School of Public Health, Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, University of Pavia, Via Forlanini 2, Pavia, 27100, Italy.
Semi di Melo - Centre for Childhood and Adolescence Education and Research, Milan, Italy.
J Gambl Stud. 2024 Dec;40(4):1887-1904. doi: 10.1007/s10899-024-10334-2. Epub 2024 Jul 22.
Video slot machines (VSM) are considered a particularly harmful gambling format; however, scant data is available on their use among underage Italian individuals. Two surveys were conducted in 2018 and 2022 involving 7,959 underage high school students (57.8% female) in Pavia, Northern Italy. We estimated adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) for lifetime experience and current regular (at least monthly) use of VSM, according to family, educational and behavioral factors. Overall, participants reporting lifetime VSM experience were 13.2% (95% CI: 12.5 - 13.9), 15.2% (95% CI: 14.0-16.4%) in 2018, and 12.0% (95% CI: 11.1-13.0%) in 2022. Current regular VSM users were 1.4% (95% CI: 1.1-1.7) in total, 1.2% (95% CI: 0.8-1.6%) in 2018 and 1.5% (95% CI: 1.1-1.8%) in 2022. VSM lifetime experience and current regular use were significantly more frequent in males (aORs: 1.55 and 4.81, respectively), students who failed a year (aORs: 2.07 and 3.44), or with daily gambling parents/siblings (aORs: 2.83 and 4.86). Lifetime use of alcohol, tobacco, or illicit substances was significantly directly associated with lifetime VSM use (aORs between 2.64 and 4.75); monthly alcohol, tobacco, or illicit substances use was significantly directly associated with current regular VSM use (aORs between 4.47 and 18.21). Sexting and voluntary self-injury were significantly more frequent among VSM lifetime/current regular users. VSM use, which is directly associated with other risky behaviors, may be pervasive among Italian minors. Such public health concern calls for legislative enforcements and integrated multidisciplinary health promotion and prevention strategies.
视频老虎机（VSM）被认为是一种特别有害的赌博形式；然而，关于意大利未成年人使用 VSM 的数据很少。2018 年和 2022 年，在意大利北部帕维亚的 7959 名未成年高中生（57.8%为女性）中进行了两项调查。根据家庭、教育和行为因素，我们估计了终身体验和当前定期（至少每月）使用 VSM 的调整后的优势比（aOR）和相应的 95%置信区间（CI）。总体而言，报告有 VSM 终身体验的参与者分别为 13.2%（95%CI：12.5-13.9）、15.2%（95%CI：14.0-16.4%）在 2018 年，2022 年为 12.0%（95%CI：11.1-13.0%）。当前定期使用 VSM 的总人数为 1.4%（95%CI：1.1-1.7%），2018 年为 1.2%（95%CI：0.8-1.6%），2022 年为 1.5%（95%CI：1.1-1.8%）。VSM 终身体验和当前定期使用在男性中明显更为频繁（aORs：1.55 和 4.81），留级学生（aORs：2.07 和 3.44），或有每日赌博父母/兄弟姐妹（aORs：2.83 和 4.86）。终生使用酒精、烟草或非法物质与终生使用 VSM 明显呈正相关（aOR 介于 2.64 和 4.75 之间）；每月使用酒精、烟草或非法物质与当前定期使用 VSM 明显呈正相关（aOR 介于 4.47 和 18.21 之间）。VSM 终身/当前定期使用者中，发色情短信和自愿自残的比例明显更高。VSM 的使用与其他危险行为直接相关，可能在意大利未成年人中普遍存在。这种公共卫生问题需要立法执行以及综合多学科的健康促进和预防策略。
