Abstract

CALVO, Zulay; LOPEZ, Katia  and  BEJARANO, Julio. Drugs in Costa Rica: characteristics and challenges. Rev. costarric. salud pública [online]. 2012, vol.21, n.2, pp.96-104. ISSN 1409-1429.

Objective: This study analyses the characteristics of the publications on drugs carried out in Costa Rica during the period 1966 - 2010. Methods: Bibliometric analysis of the publications compiled in the serial named “Research publications on drug abuse and drug dependence” which is published by the Costa Rican’s National Institute on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence since 1990. Suchserial has been created using an instrument which allows gathering some bibliometric characteristics of interest in libraries’ catalogues and data bases located in different local institutions. Results: 491 publications have been studied, one third of these publications were published in scientific journals while 33% and 6% were published as monographs and books. About one third of the publications correspond to epidemiologic research. The drug mostly explored was alcohol, which has been studied in the general population as well as in drug affected subjects and in youth and childhood. Discussion: The roll of social sciences on drugs’ knowledge field, the importance and need of a growing feminine participation and the use of qualitative paradigms as well as experimental and quasi experimental research are pointed out and their relevance discussed.

Keywords : Drug utilization; Costa Rica; Epidemiologic Research Design; Substance-Related Disorders; Alcoholic Beverages; Tobacco; Health Impact, Social Control; Formal.

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