Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown on Body Mass Index: a three-year follow up study in 6,156 Chinese college students.

Background: The novel coronavirus disease 2019 as the most pervasive and consequential pandemic in recent years, has exerted significant impacts on human health, including aspects related to body weight. Objectives: This study aims to assess the influence of the lockdown measures implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic on Chinese college students' Body Mass Index (BMI) through a three-year cohort study. Methods: We recruited 6156 college students (n = 4,248, 69% male, and n = 1,908, 31% female, with an average age of 18.68 ± 0.86 yr.) from a University in China to participate in this three-year cohort study. All of the subjects took the same physical fitness tests from 2019 to 2021 (pre-lockdown, during lockdown and post-lockdown). Participants' height and weight data were objectively measured by Tongfang Health Fitness Testing Products 5000 series. A paired t-test was performed in the analysis. Results: During the lockdown, there is 4.2% increase of BMI among the college student (p<0.001). Moreover, males had a greater overall mean BMI rate increase of 4.74% (p<0.001) than females (2.86%, p<0.001). After the lockdown, there is 0.94% increase of BMI among the college student (p<0.001). However, females had a greater overall mean BMI rate increase of 1.49% (p<0.001) than males (0.72%, p<0.001). During this period, the obese and overweight group's growth rate from 2019 to 2020 was smaller than the normal and underweight group, which were 2.94% (p<0.001), 3.90% (p<0.001), 4.44% (p<0.001) and 5.25% (p<0.001), respectively. Conclusion: BMI increased both during and post-lockdown periods among Chinese college students. However, during the lockdown, participants with higher BMI groups appeared to have a diminished BMI growth rate compared to those with lower BMI. After the lockdown, participants with higher BMI levels appeared to have an augmented BMI growth rate. Public policy action is needed to increase the level of physical activity of Chinese college students and take action to improve students' physical fitness performance after the lockdown.

Screening for Incidence and Effect of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in College-Aged Athletes.

Background: Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) occurs when muscles of the pelvic floor become weakened, impaired, or experience tension leading to a variety of complications. Due to the reactive nature and high demands of many sports, athletes are at increased susceptibility and of particular interest concerning PFD. Hypothesis/Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the prevalence of PFD among college-aged athletes, assess how PFD impacted athletic performance, and identify contributing factors for increased likelihood of PFD in athletes. Study Design: Cross-Sectional Study. Methods: All fully active LVC NCAA Division 3 athletes were recruited for screening for PFD using the Cozean Pelvic Dysfunction Screening Protocol and were surveyed on their self-knowledge of PFD. Athletes who scored ≥ 3 on this tool completed an additional survey, created by the investigators, to identify the impact PFD had on their athletic performance and personal life and were then randomly assigned to one of three investigators to undergo a noninvasive coccygeal assessment to determine underactive, overactive, or normal pelvic floor muscle (PFM) activity. Results: Fifty-three Division III male and female athletes between the ages of 18-25 years old participated in the study. Statistically significant differences were found between Cozean scores and demographic factors of age (p \<0.001), gender (p \<0.05), self-knowledge of PFD (p \<0.001), and sport (p \<0.001) among all participants that contributed to the increased likelihood of PFD. Thirteen athletes scored ≥ 3 on the Cozean with the 92.3% experiencing under/over active PFM activity and the majority indicating that PFD significantly impacted their athletic performance and quality of life. Conclusion: The results indicate that older female NCAA Division III college athletes who participate in swimming and who possess self-knowledge of PFD are more likely to experience PFD. Additionally, these athletes are likely to encounter a significant impact on their athletic performance and quality of life. These results provide preliminary evidence on the need of PFD awareness and assessment among college athletes. Level of Evidence: Level 3b.

U.S. postsecondary students' health and academic outcomes: A comprehensive scoping review.

