Situational Use of Child Restraint Systems and Carpooling Behaviors in Parents and Caregivers

Suboptimal compliance with child restraint system (CRS) recommendations can increase risk for injury or death in a motor vehicle crash. The purpose of this study was to examine scenarios associated with incomplete CRS use and non-use in children ages 4–10 years. We used a cross-sectional online survey with a convenience sample of parent/caregivers from the United States, age ≥18 years, with a child age 4–10 years in their home, who could read and spoke English, and drove child ≥6 times in previous three months. We used descriptive statistics and Mann-Whitney U to describe and compare the distribution of responses to situational use of CRSs among car seat users and booster seat users. We also used descriptive statistics and the Mann-Whitney U to describe and compare the distribution of responses to carpooling items among booster seat users and non-booster seat users. There were significant differences among those who reported most often using booster seats (n = 282) and car seats (n = 127) in situations involving rental cars, driving just around the corner, car too crowded to fit the CRS, not enough CRSs in the vehicle, the CRS is missing from the car, or the child is in someone else’s car without a CRS (p < 0.05). Among those who reported most often using booster seats and who carpooled other children (n = 159), 71.7% (n = 114) always used a booster seat for their own child. When carpooling other children, booster seat users were significantly more likely to use booster seats for other children ages 4–10 than the non-booster seat users (p < 0.01). Continued education and programs surrounding CRS use is critical, particularly for children who should be in booster seats.

Download Full-text

Homeschoolers’ Vaccination Perception and Rate

Californian Journal of Health Promotion ◽

10.32398/cjhp.v15i2.1899 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

pp. 46-58 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Danika Troupe ◽

Molly Carrol ◽

Elin McWilliams ◽

Paige Swift ◽

Ying Li

Keyword(s):

Private School ◽

Online Survey ◽

Critical Role ◽

The United States ◽

Vaccination Rate ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Immunization Policy ◽

Vaccination Rates ◽

School Population

Background and Purpose: School vaccination laws have played a critical role in ensuring the success of the United States' immunization policy. Recent outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) in homeschool populations have raised concerns that homeschoolers are under-vaccinated. Little vaccination-related research has been conducted within the homeschool population. To fill the void in the literature, this study explored homeschooling parents' opinions regarding vaccination and examined the vaccination rates of their children in comparison to public/private school population. Methods: A convenience sample of 137 homeschool and public/private school parents in Washington state participated in a 36-question cross-sectional online survey. Results: The homeschooling parents reported significantly lower vaccination rates of their children, lower perceived benefits of vaccination, lower perceived susceptibility to VPDs if unvaccinated, and higher perceived barriers in comparison to the public/private school parents. Overall the participants expressed a preference for less governmental regulation of vaccinations, though homeschooling parents express an even stronger preference for same. Conclusions: Homeschool and public/private school population differed in the vaccination rate and vaccination related opinions. Further research among homeschool population and examination of immunization policy is needed.

Download Full-text

Reporting of Concussion-Like Symptoms After Cycling Crashes: A Survey of Competitive and Recreational Cyclists

Journal of Athletic Training ◽

10.4085/1062-6050-91-19 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 55 (1) ◽

pp. 11-16

Author(s):

Sarah Rice ◽

Mary Alexis Iaccarino ◽

Saurabha Bhatnagar ◽

Greg Robidoux ◽

Ross Zafonte ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Assessment Tool ◽

Memory Loss ◽

Signs And Symptoms ◽

The United States ◽

Loss Of Consciousness ◽

Symptom Checklist ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Competitive Cyclists

Context Cycling crashes are common among recreational and competitive riders and may result in head and bodily trauma. Information is limited regarding the signs and symptoms of head injury (HI) after cycling crashes, medical treatment, and recovery. Objectives To evaluate concussion-like symptom reporting after cycling crashes with or without HI in recreational and competitive cyclists and to assess crash characteristics and follow-up medical care. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Voluntary online survey. Patients or Other Participants A convenience sample of 780 cyclists residing in the United States: 528 males, 249 females, 2 gender queer/nonbinary, and 1 transgender female. Main Outcome Measure(s) Survey-based, self-reported signs and symptoms of HI, including the third edition of the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT3) symptom checklist, loss of consciousness, posttraumatic amnesia, and helmet damage. Results Of the participants, 403 reported crashes in the previous 2 years. Cyclists who self-reported no significant injury after their crash were excluded, leaving 77 HI reporters (HI group) and 260 trauma controls (TC group). The HI group more frequently reported experiencing 17 of the 22 symptoms on the SCAT3 symptom checklist. The HI group described a 4-fold higher incidence of loss of consciousness (HI = 13/77 [16.9%] versus TC = 11/2600 [4.2%]) and memory loss immediately after the crash (HI = 44/77 [57.1%] versus TC = 37/260 [14.2%]). The HI group reported major, noncosmetic helmet damage 2.5 times more frequently than the TC group (HI = 49/77 [63.6%] versus TC = 67/260 [25.8%]). Conclusions The findings suggest that a standardized concussion assessment is needed for cyclists who experience major trauma.

