domingo, 2 de enero de 2011

La marihuana, droga "de moda" entre los jóvenes - lanacion.com

Datos oficiales de la Ciudad
La marihuana, droga "de moda" entre los jóvenes
Daniel Gallo

LA NACION
Domingo 2 de enero de 2011 | Publicado en edición impresa


Para una significativa parte de los jóvenes porteños, la marihuana se ha vuelto la droga ilegal "de moda". En la porción que va de los 19 a los 23 años, el 57,1% fumó al menos una vez un cigarrillo con cannabis.

Así surge de un informe del Observatorio de Políticas Públicas en Adicciones, dirigido por Roberto Canay. Esa oficina del gobierno porteño realizó un sondeo entre 1000 personas de entre 15 y 35 años; para el 44% de los consultados, la marihuana es la droga del momento, incluso en los lugares de diversión nocturna.

"La moda se identifica por el costo y accesibilidad de las drogas; también, por su uso difundido y su alto nivel de aceptación social. Sorprendentemente, cuando se hace referencia al consumo de marihuana, se dice que es la droga de moda porque es legal", se afirmó en el documento presentado por el observatorio porteño.

Esa creencia equivocada surge de la mala interpretación que muchos hacen del fallo de la Corte Suprema de Justicia de la Nación de agosto de 2009, en el que el máximo tribunal de la Argentina sentó una nueva jurisprudencia al establecer la inconstitucionalidad de un artículo de la ley de drogas, aquel que pena la tenencia de estupefaciente para consumo personal cuando éste no afecta a terceras personas.

Ese fallo (ver aparte) estaba relacionado con un caso en particular de tenencia de marihuana. Los ministros de la Corte consideraron, como aspecto fundamental, que debe protegerse la privacidad de las personas adultas para decidir cuál es su conducta; en este punto, si desean tener o consumir drogas en privado.

Recientemente, La Nacion publicó un informe de la Sedronar, que señalaba la relación directa entre el aumento del consumo de marihuana y la disminución de la noción del riesgo que implica ese acto, producto de la caída de las barreras sociales frente a esa droga. Según los datos de la secretaría, en 2001, el 3,5% de los estudiantes secundarios fumaba marihuana y el 44% consideraba esa acción un gran riesgo; en el último sondeo, de 2009, el porcentaje de usuarios trepó al 8,4%, y bajó al 11,6% la cifra de quienes consideran la marihuana un gran riesgo.

Uso extendido


El estudio del gobierno porteño revela que el perfil más alto de consumo de marihuana se encontró en la franja etaria de 19 a 23 años, pero en la muestra completa también quedó en evidencia que se trata de la droga ilegal más consumida, con una amplia diferencia con respecto a la cocaína y no a mucha distancia del tabaco. Entre los 15 y 35 años, la prevalencia de uso en el año -el núcleo duro de consumidores- de marihuana alcanza el 26,4%; en la lista de drogas ilegales le sigue de lejos la cocaína, con 4%. Apenas 10 puntos porcentuales separan al cannabis del tabaco, de venta legal, pero el alcohol es consumido por el 87,4%.

"Como en el imaginario de los jóvenes y los adolescentes, el paco y la cocaína son drogas más nocivas, se legitiman el consumo de marihuana y el éxtasis como drogas inocuas", sostuvieron los autores del trabajo, que, además de un sondeo cuantitativo, incluyó la investigación sobre la potencial relación entre nocturnidad y consumo de drogas sintéticas. En ese contexto, se advirtió una alta experimentación de los jóvenes con drogas como el éxtasis y el LSD.

"Cada vez hay más consumidores habituales de marihuana, que empiezan a ser consumidores semanales de drogas de diseño", se indicó.

Si bien la prevalencia anual de consumo de drogas sintéticas es baja (1,2%), llamó la atención de los investigadores el nivel más elevado de uso de esas sustancias en algún momento de la vida de los sujetos consultados.

El 20% de los mayores de 30 años reconoce haber probado éxtasis. Esa droga está rotulada como de alta sociedad, aunque su consumo también alcanza a todos los niveles económicos. En el sondeo, se estimó que consumió éxtasis alguna vez el 12% de los jóvenes de clase alta, el 7,1% de la clase media y el 4,8% de los sectores más bajos.

