SP7.1.11 Deprivation has No Effect on Oesophagogastric Cancer Outcomes in North of Scotland

Introduction Despite advances in medical therapies and surgical techniques, oesophagogastric cancer survival remains low. Poorer survival and outcomes from colorectal cancer have been reported for patients living in areas of higher socioeconomic deprivation1. Our aim was to determine if deprivation affected oesophagogastric cancer survival in North East of Scotland. Methods A prospective, single-centre observation study was conducted utilising data from oesophago-gastric cancer MDT referrals and outcomes from January 2013 to December 2019. Patient postcodes were cross-referenced with the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) 2020 tool which provided a level of deprivation for each address. Survival outcomes were compared across demographic factors, disease factors and stage at presentation across deprivation quintiles. Results 1046 patients were included in this study. There were fewer patients in the most deprived (1st) quintile (n = 65) than in the least deprived (5th) quintile (n = 245). There was no significant difference between oesophageal versus gastric cancer presentations nor was there any difference between T, N or M stage at presentation between the most and least deprived groups. No difference was identified between those commenced on a radical therapy with other treatment plans. No difference in survival time was noted between the groups. Discussion No difference in survival was demonstrated across areas of deprivation within this catchment area. However, Aberdeenshire is an affluent area with less overall deprivation compared with other areas of Scotland.

The role of the parent during a whole-class beginner instrumental programme: an investigation into the attitudes of pupils and their parents towards parental support in relation to different models of practising

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of the parent as a supporter of practice during a whole-class beginner violin programme and whether it is considered most beneficial for practice to be undertaken at home, at school or in no formal manner. This mixed-methods research project involved a year-group of 31 pupils aged 6–7 years from a preparatory school in an affluent area of the south of England over a 10-week period. Two parent questionnaires were administered at the start and end of the programme and analysed together with pupil focus groups and teacher assessment. It was discovered that most pupils played at home only once a week, and this was only with parental help. Many challenges to practising at home were identified, and by the end of the programme parents considered that their children could have made as much progress without practising at home. Pupils considered the most desirable ways for their parents to support them were to watch and listen, and to play together. Parents were unsure what to do except for offering encouragement. Pupils were very clear that playing together at school was preferable to playing at home, and it was evident that finding a way to establish school practice sessions between lessons would be the most enjoyable arrangement and support the most progress.

An ecological study of NHS funded elective hip arthroplasties in England from 2003/04 to 2012/13

Objectives To examine the impact of NHS-funded private provision on NHS provision, access and inequalities. Design Ecological study using routinely collected NHS inpatient data. Setting England. Participants All individuals undergoing an NHS-funded elective hip arthroplasty in England from 2003/2004 to 2012/2013. Main outcome measures Annual crude and standardised rates of hip arthroplasties per 100,000 population performed by NHS and private providers between 2004/2005 and 2012/2013. Results Age standardised rates of hip arthroplasty increased from 116.4 (95% CI 115.4–117.4) to 148.7 (147.6–149.8) per 100,000 between 2004/2005 and 2012/2013. Provision shifted from NHS providers to private providers from 2007/2008; NHS provision decreased 8.6% and private provision increased 188% between 2007/2008 and 2012/2013. There is evidence of risk selection; private sector hip arthroplasties on NHS patients from the most affluent areas increased 228% from 10.8 (10.2–11.5) to 35.4 (34.3–36.5) per 100,000 compared to an increase of 186% from 8.8 (8.1–9.4) to 25.2 (24.1–26.4) per 100,000 among patients from the least affluent areas between 2007/2008 and 2012/2013. There was no statistically significant (p > 0.05) widening in any measure of inequality (absolute, relative difference and slope and relative slope of index inequality) in hip arthroplasty rates between 2004/2005 and 2012/2013. Conclusion Private provision substituted for NHS provision and did not add to overall provision favouring patients living in the most affluent area. Continuing the trend towards private provision and reducing NHS provision is likely to result in risk selection and widening inequalities in provision of elective hip arthroplasty in England.

Factors Influencing Demand for a Producer-Owned Beef Retail Outlet

As the farm-to-retail price spread continues to grow, some cattle producers are beginning to consider integrating into the retail sector. Such a venture would require large investments in capital with uncertain return. This study seeks to determine the potential success of a stand-alone retail outlet selling “all natural” beef in an affluent area of Jackson, MS. Using choice-based conjoint analysis, demand for the new retail outlet is modeled as a function of the beef price at the store, distance of the store from consumers' homes, distance of the store from consumers' typical grocery store, and price of beef at substitute grocery stores. Simulation results suggest the proposed outlet could be a profitable venture, depending upon location and beef price.

PATRILINEAL FAMILY VALUES, FAMILY PLANNING AND VARIATION IN STATURE AMONG TAIWANESE SIX-YEAR-OLDS

It has been argued that patrilineal joint family systems tend to bias family planning decisions in favour of sons. A simple model suggests that in such societies, any given son will be more highly valued by his parents (1) the fewer his brothers and (2) the earlier his birth is in the brother series. A daughter's value will be greater (1) the fewer brothers she has and (2) the earlier her birth is relative to other sisters. This study first addresses the extent of son preference as inferred from family composition data for 772 Taiwanese first-graders born in the mid-1970s in two socioeconomically distinct communities in Taipei, Taiwan. It then uses linear regression to consider whether the model criteria help account for statural variation among children in each study area when controlling for differences in measurement age, parental education and housing. With respect to family composition and gender preference, available evidence was consistent with previous surveys. While better-educated parents in the more affluent study area had significantly fewer children (p<0·0005) and were more willing to stop without a son, girls there, as in the less affluent area, were still significantly more likely than boys to belong to large sibships (p≤0·005). Evidence from mean height of males and females partially accords with hypothetical predictions. In the less affluent area, the interaction effect of male birth order and the presence of younger siblings was significantly associated with mean stature (p=0·002). Males without brothers were 2·0 cm taller than males with either an older or a younger brother (116·3 ± 0·5 cm vs 114·3 ± 0·4 cm). Males who had both younger and older brothers, but often no sisters, were about as tall, however, as those without brothers. A similar, but less pronounced, pattern was found amoung males in the more affluent area, but only among those who had sisters. These boys were also consistently shorter than boys without sisters (115·6 ± 0·6 cm vs 117·7 ± 0·6 cm; p=0·001). Patterns of mean female stature did not clearly support the hypothesis. Girls in the more affluent area were relatively tall and did not show significant variation. Results among less affluent girls showed significant contrasts, but not necessarily in the predicted direction.