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Copyright of Anatolian Journal of Psychiatry / Anadolu Psikiyatri Dergisi is the property of Anatolian Journal of Psychiatry and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: Some special regions around the world have an important role, in the increasing use of psychoactive substances. The aim of the study is to examine the profile of psychoactive substance users in Lefkoşa/Surlariçi walled city) and Gazimağusa/Maraş regions, which are considered as special regions in TRNC. Methods: The study was carried out in May 2018 with 467 participants between the ages of 18 and 65. The regions were chosen by randomized sampling method with multiple stratified based on purposive sampling, aiming for maximum diversity. The questionnaires consisted of 30 semi-structured questions, whilst, the use of psychoactive substances were examined with the European Model Questionnaire. Descriptive statistical methods were used and different characteristics were analyzed with chi-square statistical method. Results: The rates of cigarette and other psychoactive drug (OPD) use in the Surlariçi and Maraş regions were found to be lower than those in Central Region of Gazimağusa and Köşklüçiftlik regions. The most common substance in the Surlariçi and Maraş regions is cannabis. Synthetic cannabinoids and sedative/drug. Heroin, ecstasy and LSD substances are used extensively in control centers. Surlariçi and Maraş regions experience the most immigration from Turkey. The majority of the participants in the Surlariçi and the Maraş region were not citizens and were mainly illegals. Conclusion: The use of OPD and illegal substances in the Surlariçi and Maraş regions is higher than the control centers. Sociodemographic characteristics such as low socioeconomic level, low education levels, immigration and unemployment in the special regions have an effect on substance use. This study shed light on future prevention efforts and found that more attention should be paid to special areas in setting public health policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In this study, the prevalence of gambling behaviors among the TRNC in 2014 is compared with the data of 2007, 2012 and the relationship between acculturation and problem and pathological gambling is examined. Methods: The population of the study consists individuals 18-65 years of age living in TRNC. Nine hundred and fifty-eight people were consequently selected according to gender, age and geographical region with a multi-stage stratified quota. Data was collected in May and June 2014. For the collection of the data, a demographic questionnaire, the Turkish version of the Revised South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) and the Turkish version of Culture Attitude Scale (CAS) were used. The prevalence data were compared with the research done by the same researchers in 2007 (n=1012) and 2012 (n=996), which were conducted by same method and questionnaire. Results: According to SOGS scores, the rate of gambling addiction (SOGS≥8) in the TRNC was 2.2% in 2007 and 3.5% in 2012 and rose to 3.8% in the present study. Moreover the rate of problem gambling (SOGS=3-7) was 9.2% in 2007, 9.7% in 2012 and in the present study 9.5%. When the risk factors for gambling behavior are examined, to be a male, to be in the age range of 18-29, to be single, to live alone, and to marry less than 5 years are found as the risk factors for gambling. Conclusion: The study shows that gambling behavior is widespread in the TRNC and gambling addiction is increasingly rapidly. High rates of gambling addiction, should be assessed in its own social structure for each community as in the TRNC and it should be taken into consideration that acculturation is an effective factor in increasing gambling dependency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Present study compares the results of research on substance use prevalence in the TRNC in 2017 with the data of 2003, 2008, 2013 and 2015 researches, and examined the current attitudes towards substance use in the TRNC. Methods: The universe of this study consists of individuals aged 18-65 years living in the TRNC. The sample of 1000 people was determined by stratified random sampling method considering the age, sex and geographical region quotations. The data was collected in May and June 2017. The study's questionnaire was conducted by the Council of Europe's 'Model Europe Survey' and the 'Attitude Scale for Individuals Who Use Addictive Substances'. Substance use prevalence data are given in comparison with the surveys conducted in 2003 (825 people), 2008 (804 people), 2013 (1040 people) and 2015 (994 people) using the same questionnaire. Findings: The rate of smoking at least once in life was 60.9%, the frequency of alcohol use was 63.5%, the rate of use of any other psychoactive substance (OPD) was 14.9% and the rate of illegal substance use was 11.7%. Cannabis and synthetic cannabinoid are the most commonly used illegal substances. Being male, being young, being born in Turkey, living alone, finding religious insignificant, use of alcohol-tobacco and being drunk have been identified as risk factors for the use illegal substances. Individuals who do not use substance have been found to be hesitant to communicate, live together or establish friendship with substance users and found to perceive substance users as dangerous. Conclusions: The results of the study show that the use of illegal substances is an important problem that increased rapidly in the TRNC between 2003 and 2017. As a result of the study, it was revealed that the positive and negative attitudes towards substance use should be taken into account when preparing preventive programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study is a follow-up study of the study, which was conducted in 1999. In the light of the recent results, this study's aim is to investigate prevalence of psychoactive substance use; such as cigarettes, alcohol and others, and to see the change in ratios compared to previous years. Methods: This study was conducted in March 2015, with 1487 secondary school students from state schools and private schools in TRNC. A questionnaire form consisted of questions about sociodemographic characteristics, use of tobacco, alcohol and other psychoactive substances was administered to the students. The questionnaire of the study was based on questions