Kerman University of Medical SciencesAddiction and Health2008-463311320190701Age of Onset of Methamphetamine Consumption among the Iranian Youth Aged 19-29: A Cross-sectional Study13814789509org/10.22122/ahj.v11i3.231ENHadisehDarvishzadehHIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IranMoghaddamehMirzaeeModeling in Health Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran0000-0001-7202-2821YunesJahaniModeling in Health Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IranHamidSharifiHIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IranJournal Article20190824<span><strong>Abstract</strong><br /><span><strong>Background: </strong><span>Around the world, one of the main concerns and risky behaviors among youths is<br /><span>methamphetamine consumption. Since the age of onset of methamphetamine use is decreasing, therefore, it<br /><span>is important to identify the effective factors on the age of onset of methamphetamine consumption. In the<br /><span>present study, factors affecting the age of onset of methamphetamine consumption was studied in Iranian<br /><span>youths aged 19-29 years.<br /><span><strong>Methods: </strong><span>In this cross-sectional nationwide study, individuals aged 19-29 years were selected through<br /><span>multistage cluster sampling and convenience sampling method from 13 provinces in Iran. People completed<br /><span>the questionnaire pertaining to knowledge, attitude, and history of methamphetamine consumption. In order<br /><span>to investigate the factors effective on the age of onset of methamphetamine consumption, we used the<br /><span>Weibull parametric model for data with doubly censored characteristic.<br /><span><strong>Findings: </strong><span>3246 people participated in this study, half of whom were men and mostly single (60.4%),<br /><span>university student or graduate (50.2%), and unemployed (58.1%). Nearly 6% of participants have ever used<br /><span>methamphetamine. Mean and standard deviation (SD) of age of onset of methamphetamine use was<br /><span>20.3 ± 3.3 years. Data analysis indicated that the variables of gender, marital status, education, knowing a<br /><span>methamphetamine consumer, knowing an ecstasy consumer, ecstasy consumption, illegitimate sex,<br /><span>attitude towards methamphetamine, and age group were the factors affecting the age of onset of<br /><span>methamphetamine consumption.<br /><span><strong>Conclusion: </strong><span>The results can contribute to the policy-makers to take the necessary interventions on the factors<br /><span>affecting the age of onset of methamphetamine consumption to reduce the methamphetamine consumption,<br /><span>especially in the critical young ages.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></span></span></span></span></span>https://ahj.kmu.ac.ir/article_89509_8702e174b732ad70c1ef38e814c05c3a.pdfKerman University of Medical SciencesAddiction and Health2008-463311320190701Effect of Khat Chewing on the Salivary pH before and after Using Mouthwashes14815589510org/10.22122/ahj.v11i3.237ENWafaBadullaSection of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aden University, Aden, Yemen0000-0003-1145-860XAbdul-RahmanBen YahiyaDepartment of Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Aden University, Aden, YemenJournal Article20190824<span><strong>Abstract</strong><br /><span><strong>Background: </strong><span>Saliva is a biological fluid that has multiple protective functions. These functions can be<br /><span>attained only if the saliva keeps certain physo-chemical properties such as pH.<br /><span><strong>Methods: </strong><span>The main purpose of the current study was to compare the salivary pH among khat chewers and<br /><span>non-khat chewers before and after specific intervals (15, 30, and 60 minutes) of using three commercially<br /><span>available mouthwashes (MWs). Thirty pharmacy student volunteers were divided into three groups of 10 for<br /><span>the three MWs. Each group was then subdivided into 5 volunteers as khat chewer and non-khat chewer. The<br /><span>statistical evaluation was carried out by using paired t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) for in vivo<br /><span>study of salivary pH.<br /><span><strong>Findings: </strong><span>Low salivary pH in all khat-user volunteers before and after using MWs was indicated. There was<br /><span>an increase in the salivary pH after 15 minutes of rinsing with the three selected MWs for both groups of<br /><span>volunteers, after that there was a gradual decrease to the initial pH. The difference between the three groups<br /><span>was not significant at baseline and after 15 minutes, but there was a significant difference after 30 and 60<br /><span>minutes for the non-khat-chewing and khat-chewing volunteers.<br /><span><strong>Conclusion: </strong><span>It can be concluded that using MWs results in altering salivary pH and continuous khat chewing<br /><span>lowers the baseline pH of saliva and ability to compensate the change of salivary pH.