scholarly journals Epidemiology of the extent of recreational noise exposure and hearing protection use: cross-sectional survey in a nationally representative UK adult population sample

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Armitage ◽  
Michael T. Loughran ◽  
Kevin J. Munro
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Population Sample ◽  
Hearing Protection ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Gains ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
The Uk

Abstract Background Hearing loss is prevalent and disabling, yet little is known about the extent of recreational noise exposure and hearing protection use. The aim of the present research was to estimate the extent of recreational noise exposure and hearing protection use in a sample representative of the UK adult population. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 10,401 UK adults who were representative of the population. Results More than 7000 people (n = 7590, 73.0%) reported exposure to recreational noise excluding headphone and earphone use in the last 12 months. Just 158 people (2.1%) reported wearing hearing protection for every noisy recreational activity. Age (younger people) and beliefs of a behavioral (as opposed to genetic) cause of hearing loss were predictive of both higher recreational noise exposure and greater hearing protection use. Men were more exposed to recreational noise but women were less likely to use hearing protection. Conclusions For the first time, the present research quantifies the recreational noise exposure and low levels of hearing protection use in a representative sample of the UK population. The biggest public health gains are likely to be achieved through interventions targeted at younger people and in explaining behavioral (as opposed to genetic) causes of hearing loss.

scholarly journals Use of complementary medicine products: a nationally representative cross-sectional survey of 2019 Australian adults

BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. e024198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanna E Harnett ◽  
Erica McIntyre ◽  
Amie Steel ◽  
Hope Foley ◽  
David Sibbritt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Complementary Medicine ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Pharmaceutical Products ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Product Use ◽  
Hospital Doctors ◽  
Nationally Representative

ObjectivesTo provide a contemporary description of complementary medicine (CM) product use in Australia.DesignCross-sectional survey.SettingOnline.ParticipantsA nationally representative sample (n=2019) of the Australian adult population.Primary and secondary outcome measuresPrimary outcomes measures included the use and type of CM products used, and source of recommendation. Secondary measures included disclosure of CM product use to health practitioners, concomitant use of pharmaceuticals and predictors of use.ResultsPrevalence of CM product use was 50.3%, with the most frequently used being vitamin and mineral supplements (VMSs; 47.8%) and homoeopathic medicines the least used (6.8%). A majority of respondents using CM products were also using pharmaceutical products, and small but significant associations were found between the use of CM products and pharmaceuticals (p<0.05). Small statistically significant associations were found between use of vitamin products and disclosure of use to general practitioners (GPs; Cramer’s V=0.13, p=0.004) and hospital doctors (Cramer’s V=0.11, p=0.04), and between use of herbal medicines and disclosure to both GPs (Cramer’s V=0.11, p=0.02) and hospital doctors (Cramer’s V=0.12, p=0.03). Women, those with higher education and those with no private health insurance were more likely to use CM products (p<0.05), while those without chronic conditions were less likely to use CM products (p<0.05) (χ2(29)=174.70, p<0.001).ConclusionsThe number of Australians using CM products has remained relatively stable and substantial for nearly two decades. The majority of CM use relates to VMSs. Given the number of Australians using both CM products and pharmaceutical medicines, it is important to evaluate the potential clinical implications of such practices to ensure safe, effective and coordinated health policy and patient care.

scholarly journals Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Slovakia: Results of a National Population Survey

SAGE Open ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 215824402110684
Author(s):  
Ivan Souček ◽  
Roman Hofreiter
Keyword(s):  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Female Gender ◽  
Medical Systems ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cam Use ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in Europe has intensely increased in recent decades. To acquire information about the patterns and trends of CAM use in Slovakia, a nationwide representative survey was conducted on Slovakian adult population. A nationally representative cross-sectional survey was administered to the general population of Slovakian residents aged 18 years and over. The respondents were interviewed face-to-face by professional interviewers. Data were collected during September 2019 as a part of an omnibus survey on a variety of subjects. Altogether, 82.4% of the respondents reported either regular CAM method use or the lifetime prevalence of such use. The most frequently reported group of methods were biologically based treatments (78.9%), followed by manipulative and body-based methods (54.4%), mind-body interventions (31.9%), whole medical systems (18.2%), and energy therapies (4.2%). Vitamins (71.1%), herbal teas (68.1%), massages (53.6%), religious healing (20.3%), and special diets (18.8%) were the five most commonly preferred CAM modalities. Female gender, higher income and higher education are significant predictors of CAM use. The study highlights the association between satisfaction with healthcare systems, health situations, and the use of CAM.