OBJECTIVE: The relationship between postsecondary students' health and academic outcomes may have important implications for their collegiate experience and their future prospects. Yet a comprehensive summary of the evidence examining this potential connection does not presently exist. Seeking to fill this gap, this study reviewed the extant literature on postsecondary students' academic outcomes and health across multiple domains. METHODS: Using an established methodological framework, a scoping review was conducted to identify and summarize the attributes of all peer-reviewed research performed in the U.S. and published between 2008 and 2019 that examined the relationship between postsecondary students' health and academic outcomes. RESULTS: The search strategy resulted in 12,488 articles. After deduplication, initial screening, and full review of relevant articles to determine eligibility, 264 articles were included in the final review. The most frequently examined health domains were mental health and substance use. Grade point average (GPA) was the most common academic measure investigated. Most studies took place at single institutions among undergraduate students, and several studies focused on specific student sub-populations. Almost all study results indicated that healthier behavior or optimal health status was associated with better academic outcomes or did not negatively impact academic success. CONCLUSIONS: This study serves as a first step in understanding the scope of existing research examining the connection between postsecondary students' health and academic outcomes. A substantial literature base was found; however, several gaps were identified including the need for more cohort studies, national studies, examination of graduate students, and a focus on academic outcomes beyond GPA.

Changes in alcohol consumption during the COVID-19 among First-Year University Students in Spain, considering the risk of problematic use - UniHcos Project.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on prevalence rates and self-reported changes in patterns of alcohol use among first-year university students in Spain, considering the risk of problematic alcohol use. A serial cross-sectional study based on the uniHcos project was carried out. Data from 10,518 first-year university students (73.3% female, mean age 19 (SD=1.6)) collected between 2012 and 2022 were analysed. The evolution of the pooled prevalence rates during the time series was analysed and the risk of problematic alcohol consumption was assessed using the AUDIT. Also, self-reported changes in alcohol use patterns during the pandemic were assessed. According to the results, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the prevalence of alcohol use in the past 30-days was reduced (76.3% in 2019 vs. 63.7% in COVID-19) and increased again in the New Normal period. Thus, a similar pattern in the practice of binge drinking was observed. Regarding the AUDIT score, 21.7% (95%CI 20.9, 22.6) of the students had harmful alcohol consumption, with a higher proportion among males. In the multivariable logistic models, a higher AUDIT score was significantly associated (p-value<0.001) with being male and living with roommates. According to self-reported changes in consumption patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic, a higher proportion of participants with harmful use reported an increase in alcohol consumption compared to those at low-risk (43% vs 19%). Finally, despite the overall reduction in drinking prevalence during COVID-19, changes were not equal for all students and depended on their previous level of problematic drinking, highlighting that this should be considered in the development of strategies against alcohol use in this population.

Unintended consequences: college students' melatonin usage, sleep disturbance, and depressive symptoms.

With such high rates of undergraduate sleep problems, students have chosen to take melatonin, an over-the-counter supplement that can facilitate sleep. Questions remain as to the effectiveness of melatonin for sleep problems, and questions have emerged about its impact on mental health. Accordingly, the current study examined how ongoing melatonin usage might impact relative changes in college students' sleep disturbance and ultimately their depressive symptoms. The two-wave (baseline and 2-month follow-up), online sample consisted of 331 undergraduates (86% female; Mage = 21.3, SD = 2.4), who reported on melatonin usage, sleep disturbance, and depressive symptoms. Controlling for sleep hygiene, socio-economic status, and gender, our model demonstrated a significant indirect effect from ongoing melatonin usage to depressive symptoms. Specifically, melatonin consumption predicted relative increases in sleep disturbance, which, in turn, predicted corresponding increases in students' depressive symptoms. Given the increasing prevalence of melatonin usage, the potential for unforeseen consequences remains high. Results suggest that the negative consequences of melatonin use can include both college students' mental health and their sleep. Given the efficacy of addressing sleep problems with cognitive or behavioral strategies, it is essential that student support services highlight alternatives to melatonin and the potential problems associated with its use.

