bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The efficacy of single‐session motivational interviewing in reducing drug consumption and perceptions of drug‐related risk and harm among young people: results from a multi‐site cluster randomized trial
Authors: McCambridge Jim , Strang John 
Published: December 2003

ABSTRACTAim  To test whether a single session of motivational interviewing (discussing alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use) would lead successfully to reduction in use of these drugs or in perceptions of drug‐related risk and harm among young people.Design  Cluster randomized trial, allocating 200 young people in the natural groups in which they were recruited to either motivational interviewing (n = 105) or non‐intervention education‐as‐usual control condition (n = 95).Setting  Ten further education colleges across inner London.Participants  Two hundred young people (age range 16–20 years) currently using illegal drugs, with whom contact was established through peers trained for the project.Intervention  The intervention was adapted from the literature on motivational interviewing in the form of a 1‐hour single‐session face‐to‐face interview structured by a series of topics.Measurements  Changes in self‐reported cigarette, alcohol, cannabis and other drug use and in a range of drug‐specific perceptions and other indicators of risk and harm. Measurement at recruitment and follow‐up interview 3 months later.Findings  A good follow‐up rate (89.5%; 179 of 200) was achieved. In comparison to the control group, those randomized to motivational interviewing reduced their of use of cigarettes, alcohol and cannabis, mainly through moderation of ongoing drug use rather than cessation. Effect sizes were 0.37 (0.15–0.6), 0.34 (0.09–0.59) and 0.75 (0.45–1.0) for reductions in the use of cigarettes, alcohol and cannabis, respectively. For both alcohol and cannabis, the effect was greater among heavier users of these drugs and among heavier cigarette smokers. The reduced cannabis use effect was also greater among youth usually considered vulnerable or high‐risk according to other criteria. Change was also evident in various indicators of risk and harm, but not as widely as the changes in drug consumption.Conclusions  This study provides the first substantial evidence of non‐treatment benefit to be derived among young people involved in illegal drug use in receipt of motivational interviewing. The targeting of multiple drug use in a generic fashion among young people has also been supported.
Exploration of adverse psychological symptoms in Yemeni khat users by the Symptoms Checklist‐90 (SCL‐90)
Authors: Numan Nabil 
Published: December 2003

ABSTRACTAim  The present study was aimed at assessing associations between psychological symptoms and khat use in the Yemeni population.Setting  The survey was performed in 2000/2001, in different zones including three urban and three rural areas.Participants  The survey was carried out in 800 Yemeni adults (15–76), both male and female, representing mainly urban populations of students, state employees and housewives.Design  A cross‐sectional survey was undertaken using face‐to‐face interviews and no preset selection criteria regarding profession, socio‐economic status, age or gender.Measurement  The Symptoms Checklist‐90 (SCL‐90) was used containing 90 items, which cover nine scales of the following domains: somatization, depression, anxiety, phobia, hostility, interpersonal sensitivity, obsessive‐compulsive, hostility, interpersonal sensitivity, paranoia and psychoticism. Details of khat use and socio‐demographic data were also collected.Findings  At least one life‐time episode of khat use was reported in 81.6% of men and 43.3% of women. Male users tended to use more frequently. The incidence of adverse psychological symptoms was not greater in khat users; in fact, there was a negative association between the incidence of phobic symptoms and khat use.Conclusions  Khat use is very common in the Yemeni population, particularly men, but it is not associated with adverse psychological symptoms.
Factors associated with Ecstasy use in Turkish students
Authors: Çorapçıoğlu Aytül , Ögel Kültegin 
Published: December 2003

