OBJECTIVE:Recent studies show an alarming rate of alcohol and drug use among university students. The objective of this study was to assess the level of association between lifestyle and socioeconomic status and the prevalence of alcohol, tobacco, medicine, and "illicit drug" use in the last 12 months among university students. METHODS:The sample included 926 undergraduate students in the Biology Department of a university in São Paulo who completed an anonymous, self-applied questionnaire in 2000 and 2001. Anova and Chi-square tests were applied to verify the correlation between substance use and variables. RESULTS:Among students who reported having a religion, alcohol consumption was 83.1%, tobacco use 20.7%, and "illicit drugs" 24.6% during this period. Among students who reported not having a religion, reported alcohol use was higher in the last 12 months: alcohol (89.3%), tobacco (27.7%) and "illicit drugs" (37.7%). Monthly family income was related to alcohol and "illicit drug" use (p<0.001 for both). The students who used tobacco and "illicit drugs" reported more free time during the week than students who didn't smoke during the period of time analyzed (p=0.033 and p=0.008, respectively). CONCLUSIONS:Psychoactive drug use was common among students, indicating a need for policies to be implemented with the goal of reducing consumption. Students with higher family income and without religion should be considered to be at higher risk for alcohol and drug use among this group.

The enormous health and economic challenges precipitated by the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic are comparable or even greater than those associated with previous historical world crises. Alcohol use, especially drinking to cope with stress, is a concern, as an increase in its sales has been reported in some countries during the quarantine. This study aims to provide a better understanding of what to expect in terms of alcohol consumption, risk factors for excessive use, and its potential consequences during this pandemic based on previous experiences. We investigated how traumatic events related to alcohol consumption. Studies on mass traumatic events (i.e., terrorism as 9/11), epidemic outbreaks (i.e., severe acute respiratory syndrome [SARS] in 2003), economic crises (such as 2008's Great Recession), and COVID-19 were selected. The main keywords used to select the studies were alcohol use, drinking patterns, alcohol use disorders, and alcohol-related consequences. Previous studies reported increases in alcohol use associated with those events mediated, at least partially, by anxiety and depressive symptoms, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Being male, young, and single also seems to be associated with a higher vulnerability to develop risky drinking behavior after those tragic events. The discussion of previous risk and protective factors can contribute to elaborate more specific public health policies to mitigate the impact of the current pandemic on people's mental health, especially alcohol-related problems.

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This study aimed to evaluate the association between substance use (alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs)

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A relação entre problemas escolares e o uso de álcool, tabaco e drogas ilícitas em 965 adolescentes dos municípios de Jacareí e Diadema (SP) foi avaliada pelo instrumento de autopreenchimento Drug Use Screening Inventory. Este instrumento avalia o consumo de drogas e problemas a ele relacionados. O uso de substâncias foi associado a repetências, falta de concentração, notas baixas, desejo de abandonar a escola, sentir-se entediado no ambiente escolar, não fazer os deveres, faltar/chegar atrasado e prejuízos acadêmicos decorrentes do uso de drogas. A combinação do uso de álcool e tabaco foi associada a mais problemas escolares do que os encontrados em usuários exclusivos de álcool. Os problemas associados a esta combinação foram semelhantes aos observados em usuários de drogas ilícitas. Gostar da escola foi um fator protetor contra o uso de substâncias. Os resultados mostram a importância de se atentar para o relato de consumo das drogas lícitas combinadas.

The number of Brazilian women living with HIV has increased significantly in past years, rendering studies of their particular care demands including psychiatric issues. This study measures the prevalence of major depression, using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders, in a sample of 120 women living with HIV in treatment at a reference centre in São Paulo. Socio-demographic variables, HIV-related clinical and laboratory data, including CD4+ cell counts and HIV plasma viral loads, as well as psychosocial features (intimate relationships, disclosure of HIV serostatus, partner's serostatus and patient's emotional and financial support) were investigated as factors potentially associated with depression. The prevalence of major depression at the time of evaluation was 25.8% (95% CI 18.2-33.4%). Clinical status (p = 0.002), lack of emotional support (p = 0.02), use of antidepressants (p = 0.028) and length of time since HIV diagnosis (p = 0.05) were associated with major depression in univariate analysis. In multivariate multiple-regression model, HIV clinical status, lack of emotional support and higher plasma viral loads were associated with depression. Sixty per cent of the women have a major depression diagnosis during lifetime. We conclude that major depression is highly prevalent among women living with HIV, but it is still underdiagnosed and undertreated.

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