A comparison of food insecurity prevalence among students attending minority-serving versus predominantly white institutions in pre, earlier, and later phases of the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: College students have a high prevalence of food insecurity, and descriptive reports suggest even higher rates at minority-serving institutions compared to predominantly white institutions. These institutional inequities in food insecurity among college students based on minority designation may have shifted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to compare the prevalence of food insecurity among students at minority-serving and predominantly white institutions during three phases: pre-pandemic (Fall 2019-Spring 2020 [February 2020]), earlier pandemic (Fall 2020-Spring 2021), and later pandemic (Fall 2021-Spring 2022). METHODS: Our study included repeated cross-sectional samples from the American College Health Association-National College Health Assessment-III (N = 287,221 students, 354 institutions). We ran multivariable Poisson regression with cluster-robust standard errors to estimate associations between institutional minority designation and food insecurity, with one model for each pandemic phase. RESULTS: Students attending minority-serving versus predominantly white institutions had a higher prevalence of food insecurity overall (42% versus 37%) and within each pandemic phase. After adjusting for sociodemographic and institutional characteristics, students at minority-serving institutions had 23% higher food insecurity prevalence during the pre-pandemic phase, compared to students at predominantly white institutions (95% CI: 1.14, 1.32). Associations were null for earlier and later pandemic phases. CONCLUSIONS: Lower institutional inequities in food insecurity after the onset of the pandemic may reflect more students returning home as well as an increase in social safety net programs. Regardless of cause, the high prevalence of food insecurity among students, especially at minority serving institutions, underscores the importance of addressing food insecurity at post-secondary campuses.

Similarities and differences in the psychological factors associated with generalised problematic internet use, problematic social media use, and problematic online gaming.

Problematic online behaviours are a concern among university students. Although previous research has identified that psychological distress, cognitive distortions, conscientiousness and neuroticism traits, motor impulsivity, and emotion regulation strategies have a significant direct effect on generalised problematic Internet use (GPIU), problematic social media use (PSMU), and problematic online gaming (POG), it is still necessary to determine the extent to which these psychological factors, taken together, are associated with each of the problematic online behaviours. In a sample of 690 Spanish university students, the present study examined the relationship of these psychological factors with GPIU, PSMU, and POG. Correlation and regression analyses were performed. Results reported that (1) high psychological distress, low conscientiousness trait and high motor impulsivity were common associated factors of GPIU and PSMU, but not of POG; (2) high levels of cognitive distortions and cognitive reappraisal were common associated factors of GPIU, PSMU and POG; and (3) expressive suppression and neuroticism trait had no effect on any of the three problematic online behaviours. The findings will help to develop effective prevention and intervention strategies for each problematic online behaviour in the university context.

The Association Between Mindfulness Facets and Substance Use via Emotional Psychopathology and Coping Motives in Argentinian College Students.

Background: Prior studies suggest that lower levels of mindfulness contribute to the motivation of using alcohol to cope with distress. Research examining this possibility is scarce or limited to alcohol, but not marijuana, related outcomes. Objectives: We examined separate models (for alcohol and for marijuana) to determine the associations between trait mindfulness (describing, acting with awareness, non-judging, non-reactivity) and alcohol and marijuana outcomes (use indicators and negative consequences) via emotional psychopathology (i.e., a latent variable assessing symptoms of depression and anxiety) and alcohol/marijuana coping motives. Results: The final analytic sample consisted of 456 participants (Mean age = 22.96 ± 3.12 years; 66.2% women) for the alcohol model; and 232 participants (Mean age = 22.96 ± 3.01 years; 66.2% women) for the marijuana model. Two path models were conducted, such that indirect paths were examined for each trait mindfulness facet on alcohol/marijuana outcomes (e.g., describing → emotional psychopathology → alcohol coping motives → binge drinking frequency). Within the comprehensive alcohol model, describing, acting with awareness, non-judging and non-reactivity were associated with less binge drinking frequency and lower number of alcohol-related negative consequences via lower severity of emotional psychopathology symptoms and lower endorsement of drinking to cope motives. For the marijuana model, describing, acting with awareness, and non-judging of inner experience were associated with less marijuana quantity (grams) consumed and lower number of marijuana-related negative consequences via lower severity of emotional psychopathology symptoms and lower endorsement of marijuana coping motives. Conclusions: Prevention and intervention programs of alcohol and marijuana in Argentina may benefit from improving mindfulness skills and targeting emotional psychopathology and motives to use drugs, to prevent or reduce negative drug-related consequences.

