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Risk behaviour of people who inject drugs following treatment of hepatits C
Sedláková, Tereza ; Mravčík, Viktor (advisor) ; Janíková, Barbara (referee)
Background: In Czech Republic, 75-100 % of people newly diagnosed with hepatitis C type (VHC) are people who inject drugs (PWID). Currently, available treatment with direct-acting antiviral medicines without significant adverse side effects is fully covered by insurance. However, there is a risk of reinfection and insurance companies usually don't reimburse further treatment anymore. Aim: The aim of this study is to map and describe the development of risk behaviours in clients of low-threshold treatment programmes of the SEMIRAMIS and Laxus organisations (LSA partners) who have received treatment for hepatitis C. The research focuses on the circumstances of treatment, particularly barriers and supports to entry and the actual course of treatment. The sub-objectives are: to map the socio-economic situation of clients, to approximate patterns of use and to describe contacts with other services. In addition, to reveal the links between these factors and any changes in risk behaviour. Methods: Research was completed by metod of cross-sectional questionnaire surveys. The research sample consisted of 32 clients of LSA partners' low-threshold programs who had received at least one VHC treatment. The risk behaviours were monitored among following domains: a) injection use in general, b) unprotected...
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Patterns of use and needs assessment of young adults using illicit drugs in Prague
Gažová, Nikola ; Mravčík, Viktor (advisor) ; Černíková, Tereza (referee)
Background: Understanding patterns of use and the needs of young adult users of illegal addictive substances presents a challenge primarily due to the hidden nature of this problem. Individuals engaging in problem drug use (PDU) may face severe health and social problems. Prague stands among regions with the highest prevalence of PDU, yet low-threshold addiction services note an aging trend among their clients. Establishing contact with this group has the potential to reduce consequences and encourage less risky usage patterns, while simultaneously facilitating entry into further addiction care services. Aim: The aim of the research was to analyze the needs of the young adult substance users in Prague, who fit the definition of PDU according to EMCDDA, with a focus on identifying patterns of usage and needs in relation to low-threshold addiction services. The research results were intended to serve as an initiative for improving the services provided. Methods: A study employing the Rapid Assessment and Response (RAR) method was conducted. The research sample was obtained through purposive sampling and comprised 6 young adults in PDU in Prague (3 in contact with services, 3 from the hidden population), along with 18 key informants (peer workers, experts from low-threshold and other social services,...
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Individual, social and cultural factors shaping the use of amphetamine-type stimulants in Europe
Martens, Marcus-Sebastian ; Mravčík, Viktor (advisor) ; Radimecký, Josef (referee) ; Kachlík, Petr (referee)
Background: Amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) encompass a varied assortment of substances that possess comparable pharmacological effects and stimulant characteristics. ATS display diversity in patterns of use among different substances and users' sociodemographic characteristics. The utilization of ATS is associated with both favorable and unfavourable outcomes. The biopsychosocial model of substance use provides a comprehensive framework for understanding ATS use. Aims: The primary objective of this study is to cultivate a thorough comprehension of the motivating factors driving individuals to initiate, cease, escalate, and/or curtail their ATS use. Material and methods: In a mixed methods approach, qualitative interviews were conducted to explore distinct groups of ATS users and one group of non-ATS users. These qualitative interviews then informed standardized quantitative computer-assisted personal interviews that utilized a range of (standard) instruments. The interviews were carried out in five European Union member states, and a minimum of five years had to elapse between the first usage of or exposure to ATS and the conducted interview. In the qualitative study arm, a total of 279 individuals were interviewed. Among them, 17% were identified as currently dependent on ATS, 20% were formerly...
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Gambling in the Czech Republic: prevalence and consequences
Drbohlavová, Barbora ; Mravčík, Viktor (advisor) ; Vacek, Jaroslav (referee)
This thesis is a quantitative research paper which analyses the prevalence and accessibility of gambling in the Czech Republic. The theoretical part defines gambling, deals with pathological gambling, its treatment and it impacts on the individual and their environment. It lists a basic review of Czech literature on this topic and pays attention to the legislative aspect. The practical part is split into descriptional statistics and correlation analysis. The descriptional statistics works with absolute and relative numbers of gaming clubs and casinos in districts and provinces of the Czech Republic and finds out which regions are more or less burdened with gambling. It shows that not only big cities are burdened with gambling but also smaller districts often near the state borders suffer from it. The correlation analysis studies the connection of the prevalence of gambling wit sociodemographic and economic indicators. This connection is apparent especially with unemployment, migration and family factors.
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Substance-use related psychiatric comorbidity among clients of aftercare programme
Horová, Eva ; Mravčík, Viktor (advisor) ; Koutská, Kateřina Olga (referee)
Background: Mental illness is a risk factor for the development of addiction, e.g. as a result of self-medication, and vice versa, addictive behavior can contribute to the development of mental illness. Disorders from the use of addictive substances concurrently with another mental disorder, the so-called "dual diagnosis", has a high prevalence among users of addictive substances. Clients with psychiatric comorbidity have a higher incidence of risky behavior or suicide and a higher need for services and care. Objective: The objective of this work was to determine the prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity associated with the use of addictive substances in clients using the services of a aftercare center and to describe the factors that accompany its occurrence. Methods: A secondary analysis of data was performed from the provided anonymized database of clients actively using the services of the aftercare center as of March 1, 2023. In addition to the sociodemographic data of the clients, data on the use of addictive substances, the nature of the addiction disorder, the presence of disorders in the field of mental health and factors, were analyzed which could influence their occurrence and clinical severity in the client. Results: The research group consisted of 79 clients of the outpatient and...
