scholarly journals Alcohol Consumption and Perceptions of Health Risks During COVID-19: A Qualitative Study of Middle-Aged Women in South Australia

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Belinda Lunnay ◽  
Kristen Foley ◽  
Samantha B. Meyer ◽  
Megan Warin ◽  
Carlene Wilson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
South Australia ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Cumulative Exposure ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Short Period

Australian women's alcohol consumption has increased in frequency during COVID-19. Research suggests this is to cope with stress resulting from the pandemic and COVID-19 countermeasures that require social distancing. This is a critical public health concern because increased alcohol consumption, even for a short period, increases the myriad longer-term health risks associated with cumulative exposure to alcohol. This paper provides unique qualitative evidence of how health risk perceptions are re-focused toward the shorter-term during the pandemic, through analysis of interviews with 40 middle-aged Australian women (aged 45–64) representing a range of self-perceived drinking status' (“occasional”/“light”/“moderate”/“heavy”) before and then during the pandemic (n = 80 interviews). Our analysis captures women's risk horizons drifting away from the uncertain longer-term during COVID-19, toward the immediate need to “get through” the pandemic. We show how COVID-19 has increased the perceived value of consuming alcohol among women, particularly when weighed up against the social and emotional “costs” of reducing consumption. Our findings have implications for the delivery of alcohol-related health risk messages designed for middle-aged women both during, and into the recovery phases of the pandemic, who already consume more alcohol and experience more alcohol-related health risk than women in other age groups.

The structure of Canadians' health risk perceptions: Environmental, therapeutic and social health risks

2006 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louise Lemyre ◽  
Jennifer E. C. Lee ◽  
Pierre Mercier ◽  
Louise Bouchard ◽  
Daniel Krewski
Keyword(s):  
Health Risk ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Social Health

scholarly journals Understanding the Community Risk Perceptions of the COVID-19 Outbreak in South Korea: Infodemiology Study

10.2196/19788 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. e19788
Author(s):  
Atina Husnayain ◽  
Eunha Shim ◽  
Anis Fuad ◽  
Emily Chia-Yu Su
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Search Data ◽  
Internet Searches ◽  
Online Queries

Background South Korea is among the best-performing countries in tackling the coronavirus pandemic by using mass drive-through testing, face mask use, and extensive social distancing. However, understanding the patterns of risk perception could also facilitate effective risk communication to minimize the impacts of disease spread during this crisis. Objective We attempt to explore patterns of community health risk perceptions of COVID-19 in South Korea using internet search data. Methods Google Trends (GT) and NAVER relative search volumes (RSVs) data were collected using COVID-19–related terms in the Korean language and were retrieved according to time, gender, age groups, types of device, and location. Online queries were compared to the number of daily new COVID-19 cases and tests reported in the Kaggle open-access data set for the time period of December 5, 2019, to May 31, 2020. Time-lag correlations calculated by Spearman rank correlation coefficients were employed to assess whether correlations between new COVID-19 cases and internet searches were affected by time. We also constructed a prediction model of new COVID-19 cases using the number of COVID-19 cases, tests, and GT and NAVER RSVs in lag periods (of 1-3 days). Single and multiple regressions were employed using backward elimination and a variance inflation factor of <5. Results The numbers of COVID-19–related queries in South Korea increased during local events including local transmission, approval of coronavirus test kits, implementation of coronavirus drive-through tests, a face mask shortage, and a widespread campaign for social distancing as well as during international events such as the announcement of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization. Online queries were also stronger in women (r=0.763-0.823; P<.001) and age groups ≤29 years (r=0.726-0.821; P<.001), 30-44 years (r=0.701-0.826; P<.001), and ≥50 years (r=0.706-0.725; P<.001). In terms of spatial distribution, internet search data were higher in affected areas. Moreover, greater correlations were found in mobile searches (r=0.704-0.804; P<.001) compared to those of desktop searches (r=0.705-0.717; P<.001), indicating changing behaviors in searching for online health information during the outbreak. These varied internet searches related to COVID-19 represented community health risk perceptions. In addition, as a country with a high number of coronavirus tests, results showed that adults perceived coronavirus test–related information as being more important than disease-related knowledge. Meanwhile, younger, and older age groups had different perceptions. Moreover, NAVER RSVs can potentially be used for health risk perception assessments and disease predictions. Adding COVID-19–related searches provided by NAVER could increase the performance of the model compared to that of the COVID-19 case–based model and potentially be used to predict epidemic curves. Conclusions The use of both GT and NAVER RSVs to explore patterns of community health risk perceptions could be beneficial for targeting risk communication from several perspectives, including time, population characteristics, and location.

Comparing cancer survivors' perceptions on lifestyle behaviors between adolescent-young adult (AYA) and middle-aged patients (pts).