Download Full-text

Trends in Cannabis Involvement and Risk of Alcohol Involvement in Motor Vehicle Crash Fatalities in the United States, 2000‒2018

American Journal of Public Health ◽

10.2105/ajph.2021.306466 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. e1-e10

Author(s):

Marlene C. Lira ◽

Timothy C. Heeren ◽

Magdalena Buczek ◽

Jason G. Blanchette ◽

Rosanna Smart ◽

...

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Motor Vehicle ◽

Blood Alcohol Concentration ◽

The United States ◽

Alcohol Concentration ◽

Motor Vehicle Crash ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Vehicle Crash ◽

Alcohol Involvement

Objectives. To assess cannabis and alcohol involvement among motor vehicle crash (MVC) fatalities in the United States. Methods. In this repeated cross-sectional analysis, we used data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System from 2000 to 2018. Fatalities were cannabis-involved if an involved driver tested positive for a cannabinoid and alcohol-involved based on the highest blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of an involved driver. Multinomial mixed-effects logistic regression models assessed cannabis as a risk factor for alcohol by BAC level. Results. While trends in fatalities involving alcohol have remained stable, the percentage of fatalities involving cannabis and cannabis and alcohol increased from 9.0% in 2000 to 21.5% in 2018, and 4.8% in 2000 to 10.3% in 2018, respectively. In adjusted analyses, fatalities involving cannabis had 1.56 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.48, 1.65), 1.62 (95% CI = 1.52, 1.72), and 1.46 (95% CI = 1.42, 1.50) times the odds of involving BACs of 0.01% to 0.049%, 0.05% to 0.079%, and 0.08% or higher, respectively. Conclusions. The percentage of fatalities involving cannabis and coinvolving cannabis and alcohol doubled from 2000 to 2018, and cannabis was associated with alcohol coinvolvement. Further research is warranted to understand cannabis- and alcohol-involved MVC fatalities. (Am J Public Health. Published online ahead of print October 28, 2021:e1–e10. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306466 )

Download Full-text

Medical Students’ Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Shared Decision Making: Results From a Multinational, Cross-Sectional Survey

MDM Policy & Practice ◽

10.1177/2381468319885871 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 238146831988587

Author(s):

Renata W. Yen ◽

Paul J. Barr ◽

Nan Cochran ◽

Johanna W. Aarts ◽

France Légaré ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Medical Students ◽

Risk Communication ◽

Shared Decision Making ◽

Online Survey ◽

Medical Schools ◽

The United States ◽

Shared Decision ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Convenience Sample

Introduction. We aimed to conduct a multinational cross-sectional online survey of medical students’ attitudes toward, knowledge of, and experience with shared decision making (SDM). Methods. We conducted the survey from September 2016 until May 2017 using the following: 1) a convenience sample of students from four medical schools each in Canada, the United States, and the Netherlands ( n = 12), and 2) all medical schools in the United Kingdom through the British Medical School Council ( n = 32). We also distributed the survey through social media. Results. A total of 765 students read the information sheet and 619 completed the survey. Average age was 24, 69% were female. Mean SDM knowledge score was 83.6% (range = 18.8% to 100%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 82.8% to 84.5%). US students had the highest knowledge scores (86.2%, 95% CI = 84.8% to 87.6%). The mean risk communication score was 57.4% (range = 0% to 100%; 95% CI = 57.4% to 60.1%). Knowledge did not vary with age, race, gender, school, or school year. Attitudes were positive, except 46% believed SDM could only be done with higher educated patients, and 80.9% disagreed that physician payment should be linked to SDM performance (increased with years in training, P < 0.05). Attitudes did not vary due to any tested variable. Students indicated they were more likely than experienced clinicians to practice SDM (72.1% v. 48.8%). A total of 74.7% reported prior SDM training and 82.8% were interested in learning more about SDM. Discussion. SDM knowledge is high among medical students in all four countries. Risk communication is less well understood. Attitudes indicate that further research is needed to understand how medical schools deliver and integrate SDM training into existing curricula.