Así, mientras la marihuana gana su lugar de droga "de moda" a partir de factores como su fácil acceso y la aceptación social, las drogas de diseño empiezan a tener una penetración que motivó alarma en el informe porteño. "Cada vez más adolescentes y jóvenes eligen consumir éxtasis porque piensan que estimula los sentidos y potencia el disfrute de la música. Esa caracterización positiva de las drogas de síntesis se está extendiendo, junto con su consumo, en los estratos sociales medio-bajos. Es decir, ya se ha popularizado el consumo de estas drogas, hasta alcanzar a altos niveles de tolerancia", se asegura en el trabajo del observatorio porteño. También se estableció que el LSD "es una droga preferida por los jóvenes de clase baja en las salidas nocturnas".

Los investigadores porteños argumentaron, sobre la base de las explicaciones dadas por los propios jóvenes, que entornos especialmente construidos, como las fiestas de música electrónica, ayudan a la introducción de las drogas sintéticas.

CLAVES


57,1%
de los jóvenes porteños de entre 19 y 23 años ya probaron marihuana.

44%
de los jóvenes de entre 15 y 35 años dijo que la marihuana está "de moda".

20%
reconoce haber probado éxtasis en el segmento de edad entre 30 y 35 años.

16,7%
probó alguna vez éxtasis entre quienes tienen entre 24 y 29 años.

87,4%
consume alcohol, droga legal, entre los consultados para la muestra.

La marihuana, droga "de moda" entre los jóvenes - lanacion.com

sábado, 1 de enero de 2011

Public Support for the Use of Newborn Screening Dr... [Public Health Genomics. 2010] - PubMed result



Public Health Genomics. 2010 Dec 18. [Epub ahead of print]
Public Support for the Use of Newborn Screening Dried Blood Spots in Health Research.

Duquette D, Rafferty AP, Fussman C, Gehring J, Meyer S, Bach J.

Michigan Department of Community Health, Division of Genomics, Perinatal Health and Chronic Disease Epidemiology, Lansing, Mich., USA.


Abstract

Objectives: The level of support among Michigan adults for the use of residual newborn screening dried blood spots (DBS) was investigated. Methods: We analyzed data from 4 questions on the 2008 Michigan Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (n = 3,108). The questions asked about general support for the use of DBS for research and for research investigating childhood diseases, adult diseases and diseases related to environmental exposures. Results: The majority of adults (72.3%) favored the use of DBS for research intended to benefit the health of residents. With more question specificity, a higher proportion of adults (84.2%-86.8%) were found to favor the use of DBS for research, and a lower proportion had no opinion. The odds of favoring use were higher among those who were younger, female, white, healthy, or with at least a high school degree. Conclusions: This is the first population survey of adult attitudes regarding use of DBS for different types of health research, with results showing considerable public support. The findings are being used in community outreach efforts and highlight the need to investigate opposition in vulnerable populations.
Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.

PMID: 21178324 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Public Support for the Use of Newborn Screening Dr... [Public Health Genomics. 2010] - PubMed result

Factors associated with experiences of genetic dis... [Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet. 2011] - PubMed result



Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet. 2011 Jan;156(1):19-27.
Factors associated with experiences of genetic discrimination among individuals at risk for huntington disease.

Bombard Y, Palin J, Friedman JM, Veenstra G, Creighton S, Paulsen JS, Bottorff JL, Hayden MR; The Canadian Respond‐HD Collaborative Research Group The members of the Canadian Respond‐HD collaborative research group are: Mark Guttman and Christine Giambattista, Centre for Movement Disorders; Mark Ludman, Jill Murphy and Tina Babineau‐Sturk, IWK Health Centre; Patrick MacLeod and Jennifer Rice, Victoria General Hospital; Wayne Martin and Marguerite Wieler, University of Alberta; Wendy Meschino and Clare Gibbons, North York General Hospital; Lynn Raymond and Joji Decolongon, University of British Columbia; Oksana Suchowersky and Mary‐Lou Klimek, University of Calgary..

Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.


Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify factors that are associated with experiencing genetic discrimination (GD) among individuals at risk for Huntington disease (HD). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to examine factors associated with experiencing GD in data from a cross-sectional, self-report survey of 293 individuals at risk for HD. The study sample comprised 167 genetically tested respondents, and 66 who were not tested (80% response rate). Overall, individuals who learn they are at risk for HD at a younger age (OR = 3.1; 95% CI: 1.5-6.2; P = 0.002), are mutation-positive (OR = 2.8; 95% CI: 1.4-6.0; P = 0.006), or are highly educated (OR = 2.7; 95% CI: 1.4-5.1; P = 0.002) are more likely to experience GD, particularly in insurance, family, and social settings. Further, younger age was associated with discrimination in insurance (OR = 0.97; 95% CI: 0.94-1.00; P = 0.038). This study provides evidence that some people who are at risk for HD were more likely to experience GD than others. Individuals who learned they are at risk for HD at a younger age and those who are mutation-positive were more likely to experience GD, particularly in insurance, family, and social settings. Younger individuals were more likely to experience discrimination in the insurance setting. Overall, highly educated individuals were also more likely to report discrimination. These results provide direction for clinical and family discussions, counseling practice, and policy aimed at mitigating experiences of GD. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

PMID: 21184581 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Factors associated with experiences of genetic dis... [Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet. 2011] - PubMed result

National Quality Measures Clearinghouse | Paediatric intensive care unit (ICU) access: Australian Council on Healthcare Standards


Australian Council on Healthcare Standards

I. * Paediatric intensive care unit (ICU) access: percentage of appropriate patients referred to an ICU, who are not admitted to the unit because of inadequate resources, during the 6 month time period. This updates a previously published measure summary.

full-text:
National Quality Measures Clearinghouse | Paediatric intensive care unit (ICU) access: percentage of appropriate patients referred to an ICU, who are not admitted to the unit because of inadequate resources, during the 6 month time period.


II. * Paediatric intensive care unit (ICU) access: percentage of elective surgical cases deferred or cancelled due to lack of ICU/HDU bed, during the 6 month time period. This updates a previously published measure summary.

full-text:
National Quality Measures Clearinghouse | Paediatric intensive care unit (ICU) access: percentage of elective surgical cases deferred or cancelled due to lack of ICU/HDU bed, during the 6 month time period.


III. * Paediatric intensive care unit (ICU) access: percentage of patients discharged from the ICU between 6PM and 6AM, during the 6 month time period. This updates a previously published measure summary.

full-text:
National Quality Measures Clearinghouse | Paediatric intensive care unit (ICU) access: percentage of patients discharged from the ICU between 6PM and 6AM, during the 6 month time period.


IV. * Paediatric intensive care unit (ICU) access: percentage of patients who were transferred to another facility/area/ICU due to unavailability of an ICU bed, during the 6 month time period. This updates a previously published measure summary.

full-text:
National Quality Measures Clearinghouse | Paediatric intensive care unit (ICU) access: percentage of patients who were transferred to another facility/area/ICU due to unavailability of an ICU bed, during the 6 month time period.


V. * Paediatric intensive care unit (ICU) access: percentage of patients whose discharge from the ICU was delayed more than 12 hours, during the 6 month time period. This updates a previously published measure summary.

full-text:
National Quality Measures Clearinghouse | Paediatric intensive care unit (ICU) access: percentage of patients whose discharge from the ICU was delayed more than 12 hours, during the 6 month time period.

National Quality Measures Clearinghouse | Refractive surgery: Australian Council on Healthcare Standards.


Australian Council on Healthcare Standards

1. * Refractive surgery: percentage of patients having a complication (medical or surgical) within 28 days following excimer laser surgery, during the 6 month time period. This updates a previously published measure summary.

full-text:
National Quality Measures Clearinghouse | Refractive surgery: percentage of patients having a complication (medical or surgical) within 28 days following excimer laser surgery, during the 6 month time period.