Acculturation and Depression Help-Seeking Intentions in a Majority Mexican American College Student Sample.

Work has not examined if acculturation or enculturation may predict endorsed benefits, barriers, and intentions to seek mental health services for depression, specifically among Latino students enrolled in a rural and majority Latino immigrant institution of higher education. An improved understanding of factors informing mental health help-seeking is needed to identify possible intervention points to address gaps in accessing depression treatment. Participants (N = 406) read a vignette depicting a person with depressive symptoms. Participants were asked if they would seek help for depression if in the situation described in the vignette. Participants provided text responses about their preferences for managing depression symptoms and their mental health help-seeking history. Additionally, participants completed a self-report depression symptom screener, demographic surveys, acculturation assessment, and questionnaires on perceived benefits and barriers to seeking mental health services. Path analysis was used to test the link between acculturation status and intent to seek services for depression, with benefits and barriers as mediators. The results revealed that higher perceived benefits and lower barriers were directly associated with greater intentions to seek help. Furthermore, an indirect effect of acculturation on help-seeking intentions via higher perceived benefits of seeking care was observed. These findings persisted after controlling for age, gender, depression, and history of seeking care for depression. Future work should test the replicability of this finding with diverse college students living in predominantly immigrant communities. Universities might consider tailoring outreach initiatives to provide information on the range and accessibility of mental health services, the location of mental health service centers, and the procedures for accessing such services.

Does health-related college major have an effect on health-promoting behaviors? Evidence from Iranian's staff.

Background: Health-promoting behaviors and lifestyle changes can reduce the cost of health services, stress, and disease complications. This study examined the status of health-promoting behaviors and its influencing factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 171 staff members of Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Iran, in 2023. The Persian version of the health-promoting lifestyle profile II questionnaire was used. Analyzes were performed in R 4.3.2 software. Results: Mean ± SD age was 37.67 ± 7.58 years. 83 % had the low levels of health-promoting behaviors, while 17.0 % had moderate levels. The physical activity and interpersonal relation had the lowest and highest scores. The most significant strong and weekly correlations was between health responsibility and physical activity with total score of health-promoting behavior scores (r = 0.81, r = 0.66). Staff with health-related college major performed better in the areas of nutrition, stress management, spiritual growth. Conclusion: Health-related college major is the most important factor affecting health-promoting behaviors. Also, health responsibility is most related to these behaviors. Educational interventions should be done at the community level, regardless of people's field of study, to increase people's knowledge and awareness about risk factors and improve the level of health.

Interventional effect of core stability training on pain and muscle function of youth with chronic non-specific lower back pain: A randomized controlled trial.

