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Epidemiology of inhalant use
María Elena Medina-Mora1, Tania Real
1Instituto Nacional de Psiquiatría Ramón de la Fuente (Ramon de la Fuente National Institute of Psychiatry Mexico) Mexico City, México. medinam@imp.edu.mx
Current Opinion in Psychiatry
|April 3, 2008
Summary
Inhalant use is increasing globally among youth, particularly females, and is linked to serious health risks like HIV and suicidality. Further research is needed to understand and address inhalant abuse and its consequences.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Substance Abuse Research
- Adolescent Health
Background:
- Inhalant use is a global concern, particularly among children and adolescents.
- Prevalence studies are increasingly conducted in developing nations.
- Data on specific inhalant types and abuse/dependence is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent research on inhalant use prevalence and correlates.
- To synthesize current knowledge on the scope and impact of inhalant abuse.
- To identify research gaps and inform future studies.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of recent scientific literature.
- Analysis of prevalence data from developed and developing countries.
- Examination of studies on risk factors and associated health outcomes.
Main Results:
- Inhalant use is widespread among youth and increasing in females globally.
- Associated risks include injecting drug use, HIV, suicidality, and psychiatric disorders.
- Diagnostic criteria for inhalant dependence may have lower reliability.
Conclusions:
- Inhalant abuse and its adverse consequences are expanding.
- There is a need for improved classification and further research.
- Development and evaluation of prevention and treatment models are crucial.
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