Second and third year medical students' self-reported alcohol and substance use, smoking habits and academic performance at a South African medical school

Background: Health professional students frequently use alcohol and narcotics. The potential impact on academic performance and professional behaviour is concerning. Aim: This study aimed to determine self-reported use of alcohol, illicit substances (e.g.cannabis, lysergic acid diethylamide [LSD], magic mushroom, cocaine, crack, ecstasy, methamphetamine and heroin), prescription medication and smoking habits, correlating academic performance. Setting: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State. Methods: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study design was used. Information was obtained using a self-administered questionnaire, capturing demographics, self-reported academic performance, drinking and smoking habits, and substance use. Coded responses were analysed using the Remark Office OMR 8 Software System. Descriptive statistics were calculated for categorical variables. Results: Completed questionnaires comprised 171 students. A total of 78.4% of second year and 82.8% of third year students reported using alcohol. Twenty-two per cent of second year and 24.1% of third year students reported cannabis use. In the second year group, three (2.7%) students reported using magic mushroom, two (1.8%) reported cocaine, two (1.8%) reported ecstasy and one (0.9%) reported using methamphetamine. Only third year students reported using LSD or 'crack'. Cigarette smoking was common ­ 31.5% and 35.1% in both groups, respectively. Smokeless tobacco devices were used by 8.5% of second year and 7.1% of third year students. Almost 40% of both groups reported that they had smoked a water pipe. Academic performance achieved was mostly 60% ­ 69% (38.9%) among second year students and 70% ­ 79% (46.6%) among third year students. Conclusion: Self-reported use of alcohol and drugs and smoking among medical students is alarming. Additional student support, early identification and referral for management and/or rehabilitation should be a priority at tertiary institutions responsible for training future healthcare professionals

Maternal alcohol use during pregnancy in a general national population in South Africa

Objective: Alcohol use in pregnancy is linked with various negative health effects on the infant. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of maternal alcohol use during pregnancy and socio-demographic and health correlates. Methods: Data of ever-pregnant women from the cross-sectional 'South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES-1) 2011­2012' were analysed. The sample included 5089 adolescents and adult women aged 15­55 years. They responded to questions on alcohol use, socio-demographic and health indicators. Results: The results indicated that 3.7% (95.0% confidence interval [CI] = 3.1, 4.5) of South African women had engaged in alcohol use during their pregnancy. In adjusted analysis, being mixed race, not employed, poor self-rated health status, ever been diagnosed with tuberculosis and having partial post-traumatic stress disorder were found to be associated with alcohol use during pregnancy. Conclusions: The study findings suggest links between socio-demographic and health variables and prenatal alcohol use, which may have public health policy implications

Effect of branched and straight chained alcohols on performance of crude oil demulsifiers

ABSTRACT: Unwanted crude oil emulsions occur in many stages of oil production, transportation, and processing. The huge cost resulting from corrosion of transport system and production facilities, because of the presence of water is a major challenge to the oil industry and the global economy. However, the addition of alcohols to demulsifiers has been reported to enhance their efficiency in removing water from emulsions. There is therefore the need to identify the best type of alcohols and optimize this process of addition. Consequently in this work, the effect of different straight and branched chain alcohols on the performance enhancement of demulsifiers was investigated using four different crude oil emulsion samples. The results showed that straight alcohols performed better when compared to branched chain alcohols under all conditions of temperature. This may be due to their slow mobility particularly in stable emulsions

The Effect of Blood Glucose Concentration on the Error Monitoring and Processing System in Alcohol Users During Intensive Mental Activities

Background:The error monitoring and processing system (EMPS) located in the substantia nigra of the midbrain; basal ganglia and cortex of the forebrain; plays a leading role in error detection and correction. Although recent data show that alcohol disrupts the EMPS; the mechanism of alcohol's effect on this system remains unknown.Aims: To suggest a hypothesis that explains the processes and mechanism of alcohol-related disruption of EMPS. Methods:We critically examined our recent research data; as well as peer-reviewed literature on the effect of alcohol on blood glucose levels; and cognitive functions. The role of blood glucose concentration in the EMPS; including associated theories and hypothesis were also reviewed. Databases utilised were African Journals On Line; Elsevier; Science Direct; Medline from January 1940 to February 2010 . Results: Blood glucose concentration plays a vital role in the EMPS. The effect of blood glucose concentration on the EMPS is realised through the modulation of the activity of the dopaminergic system by proportional changes in the brain glucose level. Based on current literatures and the results of our recent study; here we suggest a hypothesis of alcohol-related glucose-dependent system of error monitoring and processing.The main postulate of this hypothesis holds that the disruption of EMPS by ethanol is related to disorders in glucose metabolism; which in turn may determine the dopamine level the major component of EMPS.Conclusion: Alcohol may disrupt the EMPS indirectly by affecting dopamine level through disorders in glucose homeostasis regulation

