Determinants of alcohol consumption and marijuana use among young adults in the Republic of Palau

BACKGROUND@#This study aimed to describe the status of alcohol consumption and drug use among young adults as well as their determinants.@*METHODS@#We conducted a cross-sectional study of 356 young adults (aged 18 to 24 years) living in Palau in 2013. The prevalence of self-reported alcohol and marijuana usage were compared within and between sexes, age groups, ethnicities, and education levels.@*RESULTS@#The proportion of current drinking was higher in people aged 21-24 than in those aged 18-20 (73.2% vs. 60.9%, p = 0.09 in men and 48.3% vs. 30.0%, p = 0.02 in women), while that of marijuana use did not differ between the age groups. The proportions of current drinking and marijuana use were higher in Palauan than in other ethnicities (current drinking: 70.6% vs. 40.6%, p = 0.005 in men and 38.8% vs. 16.6%, p = 0.04 in women; lifetime marijuana use: 80.0% vs. 52.9%, p = 0.02 in men and 56.1% vs. 30.6%, p = 0.09 in women). The proportion of frequent (3 times or more) marijuana users was higher for the lower educated than for the higher educated (62.5% vs. 32.1%, p < 0.001 in men and 33.9% vs. 24.4%, p = 0.12 in women).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Sex, age, ethnicity, and education were significant determinants of alcohol and marijuana use.

Socioeconomic and lifestyle factors associated with depressive tendencies in general Japanese men and women: NIPPON DATA2010

BACKGROUND@#The gender-specific characteristics of individuals at an increased risk of developing depression currently remain unclear despite a higher prevalence of depression in women than in men. This study clarified socioeconomic and lifestyle factors associated with an increased risk of subclinical depression in general Japanese men and women.@*METHODS@#Study participants were residents not receiving psychiatric treatments in 300 sites throughout Japan in 2010 (1152 men, 1529 women). Multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) for socioeconomic factors and lifestyle factors were calculated using a logistic regression analysis.@*RESULTS@#Risk of depressive tendencies was significantly higher in men who were single and living alone (OR, 3.27; 95% CI, 1.56-6.88) than those married. The risk was significantly lower in women who were not working and aged ≥ 60 years (OR, 0.39; 95% CI, 0.22-0.68) and higher in men who were not working and aged < 60 years (OR, 3.57; 95%CI, 1.31-9.72) compared with those who were working. Current smoking was also associated with a significantly increased risk of depressive tendencies in women (OR, 2.96; 95% CI, 1.68-5.22) but not in men.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Socioeconomic and lifestyle factors were associated with an increased risk of depressive tendencies in general Japanese. Related factors were different by sex.

Patterns of risk factors related to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Asian and Oceania countries by using cluster analysis / 国際保健医療

<b>Background and Objective</b><BR>  The prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCD) is increasing in low- and middle-income countries, imposing major public health and development threats. However, there is difference among countries with regard to the patterns of NCD metabolic risk factors. This study aims to categorize the pattern of metabolic risk factors in East Asia, Southeast Asia and Oceania. <BR><b>Methods</b><BR>  Age-standardized prevalence of obesity, raised blood pressure, raised blood glucose, and raised blood cholesterol for 2008 were obtained from the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Health Observatory Data Repository. We used hierarchical cluster analysis to categorize countries in East Asia, Southeast Asia and Oceania based on the prevalence of NCD metabolic risk factors of each country. <BR><b>Results</b><BR>  Three patterns of NCD metabolic risk factors were identified. The first pattern showed relatively high prevalence of raised blood cholesterol, while prevalence of obesity, raised blood pressure and raised blood glucose remain relatively low. Most high- and upper-middle-income Asian countries were included in this pattern. The second pattern presented relatively high prevalence of raised blood pressure, although prevalence of obesity, raised blood glucose, and raised blood cholesterol stay relatively low. Most low- and lower-middle-income Asian countries were categorized in this pattern. The third pattern presented high prevalence of obesity and relatively high prevalence of raised blood pressure and raised blood glucose. This pattern included most Pacific island countries.<BR><b>Conclusions</b><BR>  Policy makers in countries in East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Oceania should take into account for the features of the pattern they are in, when they set priorities for developing effective NCD control measures.

Preferences and use of Japanese or Brazilian medicines by Japanese Brazilian immigrants in Japan / 国際保健医療

<B>Introduction</B><BR>The use of medicines among Brazilian workers in Japan has not been documented. This study examines the preferences and use of medicines among Brazilian workers of Japanese origin in Japan.<BR><B>Methods</B><BR>A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2011 in a community in Nagoya, where many Brazilian workers lived. Questionnaires were distributed to 206 Brazilian households, and asked about preferences and use of Japanese or Brazilian medicines. Associations with socioeconomic factors were analyzed using Fisher's exact test.<BR><B>Results</B><BR>The response rate was 36% (74 households). Of these, 66% had lived in Japan for over 10 years, and 88% held health insurance. Over 80% reported a preference for Japanese medicines. However, Brazilian medicines were used in more than 40% of the households. Employed Brazilians tend to use Brazilian medicines compared to the unemployed. Most respondents answered that Brazilian medicines were more effective, but were more expensive and produced worse side effect than Japanese medicines.<BR>Households with children showed a preference for Japanese medicines for children's illnesses. However, more Brazilian medicines were used when the length of household's stay in Japan was less than 10 years, and when the respondent's perceived listening ability of Japanese language was poor.<BR><B>Conclusion</B><BR>Almost all respondents were using the medicines they preferred, suggesting that access to medicine was generally good in the community. However, 40% of respondents used Brazilian medicines, despite their long stay in Japan, their health insurance status, and their recognition of Japanese medicines as inexpensive and safe. This might be explained by familiarity with Brazilian medicines, or perception of their effectiveness.<BR>Continuous self-administration of medicines without consultation has potential harm to the health. This study also suggests the importance of arranging social environments such as facilitating the taking of sick leaves, so that immigrant workers can secure their access to health services.