem is important since it may affect their behavior regarding managing patients who suffer from substance-related problems. The objective of this study was to examine the perception of Sudanese medical students regarding psychoactive substance use and its possible associations with sociodemographic factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out at a private Sudanese medical school in Khartoum, Sudan. A self-reporting questionnaire was distributed to all consenting students and data were analyzed using SPSS software. Chi-square test was used to analyze the associations between different factors. Findings: Three hundred and seventeen students participated in the study, with response rate = 75. 5%. Among them, 113 (35. 9%) were men. The mean and standard deviation (SD) of age was 21. 5 ± 4. 2 years. All students knew alcohol and 261 students (88. 5%) reported having knowledge about cannabis. Knowledge about cannabis, cocaine, and heroin was more prevalent among female students. Most of the students disagreed with the behavior of substance use, e. g., 94. 2% in the case of alcohol. Most students reported that it would be difficult-or even impossible-for them to use psychoactive substances. Conclusion: Most of the students perceived use of psychoactive substances to be associated with moderate to severe risk. Female gender and studying secondary school in Sudan were associated with perceiving more risk. Sudanese students' perception of psychoactive substance use seems to be favorable but still increasing awareness is recommended

Background: Explaining the risk and protective factors of waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS) is the most important principle in designing preventive interventions. This study examined the relationship between self-reported childhood abuse and WTS among health science students in Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 776 health science students in Kerman City, located in southeast of Iran, who were selected by quota sampling approach. The study was performed using two valid short instruments for measuring WTS and child abuse including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse using a self-report method. Findings: The prevalence of ever use and current use (last 30 days) of WTS among participants was 49. 6% and 33. 4%, respectively. The initiation age of WTS in 60% of students was < 18 years. Child sexual abuse (CSA) was [odds ratio (OR) = 3. 05, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2. 06-4. 52, P < 0. 001] the main predictor for WTS among students. Conclusion: Protecting children during childhood to prevent them from becoming victims may be an essential primordial preventive strategy for WTS.

Background: Smartphone usage has increasing during recent years. Since its excessive use can have negative consequences, it is important to know how users use it and become dependent on it. This study was aimed at exploring how university students use their phones, how they depend on them, and the possible consequences of overusing them. Methods: This study was conducted using a qualitative design and with a thematic analysis method. Data were collected using 3 focus group discussions regarding experiences of using smartphones among 22 smartphone owners who reported smartphone overuse. They were chosen through snowball sampling at a University of Medical Sciences in Tehran (Iran). Findings: Based on the analysis, the 3 categories of process usage (sub-categories: doing daily routines, information seeking, to take a picture or video, entertainment, academic work, making money, to escape real-life, and passing the time), social usage (sub-categories: relationship with family, relationship with friends, interact with the opposite gender, to be seen and heard, approval seeking, and free expression), and disadvantages (sub-categories: interference with other essential activities, decreased face-to-face communications, overdependence, automatic use, loss of sense of time, stress, fatigue, sleep disturbances, physical inactivity, eye problems, high bills, and distraction) were developed. Conclusion: In this research, participants mentioned various uses of their smartphones that enable them to meet their personal needs and, in spite of the negative consequences of its overuse, cause them to continue to use it. Some uses seem to be affected by environmental and cultural conditions.

Background: Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is one of the most toxic environmental exposures and passive smoking is an important general health problem. Children are the most vulnerable group to ETS exposure. This study aimed to compare the salivary total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and lipid peroxidation levels in passive smoking and nonsmoking adolescents aged 12-15 years. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 80 adolescents aged 12-15 years. The case group included passive smokers and the control group comprised nonsmokers. These groups were age-and sex-matched ones. Unstimulated saliva of both groups was collected using the spitting method. Then, the salivary total antioxidant and lipid peroxidation levels were measured using the ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assays, respectively. The independent samples t-test was used for data comparison. Findings: There was a significant difference in salivary total antioxidant levels between the case group (51. 98 ± 88. 97 μ M) and the control group (174. 35 ± 148. 15 μ M) (P = 0. 003). There was no significant difference between the case group (0. 97 ± 1. 96) and the control group (0. 81 ± 0. 97) in lipid peroxidation levels (P = 0. 542). Conclusion: It seems that passive smoking can reduce the salivary TAC of adolescents, thereby threatening oral cavity health.

Background: Smokeless tobacco (ST) use is one of the most important public health problems in Southeast Asia. The use of these substances increases the incidence of some cancers and other diseases. The purpose of this review study was to investigate on ST use in Iran. Methods: A literature search was conducted on PubMed, Google Scholar, and three national databases [Scientific Information Database (SID), IranMedex, and IranDoc] based on the standard search strategy. Findings: Most consumer people lived in Sistan and Baluchestan Province (Zahedan and Chabahar Cities) and Golestan Province, Iran. ST use rates ranged from 11. 0% to 45. 7% among college students in Sistan and Baluchestan (Zahedan and Chabahar) and Golestan. There are various types of ST consumed in Iran that have been mentioned in various articles, including Pan, Gutka, Nass, Naswar, Biti, and Supari. Conclusion: Most studies on ST have been conducted in Sistan and Baluchestan and Golestan Provinces and we need more research for other provinces. Consumption by women is a warning and a threat to women's health in the future. Further studies will be needed to find out more precisely the prevalence of consumption in Iran.