Cell Phone Survey Research Articles

HIV retesting among people living with HIV in Lesotho in 2022.

Despite widespread HIV testing in sub-Saharan Africa, regular testing among at-risk populations is crucial for effective prevention. However, reports increasingly indicate retesting among people living with HIV (PLHIV), a group that would not require additional testing since they would already have received a confirmed diagnosis. We describe the demographic characteristics of PLHIV retesters in Lesotho, report the average number of HIV tests post-diagnosis among PLHIV, and share motivations for retesting. In August 2022, a nationally representative cohort in Lesotho participated in a cell phone survey about their HIV status and testing history. Study participants were recruited from a face-to-face survey conducted in 2020, Lesotho Population Based HIV Impact Assessment survey. Of the 1523 participants called, 1111 participants responded (72.9%) and 266 reported living with HIV. We found 18.8% of people living with HIV (PLHIV) reported retesting at least once for HIV, and 58% of PLHIV who reported retesting were likely or very likely to retest for HIV in the coming year. The main reason PLHIV reported retesting was because a health care worker offered the test (61.7%) followed by self-initiated testing to confirm their status (29.1%). Among male PLHIV who had a history of retesting, 92.0% were very likely or likely to retest, compared to only 30.6% of female PLHIV. We found almost a fifth of PLHIV in Lesotho reported a history of retesting for HIV, and 58% of PLHIV were likely or very likely to retest for HIV in the coming year. Educating providers and men living with HIV could reduce retesting among PLHIV.

“See You Sunday?” Effects of Attending a Specific Weekend Religious Service on Emotional Well‐Being: A State/Trait Analysis of the SoulPulse Study

AbstractMost studies of religious service attendance and emotional well‐being are only capable of evaluating “trait” aspects of religious attendance, or long‐term patterns and habits that form an attendance routine. Methodological limitations make it difficult to capture the immediate (i.e., “state”) effects of attending a specific religious worship service. Using the SoulPulse Study, a 2‐week microlongitudinal study consisting of two daily cell phone surveys, we move beyond this limitation by examining trait attendance, state attendance, and the interaction of the two on 10 emotional/affective outcome variables. We find that both state attendance and trait attendance are associated with well‐being, though state attendance performs more consistently across the 10 positive and negative emotion items. Leveraging Iannaccone's concept of “religious capital,” we present evidence in state × trait interaction models that only those who have high trait levels of attendance are able to capture the emotional benefit of state attendance. This study informs the broader literature on religious attendance and well‐being by providing evidence that religious attendance can be considered a “practice” that must first be internalized as a set of familiar routines prior to being activated for personal well‐being.

A Review of Tobacco User and Non-user

The tobacco epidemic continues to grow due to the increasingly irregular and inadequate access to health care in the population and particularly affects LMICs. The occurrence and mobility of different elements in oral smokeless tobacco products STPs were determined because the effects on human health must take into account their ability. We used data from the 2009-2010 national adult tobacco survey a national landline and cell phone survey of adults aged 18 years and older to estimate current use of any tobacco, Cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, or small cigars or chewing tobacco, snuff or dip water pipes. We stratified estimates by gender, age, education, income, sexual orientation, and US state. Perceptions of tobacco are a relatively unexplored issue in disadvantaged populations in India and France.

Large-Scale Mobile-Based Analysis for National Travel Demand Modeling

Mobile phones have achieved a high rate of penetration and gained great interest in the field of travel behavior studies. However, mobile phone data exploitation for national travel models has only been sporadically studied thus far. This work focuses on one of the most extensive cellular surveys of its kind carried out thus far in the world, which was performed for two years between 2018 and 2019 with the participation of the two largest cellular providers in Israel, as well as leading GPS companies. The large-scale cell phone survey covered half the population using cellphones aged 8+ in Israel and uncovered local and national trip patterns, revealing the structure of nationwide travel demand. The methodology consists of the following steps: (1) plausibility and quality checks for the data of the mobile operators and the GPS data providers; (2) algorithm development for trip detection, home/work location detection, location and time accuracy, and expansion factors; (3) accuracy test of origin–destination matrices at different resolutions, revisions of algorithms, and reproduction of data; and (4) validation of results by comparison to reliable external data sources. The results are characterized by high accuracy and representativeness of demand and indicate a strong correlation between the cellular survey and other reliable sources.

Urban Chinese Support for Armed Unification with Taiwan: Social Status, National Pride, and Understanding of Taiwan

ABSTRACT Based on a nine-city cell phone survey in 2019, this paper systematically examines which groups showed stronger support for armed unification with Taiwan and what factors and mechanisms might contribute to their support. The bivariate analysis shows the politically, economically, and socially privileged groups and those with stronger national pride and more understanding of Taiwan were more pro-armed unification, while residents of the two coastal cities, Xiamen and Guangzhou, were less supportive. Further analysis indicates education and unfavorable view of the Taiwanese government were the two most powerful factors contributing to the support. Possible contributing mechanisms might include both top-down mechanisms, such as political indoctrination and propaganda, and bottom-up ones, such as the respondents’ interest and identity considerations influenced by their city’s proximity to Taiwan.