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></span></span></span></span></span>https://ahj.kmu.ac.ir/article_89510_aecd0007f1f09fdd72b616bbb33ac465.pdfKerman University of Medical SciencesAddiction and Health2008-463311320190701Effectiveness of Religious-Spiritual Group Therapy on Spiritual Health and Quality of Life in Methadone-treated Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial15616489511org/10.22122/ahj.v11i3.238ENMehdiYaghubiSpiritual Health Research Center, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, IranMohammadAbdekhodaTavallodi Dobareh Substance Abuse Treatment Center, Qom, IranSamiraKhaniNeuroscience Research Center, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, IranJournal Article20190824<span><strong>Background: </strong><span>Spirituality is one of the most important factors that can contribute to the recovery of substance<br /><span>use disorder (SUD). The objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the religious-spiritual group<br /><span>therapy on the spiritual health and the quality of life in methadone-treated patients.<br /><span><strong>Methods: </strong><span>This study was carried out in Qom City, Iran, in 2018. 72 methadone-treated patients were<br /><span>randomly selected and assigned in two groups: the experimental group (which received religious-spiritual<br /><span>therapy) and control group (which received no treatment). At the beginning of the study (pre-test), eight<br /><span>weeks after the start of the study (post-test), and three months after the start of the study (follow-up test), all<br /><span>participants completed the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF)<br /><span>questionnaire and the Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS). Participants in the experimental group received 8<br /><span>sessions (90 minutes for each session) of spiritual and religious training, while the control group received no<br /><span>religious-spiritual intervention; it just was trained with general information on addiction. Data were analyzed<br /><span>using SPSS software and descriptive and inferential statistics methods.<br /><span><strong>Findings: </strong><span>The results of repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that there was no<br /><span>significant difference between the intervention and control groups in the pretest, but religious-spiritual<br /><span>training significantly increased spiritual health and the patients' quality of life (P < 0.001).<br /><span><strong>Conclusion: </strong><span>Religious-spiritual education can improve the quality of life and spiritual well-being in<br /><span>methadone-treated patients. The findings suggest that religious -spiritual education can be considered as an<br /><span>inexpensive, accessible, useful, and effective treatment for SUD treatment</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></span></span></span></span></span>https://ahj.kmu.ac.ir/article_89511_74b1334fd7eeb7fa60e58d621f1607fd.pdfKerman University of Medical SciencesAddiction and Health2008-463311320190701Effects of Modafinil on Sleep Pattern during Methamphetamine Withdrawal: A Double-blind Randomized Controlled Trial16517289528org/10.22122/ahj.v11i3.219ENSeyed MohamadMoosaviPsychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Addiction Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, IranJamshidYazdani-CharatiDepartment of Biostatistics, School of Health Sciences, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, IranFatemehAminiPsychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Research Center, Addiction Institute, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, IranJournal Article20190928Background: Methamphetamine (MA) abuse is a serious and costly public health problem worldwide; It also commonly affects the sleep quality. The present study was carried out aiming to evaluate the effectiveness of modafinil versus placebo on sleep pattern in MA withdrawal during an eight-week period. Methods: In a double-blind randomized controlled study, a total of 80 patients with a confirmed diagnosis MA withdrawal were treated with modafinil (200 mg/day). Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS) were used to assess sleep pattern in the 1th and 56th days of the study. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was applied to compare the groups. All analyses were performed by using SPSS software with a 5% significance level. Findings: The mean age of the people in the intervention and placebo groups was 32.92 ± 2.06 and 34.08 ± 2.13 years, respectively. The mean scores of ESS decreased from 16.15 ± 4.50 to 9.15 ± 3.34 after the intervention in the modafinil group (P < 0.001), with no significant reduction in the placebo group (P = 0.990). The mean scores of PSQI decreased from 13.88 ± 3.40 to 9.92 ± 3.10 after the intervention in the modafinil group (P < 0.001), however there was no significant reduction in the placebo group (P = 0.980). The value of the Eta effect size of the PSQI and ESS questionnaires was 0.52 and 0.72, respectively. Modafinil was superior to placebo in improving the PSQI and ESS scales in the 56th day of assessment (P < 0.050). Conclusion: Modafinil improves the sleep quality in patients with MA withdrawal.https://ahj.kmu.ac.ir/article_89528_5bb3ba1bfd65788714d6949f822cc7d6.pdfKerman University of Medical SciencesAddiction and Health2008-463311320190701Population Size Estimation of Tramadol Misusers in Urban Population in Iran: Synthesis of Methods and Results17318289530org/10.22122/ahj.v11i3.240ENNaserNasiriDepartment of Public Health, School of Public Health, Jiroft University of Medical Sciences, Jiroft, IranLeiliAbediHIV/STI Surveillance Research Center and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in
Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IranAhmadHajebiResearch Center for Addiction and Risky Behaviors AND Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Iran University of
Medical Sciences, Tehran, IranAlirezaNorooziDepartment of Neuroscience and Addiction Studies, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine AND Iranian National Center
for Addiction Studies, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran0000-0002-5838-4348MalahatKhaliliHIV/STI Surveillance Research Center and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in
Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IranMaryamChegeniHIV/STI Surveillance Research Center and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in
Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IranSairanNiliModeling in Health Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IranMoslemTaheri-SoodejaniSocial Determinants of Health Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences,
Kerman, IranMehdiNorooziSocial Determinants of Health Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, IranArmitaShahesmailiHIV/STI Surveillance Research Center and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in
Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IranHamidSharifiJournal Article20190928Background: Estimating the population who use drugs is essential for planning, monitoring, and evaluation of substance use prevention and treatment. This study aims to estimate the population who misuse tramadol in urban population in Iran. Methods: We used the wisdom of the experts (WOTE) and network scale-up (NSU) methods to calculate the population of tramadol misusers in 10 provincial capitals of Iran, in 2016. The WOTE was conducted among pharmacists in drugstores and the personnel of traditional medicinal herbs stores. They guessed the best estimation of tramadol misusers population in their cities. The NSU method was conducted among the general population and participants were questioned about ever and daily, non-medical use of tramadol during last 12 months in their network. The median of the methods was used to calculate the proportion of the adult population (15-49 years old). Findings: The population size of tramadol misusers in studied cities was 83300 [95% uncertainty limits (UL): 47960-256220]. This corresponded to 6.6 per 1000 (95% UL: 3.88-20.30) of the 15-49-year-old population. The projected number of tramadol misusers for all 31 provincial capitals was 118290 (95% UL: 68100-363130840) and 212440 (95% UL: 122310-653410) for all urban areas. NSU also estimated the number of people who misuse tramadol on daily basis. These numbers were 52000 (95% UL: 19940-176570) for studied cities, 73840 (95% UL: 28320-250740) for all 31 provincial capital cities, and 132610 (95% UL: 50860-450310) for all urban areas in Iran. Conclusion: This study presents information on high prevalence of tramadol misuse in urban population. We need national control measures and demand reduction programs to control tramadol misuse.https://ahj.kmu.ac.ir/article_89530_cca4b6de0485bb069b91d8bd784b2d0c.pdfKerman University of Medical SciencesAddiction and Health2008-463311320190701Development and Psychometric Assessment of the Methadone Therapy Experiences Questionnaire among Patients under Treatment18319189531org/10.22122/ahj.v11i3.241ENSaeidehHomaeiNeuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IranNabiBannazadehNeuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IranFarzanehRoaeiDepartment of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IranHassanZiaaddiniDepartment of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IranJournal Article20190928Background: Patient experiences play an important role in the quality of health care and gathering patients’ experiences is common as part of quality measurement in health care. The present study was carried out with the aim of developing and psychometric analysis of the methadone therapy experiences questionnaire among patients under treatment with methadone. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in 2018 and 200 patients referred to the addiction treatment clinics in Kerman, Iran, participated in this study. The convenient sampling method was employed. The validity was assessed using the opinions of 50 individuals similar to the target population and 8 experts. In addition, the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was utilized to examine the test-retest reliability. