ArticleBMC research notes2016
Cannabis use among Navy personnel in Sri Lanka: a cross sectional study.
Article in BMC research notes, 2016. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
7 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 19 citations in OpenAlex.
- Unhealthy behaviors associated with mental health disorders: a systematic comparative review of diet quality, sedentary behavior, and cannabis and tobacco use.Frontiers in public health · 2023Pooled it
- The association between recreational cannabis use and posttraumatic stress disorder: A systematic review and methodological critique of the literature.Drug and alcohol dependence · 2022Pooled it
- Use of Medicinal Cannabis and Synthetic Cannabinoids in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): A Systematic Review.Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) · 2019Pooled it
- Unveiling binge drinking trends and triggers among army personnel: a cross sectional study.Substance abuse treatment, prevention, and policy · 2025Article
- Novel Pharmacological Targets of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders.Life (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023Review
- The Pattern of Substance Use and Characteristics of the Individuals Enrolled in Residential Treatment at Selected Rehabilitation Centers in Sri Lanka: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study.Substance abuse : research and treatment · 2022Article
- Deployment of personnel to military operations: impact on mental health and social functioning.Campbell systematic reviews · 2018Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
3 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundPrevalence of cannabis use among military populations vary. There is evidence that drug use is associated with combat exposure and PTSD. The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of cannabis use among Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) personnel and to identify any relationship with cannabis use and combat exposure.
methodsThis cross sectional study was carried out among representative samples of SLN Special Forces (Special Boat Squadron) and regular forces deployed in combat areas. Both Special Forces and regular forces were selected using simple random sampling. Personnel who had served continuously in combat areas during the 1 year period prior to end of combat operations were included in the study. Cannabis use was defined as smoking cannabis at least once during the past 12 months.
resultsThe sample consisted of 259 Special Forces and 412 regular navy personnel. Prevalence of cannabis use was 5.22% (95% CI 3.53-6.9). There was no significant difference in prevalence of cannabis use among Special Forces personnel compared to regular forces. Cannabis use was significantly higher in the age group 18-24 years [OR 4.42 (95% CI 2.18-8.97)], personnel who were never married [OR 2.02 (95% CI 0.99-4.12)], or had an educational level less than GCE O'Level [OR 4.02 (95% CI 1.17-13.78)]. There was significant association between cannabis use and hazardous alcohol use [adjusted OR 5.47 (95% CI 2.65-11.28)], PTSD [adjusted OR 4.20 (95% CI 1.08-16.38)], GHQ caseness [adjusted OR 2.83 (95% CI 1.18-6.79)] and multiple somatic complaints [adjusted OR 3.61 (95% CI 1.5-8.7)]. Cannabis use was not associated with smoking. Risk of cannabis use was less in those who had seen dead or wounded [adjusted OR 0.42 (95% CI 0.20-0.85)]. Experiencing hostility from civilians was the only combat exposure that significantly increased the risk of cannabis use [adjusted OR 4.06 (95% CI 1.06-15.56)].
conclusionsAmong Sri Lanka Navy personnel exposed to combat cannabis use was significantly associated with hazardous alcohol use but not smoking. PTSD and other adverse mental health outcomes were associated with an increased risk of cannabis use. Exposure to combat was not associated with increased risk of cannabis use.
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Registered trials
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