ABSTRACTAims  The purpose of this study was to establish the factors associated with Ecstasy use in secondary school students in Turkey.Design, setting and participants  This is a survey of a representative sample drawn from cities in different geographical regions in Turkey in 1998 and 2001. The questionnaire was administered to a total of 18 556 and 11 911 10th‐grade students in 1998 and 2001, respectively.Measurements  The questionnaire administered in the study was adapted from the questionnaires used in ‘Monitoring the Future’ study in the United States and ESPAD (the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs). It included questions about demographic characteristics, family characteristics, school life, social contacts and use of substances.Findings  While the percentage of those who used Ecstasy at least once in their life‐times was 2.65% in 1998, the figure reached 3.31% in 2001. Male gender, older age, use of alcohol, cannabis, heroin and cocaine, non‐medical use of psychotherapeutic drugs and participation in a meeting concerning the adverse effects of substance use were found to be significant variables predicting ‘ever use’ of Ecstasy in both years by logistic regression analysis.Conclusions  Ecstasy use, while low in Turkey, appears to be on the increase and follows a pattern in terms of correlates that is similar to other illicit drugs. Whatever the causes behind the rise in Ecstasy use, creative, personalized and informative educational programmes should be conducted in all educational institutions to curb Ecstasy use.
Reduction of quantity smoked predicts future cessation among older smokers
Authors: Falba Tracy , Jofre‐Bonet Mireia , Busch Susan , Duchovny Noelia , Sindelar Jody 
Published: December 2003

ABSTRACTAim  To examine whether smokers who reduce their quantity of cigarettes smoked between two periods are more or less likely to quit subsequently.Study design  Data come from the Health and Retirement Study, a nationally representative survey of older Americans aged 51–61 in 1991 followed every 2 years from 1992 to 1998. The 2064 participants smoking at baseline and the first follow‐up comprise the main sample.Measurements  Smoking cessation by 1996 is examined as the primary outcome. A secondary outcome is relapse by 1998. Spontaneous changes in smoking quantity between the first two waves make up the key predictor variables. Control variables include gender, age, education, race, marital status, alcohol use, psychiatric problems, acute or chronic health problems and smoking quantity.Findings  Large (over 50%) and even moderate (25–50%) reductions in quantity smoked between 1992 and 1994 predict prospectively increased likelihood of cessation in 1996 compared to no change in quantity (OR 2.96, P < 0.001 and OR 1.61, P < 0.01, respectively). Additionally, those who reduced and then quit were somewhat less likely to relapse by 1998 than those who did not reduce in the 2 years prior to quitting.Conclusions  Reducing successfully the quantity of cigarettes smoked appears to have a beneficial effect on future cessation likelihood, even after controlling for initial smoking level and other variables known to impact smoking cessation. These results indicate that the harm reduction strategy of reduced smoking warrants further study.
Successful treatment with a nicotine lozenge of smokers with prior failure in pharmacological therapy
Authors: Shiffman Saul , Dresler Carolyn M. , Rohay Jeffrey M. 
Published: December 2003

ABSTRACTAims To assess the influence of unsuccessful past quit attempts using pharmacological treatment on smoking cessation when using a new nicotine lozenge.Design A double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial.Setting Fifteen sites in the United Kingdom and the United States.Participants A total of 1818 smokers seeking smoking cessation treatment; 1145 had had previous pharmacological treatment with nicotine polacrilex lozenge.Intervention Lozenge, 2 mg or 4 mg (or matched placebo); a higher dose was assigned to smokers who smoked their first cigarette of the day within 30 minutes, a sign of dependence. Smokers received minimal instruction and counseling.Measurement Outcome was 28‐day, CO‐verified continuous abstinence at 6 weeks. Past use of medications was ascertained by self‐report.Findings Lozenge was efficacious among smokers with prior pharmacotherapy as well as among those without such history. The effect of lozenge (versus placebo) was significantly greater among those with previous treatment experience, because previous treatment was associated with significantly poorer outcome on placebo, and active lozenge treatment corrected this imbalance. Lozenge efficacy was similar whether smokers had previously tried patch or acute forms of nicotine replacement therapy (gum, inhaler and spray), and also similar for past use of Zyban (bupriopion).Conclusions Smokers with a history of past failure of pharmacological treatment have lower success rates without pharmacological treatment, but equally good outcomes with active lozenge treatment. Smokers who previously tried pharmacological treatments but resumed smoking should be encouraged to try quitting again with the new nicotine lozenge.
Temporal stability of pathological scratchcard gambling among adult scratchcard buyers two years later
Authors: DeFuentes‐Merillas Laura , Koeter Maarten W. J. , Schippers Gerard M. , Van Den Brink Wim 
Published: December 2003