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (29_suppl) ◽  
pp. 207-207
Author(s):  
Spencer Soberano ◽  
Lawson Eng ◽  
RuiQi Chen ◽  
Ashraf Altesha ◽  
Subiksha Nagaratnam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Cancer Survivorship ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Smoking History ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Aged Patients ◽  
Age Cohorts ◽  
Lifestyle Behaviours

207 Background: Lifestyle behaviours such as smoking, physical activity, and alcohol consumption are important determinants of cancer survivorship. Previous studies have compared the lifestyle behaviours of elderly and middle-aged patients (pts), yet no studies have compared these behavioural perceptions between AYA (aged 18-39 years) to those of middle-aged pts (MA, 40-64 years). Methods: Cancer pts across various tumour types at a comprehensive cancer centre were surveyed with respect to their perceptions of how their well-being was affected by smoking, physical activity and alcohol consumption after diagnosis. Univariate logistic regression models evaluated factors associated with perceptions on the effect of various adverse lifestyle behaviours on health and well-being. Results: Of 200 AYA (57% female, 43% male) and 772 MA (56% female, 44% male) pts, a positive smoking history was reported by 33% of AYA and 48% of MA (P<0.001). At time of diagnosis, 55% of AYA and 59% of MA pts consumed alcohol, 16% of AYA and 16% of MA were ex-drinkers, and 28% of AYA and 25% of MA were never drinkers (P=0.62). Among AYA, 26% exercised compared to 20% in the MA group (P=0.19). The majority (72-92%) of pts perceived that smoking and lack of activity after cancer diagnosis negatively affected quality of life, survival chances, and fatigue; there were no significant differences between age groups. In contrast, both age cohorts displayed misperceptions about how alcohol affects health, which was characterized by perceiving neutral or beneficial influence on their overall well-being: Fifty-seven percent of MA pts had a borderline greater misperception versus 49% of AYA pts (P=0.06). Misperceptions regarding how alcohol affects survival were observed in 49% of AYA pts and 58% of MA pts (P=0.05). Misperception with respect to how alcohol affects fatigue was observed in 40% of AYA pts compared to 52% of MA pts (P=0.005). Furthermore, MA pts had 1.63 (95% CI 1.16–2.29) times the odds to have misperceptions regarding how alcohol affects fatigue, and 1.41 (95% CI 1.01–1.97) times the odds to have misperceptions on how alcohol affects survival compared to AYA pts. Conclusions: Both the AYA and MA population were not adequately informed about how alcohol affects cancer survivorship health; with more misperceptions in MA pts. Results from this study advocate for survivorship programs to implement emphasis on the deleterious effects of alcohol, with particular efforts tailored to the MA group.

scholarly journals P772 Trends and risk factors of elderly-onset Crohn’s disease: A nationwide cohort study in South Korea

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S612-S613
Author(s):  
J M Moon ◽  
E A Kang ◽  
K Han ◽  
S W Hong ◽  
H Soh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health Insurance ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
National Health Insurance ◽  
National Health ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Aged Group

Abstract Background The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing in Asia. Numerous risk factors associated with IBD development have been investigated. This study aimed to demonstrate the risk factors of Crohn’s disease (CD) diagnosed in persons aged &gt;40 years in South Korea and to specify any differences between age groups by using the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) database. Methods Using the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) database, a total of 14,060,821 persons aged &gt;40 years who underwent national health screening in 2009 were followed up until December 2017. Patients with newly diagnosed CD were enrolled and compared with non-CD cohort. CD was identified according to the International Classification of Diseases 10th revision and the rare/intractable disease registration programme codes from the NHIS database. The mean follow-up periods were 7.39 years. Age and sex were adjusted for in the multivariate analysis model. Results During the follow-up, 1337 (1.33/100,000) patients developed CD. Men in the middle-aged group (40–64 years) had a higher risk than women (adjusted HR [aHR] 1.46, 95% CI 1.29–1.66); however, this difference tended to disappear as the age of onset increases. In the middle-aged group, patients with a history of smoking (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.29, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06–1.58) and anemia (aHR 1.99, 95% CI 1.67–2.36) had a significantly higher CD risk. In the elderly group (age, ³65 years), ex-smoking and anemia also increased the CD risk (aHR 1.58 [95% CI 1.16–2.18] and 1.91 [95% CI 1.53–2.38], respectively). Especially in the middle-aged group, those with chronic kidney disease (CKD) had a statistically elevated CD risk (aHR 1.38, 95% CI 1.06–1.79). Alcohol consumption and higher body mass index showed negative association trend with CD incidence in both of the age groups. (Middle-aged: aHR 0.76 [95%CI 0.65–0.87] and aHR 0.38 [95%CI 0.27–0.53], respectively) (elderly-group: aHR 0.57 [95%CI 0.42–0.77] and aHR 0.52 [95%CI 0.32-.83], respectively) For regular physical activity and dyslipidemia, negative correlation between CD incidences was proved only in the middle-aged group (aHR 0.85 [95%CI 0.74–0.96] and aHR 0. [95%CI 0.75 [95% CI 0.63–0.89], respectively). Conclusion This study demonstrated four risk factors (ex-smoking, anemia, CKD, and lower BMI) and three possible protective factors (alcohol consumption, physical activity, and dyslipidemia) for CD in Asians age &gt;40 years. Individuals with potential risk factors need more cautious monitoring for CD.