Condom use among women of reproductive age (18–49 years) in Puerto Rico during the 2016 Zika virus outbreak: secondary analysis of data from a cross-sectional, population-based, cell-phone survey

ObjectivesZika virus (ZIKV) can be sexually transmitted, and ZIKV infection during pregnancy can cause birth defects. Contraception is a medical countermeasure to reduce unintended pregnancy and ZIKV-associated birth defects. We...

Moving towards a single-frame cell phone design in random digit dialing surveys: considerations from a French general population health survey

BackgroundOver the last two decades, telephone surveys based on random digit dialing have developed considerably. At the same time, however, the proportion of the population with a cell phone has increased, whereas landline frame coverage has declined, thus raising the possibility of discontinuing landline phone surveys. This paper aims to assess the impact of using a single-frame (SF) cell phone design instead of a dual-frame (DF) design with landlines and cell phones in the context of repeated health surveillance surveys in the general population. We analyze data from a random digit dialing health survey of the French population and assess differences between the DF and the counterfactual SF design that excludes the landline phone sample from the DF design. We evaluate the quality of the two survey designs in terms of survey productivity, response rates, representativeness, balancing of external covariates, and prevalence estimates of key health behavior indicators.ResultsOur results show that a SF cell phone survey has several advantages over a combined DF landline and cell phone survey. Cell numbers require fewer call attempts to complete an interview, leading to a substantial reduction in the mean data collection duration and weight dispersion. The global representativeness of the SF design was slightly better than its DF counterpart, although the elderly were underrepresented. After calibration, differences in health behavior estimates were small for the seven health indicators analyzed.ConclusionsSwitching from a DF random telephone survey to a SF cell phone design has a number of practical advantages and would have a minimal impact on general population health surveys for monitoring health behavior at the population level. However, the different aspects of the survey quality had to be studied to make a decision. Further studies are needed to explore the scope of possibilities.

The Ohio COVID-19 Survey: Preliminary Findings and Their Use During the Pandemic

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has created exceptional health and economic uncertainty for Ohioans in 2020. In the spring of 2020, the state commissioned the Ohio COVID-19 Survey (OCS) to ask residential Ohio adults about how the pandemic was affecting them. The purpose of this research is to provide state leadership with real-time information about the effects of the pandemic and concurrent recession on Ohio households.Methods: The OCS is a special supplement to the Ohio Medicaid Assessment Survey (OMAS), a stratified random digit dial, cell phone and landline telephone survey. This study includes data collected weekly between April 20, 2020, and August 24, 2020. We conducted descriptive time-series analysis of the survey data and provided updates to the state's COVID-19 Response Team throughout the survey period.Results: Preliminary findings from the OCS reflect 3 themes among respondents: 1) elevated levels of concern over health and household economics; 2) disproportionate effects that exacerbate existing inequities; and 3) majority adjustment to "new normal" and acceptance of public health guidelines .Conclusion: Preliminary findings indicate that groups that were struggling before the pandemic have faced the biggest challenges with regard to health and household economics since it began. Data from the OCS enabled us to provide real-time analysis to state leadership regarding Ohioans' experience during the first 6 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Further analysis and integration of additional data will allow us to provide deeper insights as Ohio seeks to move into recovery.

Zika Prevention Behaviors Among Women of Reproductive Age in Puerto Rico, 2016

Zika virus is primarily transmitted through mosquito bites. Because Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects, reproductive-aged women need protection from Zika virus infection. This report describes Zika virus prevention behaviors among women aged 18-49 years and assesses whether pregnancy status and healthcare provider counseling increases Zika virus prevention behaviors. A population-based cell phone survey of women aged 18-49 years living in Puerto Rico was conducted in July-November 2016. Data were analyzed in 2018-2019. Prevalence estimates and 95% CIs were calculated for Zika virus prevention behaviors. Adjusted prevalence ratios were estimated to examine the association of pregnancy status with healthcare provider counseling on Zika virus prevention behaviors, controlling for age, education, and health insurance status. Most women reported using screens on open doors/windows (87.7%) and eliminating standing water in/around their homes (92.3%). Other Zika virus prevention behaviors were less common (<33%). In adjusted analysis, pregnant women were more likely than women not at risk for unintended pregnancy to report using mosquito repellent every/most days (adjusted prevalence ratio=1.44, 95% CI=1.13, 1.85). Healthcare provider counseling was associated with receiving professional spraying/larvicide treatment (adjusted prevalence ratio=1.42, 95% CI=1.17, 1.74), sleeping under a bed net (adjusted prevalence ratio=2.37, 95% CI=1.33, 4.24), using mosquito repellent (adjusted prevalence ratio=1.57, 95% CI=1.40, 1.77), and wearing long sleeves/pants (adjusted prevalence ratio=1.32, 95% CI=1.12, 1.55). Receipt of healthcare provider counseling was more consistently associated with Zika virus prevention behaviors than pregnancy status. Healthcare provider counseling is an important strategy for increasing the uptake of Zika virus prevention behaviors among women aged 18-49 years.