The Effects of Two Differing Techniques on the Accuracy of Reagent Strip Blood Glucose Testing

The use of 70 isopropyl alcohol to prepare the site of skin puncture for reagent strip blood glucose testing has been reported to produce falsely elevated blood glucose levels. The objective of this study was to identify if any significant difference existed between the capillary blood glucose levels of healthy volunteers tested using a capillary blood glucose reagent test strip and reflectance photometer; comparing results obtained (i) with and without the use of 70 isopropyl alcohol to prepare the site of skin puncture and results obtained (ii) with and without 70 isopropyl alcohol using the first and second drops of blood. Data analysis revealed a significant interaction between the two factors specified above. If 70 isopropyl alcohol using the first and second drops of blood. Data analysis revealed a significant interaction between the two factors specified above. If 70 isopropyl alcohol is used to prepare the skin there is a significant elevation of 0.39 mmol/l in mean blood glucose concentration between results obtained using the first and second drops of blood while if the first drop of blood is used there is a significant elevation in mean blood glucose concentration of 0.49 mmol/l between results obtained using and not using 70 isopropyl alcohol to prepare the skin

Alcohol use and related problems in sub-saharan africa

Data from the World Health Organization Global Alcohol Database (GAD) show a wide variation in per capita consumption of recorded alcohol in African countries; ranging from less than 1 litre ofpure alcohol in some (mostly Muslim) countries to more than 10 litres in a couple of others. For all countries; a pattern of increasing per capita consumption emerged in the 1960s; continuedthroughout the 70s; and peaked around 1979 at about 4.5 litres. The steady rise in consumption paralleled post-independence economic boom in many countries; just as the slight decline in percapita consumption in the past two decades might be associated with worsening economic conditions. Today; the average per capita consumption is a little under 4 litres; less than half of theEuropean average. These figures do not account for much (in many cases the larger part) of the alcohol consumed in the form of traditional beverages since these are not reflected in officialrecords. Though a lot remains to be known about drinking and alcohol-related problems in Africa; there are a few consistent finding from survey research. Abstention rates are high; especially amongwomen; but high levels of (often episodic) consumption are common among male and female drinkers. Studies in several countries have shown an association between harmful consumption ofalcohol and health and social consequences; including death from road traffic accidents; domestic violence; HIV infection; and disorders requiring demand for treatment. Consumption of commercial beverages is expected to rise in the coming years as the economic conditions continue to improve in some countries and as a result of increasing marketing and promotion activities by the industry.National responses to these problems will require better research evidence on the health and social problems attributable to alcohol consumption; and the implementation of effective policies toaddress these problems in countries across the continent

Drinking crisis? change and continuity in cultures of drinking in sub-saharan Africa

This paper offers a brief historical survey of drinking cultures in Africa; from the nineteenth century to the present. It questions the notion of a pre-colonial past of harmonious `integrated'drinking; and suggests that while there has been substantial change in drinking cultures there are also substantial continuities; notably in ideas of temperance. Striking features of change havebeen the introduction of large-scale commercial production - which has brought increasingly globalized marketing strategies to Africa; the commoditization of `traditional' beverages; and thegrowth in consumption of spirits; often produced on an artisanal basis by illicit small-scale distillers. The last decade has also seen the increasing diversion of non-beverage industrial spirits into beverage use. The paper argues that there is no clear evidence of an overall `drinking crisis' affecting the whole of Africa; and that it is not safe to assume that modern drinking is necessarilyworse than pre-colonial drinking. But the paper also notes that there are substantial gaps in our knowledge of current drinking cultures in Africa; and that there is clear evidence of `risky' drinking in several parts of Africa. This may not be a completely new phenomenon; but it does present public health challenges