ABSTRACTAims  To estimate the 2‐year cumulative incidence of pathological scratchcard gambling (PSG) among a representative sample of high‐risk scratchcard buyers, to assess the 2‐year temporal stability of PSG and scratchcard‐related problems and to estimate the adjusted 1‐year prevalence for PSG taking into account the temporal dynamics of this diagnosis.Design  A prospective study with two assessments was applied to a non‐proportional stratified random sample of 12 222 adult scratchcard buyers in the Netherlands. A cost‐effective design was used and only those scratchcard buyers (n = 201) who had already experienced some scratchcard‐related problems at initial assessment were followed‐up 2 years later.Participants  Two independent cohorts of buyers with scratchcard‐related problems were followed‐up: a cohort of 173 potential problematic scratchcard gamblers (PPSG) at increased risk for PSG and a cohort of 28 pathological scratchcard gamblers. Incidence and prevalence estimates were calculated for the total sample of adult scratchcard buyers and for the Dutch adult population.Findings  Of the PPSG group 6.72% (95% CI 2.30–8.90%) became addicted to scratchcards during the 2‐year period. The 2‐year cumulative incidence of PSG among Dutch adult scratchcard players was 0.24% (95% CI 0.16–0.34%). The stability of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 4th edition (DSM‐IV) diagnosis of PSG ranged from 11.1% to 42.9%, depending on whether or not those lost to follow‐up were considered to be cases of PSG. Taking into account the dynamics of this disorder, using the most conservative assumption, the adjusted 1‐year prevalence of PSG for the total sample of adult scratchcard buyers was 0.33% (95% CI 0.23–0.45%).Conclusions  PSG proves to be a rare phenomenon among adult scratchcard buyers in the Netherlands. Both incidence and prevalence of the DSM‐IV diagnosis PSG were low. Stability of the DSM‐IV diagnosis PSG, DSM‐IV criteria and South Oaks Gambling Screening‐S (SOGS‐S) problems were low. Prevalence was stable over the time because incidence and recovery rates were very similar.
Mortality in a cohort of opiate and amphetamine users in Perth, Western Australia
Authors: Bartu Anne , Freeman Nerelie C. , Gawthorne Geoff S. , Codde James P. , Holman C. D’Arcy J. 
Published: December 2003

ABSTRACTAims  This study compares the hazard of death among opiate and amphetamine using clients who accessed drug treatment with individuals who had no specialist treatment contact between 1985 and 1998.Design, setting, participants  This was a retrospective cohort study of 4280 drug‐using individuals (2887 opiate users, 1393 amphetamine users) admitted to Perth metropolitan hospitals or Perth psychiatric institutions between 1985 and 1998. Of these, 1469 attended Next Step Specialist Drug and Alcohol Services (928 received methadone and 541 attended counselling or support groups) and 2811 had no contact with this service.Methods  Data from two drug treatment programmes were linked with hospital morbidity, psychiatric services and the mortality database using record linkage.Findings  The results show that people who were currently in drug treatment had a lower hazard of death compared with non‐clients and those who had ceased treatment. Those who had ceased treatment more than 6 months ago had 7.0 times the hazard of all‐cause death and 8.4 times the hazard of drug‐cause death. Opiate users were at 1.4 times the hazard of all‐cause death and 2.4 times the hazard of drug‐cause death compared with amphetamine users. Males were at 1.79 times the hazard of all‐cause death and, unexpectedly, were found to be at 2.69 times the hazard of drug‐cause death compared with females.Conclusions  Treatment protected clients from premature death compared with people who did not receive treatment and also those who ceased treatment. While amphetamine users had a lower risk of mortality compared with opiate users, the full extent of the relationship between amphetamine use and mortality needs to be examined further.
Changes in community characteristics of small mammals in rehabilitating coastal dune forests in northern KwaZulu/Natal
Authors: FERREIRA S. M. , AARDE R. J. VAN 
Published: December 2003