Pediatric Respiratory and Enteric Virus Acquisition and Immunogenesis in US Mothers and Children Aged 0-2: PREVAIL Cohort Study.

BackgroundAcute gastroenteritis (AGE) and acute respiratory infections (ARIs) cause significant pediatric morbidity and mortality. Developing childhood vaccines against major enteric and respiratory pathogens should be guided by the natural history of infection and acquired immunity. The United States currently lacks contemporary birth cohort data to guide vaccine development.ObjectiveThe PREVAIL (Pediatric Respiratory and Enteric Virus Acquisition and Immunogenesis Longitudinal) Cohort study was undertaken to define the natural history of infection and immune response to major pathogens causing AGE and ARI in US children.MethodsMothers in Cincinnati, Ohio, were enrolled in their third trimester of pregnancy, with intensive child follow-up to 2 years. Blood samples were obtained from children at birth (cord), 6 weeks, and 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Whole stool specimens and midturbinate nasal swabs were collected weekly and tested by multipathogen molecular assays. Saliva, meconium, maternal blood, and milk samples were also collected. AGE (≥3 loose or watery stools or ≥1 vomiting episode within 24 hours) and ARI (cough or fever) cases were documented by weekly cell phone surveys to mothers via automated SMS text messaging and review of medical records. Immunization records were obtained from registries and providers. follow-up ended in October 2020. Pathogen-specific infections are defined by a PCR-positive sample or rise in serum antibody.ResultsOf the 245 enrolled mother–child pairs, 51.8% (n=127) were White, 43.3% (n=106) Black, 55.9% (n=137) publicly insured, and 86.5% (n=212) initiated breastfeeding. Blood collection was 100.0% for mothers (n=245) and 85.7% for umbilical cord (n=210). A total of 194/245 (79.2%) mother–child pairs were compliant based on participation in at least 70% (≥71/102 study weeks) of child-weeks and providing 70% or more of weekly samples during that time, or blood samples at 18 or 24 months. Compliant participants (n=194) had 71.0% median nasal swab collection (IQR 30.0%-90.5%), with 98.5% (191/194) providing either an 18- or 24-month blood sample; median response to weekly SMS text message surveys was 95.1% (IQR 76.5%-100%). Compliant mothers reported 2.0 AGE and 4.5 ARI cases per child-year, of which 25.5% (160/627) and 38.06% (486/1277) of cases, respectively, were medically attended; 0.5% of AGE (3/627) and 0.55% of ARI (7/1277) cases were hospitalized.ConclusionsThe PREVAIL Cohort demonstrates intensive follow-up to document the natural history of enteric and respiratory infections and immunity in children 0-2 years of age in the United States and will contribute unique data to guide vaccine recommendations. Testing for pathogens and antibodies is ongoing.International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)RR1-10.2196/22222

Feasibility and Quality of a National RDD Smartphone Web Survey: Comparison With a Cell Phone CATI Survey

Internet-enabled smartphones and wireless communication technologies are opening new ways to conduct web-based self-administered data collection for academic or nonacademic research. Considering the relative advantages of self-administration such as the low cost, overall convenience, and collection of better data about sensitive topics, survey researchers are eager to explore conducting national web surveys of the general population via smartphones, especially if they can use probability-based random-digit-dialing (RDD) sampling methods. But questions about the feasibility of such surveys remain. We conducted an experiment using national samples drawn from an RDD wireless sampling frame to compare two administration methods: a smartphone web survey using SMS (text messages) invitations and a cell phone (smartphone or feature phone) survey through computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI). This study was conducted using the National Survey of Smoking and Health in South Korea, a country with a very high rate of smartphone ownership. The geographic and demographic representativeness of respondents in the smartphone web mode (self-administered mode) was similar to that of the cell phone CATI survey (interviewer-administered mode), although the completion rate in the former was nearly half that of the latter. A majority of demographic variables and measures of experiences, attitudes, and perceptions of cigarettes or smoking showed significant mode differences for both unweighted and weighted estimates. The total cost of the web survey was about one fifth that of the telephone survey. The results demonstrate the potential of a smartphone web survey as a stand-alone or primary mode of data collection, if carefully designed and implemented.