scholarly journals Health Risk Modifiers of Exposure to Persistent Pollutants among Indigenous Peoples of Chukotka

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 128
Author(s):  
Valery Chashchin ◽  
Aleksandr A. Kovshov ◽  
Yngvar Thomassen ◽  
Tatiana Sorokina ◽  
Sergey A. Gorbanev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
Indigenous Peoples ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Temporal Trends ◽  
Risk Prevention ◽  
Exposure Pathway ◽  
Persistent Contaminants

The aim of the study was to assess temporal trends in health risks related to most common persistent contaminants, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethanes (DDTs), lead (Pb), as well as mercury (Hg) among indigenous peoples living in coastal areas of Chukotka in Arctic Russia. This is examined in relation to exposure pathways and a range of social and behavioral factors capable of modifying the exposure to these contaminants, including place of residence, income, traditional subsistence, alcohol consumption, and awareness of risk prevention. The primary exposure pathway for PCBs is shown to be the intake of traditional foods, which explained as much as 90% of the total health risk calculated employing established risk guidelines. Nearly 50% of past DDT-related health risks also appear to have been contributed by contaminated indoor surfaces involving commonly used DDT-containing insecticides. Individuals who practiced traditional activities are shown to have experienced a 4.4-fold higher risk of exposure to PCBs and a 1.3-fold higher risk for DDTs, Pb, and Hg. Low income, high consumption of marine mammal fat, alcohol consumption, and lack of awareness of health risk prevention are attributed to a further 2- to 6-fold increase in the risk of PCBs exposure. Low socioeconomic status enhances the health risks associated with exposure to the persistent contaminants examined.

The Association Between Alcoholic Liver Disease and Alcohol Tax

2020 ◽  
pp. 000313482094522
Author(s):  
Sadaf Aslam ◽  
Jacentha Buggs ◽  
Samantha Melo ◽  
Aizara Ermekbaeva ◽  
Ebonie Rogers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Liver Transplantation ◽  
Liver Disease ◽  
Alcoholic Liver Disease ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Aged Patients ◽  
Primary Indication

Background The incidence of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) has increased, causing it to become a primary indication for liver transplantation in the United States. We hypothesized an association between alcohol taxation and prevalence of ALD. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of united network for organ sharing (UNOS) waitlist additions for liver transplantation between January 2007 and December 2016. We also analyzed the average excise tax (2007-2016) for beer, wine, and spirits in listing states of liver transplant waitlist additions (LTWA). Results There were 104 805 adult UNOS LTWA with assigned diagnoses, an annual increase from 22% to 28%. There were 24 316 LTWA with ALD diagnosis. The mean value for beer tax was significantly lower for ALD patients than for non-ALD patients across all age groups ( P < .001). The analysis demonstrated significantly more ALD in waitlisted patients 35-54 years of age (30%), compared with 18-34 years (10%) and ≥55 years (20%), P < .001. The data confirmed significantly more ALD Medicaid patients in the 35-54 year age group (28%) compared with other age groups, P < .001. Discussion Our research demonstrated an association between lower beer tax and higher ALD prevalence across all age groups. We found a larger percentage of middle-aged (35-54 years) Medicaid patients listed with ALD. These findings raise the need for further investigation of a potential public health concern for an association between ALD and beer tax, especially for middle-aged patients of lower socioeconomic status.

scholarly journals Is Age Associated With the Severity of Post–Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms?

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 384-390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tina Hu ◽  
Cindy Hunt ◽  
Donna Ouchterlony
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Symptom Severity ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Light Sensitivity ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Aged Patients

AbstractBackground: Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a significant public health concern. Research has shown that mTBI is associated with persistent physical, cognitive, and behavioural symptoms, leading to significant direct and indirect medical costs. Our objective was to determine if age impacts the type and severity of post-mTBI symptoms experienced. Methods: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data at a level 1 tertiary care outpatient head injury clinic. Participants (N=167) were patients seen at the clinic following an mTBI. The Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire was used to assess symptom severity. Results: In our sample, the mean age was 44±16 years with 51% males. Compared with other age groups, patients >66 years of age were significantly more likely to report an mTBI between 6 AM to 12 PM (69%). Middle-aged patients (36-55 years) were more likely to report higher severity of certain post-mTBI symptoms (headache, nausea and vomiting, irritability, poor concentration, sleep disturbance, blurry vision, light sensitivity, and taking longer to think) compared with patients >66 years of age. Conclusions: In general, middle-aged patients reported higher severity of post-mTBI symptoms compared with the oldest patients. Thus, there was a significant association between age and the severity of specific mTBI symptoms, which highlights the need for targeted management. Additional research is needed to understand the mechanisms that could be contributing to the higher symptom severity experienced by the middle-aged group.

