Background: Irrational drug usage is a global concern. WHO recommended a strategy for integrating education and awareness on the rational use of medicine into general education programs. Objective: To evaluate the rational drug use (RDU) literacy among the undergraduate students of Ubon Ratchathani University. Methods: This mixed-methods research consists of a quantitative cross-sectional study with a self-administered RDU literacy questionnaire and a qualitative in-depth interview study. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were used in the quantitative study. Thematic analysis was used in the qualitative study. Results: Students who participated in this study included 640 undergraduate students. Approximately half of the participants never studied a RDU-related course (50.94%). Although the findings revealed that most of the participants (73.13%) had good RDU literacy, many participants had less frequency of the right options on some questions (e.g., advertisement of health products). Health sciences students were 2.8 times more likely than non-health sciences students to have good RDU literacy (AOR=2.835, 95% CI: 1.752-4.587). Four main themes were derived from the qualitative study: 1. Definition of RDU; 2. Facilitators; 3. Concerns; 4. RDU country. Conclusion: While the majority of participants demonstrated good RDU literacy, some actually engaged in irrational drug use. Activities promoting RDU literacy among undergraduate students, particularly in faculties other than health sciences, are still required.

Cannabis is the most widely used illicit drug globally, with an increasing use for both medicinal and non-medical purposes. Despite evolving policies and regulations, knowledge gaps persist among the youth, particularly regarding cannabis use, its integration into food products, and associated health risks. Many adolescents rely on unverified sources such as social media and peer networks for cannabis-related information, thereby increasing the risk of misinformation and unsafe consumption. This cross-sectional descriptive study assessed knowledge levels with respect to medical cannabis use, cannabis in food, and health literacy among late adolescent students in educational institutions. Additionally, it examined factors influencing knowledge, experience, and willingness to try cannabis while exploring opinions on medical cannabis use and cannabis in food. Data were collected from 252 students aged 15 - 18 years, using self-administered questionnaires. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze participant characteristics, while the chi-square test was applied to assess relationships between demographic factors, knowledge, and health literacy. The Decision Tree method (CART Algorithm) identified key determinants, classified participants based on significant factors, and predicted cannabis use and abstinence. The findings revealed that 49.2% of the participants had low cannabis-related knowledge, whereas 62.3% demonstrated moderate health literacy. Gender and field of study significantly influenced knowledge and health literacy. Most of the participants acknowledged the benefits and risks of cannabis use. These results highlight the need for targeted educational interventions to enhance cannabis-related knowledge and health literacy among late adolescents, considering their unique contexts and experiences.

Introduction: E-cigarettes are increasingly popular among university students, raising significant public health concerns. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of e-cigarette use, as well as knowledge, and attitudes toward e-cigarettes among health and non-health science undergraduate...

Dolutegravir (DTG) is widely used in antiretroviral therapy (ART) for its high efficacy and favorable tolerability. However, emerging evidence has raised concerns regarding weight gain and potential metabolic consequences associated with DTG use, with limited longitudinal data from Asian populations. This study aimed to evaluate longitudinal weight changes among people living with HIV (PLWH) receiving DTG‐containing regimens and to determine whether weight trajectories differ across key demographic and clinical subgroups. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult PLWH who initiated DTG‐based ART at a tertiary referral center between January 2020 and June 2022, with follow‐up through June 2024. Participants with complete weight data at baseline, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months were included. Weight trajectories were analyzed using repeated‐measures ANCOVA, adjusting for sex, age group, ART backbone (TDF‐based vs. non–TDF‐based), baseline body mass index (BMI), baseline weight, and baseline CD4 cell count. A total of 157 participants (59.2% male; mean age 50.4 years) were included. Mean body weight increased significantly over 24 months in both sexes. Greater numerical weight gain was observed among participants aged ≥ 50 years and those receiving non–TDF‐based regimens. However, only ART backbone demonstrated a significant time‐by‐subgroup interaction. Participants with baseline CD4 counts < 200 cells/mm ³ and lower baseline BMI demonstrated numerically greater weight increases over time. No significant time‐by‐sex, time‐by‐age, time‐by‐BMI, or time‐by‐CD4 interactions were observed, indicating broadly similar longitudinal trajectories across these subgroups after adjustment. DTG‐containing ART was associated with modest but significant weight gain over 24 months in this Thai cohort. ART backbone, differences between TDF‐based and non–TDF‐based regimens, was the primary factor associated with differential weight trajectories. These findings support monitoring of routine weight and metabolic parameters and highlight the importance of individualized ART selection to optimize long‐term metabolic health.

Background: Thailand’s decriminalization of cannabis in June 2022 substantially increased adolescent exposure. Cannabis knowledge and health literacy among vocational students remain poorly characterized. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from January to March 2024 among vocational secondary students at one vocational institution in a province in northeastern Thailand. Of 2,656 eligible students, 555 provided valid responses (response rate 20.9%). Two 15-item instruments were used to measure cannabis knowledge and cannabis health literacy. Bivariate analyses and three multivariable regression models examined factors associated with knowledge scores, health literacy scores, and cannabis use experience. Results: Cannabis knowledge was low (mean 7.23/15, SD 4.43; 55.0% low), as was cannabis health literacy (mean 41.72/75, SD 12.72; 48.8% low). Knowledge level was not significantly associated with health literacy level (χ2[4] = 7.04, p = 0.134). In adjusted analyses, prior cannabis education and other substance use were associated with higher knowledge scores, whereas male sex and Year 3 enrollment were associated with lower knowledge scores. Higher health literacy scores were associated with prior cannabis education and family relationship quality in adjusted analyses; male sex showed only a weak adjusted association with lower health literacy. Cannabis use experience was associated with other substance use (OR 4.115), prior cannabis education (OR 3.683), male sex (OR 2.621), Year 2 enrollment (OR 1.733), and family relationship quality (OR 1.558). Conclusions: Cannabis knowledge and health literacy were predominantly low among Thai vocational secondary students. Factual knowledge alone may not translate into functional cannabis health literacy. School-based interventions should strengthen critical appraisal, communication, self-management, and digital health literacy, with attention to male students, students without prior cannabis education, and those with other substance use experience.