An analysis of gender differences in self-reported health, use of medicines and access to information sources about medicines among adolescents

Ellul, Rita Darmanin; Cordina, Maria; Buhagiar, Anton; Fenech, Anthony G.; Mifsud, Janet

doi:10.1515/ijamh.2009.21.4.591

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…The female excess observed for certain self-reported health complaints is also observed in other studies 28. Some researchers have explained these gender differences due to the differences in biology, psychological stresses, self-image, fixation with physical appearance, etc 29.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 62%

Self-medication and related health complaints among expatriate high school students in the United Arab Emirates

Shehnaz

Khan

Sreedharan

et al. 2013

Pharmacy Practice (Internet)

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BackgroundSelf-medication, often without adult guidance, has been reported to be a common practice during adolescence. Similar to other preventable health-risk behaviors initiated in early adolescence, it has become a cause for concern universally.ObjectiveThis study examines the prevalence of self-medication with both prescribed and non-prescribed (OTC) medications, related health complaints, sources of drugs, and sources of drug recommendation, and gender differences related to self-medication among expatriate high school students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted among 324 expatriate students through a validated, self-administered questionnaire and data was analyzed using SPSS 19 version. Means and proportions were calculated and Pearson Chi-square test of significance was used to analyze association among variables.ResultsMajority of the participating students, almost equally distributed by gender, was aged 16 to 17 years. The period prevalence rate of self-medication with prescribed and OTC medications were 89.2%, which did not vary with age, gender, ethnicity or parents’ educational level. The most common sources of drug and drug recommendation were community pharmacies and parents respectively. Headache and fever were the common self-medicated conditions and consequently, analgesics and antipyretics were most commonly used both in the previous two weeks and the previous year prior to the survey. A high prevalence of self-medication with antibiotics (53%) and sedative/hypnotics (27%) was also observed. A female excess emerged for certain health complaints and use of medicines except for the use of anti-allergic and herbal/homeopathic drugs.ConclusionsThis is the first study to explore self-medication practices among high school students in UAE and provides baseline data critical in creating awareness about the risks and benefits of self-medication. Health care providers, educators and parents should be actively involved in health education strategies for inculcating responsible self-medication practices in the adolescent population of UAE.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 62%

Self-medication and related health complaints among expatriate high school students in the United Arab Emirates

Shehnaz

Khan

Sreedharan

et al. 2013

Pharmacy Practice (Internet)

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“…Among ‘dropped-out’ clients, females and married individuals are more likely to return to treatment. Females are known to be more self-aware of their own health status [ 44 ] and married individuals may receive better family and financial support [ 45 ]. The cycling pattern of MMT clients is marked by a declining duration of treatment episodes but relatively constant interruption of 3–4 weeks.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation of Repeat Client Drop-Out and Re-Enrolment Cycles in Fourteen Methadone Maintenance Treatment Clinics in Guangdong, China

et al. 2015

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ObjectiveClient adherence is vital for effective methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). This study explores the pattern and associated factors of client adherence, drop-out and re-enrolment in the Chinese MMT programme over the period of 2006–2013.MethodsThis retrospective study was conducted in 14 MMT clinics in Guangdong Province, China. We employed Kaplan-Meier survival analysis to estimate the rates of drop-out and re-enrolment of MMT clients and multivariate Cox regression to identify associated factors.ResultsAmong 1,512 study participants, 79% have experienced ‘drop-out’ during the 7-year study period. However, 82% ‘dropped-out’ clients resumed treatment at a later time. Low education level (junior high or below versus otherwise, HR = 1.21, 1.05–1.40), low methadone dosage in the first treatment episode (<50 ml versus ≥50 ml, HR = 1.84, 1.64–2.06) and higher proportion of positive urine test (≥50% versus<50%, HR = 3.72, 3.30–4.20) during the first treatment episode were strong predictors of subsequent drop-outs of the participants. Among the ‘dropped-out’ clients, being female (HR = 1.40, 1.23–1.60), being married (HR = 1.19, 1.09–1.30), and having a higher proportion of positive urine tests in the first treatment episode (≥50% versus<50%, HR = 1.35, 1.20–1.51) had greater likelihood of subsequent re-enrolment in MMT. Clients receiving lower methadone dosage (first treatment episode <50 ml versus ≥50 ml, HR = 1.12, 1.03–1.23; the last intake before drop-out <50 ml versus ≥50 ml, HR = 1.16, 1.04–1.30) were also more likely to re-enrol.ConclusionPersistent cycling in-and-out of clients in MMT programmes is common. Insufficient dosage and higher proportion of positive urine samples in the first treatment episode are the key determinants for subsequent client drop-out and re-enrolment. Interventions should target clients in their early stage of treatment to improve retention in the long term.

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A Systematic Review of Self-Medication Practices Among Adolescents

Shehnaz

Agarwal

Khan

2014

Journal of Adolescent Health

165

147

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An analysis of gender differences in self-reported health, use of medicines and access to information sources about medicines among adolescents

Cited by 4 publications

References 14 publications

Self-medication and related health complaints among expatriate high school students in the United Arab Emirates

Self-medication and related health complaints among expatriate high school students in the United Arab Emirates

Investigation of Repeat Client Drop-Out and Re-Enrolment Cycles in Fourteen Methadone Maintenance Treatment Clinics in Guangdong, China

A Systematic Review of Self-Medication Practices Among Adolescents

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