Australian and Korean Adolescents' Perceived Health Risk

2007 ◽  
Vol 101 (3) ◽  
pp. 816-822 ◽  
Author(s):  
Youngho Kim
Keyword(s):  
Health Risk ◽  
Random Sample ◽  
Health Risks ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Perceived Health ◽  
The Self ◽  
English Version ◽  
Korean Adolescents ◽  
Mean Differences ◽  
Risk Judgments

The current study identified the differences in health-risk perceptions between a random sample of 701 Australian and 874 Korean adolescents in Grades 8 to 12 who were asked to participate in a survey designed to assess their perceptions of health risk. To measure the health risks, an English version of the Self-Other Risk Judgments Profile was translated into Korean, and then the English and Korean versions were separately given the two groups. Analysis identified significant mean differences between the two groups in ratings both of risks they had and ratings of risks for others. Korean adolescents perceived their likelihood of a variety of self-health risks as substantially lower than the Australian group. Also, they rated the chances of most health risks happening to them as significantly lower than those of others in the same age compared with Australian peers.

scholarly journals Understanding the Community Risk Perceptions of the COVID-19 Outbreak in South Korea: Infodemiology Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atina Husnayain ◽  
Eunha Shim ◽  
Anis Fuad ◽  
Emily Chia-Yu Su
Keyword(s):  
Risk Perception ◽  
Health Risk ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Search Data ◽  
Internet Searches ◽  
Online Queries

BACKGROUND South Korea is among the best-performing countries in tackling the coronavirus pandemic by using mass drive-through testing, face mask use, and extensive social distancing. However, understanding the patterns of risk perception could also facilitate effective risk communication to minimize the impacts of disease spread during this crisis. OBJECTIVE We attempt to explore patterns of community health risk perceptions of COVID-19 in South Korea using internet search data. METHODS Google Trends (GT) and NAVER relative search volumes (RSVs) data were collected using COVID-19–related terms in the Korean language and were retrieved according to time, gender, age groups, types of device, and location. Online queries were compared to the number of daily new COVID-19 cases and tests reported in the Kaggle open-access data set for the time period of December 5, 2019, to May 31, 2020. Time-lag correlations calculated by Spearman rank correlation coefficients were employed to assess whether correlations between new COVID-19 cases and internet searches were affected by time. We also constructed a prediction model of new COVID-19 cases using the number of COVID-19 cases, tests, and GT and NAVER RSVs in lag periods (of 1-3 days). Single and multiple regressions were employed using backward elimination and a variance inflation factor of &lt;5. RESULTS The numbers of COVID-19–related queries in South Korea increased during local events including local transmission, approval of coronavirus test kits, implementation of coronavirus drive-through tests, a face mask shortage, and a widespread campaign for social distancing as well as during international events such as the announcement of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern by the World Health Organization. Online queries were also stronger in women (<i>r</i>=0.763-0.823; <i>P</i>&lt;.001) and age groups ≤29 years (<i>r</i>=0.726-0.821; <i>P</i>&lt;.001), 30-44 years (<i>r</i>=0.701-0.826; <i>P</i>&lt;.001), and ≥50 years (<i>r</i>=0.706-0.725; <i>P</i>&lt;.001). In terms of spatial distribution, internet search data were higher in affected areas. Moreover, greater correlations were found in mobile searches (<i>r</i>=0.704-0.804; <i>P</i>&lt;.001) compared to those of desktop searches (<i>r</i>=0.705-0.717; <i>P</i>&lt;.001), indicating changing behaviors in searching for online health information during the outbreak. These varied internet searches related to COVID-19 represented community health risk perceptions. In addition, as a country with a high number of coronavirus tests, results showed that adults perceived coronavirus test–related information as being more important than disease-related knowledge. Meanwhile, younger, and older age groups had different perceptions. Moreover, NAVER RSVs can potentially be used for health risk perception assessments and disease predictions. Adding COVID-19–related searches provided by NAVER could increase the performance of the model compared to that of the COVID-19 case–based model and potentially be used to predict epidemic curves. CONCLUSIONS The use of both GT and NAVER RSVs to explore patterns of community health risk perceptions could be beneficial for targeting risk communication from several perspectives, including time, population characteristics, and location.

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