2. * Refractive surgery: percentage of patients having a discharge intention of 1 day, who had an overnight admission following refractive surgery, during the 6 month time period. This updates a previously published measure summary.

full-text:
National Quality Measures Clearinghouse | Refractive surgery: percentage of patients having a discharge intention of 1 day, who had an overnight admission following refractive surgery, during the 6 month time period.


3. * Refractive surgery: percentage of patients having a readmission within 28 days of discharge, following refractive surgery, due to endophthalmitis in the operated eye, during the 6 month time period. This updates a previously published measure summary.

full-text:
National Quality Measures Clearinghouse | Refractive surgery: percentage of patients having a readmission within 28 days of discharge, following refractive surgery, due to endophthalmitis in the operated eye, during the 6 month time period.


4. * Refractive surgery: percentage of patients having an anterior vitrectomy at the time of refractive surgery, during the 6 month time period. This updates a previously published measure summary.

full-text:
National Quality Measures Clearinghouse | Refractive surgery: percentage of patients having an anterior vitrectomy at the time of refractive surgery, during the 6 month time period.


5. * Refractive surgery: percentage of readmissions (related to the operated eye) within 28 days of discharge following refractive surgery, during the 6 month time period. This updates a previously published measure summary.

full-text:
National Quality Measures Clearinghouse | Refractive surgery: percentage of readmissions (related to the operated eye) within 28 days of discharge following refractive surgery, during the 6 month time period.

National Quality Measures Clearinghouse | Retinal detachment surgery: Australian Council on Healthcare Standards.


Australian Council on Healthcare Standards
I. * Retinal detachment surgery: percentage of patients having an unplanned readmission within 28 days of discharge, following retinal detachment surgery, due to endophthalmitis in the operated eye, during the 6 month time period. This updates a previously published measure summary.

full-text:
National Quality Measures Clearinghouse | Retinal detachment surgery: percentage of patients having an unplanned readmission within 28 days of discharge, following retinal detachment surgery, due to endophthalmitis in the operated eye, during the 6 month time period.


II. * Retinal detachment surgery: percentage of patients having an unplanned reoperation on the same eye within 28 days, following retinal detachment surgery, during the 6 month time period. This updates a previously published measure summary.

full-text:
National Quality Measures Clearinghouse | Retinal detachment surgery: percentage of patients having an unplanned reoperation on the same eye within 28 days, following retinal detachment surgery, during the 6 month time period.


III. * Retinal detachment surgery: percentage of patients with a total length of stay (LOS) greater than 4 days, following retinal detachment surgery, during the 6 month time period. This updates a previously published measure summary.

full-text:
National Quality Measures Clearinghouse | Retinal detachment surgery: percentage of patients with a total length of stay (LOS) greater than 4 days, following retinal detachment surgery, during the 6 month time period.


IV. * Retinal detachment surgery: percentage of unplanned readmissions within 28 days of discharge, following retinal detachment surgery, during the 6 month time period. This updates a previously published measure summary.

full-text:
National Quality Measures Clearinghouse | Retinal detachment surgery: percentage of unplanned readmissions within 28 days of discharge, following retinal detachment surgery, during the 6 month time period.

viernes, 31 de diciembre de 2010

National Quality Measures Clearinghouse | Paediatric immunisation: Australian Council on Healthcare Standards.


Australian Council on Healthcare Standards

* Paediatric immunisation: percentage of infants admitted as inpatients for whom there is documented current immunisation status, during the 6 month time period. This updates a previously published measure summary.

full-text:
National Quality Measures Clearinghouse | Paediatric immunisation: percentage of infants admitted as inpatients for whom there is documented current immunisation status, during the 6 month time period.


* Paediatric immunisation: percentage of infants admitted as inpatients with not up to date immunisation status for whom there is documented evidence that they were either given catch up immunisations; or that such immunisation was planned, during the 6 month time period. This updates a previously published measure summary.

full-text:
National Quality Measures Clearinghouse | Paediatric immunisation: percentage of infants admitted as inpatients with not up to date immunisation status for whom there is documented evidence that they were either given catch up immunisations; or that such immunisation was planned, during the 6 month time period.