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics in the SPSS software. Findings: The face validity of the questionnaire was acceptable in the present study and the values for content validity were higher than 0.79, indicating the appropriate content validity of the questionnaire [content validity index (CVI) = 0.82 and content validity ratio (CVR) = 0.83]. Moreover, the results confirmed the reliability or reproducibility of the questionnaire (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.83). Conclusion: The methadone therapy experiences questionnaire was of a good validity and reliability among the patients. In the clinical area, the psychiatrists, psychologists, authorities, and staff in addiction treatment clinics can identify the quality of treatment and its strengths and weaknesses using this questionnaire.https://ahj.kmu.ac.ir/article_89531_1d6de4cf0c914b1de43911ffc9bfb2b5.pdfKerman University of Medical SciencesAddiction and Health2008-463311320190701Alcohol Abuse, Consequences and Treatments from the Perspective of Traditional Iranian Medicine: A Review Study19220189493.org/10.22122/ahj.v11i3.236ENMasoudMoghadariNeurosciences Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology AND Department of Traditional Medicine, School of Traditional
Iranian Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran0000-0002-5231-1068HalehTajeddiniNeurosciences Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology AND Department of Traditional Medicine, School of Traditional
Iranian Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IranMohammadSetayeshNeurosciences Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology AND Department of Traditional Medicine, School of Traditional
Iranian Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IranMohadeseKamaliNeuroscience institute, Traditional Iranian medicine Faculty, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, IranJournal Article20190706Background: Alcohol use has always been prevalent in human societies, but in many Muslim-majority countries, including Iran, national laws prohibit the consumption of this substance. Methods: In this study, reference books on traditional Iranian medicine and electronic documents from Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus were searched for entries about the consequences and treatments of alcohol abuse. Findings: Seminal books of traditional Iranian medicine refer to alcoholic beverages using two terms, namely, “khamr” and “sharâb” (wine). These sources indicate that the temperament of “sharâb” is generally warm but may vary depending on color, taste, concentration, and age. Traditional Iranian medicine views wine as a cause of multiple adverse effects on health. Conclusion: Traditional Iranian medicine advocates the beliefs that no level of alcohol use is beneficial for health and that physicians should advise against alcohol consumption even in small amounts. Scholars of indigenous medical practices have long been opposed to the adoption of wine as a remedy or otherwise, as they believe that the benefits of alcohol are dwarfed by its harmful effects.https://ahj.kmu.ac.ir/article_89493_9935521a674f9a6fe3a8e035fffc8d64.pdfKerman University of Medical SciencesAddiction and Health2008-463311320190701Occurrence of Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy after Synthetic Cannabinoid Consumption20220689529org/10.22122/ahj.v11i3.239ENDenelleMohammedSaint James School of Medicine, Park Ridge, Illinois, United States of America0000-0002-1639-2008Journal Article20190928Background: Synthetic cannabinoid use such as “K2” and “Spice” is popular secondary to its inability to be detected in a urine drug screen. It is associated with a wide range of myocardial pathologies including obstructive and non-obstructive coronary disease such as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. Case Report: A case report of an emancipated 15-year-old male experiencing Takotsubo cardiomyopathy after using the synthetic cannabinoid “Spice” is presented here. Conclusion: Synthetic cannabinoids act as full agonists and bind to cannabinoid receptors (CB receptors) with a much greater potency compared to natural forms of marijuana. In particular, “Spice” decreases the release of glutamate via the CB receptor type 1 (CB1 receptor) in higher concentrations, which causes mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activation, substances released in response to stressful environments being experienced in the body. These effects can cause the sympathetic system to become activated by synthetic cannabinoid use, leading to a surge in catecholamines and a change from normal positive inotropy to abnormally-mediated negative inotropy. Use of synthetic cannabinoids can therefore be associated with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy. This case has important implications for additional examination secondary to the sparse information describing co-occurrence of Takotsubo cardiomyopathy and synthetic cannabinoid use.https://ahj.kmu.ac.ir/article_89529_8d2e1dc223b46668ac34df04851ea139.pdf