ABSTRACT
Objectives: This study was aimed at describing the patterns of searches for information on the prevention and treatment of psychoactive drug use in Mexico, among both the general population and the personnel dedicated to the prevention and treatment of this type of substance use in Mexico. Methods: An exploratory cross-sectional quantitative study was performed with a validated online questionnaire to collect sociodemographic information, background information and self-reported internet search patterns on psychoactive substance use prevention. A chi-square test was used to identify differences between groups, and a classification tree was used to analyze the search patterns. The combinations of the search criteria with the search topics were entered into Google Trends to validate the information. Results: The participants (n = 544 adults) were mostly women (65%), 18-30 years of age and bachelor's degree holders (57%). A total of 32% were students, 59% searched the Internet for drug use prevention or treatment, and 12% professionally engaged in drug use prevention or treatment. Conclusions: Statistically significant differences were found between the general population and professionals dedicated to drug dependency services. We identified six search patterns used in the decision-making process by people seeking information on drug prevention and treatment on the Internet. These patterns were graphically visualized with a classification tree, although, this method did not allow clear differentiation of patterns between groups. The search patterns were successfully validated with Google trends.
ABSTRACT
To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices about the Zika virus in both students and workers at the University of Veracruz, an online survey was conducted. The participants were divided into two groups: one according to sex, the other according to whether they were workers or students. Their answers were classified into knowledge, attitudes, and practices and they were rated as low, medium, and high. The results showed that knowledge about Zika prevailing among the university population is considered as medium in 79.4% of the study population. Most respondents know that the mosquito spreads the Zika virus (98.8%) and the clinical characteristics, while sexual transmission by the virus is little known (36.85%). Both the univariate analysis (OR (CI5) 0.227 (0.070â»0.735), p = 0.013] and multivariate analysis (OR (CI95) 0.234 (0.071â»778), p = 0.018] showed that belonging to the health sciences area is related to having a greater knowledge about Zika. Despite the existing knowledge, a low level of prevention practices prevails in the whole community (55%). A medium level of knowledge about Zika prevailed, while proper implementation of preventive measures for Zika is low, despite the fact that the state of Veracruz-the place where the University is located-is an endemic area.