Nowadays, due to lifestyle changes, the number of young people suffering from chronic non-specific low back pain (CNLBP) is gradually increasing. The recent guidelines for the treatment of low back pain emphasize that exercise therapy is the preferred treatment method for CNLBP. This study take ordinary college male students with CNLBP as objective of the study, focused into how core stability training affected the pain and muscle function of the CNLBP of youth. Herein, 60 male subjects were randomly divided into a control group and an experimental group, and conducted a randomized control trial in the Sports Rehabilitation Laboratory of Guangxi Normal University from September to October 2023. The control group received traditional waist strength training, while the experimental group received core stability training. VAS scores, pain symptoms scores and clinical efficacy grades were evaluated. Waist muscles fitness was evaluated, including back muscle strength, the prone upper body up's static holding time, 1-min modified sit-ups' pcs, the supine abdominal curling's static holding time and the supine leg raising's static holding time. Waist movement function was also evaluated using oswestry disability index (ODI) questionnaire. Surface electromyographic (EMG) signals were collected from rectus abdominis, erector spinae and multifidus. The independent sample t-test was used to compare groups, and the paired sample t-test was used for the data comparison before and post-exercise within the group. The results of the study found that CNLBP was improved in both the experimental and control groups in the post-exercise. Compared to pre-exercise, there are significant decrease in the VAS scores (95%CI: 2.51 to 6.51, p = 0.000), pain symptoms scores (95%CI: 2.95 to 3.55, p = 0.000), waist movement function's evaluation scores for ODI (95%CI: 2.23 to 4.31, p = 0.000), rectus abdominis' IEMG values (95%CI: 2.29 to 4.39, p = 0.000), erector spinae and multifidus' IEMG values (95%CI: 2.18 to 4.45, p = 0.000) of experimental group in the post-exercise. Compared to pre-exercise, there are significant improvement in the back muscle strength (95%CI: 12.85 to 19.49, p = 0.000), the prone upper body up's static holding time (95%CI: 9.67 to 19.17, p = 0.000), the 1-min modified sit-ups' pcs (95%CI: 8.56 to 18.12, p = 0.000), the supine abdominal curling's static holding time (95%CI: 6.73 to 19.14, p = 0.000), and the supine leg raising's static holding time (95%CI: 8.21 to 18.35, p = 0.000) of experimental group in the post-exercise. In the post-exercise,there are significant lower in the VAS scores (95%CI: 1.41 to 4.98, p = 0.000), pain symptoms scores (95%CI: 1.14 to 1.79, p = 0.011), waist movement function's evaluation scores for ODI (95%CI: 1.13 to 2.25, p = 0.000), rectus abdominis' IEMG values (95%CI: 2.36 to 4.47, p = 0.000), erector spinae and multifidus' IEMG values (95%CI: 2.24 to 4.23, p = 0.017) of experimental group than those of control group. In the post-exercise, there are significant higher in the recovery rate (p = 0.000), the prone upper body up's static holding time (95%CI: 4.16 to 8.32, p = 0.008), and the supine abdominal curling's static holding time (95%CI: 3.89 to 7.44, p = 0.000) of experimental group than those of control group. Therefore, it can be concluded that core stability training is significantly effective in treating CNLBP in youth, enhancing lower back muscle function. This therapeutic effect is primarily attributed to the improvement in muscle function.

Neuropsychiatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: A Systematic Review.

Neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE) refers to the neurological and psychiatric manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), which remain poorly understood yet often have a profound effect on the lives of afflicted patients. The aim of this study is to synthesize the available information on the pathogenesis, diagnostics, management, and prognosis of this disease. Our hope is to increase awareness and call for further investigations that may optimize NPSLE patient outcomes and quality of life. We performed a literature review following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, resulting in 11 studies of inclusion. Within each study, we extracted data on epidemiologic factors, diagnostics, therapeutic modalities, and prognosis for each neuropsychiatric condition. The most widely discussed neuropsychiatric manifestations of SLE based on the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classifications included status epilepticus (SE) and seizures, transverse myelitis (TM), and cognitive dysfunction. SE and TM had a prevalence of 1-2%, while cognitive dysfunction was nearly 38%. Diagnostics varied depending on symptom presentation but often included brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and antibody testing. Treatment for NPSLE is still widely understudied, but concurrent treatment with immunosuppressants and anti-inflammatories for symptom control and more targeted immunotherapies based on the specific condition is often effective. Prognosis is highly symptom dependent, ranging from a 12.5% one-year mortality in SE and seizure patients to near resolution of symptoms in certain presentations including idiopathic intracranial hypertension and cerebellar ataxia. Further studies are needed to better understand the pathophysiology, diagnostics, and effective therapeutic measures for NPSLE. The severity of these manifestations and generally poor prognosis highlight the need for more research to accurately diagnose and treat this disease. While there is still little data available, this literature review serves to provide updated context on this condition.