Association between intelligence quotient and violence perpetration in the English general population

2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (08) ◽  
pp. 1316-1323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louis Jacob ◽  
Josep Maria Haro ◽  
Ai Koyanagi
Keyword(s):  
General Population ◽  
Intelligence Quotient ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Psychiatric Morbidity ◽  
Outcome Variable ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Violence Perpetration ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractBackgroundData on the relationship between intelligence quotient (IQ) and violence perpetration are scarce and nationally representative data from the UK adult population is lacking. Therefore, our goal was to examine the relationship between IQ and violence perpetration using nationally representative community-based data from the UK.MethodsWe analyzed cross-sectional data from the 2007 Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey. IQ was estimated using the National Adult Reading Test (NART). Violence perpetration referred to being in a physical fight or having deliberately hit anyone in the past 5 years. We conducted logistic regression analysis to assess the association between IQ (exposure variable) and violence perpetration (outcome variable).ResultsThere were 6872 participants aged ⩾16 years included in this study. The prevalence of violence perpetration decreased linearly with increasing IQ [16.3% (IQ 70–79) v. 2.9% (IQ 120–129)]. After adjusting for demographic and behavioral factors, childhood adversity, and psychiatric morbidity, compared with those with IQ 120–129, IQ scores of 110–119, 100–109, 90–99, 80–89, and 70–79 were associated with 1.07 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.63–1.84], 1.90 (95% CI 1.12–3.22), 1.80 (95% CI 1.05–3.13), 2.36 (95% CI 1.32–4.22), and 2.25 (95% CI 1.26–4.01) times higher odds for violence perpetration, respectively.ConclusionsLower IQ was associated with violence perpetration in the UK general population. Further studies are warranted to assess how low IQ can lead to violence perpetration, and whether interventions are possible for this high-risk group.

scholarly journals Early perceptions and behavioural responses during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional survey of UK adults

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e043577
Author(s):  
Christina Atchison ◽  
Leigh Robert Bowman ◽  
Charlotte Vrinten ◽  
Rozlyn Redd ◽  
Philippa Pristerà ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Preventive Measure ◽  
Adjusted Relative Risk ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Behavioural Responses ◽  
Work From Home ◽  
The Uk

ObjectiveTo examine risk perceptions and behavioural responses of the UK adult population during the early phase of the COVID-19 epidemic in the UK.DesignA cross-sectional survey.SettingConducted with a nationally representative sample of UK adults within 48 hours of the UK Government advising the public to stop non-essential contact with others and all unnecessary travel.Participants2108 adults living in the UK aged 18 years and over. Response rate was 84.3% (2108/2500). Data collected between 17 March and 18 March 2020.Main outcome measuresDescriptive statistics for all survey questions, including number of respondents and weighted percentages. Robust Poisson regression used to identify sociodemographic variation in: (1) adoption of social distancing measures, (2) ability to work from home, and (3) ability and (4) willingness to self-isolate.ResultsOverall, 1992 (94.2%) respondents reported at least one preventive measure: 85.8% washed their hands with soap more frequently; 56.5% avoided crowded areas and 54.5% avoided social events. Adoption of social distancing measures was higher in those aged over 70 years compared with younger adults aged 18–34 years (adjusted relative risk/aRR: 1.2; 95% CI: 1.1 to 1.5). Those with lowest household income were three times less likely to be able to work from home (aRR: 0.33; 95% CI: 0.24 to 0.45) and less likely to be able to self-isolate (aRR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.88 to 0.96). Ability to self-isolate was also lower in black and minority ethnic groups (aRR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.79 to 1.0). Willingness to self-isolate was high across all respondents.ConclusionsAbility to adopt and comply with certain non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) is lower in the most economically disadvantaged in society. Governments must implement appropriate social and economic policies to mitigate this. By incorporating these differences in NPIs among socioeconomic subpopulations into mathematical models of COVID-19 transmission dynamics, our modelling of epidemic outcomes and response to COVID-19 can be improved.