SummaryCharacteristics of small mammal communities in rehabilitating indigenous coastal dune forests of different ecological ages were investigated from June 1991 to May 1992. Capture‐recapture models were used to estimate population densities and emigration and immigration rates were determined from these. Small mammal community composition, the contribution of species richness and equitability to species diversity, changes in birth rate, death rate, ecological dominance and the probability of interspecific encounter were investigated. Small mammal communities were dominated byMastomys natalensisin ‘young’ rehabilitating stands whileSaccostomus campestrisdominated ‘old’ rehabilitating stands. The lowest species diversity was recorded in the ‘youngest’ rehabilitating stand, while the highest diversity was recorded in the second ‘oldest’ rehabilitating stand. It is concluded that small mammal community composition in rehabilitating stands of dune forests can be explained by species‐specific habitat preferences, movement from unmined areas and possible interactions between species. These results reflect positively on the success of habitat rehabilitation.RésuméOn a étudié entre juin 1991 et mai 1992 les caractéristiques des petites communautés animales dans des forêts indigènes de dunes côtières en voie de réhabilitation. On a utilisé la technique de capture‐recapture pour estimer la densité des populations et on en a déduit les taux d‘émigration et d'immigration. On a étudié la composition des communautés de petits mammifères, la contribution de la richesse en espèces et l’équitabilité de la diversité des espèces, les changements du taux de natalité, du taux de mortalité, la dominance écologique et la probabilité de rencontres interspécifiques. Les communautés de petits mammifères étaient dominées parMastomys natalensisdans les endroits de réhabilitation récente alors queSaccostomus campestrisdominaient les endroits de réhabilitation plus ancienne. On a relevé la diversité en espèces la plus basse dans les endroits “récents” et la plus grande diversité a l'endroit qui venait à la deuxième place par ordre d'ancienneté. On en conclut que la composition des communautés des petits mammifères aux endroits où les dunes forestières sont réhabilitées peut s'expliquer par les préférences spécifiques en matière d'habitat, les déplacements au départ de régions non exploitées et par des interactions possibles entre les espèces. Ces résultats reflètent positivement le succès de la réhabilitation de l'habitat.
New records of bats for Uganda and Burundi
Authors: STANLEY W. T. , PETERHANS J. C. KERBIS , KITYO R. M. , DAVENPORT L. 
Published: December 2003

SummaryThe collection of Myotis welwitschii and Pipistrellus kuhlii fuscatus in Uganda and Pipistrellus kuhlii fuscatus from Burundi is reported. These species were previously unknown from these countries. External and skull measurements are presented, as well as descriptions of pelage coloration and collecting locality and comments on distribution of the taxa.RésuméLors de récentes recherches sur la faune en Ouganda et au Burundi, on a récolté deux espèces de chauves‐souris qui n'avaient jamais été signalées dans ces deux pays. On a récolté un spécimen de Myotis welwitschii Gray sur le Ruwenzori en Ouganda et des spécimens de Pipistrellus kuhlii Kuhl sur le Ruwenzori et sur le mont Elgon, en Ouganda et au Pare National de Kibira, au Burundi. On présente des mesures corporelles et craniennes, ainsi que des descriptions de la couleur du pelage, de l'endroit exact de la récolte et des commentaires sur la distribution des taxons.Le but premier de ces études était de récolter des données de base au sujet de la distribution et l'écologie des oiseaux et des petits mammifères à différentes altitudes dans les aires protégées et les zones avoisinantes. Ces informations sont essentielles pour la conception des plans de gestion des ces régions et pour l'évaluation de l'efficacité des efforts de conservation actuels et futurs.
Thermobiology of Hemilepistus veaumuri (Audouin & Savigny, 1826) (Isopoda, Oniscidea) inhabiting Benghazi, Libya
Authors: NAIR G. A. , BHUYAN K. C. 
Published: December 2003

