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Biomedical subjects

Ana Regina Noto

Publications and source records attributed to Ana Regina Noto.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Decrease in tobacco use among Brazilian students: a possible consequence of the ban on cigarette advertising?

In 2000, cigarette advertising was banned from the Brazilian media [LEI N degrees 10.167, de 27 de dezembro de dezembro. (2000). http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/Leis/L10167.htm]. Nevertheless, not enough surveys have been carried out to measure the impact of the prohibition. The objective of the present survey was to compare the use of tobacco by primary and secondary school students in 1997 and 2004, that is, before and after the ban on tobacco advertising in Brazil. Two surveys were conducted (in 1997 and 2004) using the same methodology, with a target population of primary (from the fifth grade on) and secondary public schools in ten different Brazilian capitals. The sampling was done by conglomerates, stratified, and obtained in two stages. In total, 15,501 students were surveyed in 1997, and 21,712 in 2004. The questionnaire was adapted from an instrument developed by WHO, anonymous, self-administered, and applied collectively in the classroom. In a comparison of the two surveys (1997 and 2004) tobacco lifetime use (used any psychotropic drug at least once in their life) decreased significantly in seven out of ten capitals surveyed. The 11-12 year old age group experienced the largest decrease in tobacco lifetime use. There was a decrease in lifetime use for males in nine capitals, and in eight capitals for females. A decrease was also observed in heavy tobacco use also in eight capitals. In conclusion there was a significant decrease in tobacco consumption among the surveyed students, suggesting that the decrease is related to changes in public policy in Brazil over the surveyed period.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

[Use of psychotropic drugs in Brazil: household survey in the 107 biggest Brazilian cities--2001].

The objective was to estimate the prevalence of the use of drugs, alcohol, tobacco and the use of non-medical psychotropics. This study enclosed the 107 biggest cities in Brazil; sample: ages between 12 and 65 years. Sampling in three periods: tax sectors; household and the respondent. Were interviewed 8,589 people. The lifetime use of the alcohol was 68.7%, closer to 70.8% in Chile. The lifetime use of the tobacco was of 41.1%, lower than USA (70.5%). The lifetime use of the marijuana was of 6.9% closer to Colombia (5.4%) and lower than USA (34.2%). The lifetime use of the cocaine was 2.3%, lower than USA (11.2%). The lifetime use of solvent was of 5.8%, much lower than the United Kingdom (20.0%). The stimulants have had 1.5% of lifetime use and the anxiolytics with 3.3%. These findings will allow the implantation of adjusted public politics to our reality in the field of the psychotropics drugs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

[Misuse of benzodiazepines: a study among key informants in São Paulo city].

The aim of this study was to understand the practice of prescription, dispensation and prolonged use of benzodiazepines, from the point of view of health care professionals and of chronic users of these substances. The sample group was formed using the snowball technique, totaling 19 key-informants. The semi-structured interviews were recorded and transcribed for analysis. Most of the interviewees reported frequent benzodiazepine prescriptions through requests made to doctors, without the need for a formal appointment. The users reported a history of prolonged use (between 2 and 8 years) for purposes other than the simple therapeutic purpose. They also emphasized the ease in acquiring the medication and the lack of medical counseling about the necessary precautions during treatment. The study suggests that the occurrence of misuse involves not only the dispensation control system, but also a series of other factors, including the attitudes of health care professionals.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

A profile of Ecstasy (MDMA) use in São Paulo, Brazil: an ethnographic study.

The use of Ecstasy in Brazil has gained visibility in recent years. Nevertheless, scientific data on this issue remain scarce. The present study focused on clarifying this phenomenon by means of qualitative and ethnographic research. Observational studies (N = 8), information obtained from key informants (N = 14) and interviews with Ecstasy users (N = 32) from the city of São Paulo were part of this study. The results pointed to night clubs and rave parties where electronic music is played as the main context of use. Interviews with users revealed a sample of young adult members of the highest layers of society, with a good educational background and access to the labor market. Furthermore, polydrug use was manifested. Users' typology was established regarding the pattern of drug use, showing two profiles of users: the "Rave Generation," consisting of more recent users who initiated this use with the arrival of the large-sized rave parties at the end of the 1990s. The second profile, the "Sons of the Hell's Club," consisted of more experienced users (beginning in the early 1990s) and showed a richer history of use. Neither profile group had sought help regarding their Ecstasy use, and both showed positive beliefs related to the safety of use.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Drugs in the Brazilian print media: an exploratory survey of newspaper and magazine stories in the year 2000.

