Codeine use, dependence and help-seeking behaviour in the UK and Ireland: an online cross-sectional survey

Objective: Suicide is a leading cause of death for transition-aged youth (TAY), and yet few studies examine correlates of suicidal ideation specifically in this age demographic (age 18-24 years). The transition to adulthood is a unique context, marked by novel stressors (e.g., joining the workforce) and increased independence, which may influence risk factors for suicidal ideation. This study examined correlates of suicidal ideation in TAY and adults and contrasted profiles across age. Methods: We used 4 biannual cycles (2005, 2007, 2009, 2011) of the Canadian Community Health Survey, a population-based cross-sectional survey on health. We used logistic regression to assess the association between suicidal ideation and depression, distress, alcohol use, smoking, exercise, sedentary behaviour, chronic illness, restrictions to daily living, perceived physical and mental health, and perceived social support independently in both TAY ( n = 4427) and adults ( n = 14,452). We subsequently assessed possible interactions with age (18-24 v. 25-44 years) and sex and differences in help-seeking behaviour in a combined model. Result: TAY exhibited higher rates of suicidal ideation than adults did ( P < 0.001). Numerous factors were associated with suicidal ideation in TAY. Notably, alcohol abstinence was associated with decreased suicidal ideation in TAY but not for adults. Moreover, when depressed, TAY were significantly less likely to have received professional mental health help than adults (odds ratio = 0.64, 95% CI, 0.43 to 0.94). Conclusions: Suicidal ideation is more prevalent in TAY than adults, and its consequences may be aggravated by poor treatment-seeking behaviour in at-risk (i.e. depressed) individuals. These different risk profiles substantiate the recent shift toward clinical interventions focusing on transition-aged youth, rather than traditional child (<18 years) and adult (>18 years) services.

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Identifying barriers to mental health help-seeking among young adults in the UK: a cross-sectional survey

British Journal of General Practice ◽

10.3399/bjgp16x687313 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 66 (651) ◽

pp. e686-e692 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Keziban Salaheddin ◽

Barbara Mason

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Young Adults ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Uk

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Cancer symptom experience and help-seeking behaviour during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK: a cross-sectional population survey

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2021-053095 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (9) ◽

pp. e053095

Author(s):

Harriet D Quinn-Scoggins ◽

Rebecca Cannings-John ◽

Yvonne Moriarty ◽

Victoria Whitelock ◽

Katriina L Whitaker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Help Seeking ◽

Healthcare Services ◽

Population Based ◽

Symptom Experience ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cancer Symptoms ◽

Persistent Symptoms ◽

Help Seeking Behaviour ◽

The Uk ◽

Potential Cancer

ObjectivesTo understand self-reported potential cancer symptom help-seeking behaviours and attitudes during the first 6 months (March–August 2020) of the UK COVID-19 pandemic.DesignUK population-based survey conducted during August and September 2020. Correlates of help-seeking behaviour were modelled using logistic regression in participants reporting potential cancer symptoms during the previous 6 months. Qualitative telephone interviews with a purposeful subsample of participants, analysed thematically.SettingOnline UK wide survey.Participants7543 adults recruited via Cancer Research UK online panel provider (Dynata) and HealthWise Wales (a national register of ‘research ready’ participants) supplemented with social media (Facebook and Twitter) recruitment. 30 participants were also interviewed.Main outcome measuresSurvey measures included experiences of 15 potential cancer symptoms, help-seeking behaviour, barriers and prompts to help-seeking.ResultsOf 3025 (40.1%) participants who experienced a potential cancer symptom, 44.8% (1355/3025) had not contacted their general practitioner (GP). Odds of help-seeking were higher among participants with disability (adjusted OR (aOR)=1.38, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.71) and who experienced more symptoms (aOR=1.68, 95% CI 1.56 to 1.82), and lower among those who perceived COVID-19 as the cause of symptom(s) (aOR=0.36, 95% CI 0.25 to 0.52). Barriers included worries about wasting the doctor’s time (1158/7543, 15.4%), putting strain on healthcare services (945, 12.6%) and not wanting to make a fuss (907, 12.0%). Interviewees reported reluctance to contact the GP due to concerns about COVID-19 and fear of attending hospitals, and described putting their health concerns on hold.ConclusionsMany people avoided healthcare services despite experiencing potential cancer symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. Alongside current help-seeking campaigns, well-timed and appropriate nationally coordinated campaigns should signal that services are open safely for those with unusual or persistent symptoms.Trial registration numberISRCTN17782018.