Hearing Protection Devices Use and Its Relationship with Hearing Loss among Steel Industry Workers of Samut Prakan Province, Thailand

2021 ◽  
Vol 104 (3) ◽  
pp. 349-358
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Steel Industry ◽  
Noise Exposure ◽  
Weighted Average ◽  
Threshold Level ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Hearing Protection ◽  
Exposure Level ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Protection Devices

Objective: To investigate hearing protection devices (HPDs) use and its relationship with hearing loss among steel industry workers in Thailand. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study included 93 eligible participants who are working in the designated high-noise-level zones, which is 85 or more A-weighted decibels [dB(A)] for eight hours time-weighted average, of the two factories. Self-report forms were used to obtain HPDs use by industry workers and noise exposure level was measured with Spark® (Model 706) noise dosimeter. Audiometric screening for hearing loss was performed at a regional hospital by the qualified technician. The hearing loss in each ear was defined if the average threshold level was found to have exceeded 25 dB(A) at high frequencies of 4 and 6 kHz. Results: The findings showed that 45.2% of workers used earplug, 16.1% used earmuff, and 38.7% used both, and most workers (55.8%) wear HDPs regularly, for six of seven days per week. Fifty seven percent of workers wear HDPs for more than 60% time of an 8-hour work shift. Most workers (75.2%) have hearing loss. Conclusion: The authors’ result revealed that almost half of workers used hearing protection devices and most workers use HPDs during the 8-hour work time. Abnormal hearing ability were found among workers. The education program such as the hazards of noise on potential auditory loss, a noise education training program and full use of HPDs are encouraged to prevent effect of noise on workers. Keywords: Hearing protection devices, Noise induced hearing loss, Steel industry

scholarly journals COVID-19 vaccination acceptability in the UK at the start of the vaccination programme: a nationally representative cross-sectional survey (CoVAccS wave 2)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Mary Sherman ◽  
Julius Sim ◽  
Megan Cutts ◽  
Hannah Dasch ◽  
Richard Amlot ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vaccination Programme ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Attitudes And Beliefs ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Public ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Full Regression Model ◽  
National Vaccination Programme

Aim: To investigate factors associated with intention to have the COVID-19 vaccination following initiation of the UK national vaccination programme. Methods: 1,500 adults completed an online cross-sectional survey (13th to 15th January 2021). Linear regression analyses were used to investigate associations between intention to be vaccinated for COVID-19 and sociodemographic factors, previous influenza vaccination, attitudes and beliefs about COVID-19, attitudes and beliefs about COVID-19 vaccination and vaccination in general. Participants main reasons for likely vaccination uptake/decline were also solicited. Results: 73.5% of participants (95% CI 71.2%, 75.7%) reported being likely to be vaccinated against COVID-19, 17.3% were unsure (95% CI 15.4%, 19.3%), and 9.3% (95% CI 7.9%, 10.8%) reported being unlikely to be vaccinated. The full regression model explained 69.8% of the variance in intention. Intention was associated with having been/intending to be vaccinated for influenza last winter/this winter, and with stronger beliefs about social acceptability of a COVID-19 vaccine; the need for vaccination; adequacy of information about the vaccine; and weaker beliefs that the vaccine is unsafe. Beliefs that only those at serious risk of illness should be vaccinated and that the vaccines are just a means for manufacturers to make money were negatively associated with vaccination intention. Conclusions: Most participants reported being likely to get the COVID-19 vaccination. COVID-19 vaccination attitudes and beliefs are a crucial factor underpinning vaccine intention. Continued engagement with the public with a focus on the importance and safety of vaccination is recommended.

scholarly journals Context, design and conduct of the longitudinal COVID-19 Psychological Research Consortium (C19PRC) Study – Wave 3

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Orla McBride ◽  
Sarah Butter ◽  
Jamie Murphy ◽  
Mark Shevlin ◽  
Todd K. Hartman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adult Population ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Household Composition ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
The Cross ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Research Consortium ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Objectives: The COVID-19 Psychological Research Consortium (C19PRC) Study aims to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the adult population in multiple countries. This paper describes the execution of the third wave of the UK survey (the ‘parent’ strand of the Consortium) during July-August 2020. Methods: Adults (N=2025) who previously participated in the baseline and/or the first follow-up surveys were reinvited to participate in this survey, which assessed: (1) COVID-19 related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours; (2) the occurrence of common mental health disorders; as well as the role of (3) psychological factors and (4) social and political attitudes, in influencing the public’s response to the pandemic. Weights were calculated using a survey raking algorithm to ensure that the cross-sectional sample is nationally representative in terms of gender, age, household income, household composition, and urbanicity. Results: 1166 adults (57.6% of baseline participants) were successfully recontacted and provided full interviews at Wave 3. As expected, the raking procedure successfully re-balanced the cross-sectional sample to within 1% of population estimates across the selected socio-demographic characteristics. Conclusion: This paper outlines the growing strength of the C19PRC Study data to facilitate and stimulate interdisciplinary research addressing important public health questions relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Change in time spent visiting and experiences of green space following restrictions on movement during the COVID-19 pandemic: a nationally representative cross-sectional study of UK adults