Download Full-text

Perspectives of Canadian and American Cat Owners on Provision of Uncontrolled Outdoor Access for Owned Domestic Cats

Frontiers in Veterinary Science ◽

10.3389/fvets.2021.742245 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Sarah M. L. Tan ◽

Sarah Jajou ◽

Anastasia C. Stellato ◽

Lee Niel

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Online Survey ◽

Random Effect ◽

The United States ◽

Future Research ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Related Factors ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Attitudes And Practices

While uncontrolled outdoor access can increase opportunities for cat physical and mental stimulation, it can also increase risks of injury and illness, and result in predation of wild birds and small animals. In Canada and the United States, it is often recommended to keep cats indoors, but many owners still provide some level of outdoor access. The objectives of this study were to use a cross-sectional survey to explore the attitudes and practices of cat owners in Canada and the United States toward outdoor access and to identify factors that influence the provision of uncontrolled outdoor access. A convenience sample of cat owners (N = 7,838) were recruited to complete an online survey, and a mixed logistic regression model was used to examine associations between cat and owner-related factors, and uncontrolled outdoor access for cats, with province/state included as a random effect. In total, 57% of owners kept their cats indoors, and 43% provided some form of outdoor access, with 21% of total owners providing uncontrolled outdoor access. Provision of uncontrolled outdoor access was associated with factors related to cat characteristics (e.g., sex, breed, presence of health, and behavioral issues), the home environment (e.g., living with other pets, types of enrichment provided), owner perspectives on outdoor access (e.g., level of agreement with potential benefits and consequence of outdoor access), and owner demographics (e.g., gender, education, area of residence). For cats with uncontrolled outdoor access, few owners reported their cats having a collar or a microchip, suggesting a need to increase education about precautionary measures to protect the welfare of outdoor cats. Results reveal how owners are caring for their cats in terms of providing outdoor access and generate hypotheses for future research to examine the influence of the owner-pet bond and educational programs on owner practices around providing outdoor access.

Download Full-text

Driving contradictions: behaviors and attitudes regarding handheld and hands-free cellphone use while driving among young drivers

Injury Epidemiology ◽

10.1186/s40621-021-00312-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lucas M. Neuroth ◽

Dylan Galos ◽

Li Li ◽

Songzhu Zhao ◽

Motao Zhu

Keyword(s):

Pilot Study ◽

Social Norms ◽

Online Survey ◽

Motor Vehicle ◽

The United States ◽

Driving Ability ◽

Crash Risk ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Young Drivers ◽

The Impact

Abstract Background Cellphone use while driving (CUWD) is a frequent source of distraction for young drivers. These distractions commonly lead to motor vehicle crashes and, in some cases, death. Crash risk differs depending on if the driver is engaging in handheld or hands-free CUWD. This pilot study sought to investigate the differences between handheld versus hands-free CUWD behaviors in younger drivers and the attitudes and social norms that inform them. Methods Young drivers (mean age: 19.6 years, standard deviation: 0.8 years) were recruited from a large Midwestern city in the United States as part of a pilot study. The 62 enrolled drivers (51 females, 43 non-Hispanic white) completed an online survey measuring behavioral frequencies, attitudes, and social norms regarding talking on the phone, sending messages, and reading messages. These cross-sectional data were then categorized and used for a descriptive analysis. Results The majority of young drivers reported participating in some form of handheld CUWD, with reading messages being the most popular (95%). Only 43% of participants used hands-free technology for sending messages and 30% for reading messages, while half reported not using the technology at all. Whereas handheld messaging behaviors were viewed negatively by the participants, they were unsure of the impact on their driving ability and the legality surrounding hands-free messaging behaviors. Conclusions Handheld CUWD behaviors were more popular among young drivers compared to hands-free CUWD. Further, even though young drivers understood handheld cellphone use while driving is unsafe, they engaged in it anyway. The findings of this pilot study highlight the importance of better educational initiatives and optimizing hands-free interventions for young driver use cases.

Download Full-text

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.

Download Full-text

Loneliness and Its Association With Social Media Use During the COVID-19 Outbreak

Social Media + Society ◽

10.1177/20563051211033821 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 205630512110338

Author(s):

Tore Bonsaksen ◽

Mary Ruffolo ◽

Janni Leung ◽

Daicia Price ◽

Hilde Thygesen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Media ◽

Online Survey ◽

Media Use ◽

Age Groups ◽

The United States ◽

Social Media Use ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Social And Emotional ◽

Emotional Loneliness ◽

Social Loneliness

Social distancing rules during the COVID-19 pandemic changed social interaction for many and increased the risk of loneliness in the general population. Social media use has been ambiguously related to loneliness, and associations may differ by age. The study aimed to examine loneliness and its association with social media use within different age groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Norway, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia during April/May 2020, and 3,810 participants aged 18 years or above were recruited. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine associations between social media use and social and emotional loneliness within separate age groups. Emotional loneliness was higher among young adults and among those who used social media several times daily. Adjusting by sociodemographic variables, using more types of social media was associated with lower social loneliness among the oldest participants, and with higher emotional loneliness among the youngest participants. Among middle-aged participants, using social media more frequently was associated with lower social loneliness. We found that the associations between social media use and loneliness varied by age. Older people’s engagement on social media may be a resource to reduce loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic. We observed higher levels of loneliness among high-frequent social media users of younger age.