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Outcomes of take-home naloxone programme in Czechia after two years of operation
Lihtar, Štěpán ; Mravčík, Viktor (advisor) ; Janíková, Barbara (referee)
BACKGROUND: Opioid overdose represents significant public health burden in both the Czechia and the world in general. Although the prevalence in opioid use in our country is relatively low, it carries a disproportionate risk of health damage, including death from overdose. An effective intervention in the event of an opioid overdose is the administration of naloxone - an opioid antagonist that displaces the opioid from its receptors and interrupts the depression of the respiratory center. So-called take-home naloxone programs are based on the distribution of naloxone to lay people to administer naloxone when they witness an overdose. Take-home naloxone program was approved by the Czech Council of Government for the Coordination of Drug Policy in 2020, and its implementation began in April 2021. AIMS: The aim of this theses is to analyze the results of the take-home naloxone program in Czechia after two years of its operation. METHODS: The research part of this theses is based on a combination of two components - quantitative and qualitative. The data come from the Naloxone project reports and the Naloxone distribution project reports, which are filled by representatives of the programs involved in the project and then sent to the National Monitoring Center for Drugs and Addiction. The quantitative...
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Prevalence of symptoms of HPPD among psychedelic substance users
Psárska, Simona ; Mravčík, Viktor (advisor) ; Koutská, Kateřina Olga (referee)
Background: Hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD) is a rare and understudied disorder affecting users of hallucinogenic substances. There is limited information on its pathogenesis, prevalence, course, and treatment options. With the increasing interest of both the professional and general public in the topic of psychedelics, it is appropriate to pay more attention to the issue of adverse effects of psychedelics, including HPPD. Aims: The aim of this thesis was to describe the prevalence of HPPD symptoms in psychedelic substance users, specifically their prevalence, course, and possible association with specific substances and psychedelic experiences. The aim was also to determine users' awareness of the risk of developing HPPD. Methods: Data were collected using an online cross-sectional survey posted on social media in groups of psychoactive substance users in February and March 2023. The study sample consisted of 158 adults with experience of using one or more psychedelic substances. Selection was non-random, with respondents entering the study on the basis of self-nomination. Results: 41,8% of respondents experienced abnormal visual phenomena. Of these, 4.5% reported limitations in daily functioning and 6.1% said they had considered seeking professional help. The proportion of...
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Continuum of care in hepatitis C screening and treatment: a survey among clients of low-threshold programs for people who use drugs
Věžníková, Martina ; Mravčík, Viktor (advisor) ; Janíková, Barbara (referee)
Background: Half of the people with hepatitis C virus infection in the Czech Republic are injecting drug users. Low-threshold harm reduction-based treatment programs are an important pillar in the prevention and elimination of hepatitis C virus (HCV);and for the continuity of care, it is essential to actively search for people with the infection (high rate of testing) and to follow up with further diagnosis and treatment.Identifying and responding to client barriers is necessary to maintain the continuum of care. Objectives: Theaim of the bachelor thesis was to describe the continuum of care in case of hepatitis C virus in clients of an outpatient and outreach programme for substance abusers in a low-threshold centre in Jihlava, from anti-HCV antibody screening to treatment entry and completion, and to describe the factors that influence the continuum of care. Methods: In June and July 2022, aquantitative analysis of existing data was conductedamong clients of a low-threshold facility for drug users in Jihlava. For the monitored period from 2017 to 2021, 243 clients of the outpatient program and 171 clients of the outreach program were included in the research. The obtained data were analysed in Microsoft Excel using descriptive statistics. Results: The research shows that 81 (33 %) clients of the...
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The influence of education on nurses' attitudes towards alcohol-dependent patients
Dospivová, Hana ; Mravčík, Viktor (advisor) ; Koutská, Kateřina Olga (referee)
Background: Attitudes of professionals towards patients with alcohol use disorder play an important role in the process of treatment and recovery, both in of addiction as such and of the comorbid diseases. Attitudes are shaped by a number of factors and formed by awareness raising and educational interventions. This thesis describes the attitudes of nurses towards people with substance use disorders in the Czech Republic and evaluates the effect of educational intervention on these attitudes. Methodology: A longitudinal intervention study was conducted, which measured the attitudes before and after the educational intervention on a group of 40 nurses from different clinical units of the university hospital. The intervention consisted of the course that lasted 4 hours. The evaluation measurement was done 14 days before and 30 days after the intervention. The research was performed in September and October 2022. Results: The attitudes of nurses were found ambivalent. They considered alcohol use disorder to be a disease with multifactorial etiology, but at the same time their attitudes were stigmatizing and moralizing. Negative attitudes towards patients with alcohol use disorder were result of previous non-contextualized experience. The intervention changed these attitudes. There was found an...
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Experiences of ecstasy users in nightlife setting in Prague with ecstasy drug checking
Matušák, Martin ; Mravčík, Viktor (advisor) ; Janíková, Barbara (referee)
Background: Ecstasy is one of the most commonly used substances in the nightlife environment. It is available exclusively on the illegal market, which entails risks such as unknown composition and variable amounts of the active substance. Drug checking programs help reduce these risks. However, standard testing services are not available in the Czech Republic, and drug users are therefore dependent on testing using colorimetric tests. Aims: The main objective of the thesis was to find out the attitudes and experiences of participants at dance events who have experience with the use of ecstasy, with the composition of ecstasy and testing of its composition. Methods: The research was carried out using a questionnaire survey carried out directly in dance clubs with electronic dance music in Prague in March 2023. A total of 149 participants of dance events obtained by random non-probability sampling were surveyed. Results: The risk of high amounts of MDMA in ecstasy was not often a cause for concern, while the presence of more dangerous substances for most was. Colorimetric reagent tests were used by 21% of respondents, and the most common method of obtaining them was through friends. A free ecstasy checking service, if available, would be used by 82% of respondents and 76% said that if testing...
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