Substance Use Motives as Mediators of the Associations between Self-Control Constructs and Negative Substance Use Consequences: A Cross-Cultural Examination.

The present study sought to examine three distinct research questions: a) are self-control constructs (i.e., negative/positive urgency, self-regulation, and emotion-regulation) indirectly related to negative alcohol/marijuana consequences via substance use motives, b) to what extent are these indirect effects consistent across differing drugs (i.e., alcohol and marijuana), and c) are these models invariant across gender and countries. Participants were 2,230 college students (mean age=20.28, SD=0.40; 71.1% females) across 7 countries (USA, Canada, Spain, England, Argentina, Uruguay, and South Africa) who consumed alcohol and marijuana in the last month. Two (one for alcohol and one for marijuana) fully saturated path models were conducted, such that indirect paths were examined for each self-control construct and substance use motive on negative consequences (e.g., negative urgency → coping motives → negative consequences) within the same model. Within the comprehensive alcohol model, we found that lower self-regulation and higher negative urgency/suppression were related to more alcohol consequences via higher coping and conformity motives. For marijuana, we found that lower self-regulation and higher negative urgency/suppression were related to more marijuana consequences via higher coping motives (not significant for conformity motives). Unique to marijuana, we did find support for higher expansion motives indirectly linking positive urgency to more negative consequences. These results were invariant across gender groups and only minor differences across countries emerged. Prevention and intervention programs of alcohol and marijuana around university campuses may benefit from targeting self-control related skills in addition to motives to drug use to prevent and reduce negative drug-related consequences.

Changes in Parent-Student Text Message and Phone Call Communication During the Transition to College as Predictors of Cannabis and Simultaneous Use During the First Year.

Parent communication can be protective against cannabis use among young adults. However, changes in parent-student communication frequency naturally occur during the transition from high school to college. Recent research suggests declines in parent-student communication frequency predict increased drinking and consequences during the first year of college, yet these effects on other risky behaviors are unknown. The current study investigated whether post-matriculation changes in frequency of texting/calling with parents predict cannabis use and simultaneous use of cannabis and alcohol, and whether pre-matriculation cannabis and simultaneous use predict changes in communication. First-year students (N = 287, 61.3% female, 50.9% White) reported cannabis and simultaneous use pre- and post-matriculation (T1 & T3) and changes in frequency of texting/calling their mother/father per day (T2). Negative binomial hurdle models examined whether T2 changes in communication frequency predicted T3 cannabis and simultaneous use, and logistic regression models examined whether T1 cannabis and simultaneous use predicted T2 changes in communication frequency. Results revealed that increasing (vs. decreasing) frequency of calling with mothers and texting with fathers was protective against cannabis use, whereas increasing frequency of calling with fathers was associated with greater risk of use. Changes in communication did not significantly predict simultaneous use, nor did pre-matriculation cannabis or simultaneous use predict changes in either mode of communication with parents during the college transition. These findings highlight that changes in mother and father communication may be both beneficial and detrimental to cannabis use depending on the parent and mode of communication. Implications for these findings are discussed.

Measuring Cannabis Reinforcement among Young Adults: A Mixed Methods Examination.