Download Full-text

Psycho-social factors associated with mental resilience in the Corona lockdown

Translational Psychiatry ◽

10.1038/s41398-020-01150-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ilya M. Veer ◽

Antje Riepenhausen ◽

Matthias Zerban ◽

Carolin Wackerhagen ◽

Lara M. C. Puhlmann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Protective Factors ◽

Internalizing Symptoms ◽

Online Survey ◽

Positive Association ◽

Social Resilience ◽

Current Crisis ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Resilience Factors

AbstractThe SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is not only a threat to physical health but is also having severe impacts on mental health. Although increases in stress-related symptomatology and other adverse psycho-social outcomes, as well as their most important risk factors have been described, hardly anything is known about potential protective factors. Resilience refers to the maintenance of mental health despite adversity. To gain mechanistic insights about the relationship between described psycho-social resilience factors and resilience specifically in the current crisis, we assessed resilience factors, exposure to Corona crisis-specific and general stressors, as well as internalizing symptoms in a cross-sectional online survey conducted in 24 languages during the most intense phase of the lockdown in Europe (22 March to 19 April) in a convenience sample of N = 15,970 adults. Resilience, as an outcome, was conceptualized as good mental health despite stressor exposure and measured as the inverse residual between actual and predicted symptom total score. Preregistered hypotheses (osf.io/r6btn) were tested with multiple regression models and mediation analyses. Results confirmed our primary hypothesis that positive appraisal style (PAS) is positively associated with resilience (p < 0.0001). The resilience factor PAS also partly mediated the positive association between perceived social support and resilience, and its association with resilience was in turn partly mediated by the ability to easily recover from stress (both p < 0.0001). In comparison with other resilience factors, good stress response recovery and positive appraisal specifically of the consequences of the Corona crisis were the strongest factors. Preregistered exploratory subgroup analyses (osf.io/thka9) showed that all tested resilience factors generalize across major socio-demographic categories. This research identifies modifiable protective factors that can be targeted by public mental health efforts in this and in future pandemics.

Download Full-text

Understanding How to Strengthen the Neurology Pipeline With Insight From Undergraduate Neuroscience Students

Neurology ◽

10.1212/wnl.0000000000013259 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 10.1212/WNL.0000000000013259

Author(s):

Mia Minen ◽

Kayla Kaplan ◽

Sangida Akter ◽

Dennique Khanns ◽

Tasha Ostendorf ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Liberal Arts ◽

Research University ◽

Online Survey ◽

Approaches To Learning ◽

The United States ◽

Clinical Neurology ◽

Graduate Studies ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Research Experiences ◽

Undergraduate Level

Despite increased neuroscience interest at the undergraduate level, a significant shortage of neurologists in the United States (US) exists. To better understand how to generate more interest in neurology specifically at the undergraduate level, we conducted an anonymous cross-sectional online survey of 1085 undergraduates either in neuroscience courses or majoring/minoring in neuroscience from across the US to better understand their clinical neurology experiences and perspectives. The survey quantitatively and qualitatively assessed students’ clinical neurology exposure inside and outside of the classroom, research experiences and career goals. Students were from a broad spectrum of undergraduate institutions (public research university (40.8%), liberal arts College (29.7%) and private research university (29.0%). Most students (89.9%) were looking to pursue graduate studies; 56.9% reported wanting to be a physician and 17.8% expressed interest in obtaining an MD/PhD. Importantly, students reported first exposure to neuroscience at age 16 but felt that they could be exposed to neuroscience as early as 13. Half (50.5%) decided to major in neuroscience before college and a quarter (25.6%) decided to major in their first year of college. Despite high interest in clinical neurology exposure, less than one-third of students had spoken with or shadowed a neurologist, and only 13.6% had interacted with clinical neurology populations. Only 20.8% of students felt volunteer and internship opportunities were sufficiently available. Qualitative results include student perspectives from those who did and did not work with a neurologist, describing how they were or were not able to obtain such opportunities. We discuss translating the survey findings into actionable results with opportunities to target the undergraduate neuroscience interest to improve the neurology pipeline. We describe existing programs that could be integrated into everyday neurology practices and new approaches to learning and training to help leverage the significant undergraduate neuroscience interest. We also raise questions for further research, including exploring (1) how students learn of neurologic conditions/expand their knowledge about additional neurologic conditions, (2) whether qualitative investigation of the experiences of neuroscience undergraduates at specific institutions might provide additional insight, and (3) systems to maintain interest in neuroscience/neurology as students enter medical school.

Download Full-text