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Help-seeking behaviours, opportunistic treatment and psychological implications of adolescent acne: cross-sectional studies in schools and hospital outpatient departments in the UK

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016964 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (9) ◽

pp. e016964 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Karishma Parimal Desai ◽

Claire Martyn-Simmons ◽

Russell Viner ◽

Terry Segal

Keyword(s):

Help Seeking ◽

Acne Vulgaris ◽

Skin Condition ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Severe Acne ◽

Help Seeking Behaviour ◽

Paediatric Outpatient ◽

Seeking Help ◽

Significant Regression ◽

The Uk

BackgroundAcne vulgaris (acne) is a common adolescent skin condition. It is associated with negative psychological impacts and sufferers do not easily seek help, hence is undertreated.ObjectivesWe investigated the self-reported prevalence, severity and psychological sequelae of acne, together with assessing help-seeking behaviour and its barriers, in separate school and hospital samples. We explored opportunistic treatment by paediatricians.MethodsSelf-reported survey with participants drawn from: (1) 120 adolescents aged 13–18 in a London tertiary paediatric outpatient department and (2) 482 adolescents from two London schools, aged 11–18. Adolescents confidentially and anonymously completed a questionnaire (paper or online) and those with acne completed the Cardiff Acne Disability Index (CADI) questionnaire.Outcome measuresTo explore if acne is being addressed opportunistically in outpatient appointments and the behaviours associated with seeking help and psychological implications of acne.ResultsAcne prevalence was reported as 58.3% in the clinic and 42.3% in schools, with 34.3% and 20.6% of participants having moderate acne (MA) or severe acne (SA), respectively. The correlation between acne severity and CADI was significant (regression coefficient=4.86, p<0.005 (MA) and 9.08, p<0.005 (SA) in the hospital; 1.92, p<0.001 (MA) and 7.41, p<0.005 (SA) in schools). Severity of acne was associated with increased likelihood of seeing a doctor in both samples (OR=8.95, 2.79–28.70 (MA) in the clinic and 1.31, 1.30–2.90 (MA) and 3.89, 0.66–22.98 (SA) in the community). Barriers to help seeking included embarrassment and believing doctors were unapproachable. Doctors addressed acne opportunistically in 2.9% of the sample, although 16.7% of those with MA and SA wished their doctor had raised it.ConclusionAcne is common and has negative psychological implications, correlating with severity. Young people often forego seeking help and hospital clinicians rarely address acne opportunistically. Further work is needed to investigate how to reduce barriers to help seeking for acne.

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Survey of young people in one region of the UK on accessing COVID-19 information (SOCIAL)

BMJ Paediatrics Open ◽

10.1136/bmjpo-2020-000942 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. e000942

Author(s):

Oliver G P Lawton ◽

Sarah A Lawton ◽

Lisa Dikomitis ◽

Joanne Protheroe ◽

Joanne Smith ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Young People ◽

Significant Role ◽

Online Survey ◽

Descriptive Statistics ◽

Sources Of Information ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Education Gaps ◽

The Uk

COVID-19 has significantly impacted young people’s lives yet little is known about the COVID-19 related sources of information they access. We performed a cross-sectional survey of pupils (11–16 years) in North Staffordshire, UK. 408 (23%) pupils responded to an online survey emailed to them by their school. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the data. Social media, accessed by 68%, played a significant role in the provision of information, despite it not being considered trustworthy. 89% felt that COVID-19 had negatively affected their education. Gaps in the provision of information on COVID-19 have been identified.

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Mask use, risk mitigation behaviours and pandemic fatigue during the COVID-19 pandemic in five cities in Australia, the UK and USA: a cross-sectional survey

International Journal of Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1016/j.ijid.2021.03.056 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

C. Raina MacIntyre ◽

Phi-Yen Nguyen ◽

Abrar Ahmad Chughtai ◽

Mallory Trent ◽

Brian Gerber ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Mitigation ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Uk

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841 The psychological impact of Foundation Interim Year 1 Placements on Final Year UK Medical Students Transitioning to Foundation Year One During the COVID Era

British Journal of Surgery ◽

10.1093/bjs/znab134.093 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 108 (Supplement_2) ◽

Author(s):

M Durand-Hill ◽

D I Ike ◽

A N Nijhawan ◽

A B Shah ◽

A Dawson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Medical Students ◽

Perceived Stress ◽

Psychological Impact ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Hospital Anxiety ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Stress Scale ◽

The Uk

Abstract Introduction During the COVID pandemic, the 2019-2020 cohort of final year students were invited to participate in Foundation interim Year 1 placements (FiY1). FiY1 aimed to ease transition to Foundation Year 1 doctor (FY1). We assessed the psychological impact of FiY1 on final year medical students. Method A cross-sectional survey was distributed to final year medical students in the UK between June 4th and July 4th, 2020. The survey contained the following domains: participant demographics, rationale for FiY1 participation, a checklist of the key safety principles for FiY1s, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Perceived Stress scale-4. Results 107 final years responded to the survey. 72.0% (n = 77) of final year students surveyed were working as FiY1s. Final year students participating in FiY1 postings had reduced rates of anxiety (29.9% vs 43.4%, P = 0.186), depression (5.2% vs 20.0%, P = 0.018) and lower perceived stress levels (5.0 vs 7.2, P < 0.001). 19.5% (15/77) FiY1s reported working beyond their competency, 27.3% (22/77) felt unsupervised, but 94.8% (73/77) of FiY1s felt the post prepared them for FY1. Conclusions Students participating in FiY1 postings felt less stressed and depressed than those not participating in the scheme and the majority felt it was preparing them for FY1.

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