from the European Schools Research Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs, similar with recent school-based studies in TRNC. Results: Results showed that, the percentage of smoking at least once was 8.9%, alcohol use percentage was 36.3%, use of other psychoactive drugs (OPD) was 5.5% and the use of illegal substances was 3.9%. When the results compared with 1999 study, it has seen that illegal substance use was increased. Most commonly reason of using OPD were entertainment, curiosity and irritability. It was seen that first OPD use was decreased to the age of 11 and below. Smoking, alcohol use and being drunk were the risk factors for becoming probably users of illegal drugs. Conclusion: Research findings indicated that there is an increase in the use of different kinds of psychoactive substances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of substance use, changing substance preference in between 1996-2015 follow up period, and risk factors related to illegal substance use among high school students in TRNC. Methods: The study was conducted among 2079 grade 10 high school students in TRNC in May and June 2015. The questionnaire of the study was based on questions from the 'European Schools Research Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs' (ESPAD). The similar form was used in previous 1996, 1999, 2004 and 2011 high school studies and data was given in comparison with those studies in TRNC. Result: In this study decreased was seen at least once lifetime smoking rate from 45.7% in 1996 to 33% in 2015 and alcohol use from 80.8% in 1996 to 70.7% in 2015, but illegal substance use was increased from 2% in 1996 to 5.2% in 2015. The use of volatile substances and sedative-hypnotic tablets tend to decline due to years, but they are the most common substances after cigarette and alcohol. Cannabis and synthetic cannabinoid are the most commonly used illicit substances. It has been found that the trial rate of ecstasy has increased rapidly in recent years. The risk factors for illicit drug use are being male, being 17 and older, failing grade, smoking and alcohol use, having been drunk. Conclusion: The result of the study indicates that the rate of psychoactive substance use among high school students in TRNC is lower than in European countries and USA. But there is an increase in use of illicit substances. Especially in the high school youth of TRNC, besides smoking and alcohol use, volatile substances, cannabis, synthetic cannabinoid and ecstasy should be taken should be taken into consideration for prevention program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Anatolian Journal of Psychiatry / Anadolu Psikiyatri Dergisi is the property of Anatolian Journal of Psychiatry and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective: Studies about psychoactive substance use which is becoming more prevalent in the world and threatening humanity have increased. In this study, the results of 2015 substance use prevalence research are compared with 2003 and 2008 studies to examine the course of substance use in TRNC. Methods: The population of this study consists of Turkish speaking individuals who live in Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and are between ages of 18-65. The sample of 1040 individuals representing the general population was determined by stratified random sampling method by considering sex, age and geographical area quotas. The data was collected in May and June 2013. The survey form of the study was prepared from ‘European Model Questionnaire’ of Council of Europe. Prevalence results are given compared with the data of 2003 (825 people) and 2008 (804 people) and used the same questionnaire. Results: At least once life-time cigarette use was 62.1% and alcohol use was 68.5%. The lifetime prevalence of any substance use other than cigarette and alcohol was 8.5% while illicit substance use was 8.4%. Illicit substance use rates were 3% in 2003 and 7.7% in 2008. Cannabis and synthetic cannabinoid ‘bonsai’ which had been popular in recent years were found to be the most widely used illicit substances. Conclusion: The study shows that cigarette use in TRNC is higher than the rates of world average and alcohol use rates are parallel to western countries. An important increase in the rates of illicit substance use is found between the years of 2003-2013 in TRNC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This paper presents results from the first national survey of adult gambling behavior completed in Turkish Republic and Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The aim of the TRNC Gambling Prevalence Survey was to provide statistically robust data on adults' participation in gambling, and to estimate the extent of 'problem gambling' within the country. Methods: The population used in this study is all the people living permanently in TRNC who speak Turkish, and within the age group 18-65. Household interviews were made with 929 people. The study was carried on between May and June 2007 in TRNC. To obtain data 30 item questionnaire prepared by the researchers and Turkish Version of Revised South Oaks Gambling Screen were used. Results: The great majority (55%) of the TRNC respondents has participated in one or more of the 17 gambling activities included in the survey at some time during their lives. In TRNC, 2.2% of the weighted sample scored as lifetime probable pathological gamblers. 32% of the participants stated to have experienced a problem related to gambling at least once in their life time. Big amounts of money have been lost via gambling. The participants also mentioned that their friends, relatives, parents, siblings, partners and even their children are getting used to gambling and gambling is becoming more frequent. Several demographic characteristics including gender, age, having child and civil or marital status are important risk factors for problem gambling. Conclusion: This study shows us that gambling is getting more prevalent in TRNC, the prevalence of gambling prevalence is high and it has become a problem threatening community. Prevention and treatment programs against gambling based on scientific foundations should be developed and generalized in TRNC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Eurasian Journal of Educational Research (EJER) is the property of Eurasian Journal of Educational Research and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)