Print media is one of the key factors for defining public opinion and setting public policies regarding drugs. Therefore, surveying its content should provide us with a better understanding of the situation. The few existing surveys on this issue in Brazil point out discrepancies between print media and public health. The objective of the present survey is to enhance the analysis of drug-related stories in the Brazilian print media, based on a new time frame, in the year 2000. Major newspapers and magazines of all Brazilian state capitals have been surveyed throughout year 2000, with 4,669 stories presenting drugs as their main topic. A random sample of 964 stories underwent content analysis. Approximately half the stories (49.6%) dealt with smuggling- and repression-related issues. The remainder of the stories (50.4%) approached health, legislation, and public policy issues. Tobacco was the most widely discussed drug, with stories focusing mainly on damage caused by use and on measures for reducing consumption rates among the population. Articles about cocaine, also featured frequently in the print media, dealt mainly with the issues of drug dealing and of damage caused by cocaine use. Regarding marijuana, in addition to the law enforcement repressive approach, some articles dealt with decriminalization and therapeutic use. Articles about alcoholic beverages, featured less frequently in the print media, approached the subject matter from various angles. The number of stories on solvents and psychotropic medication was negligible. The results confirm discrepancies between print media coverage and epidemiology. They also indicate that each drug is approached differently, allowing for a better understanding of the "social climate" in Brazil regarding each drug. Of all possible social interventions for dealing with the issue repression stands out, whereas stories about treatment and damage reduction are relatively scarce. These findings suggest the need for improved communication between journalists and health professionals.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed2005

Household survey on drug abuse in Brazil: study involving the 107 major cities of the country--2001.

The prevalence of the use in Brazil of illicit drugs, as well as of alcohol and tobacco, was determined. Further, illicit use of psychotropic medicines, and anabolic steroids were also surveyed. This study was carried out in 107 Brazilian cities with more than 200,000 inhabitants aged 12-65 years. The sampling design adopted was that of sampling per aggregates in three stages: first, the census sectors were selected; second, homes were selected among the sectors; finally, in each home, a respondent was selected in a manner independent of the interviewer. There were 8589 persons interviewed. The questionnaire utilized was that of the SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) which was translated and adapted for Brazilian conditions. The lifetime use of alcohol in the 107 major cities of the country was 68.7%, which was close to numbers observed for Chile at 70.8% and the USA at 81.0%. Yet, tobacco lifetime use was 41.1% of the total, which is lower than the prevalence observed in the USA (70.5%). The data on the lifetime use of marijuana in Brazil (6.9%) approximated the findings for Colombia (5.4%), however, being much lower than that observed in the USA (34.2%) and the United Kingdom (25.0%). The prevalence of lifetime use of cocaine was 2.3%, well below the levels for the USA with 11.2% of the total population. The abuse of inhalants was 5.8% of the total, greater than that found in Colombia (1.4%) and about four times less than that in the United Kingdom with 20.0%. Among the medicaments, stimulants had a 1.5% prevalence of lifetime use, and that of benzodiazepines had similar percentages in Brazil (3.3%) and in the USA (5.8%). In this survey, only four individuals reported lifetime use of heroin, which was equivalent to about 0.04% of the sample and much lower than that in the USA with 1.2% and in Colombia reaching 1.5%. These findings will allow the implementation of public policies fitted to the situation with psychotropic drugs in Brazil.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

First household survey on drug abuse in São Paulo, Brazil, 1999: principal findings.