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. e044067
Author(s):  
Hannah Burnett ◽  
Jonathan R Olsen ◽  
Natalie Nicholls ◽  
Richard Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Green Space ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Specific Outcome ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
The Uk

ObjectivesGreen space positively influences health and well-being; however, inequalities in use of green space are prevalent. Movement restrictions enforced due to the COVID-19 pandemic could have exacerbated existing inequalities regarding who visits green space. Therefore, this study aimed to explore how movement restrictions have changed the time spent visiting green space and experience of green space in the United Kingdom (UK) and how these differed by individual-level demographic characteristics.Design and outcome measuresA nationally representative cross-sectional survey administered through YouGov between 30 April and 1 May 2020. Data were collected on the time spent visiting green space and change in the experience of green space, including missing social interaction, increased physical activity and feeling greater mental health benefits in green space. Demographic information was collected on sex, age, ethnicity, social grade and dog ownership. Associations between specific outcome variables and predictors were assessed using logistic regression.SettingUK, with population weights applied.Participants2252 adults aged 18 years and over.ResultsOverall, 63% of respondents reported a decrease in time spent visiting green space following movement restrictions. Lower social grade respondents were less likely to visit green space before and after restrictions were enforced (OR: 0.35 (95% CI 0.24 to 0.51); OR: 0.77 (95% CI 0.63 to 0.95)). Female respondents were more likely than male respondents to agree that green space benefited their mental health more following restrictions (PP: 0.70 vs 0.59). Older (65+ years) respondents were less likely than middle-aged (25–64 years) respondents to have visited green space following the restrictions (OR: 0.79 (95% CI 0.63 to 0.98)).ConclusionsInequalities in green space use were sustained, and possibly exacerbated, during movement restrictions. Our findings emphasise the importance of green spaces remaining open globally in any future ‘lockdowns’/pandemics. Further investigation is required to determine how visit patterns and experiences change through the different stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK.

scholarly journals Perceptions and behavioural responses of the general public during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional survey of UK Adults

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christina J Atchison ◽  
Leigh Bowman ◽  
Charlotte Vrinten ◽  
Rozlyn Redd ◽  
Philippa Pristerà ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Preventive Measure ◽  
Economic Policies ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Behavioural Responses ◽  
Work From Home ◽  
The Uk

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo examine risk perceptions and behavioural responses of the UK adult population during the early phase of the COVID-19 epidemic in the UK.DesignA cross-sectional surveySettingConducted with a nationally representative sample of UK adults within 48 hours of the UK Government advising the public to stop non-essential contact with others and all unnecessary travel.Participants2,108 adults living in the UK aged 18 years and over. Data were collected between March 17 and 18 2020.Main outcome measuresDescriptive statistics for all survey questions, including the number of respondents and the weighted percentages. Logistic regression was used to identify sociodemographic variation in: (1) adoption of social-distancing measures, (2) ability to work from home, and (3) willingness and (4) ability to self-isolate.ResultsOverall, 1,992 (94.2%) respondents reported taking at least one preventive measure: 85.8% washed their hands with soap more frequently; 56.5% avoided crowded areas and 54.5% avoided social events. Adoption of social-distancing measures was higher in those aged over 70 compared to younger adults aged 18 to 34 years (aOR:1.9; 95% CI:1.1 to 3.4). Those with the lowest household income were six times less likely to be able to work from home (aOR:0.16; 95% CI:0.09 to 0.26) and three times less likely to be able to self-isolate (aOR:0.31; 95% CI:0.16 to 0.58). Ability to self-isolate was also lower in black and minority ethnic groups (aOR:0.47; 95% CI:0.27 to 0.82). Willingness to self-isolate was high across all respondents.ConclusionsThe ability to adopt and comply with certain NPIs is lower in the most economically disadvantaged in society. Governments must implement appropriate social and economic policies to mitigate this. By incorporating these differences in NPIs among socio-economic subpopulations into mathematical models of COVID-19 transmission dynamics, our modelling of epidemic outcomes and response to COVID-19 can be improved.

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