Introduction: Increasing reinforcement received from cannabis-free activities, relative to reinforcement from cannabis-related activities, is one way to reduce harmful cannabis use. Thus, accurate measurement of cannabis reinforcement is important. Using convergent mixed methods, we developed the Adolescent Reinforcement Survey Schedule-Cannabis Use Version (ARSS-CUV). ARSS-CUV, adapted from the alcohol use version, measures cannabis reinforcement by asking individuals how frequently they engaged in, and how much they enjoyed, different activities when using and not using cannabis. Method: Young adults (N = 65; M age = 20.4 years [SD = 1.8]) completed measures of cannabis use, the ARSS-CUV, and provided feedback on included activities, via focus groups. Following Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing framework, this study examined evidence of measurement validity based on item content. Results: Quantitative findings revealed that peer interactions were the most reinforcing activities, whereas activities related to family were least reinforcing. Qualitative findings indicated some confusion with question wording. Participants also indicated the importance of environmental context when using cannabis and noted who they use cannabis with may be more important than the activity they are doing. Changes were made to survey flow and response choices after participant feedback. Conclusions: ARSS-CUV includes revisions in activities solicited and response format. The revised ARSS-CUV provides opportunities to advance measurement of an important construct (i.e., reinforcement) in the study of cannabis use. Psychometric properties of the ARSS-CUV across different populations and contexts of use (e.g., polysubstance use) should be examined.

Simultaneous Alcohol and Cannabis Use and High-Risk Sexual Behaviors.

Background: Alcohol and cannabis use rates are highest in college-aged young adults, and both alcohol and cannabis use are independently related to high-risk sexual behaviors (HRSBs). HRSBs (e.g., sex without protection against sexually transmitted infections) are a prevalent public health problem in college students, with little research examining simultaneous alcohol and cannabis use (i.e., using both alcohol and cannabis at the same time so the effects overlap) and HRSBs. Method: We examined simultaneous alcohol and cannabis-related HRSB frequency, gender differences in simultaneous alcohol and cannabis-related HRSBs, and differences in HRSBs between simultaneous and non-simultaneous users. Alcohol and cannabis using college students (N = 534; Average Age = 19; 66.9% reported identifying as female) were recruited through a psychology department's human subjects research pool and completed a one-time, online, self-report survey. Results: One-third of participants engaged in simultaneous alcohol and cannabis use prior to sexual intercourse in the past 3 months. Additionally, over one-third of participants reported heavy drinking (4/5 or more drinks for women/men) simultaneously with cannabis use prior to sexual intercourse in the past 3 months. Simultaneous alcohol and cannabis use was significantly and positively related to sexual intercourse after simultaneous use and after heavy drinking simultaneously with cannabis use. Past year simultaneous alcohol and cannabis users, relative to non-simultaneous users, reported increased incidents of sex without protection against sexually transmitted infections. No gender differences in simultaneous alcohol and cannabis-related HRSBs were found. Conclusions: Future research should continue examining simultaneous alcohol and cannabis use and HRSBs.

Psychometric evaluation of the Psychache Scale: A multigroup comparison between white and hispanic undergraduate student drinkers.

With psychache being an integral aspect of suicidal and addictive behavior, there is a need for efficient assessment, including generalizability across various racial and ethnic identities. Multigroup Confirmatory Factor Analysis of the Psychache Scale was conducted in the context of 1537 undergraduate college student drinkers (White = 1,171, Hispanic = 366). The alternative bifactor model was a better solution compared to other competing models suggesting that the Psychache Scale is sufficiently unidimensional. There was sufficient support for measurement invariance, which implies that the scale is measuring the same construct across groups. The Hispanic group had a significantly higher latent mean overall psychache score compared to their counterparts. The association of psychache with various adjustment outcomes was also similar across groups. The measure demonstrated robust properties to capture psychological pain. Additional studies need to be done to examine factors influencing psychache, especially among the Hispanic population.

The relationship between physical activity and anxiety in college students: exploring the mediating role of lifestyle habits and dietary nutrition.