CONTEXT: In order to establish prevention programs regarding psychotropic drug use that are adapted to specific populations it is, first of all, important to have data on the realities of such consumption. Single data points are not enough for drawing up a profile of society in relation to drugs. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this household survey was to determine the incidence of illegal drug, alcohol, tobacco and psychotropic medication use, and thus the number of persons dependent on drugs, alcohol and nicotine, and to evaluate their perception regarding how easy it is to obtain psychotropic drugs. TYPE OF STUDY: Epidemiological survey. SETTING: All of the 24 cities in the State of Sao Paulo with more 200,000 inhabitants participated in the study. METHOD: The sampling was constructed from weighted probabilistic stratified conglomerates obtained via two-stage selection. In each municipality sampled, census sectors (generally 200-300 households) were first selected. Then, households and a respondent were selected to provide information from his/her point of view. The SAMHSA questionnaire (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) of the U.S. Department of Public Health was used, after translation and adaptation to Brazilian conditions. RESULTS: A total of 2,411 persons aged 12-65 years old were interviewed, of whom 39.9% were men. Lifetime use of any psychotropic drug other than alcohol and tobacco was 11.6%: much less than in the U.S. (34.8%). The alcohol dependence rate was 6%, similar to findings from other countries. Marijuana was the illegal drug most cited as used daily (6.6%): a prevalence much lower than in the U.S. (32.0%): Inhalant use was next in frequency of use (2.7%): about 10 times less than in the United Kingdom (20%). Cocaine use (2.1%) was about 5 times less than in the U.S. (10.6%). There was no report of heroin use, although there was a surprisingly high perception regarding the case of obtaining heroin: 38.3% sold if was easy to obtain. CONCLUSION: This study supports the implementation of better prevention programs regarding drug abuse in Sõ Paulo state.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

[Drugs and health in the Brazilian press: an analysis of articles published in newspapers and magazines].

This article analyzes information recently published by the Brazilian press on the use of psychoactive drugs and its implications on health. A sample of 502 newspaper and magazine articles published in 1998 was researched using content analysis. The drugs most frequently featured in the headlines were tobacco (18.1%), coca-derived drugs (9.2%), marijuana (9.2%), alcoholic beverages (8.6%), and anabolic steroids (7.4%). Solvents were featured in only one article, although they are the most commonly used drug in Brazil, second only to alcohol and tobacco. These data indicate an imbalance between the journalistic approach and the epidemiological profile of psychoactive drug consumption in Brazil. Dependence was the most frequent consequence mentioned in the articles (46%), followed by violence (9.2%), withdrawal syndrome (8.0%), and AIDS (6.8%). The focus of the articles varied according to the drug in question. While articles on marijuana focused on its therapeutic use and legalization, those on cocaine-related issues discussed both the damage caused by consumption as well as various interventions (treatment and repression).

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Use of anorectic amphetamine-like drugs by Brazilian women.

The history of anorectic drug use was investigated in 2370 subjects in São Paulo and Brasília cities. Socio-demographic data and the number of previous treatments to lose weight were obtained. When the last treatment was drug-based, the substance(s) used, its duration, the occurrence of adverse reactions, and whether it was adequate were studied. There was a prevalence of female patients, 92.7%, in both cities and as many as 72.4% of them had already undergone from 1 to >10 previous treatments. Out of those patients, 75.37% had undergone pharmacological treatment, 79.2% of those with amphetamine-like anorectic drugs. Treatment was longer than 3 months in half of the cases, and 60% of the subjects had a Body Mass Index below 29.9. Over 50% of the subjects was given amphetamine-like drugs through compounded formulas containing four or more substances, which had been specifically tailored by the doctor for each patient. On the other hand, 86.3% of all the subjects reported adverse reactions to the amphetamine-like drugs, 37.4% of them sought medical advice, and 3.9% required hospitalization. In conclusion, the use of amphetamine-like drugs in Brazil is particularly prevalent among women and this use is strongly related to the culture of slimness as a symbol of beauty.

Journal Article↗