Objective: This study aimed to: document the extent of the reduction of serum prolactin (PRL) levels induced by aripiprazole (ARI) treatment in children and adolescents, compare this effect by age group, and shed light on this phenomenon. Methods: PRL serum levels in unmedicated subjects were compared to those in subjects treated with aripiprazole to calculate the rate of subnormal PRL levels during aripiprazole treatment. Next, a literature search was performed to better understand the effects of dopaminergic drugs on PRL levels by age group. Results: Sixty percent of those treated with aripiprazole exhibited subnormal PRL serum levels versus 8% of unmedicated subjects. The rate of PRL subnormality in response to aripiprazole was half as frequent in adolescents and was minimal in adults. The drug-induced reduction of PRL serum levels became more prominent with increasing doses of aripiprazole and with an increased treatment duration. Conclusions: With the increasing use of aripiprazole in the United States population, it is important that future research be conducted to explore the potential sequelae of subnormal PRL serum levels in children and adolescents.

We examined the prevalence of cigarette smoking among Cambodian Americans in Long Beach, California. A stratified random sample of 1,414 adult respondents was selected from 15 census tracts with high concentrations of Cambodian Americans. The prevalence of current smokers was 13.0%; the sex-specific prevalence of smoking was 24.4% for men and 5.4% for women. The mean age of the sample was 50.5 years; about 60% of the respondents were women. The survey response rate was 90.5% among households in which respondents self-identified as Cambodian American, and at least one person completed the survey. Significant covariates of current smoking were gender, age, education, marital status, and health status. The prevalence of smoking among Cambodian men was higher than among other males in California. Culturally-tailored interventions should consider demographic characteristics of the target population as well as the high level of respect given to religion, elders, and peers.

24% of 917 students at California State University Long Beach who completed an alcohol use survey in 2002 (73% response) identified themselves as Latino. Because measures of acculturation reported in most adult studies positively correlated with alcohol use and sex, it was hypothesized that these associations might also apply to Latino college students. With increasing levels of acculturation, women but not men in this Latino college sample reported significantly greater occurrence of heavy drinking, positive attitudes about drinking, and perception that most of their friends use alcoholic beverages.

24% of 917 students at California State University Long Beach who completed an alcohol use survey in 2002 (73% response) identified themselves as Latino. Because measures of acculturation reported in most adult studies positively correlated with alcohol use and sex, it was hypothesized that these associations might also apply to Latino college students. With increasing levels of acculturation, women but not men in this Latino college sample reported significantly greater occurrence of heavy drinking, positive attitudes about drinking, and perception that most of their friends use alcoholic beverages.

Abstract