Background: Physical activity has been shown to be effective in treating and improving anxiety in college students. However, no studies have been conducted to examine the relationship between physical activity and anxiety in college students through mediating factors such as dietary nutrition and lifestyle habits. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the mediating role of lifestyle and dietary nutrition in the relationship between physical activity and anxiety. Methods: This study used a stratified random sampling method to survey 498 college students from three universities in Fujian, China. Data on participants' demographic characteristics, physical activity, lifestyle habits, and dietary nutrition were collected and analyzed using SPSS software. The proposed structural equation model was analyzed using Amos software. Results: The results of the study showed that dietary nutrition and lifestyle habits had significant independent mediating effects and continuous multiple mediating effects (p < 0.01) in the effects of physical activity on college students' anxiety. Dietary nutrition and lifestyle habits played an independent mediating role, accounting for 24.9% of the total effect; there was also a continuous multiple mediating effect between dietary nutrition and lifestyle habits, accounting for 13.27% of the total effect value. In addition, physical activity had a direct effect value on anxiety in college students, accounting for 36.93% of the total effect value. Conclusion: By increasing the behavior and awareness of college students to participate in physical activity, supplemented by guiding them to develop regular lifestyle habits and correct dietary nutritional patterns, the anxiety level of college students can be effectively improved and reduced. This type of regulation is an important reference for the self-management and rehabilitation of college students with anxiety disorders. Future studies can experimentally develop a combined intervention of physical activity, lifestyle habits, and dietary nutritional to help college students better cope with anxiety.

A plea for urgent action: Addressing the critical shortage of cardiothoracic surgical workforce in the COSECSA region.

BACKGROUND: The College of Surgeons of East, Central, and Southern Africa (COSECSA) comprises 14 countries, many of which currently grapple with an increasing burden of cardiothoracic surgical (CTS) diseases. Health and economic implications of unaddressed CTS conditions are profound and require a robust regional response. This study aimed to define the status of CTS specialist training in the region (including the density of specialists, facilities, and active training posts), examine implications, and proffer recommendations. METHODS: A desk review of COSECSA secretariat documents and program accreditation records triangulated with information from surgical societies was performed in May 2022 and September 2023 as part of education quality improvement. A modified nominal group process involving contextual experts was used to develop a relevant action framework. RESULTS: Only 6 of 14 (43%) of COSECSA countries offered active training programs with annual intake of only 18 trainees. Significant training gaps existed in Burundi, Botswana, Malawi, Rwanda, South Sudan, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Country specialist density ranged from 1 per 400,000 (Namibia) to 1 per 8,000,000 (Ethiopia). Overall, the region had 0.2 CTS specialists per million population as compared with 7.15 surgeons per million in High-Income Countries. Surgical education experts proposed an action framework to address the training crisis including increasing investments in CTS education, establishing regional centers of excellence, retention incentives and opportunities for women, and leveraging international partnerships. CONCLUSION: Proactive investments in infrastructure, human resources, training, and collaborative efforts by national governments, regional intergovernmental organizations, and international partners are critical to expanding regional CTS training.

Changes in Chinese college students' mobile phone addiction over recent decade: The perspective of cross-temporal meta-analysis.

In recent years, with the rapid advancement of Internet technology and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, mobile phones have been used more frequently, the development trend of mobile phone addiction among Chinese college students is a concern to society. This cross-temporal meta-analysis provides compelling evidence of the rising trend of mobile phone addiction in Chinese college students based on data from 42 independent studies (Sample Size = 49,544) over the past decade (2013-2022), and discuss the three important rising periods. Furthermore, extended research has revealed correlated factors of mobile phone addiction among Chinese college students, including gender, anxiety, depression, loneliness, stress, well-being, social support, and resilience. Additionally, the study identified the National internet penetration rate and the National GDP index as significant predictors of mobile phone addiction in Chinese college students. These findings not only reveal the changing trends of mobile phone addiction among Chinese college students, but also enrich the understanding of mobile phone addiction among this population and provide a reference for improving mobile phone addiction among in the future.