Belief patterns and drug use in a sample of Brazilian youth: an exploratory latent class analysis

Objective: Adolescent substance abuse is a public health concern worldwide, and its prevention is the subject of numerous programmatic efforts. Yet, little research exists on the structure of drug-related belief patterns in youth and their utility in preventive program planning. The aim of this study is to determine the structure of drug-related beliefs among 12-15-year-old students in Brazil using latent class analysis. Methods: De-identified survey data were obtained from the baseline sample (n=6,176) of a randomized controlled trial on the #Tamojunto drug use prevention program in Brazilian middle schools. Using 11 survey items assessing drug-related beliefs as indicators, four models were run and assessed for goodness-of-fit. For the best fitting model, demographic variables and substance use across latent classes were assessed. Results: Model fit statistics indicated that the best fit was a three-class solution, comprising a large Drug-Averse Beliefs class (80.9%), a smaller Permissive Beliefs class (12.7%), and an Inconsistent Beliefs class (6.4%). Respondents in the Permissive Beliefs and Inconsistent Beliefs classes reported greater past-year drug use, were slightly older and less likely to be female than those in the Drug-Averse Beliefs class. Conclusions: These results indicate that conceptualizing drug beliefs as a categorical latent variable may be useful for informing prevention. Longitudinal studies are needed to establish temporality and assess further applicability of this construct.

Focus Group Interview on Opinion about the Design and Management of Toothbrushing Facilities / 치위생과학회지

This study collected opinions about the design and management of toothbrushing facilities from schoolteachers and the people in charge of public centers, through a focus group interview (FGI), for the development of guidelines. Four moderators conducted eight FGIs of 32 subjects in charge of toothbrushing facilities across all the regions. The qualitative data was analyzed by constant comparative analysis. The findings indicated that more students utilized the facility and brushed their teeth after the installation of toothbrushing facilities. To enhance students' accessibility and safety, guidelines for design and management guidelinesfor toothbrushing facilities need to be developed; the location, sink height and depth, drain size, etc. should be comprehensively considered in the development of the guidelines. This study can help to improve students' satisfaction by enhancing the accessibility, safety, and functionality of toothbrushing facilities, and by providing fundamental data for toothbrushing facilities' development. Finally, this study can maximize the effects of management of toothbrushing facilities management on the improvement of students' oral health and behaviors.