ABSTRACT
Objective: The deep-south provinces of Thailand, the border area where the population is majority Malay ethnic, have faced with armed-conflicts for the decade and are a major route for drug trafficking. Several studies have reported concerns about drug problems among local population but the size of drug using population has not been studied. The objective of this study is to estimate the size of drug using population in the deep-south provinces of Thailand. Methods: A cross-sectional survey, including interviews was conducted in 2016. Males aged 18-40 years who had used any drugs in past six months were recruited. Respondent-driven sampling method was used to reach the target population and multiplier method to estimate the size of drug using population. Results: The estimated number of male using drug population in three deep-south provinces was 13,545, making the prevalence of 50.2 per 1,000 male population of this age group, twice as high as the national prevalence. Most drug users were in Pattani (60.6%), followed by Narathiwas and Yala provinces. Kratom is the illicit drug with the highest number of current users (85.2% of all users). The majority of current users (60.6%) used more than one type of illicit drug, with kratom and methamphetamine being the most common combination (25.6%). Conclusion: This study depicts the situation of drug abuse in deep-south Thailand. Kratom was the most popular substance. The high prevalence of drug users in the area should be of concern by stakeholders and interventions to minimize and control the abuse are needed.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To understand the perception for the use of cataract surgical services in a population of acceptors and non-acceptors of cataract surgery in urban Beijing.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From a community-based screening program a total of 158 patients with presenting visual acuity of less than 6/18 on either eye due to age-related cataract were informed about the possibility of surgical treatment. These patients were interviewed and re-examined 36 to 46 months after initial screening. The main reasons for not accepting surgery were obtained using a questionnaire. Vision function and vision-related quality of life scores were assessed in those who received and did not receive surgery.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>At the follow-up examination 116 of the 158 patients were available and 36 (31.0%) had undergone cataract surgery. Cases who chose surgery had higher education level than those who did not seek surgery (OR=2.64, 95% CI: 1.08-6.63, P=0.02). There were no significant differences in vision function (P=0.11) or quality of life scores (P=0.16) between the surgery group and the non-surgery group. Main reasons for not having surgery included no perceived need (50.0%), feeling of being "too old" (19.2%), and worry about the quality of surgery (9.6%). Cost was cited by 1 (1.9%) subject as the main reason for not seeking surgery.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The data suggest that in China's capital urban center for patients with moderate visual impairment there is a relative low acceptance rate of cataract surgery, mainly due to people's perception of marginal benefits of surgery. Cost is not a determining factor as barrier to undergo surgery and patients with poorer education are less likely to undertake surgery.</p>
Subject(s)
Aged , Animals , Female , Humans , Male , Aging , Pathology , Cataract , Cataract Extraction , China , Follow-Up Studies , Urban Population , Vision DisordersABSTRACT
The Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) is the first screening test to cover all psychoactive substances including alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs. It has been shown to be reliable, feasible, comprehensive and cross-culturally relevant in primary health care (PHC) settings in a number of internationally demonstrated studies. The present study aimed to describe the characteristics of patients in PHC settings in Thailand with regards to their substance use behaviours and responses to the ASSIST. Methods: All consecutive patients aged 16 to 65 years who visited a study hospital at the time of data collection were approached. Results: Of 775 patients, 747 were recruited into the study and the ASSIST was administered to them by trained research assistants and PHC workers. Among these, 7.1%, 67.9% and 25.0% were screened as high-, moderate- and low-risk levels for any substance use, respectively. Tobacco was the most common substance used followed by alcohol, marijuana, krathom leaves, amphetamine and krathom cocktail. Two hundred and forty five (245) moderaterisk substance users, excluding smokers, were assessed for their substance use behaviours, their readiness to change, their problems related to substance use, and their quality of life. The younger, middle and older age groups were statistically different in terms of substance use. Most patients were in the low and very low stages of change. Conclusion: Early detection and effective intervention is needed before substance users encounter substance-related problems. The ASSIST is suitable for use as a routine screening instrument and should be screened for teenagers and young adult patients who visit PHC facilities with particular emphasis on the popular substances of their age group.