CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association journal = journal de l'Association medicale canadienne
-
Drug overdose is a major cause of death and illness among illicit drug users. Previous research has indicated that most illicit drug users experience nonfatal overdoses and has suggested a variety of factors that are associated with risk of overdose. In this study, we examined the occurrence of and the factors associated with nonfatal overdoses within a Canadian sample of illicit opioid users not enrolled in treatment at the time of study recruitment. ⋯ Overdose poses a considerable health risk for illicit opioid users. We found that a diverse set of factors was associated with overdose episodes. Prevention efforts will likely be more effective if they can be directed to specific causal factors.
-
More and more school-aged children in Canada and elsewhere are becoming overweight or obese. Many countries are now reporting a similar trend among preschool children. However, little information is available on the prevalence of overweight and obesity among preschool children in Canada. In addition, available data are based on reported rather than measured heights and weights. We conducted this study to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity, using measured heights and weights, in the 1997 cohort of children aged 3-5 years born in Newfoundland and Labrador. ⋯ These results indicate that a high proportion of children aged 3-5 years in Newfoundland and Labrador are overweight or obese. It appears that prevention measures should begin before the age of 3 years.