SummaryThe transpiration rates of the desert isopod Hemilepistus reaumuri (Audouin and Savigny, 1826), exposed to eight different temperatures ranging from 10 to 45°C for 1 h, showed that the water loss from the body surface was higher from 35 to 45°C as compared with the lower temperatures. Higher rates of transpiration were discernible in animals previously acclimatized to 35°C or in moist conditions than in those kept at 15 or 25°C or in dry conditions. Acclimatization of the animals to 10, 25 or 35°C had a marked effect on their behaviour and activity when later exposed to rising temperatures. Exposure to 10 or 25°C for 15 days affected the feeding and assimilation rates and moisture contents, with higher temperatures increasing these rates significantly.RésuméLe taux de transpiration de l'isopode du désert Hemilepistus reaumuri (Audouin et Savigny, 1826), confrontéà huit températures différentes allant de 10°à 45°C pendant l'heure, a montré que la perte d'eau par la surface du corps était plus importante de 35°C à 45°C on comparaison avec des températures plus basses. On pouvait discerner un taux de transpiration plus éléve chez des animaux acclimatés antérieurement à 35°C ou à des conditions humides que chez ceux qui avaient été gardés à 15°C ou 25°C ou dans des conditions sèches. L'acclimatation des animaux à 10°, 25°C ou 35°C avait un effet marqué sur leur comportement et leur activité lorsqu'ils étaient ensuite exposés à des températures croissantes. L'exposition à des températures de 10° ou de 25°C pendant quinze jours affectait les taux d'alimentation et d'assimilation et le contenu en eau, les températures plus hautes faisant augmenter ces taux significativement.
Shoot characteristics of Acacia tortilis (Forsk.) in wildlife and rangeland habitats of Botswana
Authors: DANGERFIELD J. M. , PERKINS J. S. , KAUNDA S. K. 
Published: December 2003

SummaryLength, branch production, orientation, spinescence and biomass were measured for current shoots of Acacia tortilis shrubs in a range of habitats in Botswana. All shoot characteristics varied between individuals and between habitats with longer, less spinescent shoots produced in the habitat recently protected from wildlife. Biomass allocated to woody material increased with shoot length at the expense of leaf mass, whilst investment in straight prickles was as much as 6% of shoot dry mass. Shoot length had significant effects on total current shoot mass per shrub which was greatest in the recently protected area but the mean number of shoots per shrub also varied between habitats. Age and history of disturbance, including herbivory, appear to be important determinants of morphology and growth pattern of individual shrubs. Fitness of A. tortilis individuals and the consequence of flexibility in growth responses for vegetation structure and community organization are discussed.RésuméOn a mesuré la longueur, la production de branches, l'orientation, l'épinosité et la biomasse des pousses récentes des arbustes d'Acacia tortilis dans différents habitats du Botswana. Toutes les caractéristiques des pousses variaient selon les individus et les habitats, avec des pousses plus longues et moins épineuses dans l'habitat protégé depuis peu contre la faune. La biomasse de la matière ligneuse augmentait avec la longueur des pousses au détriment de la biomasse des feuilles, tandis que l'investissement dans les raides épines pouvait atteindre 6% du poids sec des pousses. La longueur des pousses avait un impact significatif sur la masse totale des pousses par arbuste, qui était la plus élevée dans la zone récemment protégée, mais le nombre moyen de pousses par arbuste variait aussi selon l'habitat. L'âge et le taux de dérangement, comme par exemple par les herbivores, semblent être des facteurs déterminants dans la morphologie et la croissance de chaque arbuste. La santé de chaque Acacia tortilis et la conséquence de la flexibilité des réponses de croissance sur la structure de la végétation et l'organisation des communautés sont discutées.
Recovery of woody vegetation in Tsavo National Park, Kenya, 1970‐94
Authors: LEUTHOLD W. 
Published: December 2003

SummaryTwo series of photographs taken at fixed locations in 1970 and 1994 document the development of woody vegetation under changing ecological conditions in Tsavo National Park, Kenya, over nearly 25 years. The original vegetation was altered considerably through the combined influences of elephants and fire in the 1960s and 1970s. Meanwhile, the elephant population has decreased substantially as a result of large‐scale poaching for ivory during the 1980s. Presumably as a result, trees and shrubs have reappeared in large numbers at the majority of locations sampled. The influence of fire in impeding regeneration of woody vegetation has also been documented locally.RésuméDeux séries de photographies prises à des endroits précis en 1970 et en 1994 illustrent l'évolution de la végétation ligneuse dans des conditions écologiques en mutation au Pare National de Tsavo, au Kenya, en près de vingt‐cinq ans. La végétation originale était très abîmée à cause de l'influence cumulée des éléphants et des feux dans les années ′60 et ′70. Cependant, la population des éléphants a été fortement réduite par le braconnage pour l'ivoire qui a sévi sur une grande échelle pendant les années ′80. Conséquence probable, les arbres et les buissons sont réapparus en grand nombre à la plupart des endroits de prises de vue. Localement, on a aussi pu constater l'influence des feux qui empéchent la régénération de la végétation ligneuse.