Automated and Interviewer-Administered Mobile Phone Surveys in Burkina Faso: Sociodemographic Differences Among Female Mobile Phone Survey Respondents and Nonrespondents.

BackgroundThe remarkable growth of cell phone ownership in low- and middle-income countries has generated significant interest in using cell phones for conducting surveys through computer-assisted telephone interviews, live interviewer-administered surveys, or automated surveys (ie, interactive voice response).ObjectiveThis study aimed to compare, by mode, the sociodemographic characteristics of cell phone owners who completed a follow-up phone survey with those who did not complete the survey.MethodsThe study was based on a nationally representative sample of women aged 15 to 49 years who reported cell phone ownership during a household survey in Burkina Faso in 2016. Female cell phone owners were randomized to participate in a computer-assisted telephone interview or hybrid interactive voice response follow-up phone survey 11 months after baseline interviews. Completion of the phone survey was defined as participants responding to more than 50% of questions in the phone survey. We investigated sociodemographic characteristics associated with cell phone survey completion using multivariable logistic regression models, stratifying the analysis by survey mode and by directly comparing computer-assisted telephone interview and hybrid interactive voice response respondents.ResultsA total of 1766 women were called for the phone survey between November 5 and 17, 2017. In both the computer-assisted telephone interview and hybrid interactive voice response samples, women in urban communities and women with secondary education or higher were more likely to complete the survey than their rural and less-educated counterparts. Compared directly, women who completed the hybrid interactive voice response survey had higher odds of having a secondary education than those who completed computer-assisted telephone interviews (odds ratio 1.7, 95% CI 1.1-2.6).ConclusionsIn Burkina Faso, computer-assisted telephone interviews are the preferred method of conducting cell phone surveys owing to less sample distortion and a higher response rate compared with a hybrid interactive voice response survey.

Comparability of modern contraceptive use estimates between a face-to-face survey and a cellphone survey among women in Burkina Faso.

The proliferation of cell phone ownership in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) presents the opportunity to collect public health indicators at a lower cost compared to face-to-face (FTF) surveys. This analysis assesses the equivalence of modern contraceptive prevalence estimates between a nationally representative FTF survey and a cell phone survey using random digit dialing (RDD) among women of reproductive age in Burkina Faso. We analyzed data from two surveys conducted in Burkina Faso between December 2017 and May 2018. The FTF survey conducted by Performance Monitoring and Accountability (PMA2020) comprised a nationally representative sample of 3,556 women of reproductive age (15-49 years). The RDD survey was conducted using computer-assisted telephone interviewing and included 2,379 women of reproductive age. Compared to FTF respondents, women in the RDD sample were younger, were more likely to have a secondary degree and to speak French. RDD respondents were more likely to report using modern contraceptive use (40%) compared to FTF respondents (26%) and the difference remained unchanged after applying post-stratification weights to the RDD sample (39%). This difference surpassed the equivalence margin of 4%. The RDD sample also produced higher estimates of contraceptive use than the subsample of women who owned a phone in the FTF sample (32%). After adjusting for women's sociodemographic factors, the odds of contraceptive use were 1.9 times higher (95% CI: 1.6-2.2) in the RDD survey compared to the FTF survey and 1.6 times higher (95% CI: 1.3-1.8) compared to FTF phone owners. Modern contraceptive prevalence in Burkina Faso is over-estimated when using a cell phone RDD survey, even after adjusting for a number of sociodemographic factors. Further research should explore causes of differential estimates of modern contraceptive use by survey modes.

Cell phone ownership and modern contraceptive use in Burkina Faso: implications for research and interventions using mobile technology

ObjectivesWith over 420 million unique cell phone subscribers in sub-Saharan Africa, the opportunities to use personal cell phones for public health research and interventions are increasing. We assess the association between cell phone ownership and modern contraceptive use among women in Burkina Faso to understand the opportunity to track family planning indicators using cell phone surveys or provide family planning interventions remotely. Study designWe analyzed data from a cross-sectional, nationally representative population-based survey of women of reproductive age in Burkina Faso, the Performance Monitoring and Accountability 2020 Round 4, which was conducted between November 2016 and January 2017. ResultsAmong the 3215 female respondents aged 15 to 49 years, 47% reported cell phone ownership. Overall, 22% of women reported current modern contraceptive use. Women who owned a cell phone were more likely to report modern contraceptive use than those who did not (29% versus 15%). Adjusted for covariates (age, wealth, education, area of residence and marital status), the odds of reporting modern contraceptive use were 68% higher among cell phone owners compared to nonowners (odds ratio=1.68, 95% confidence interval 1.3–2.1). Method mix was substantially more diverse among those who owned cell phones compared to their counterparts. ConclusionsThe study shows that cell phone ownership is significantly associated with modern contraceptive use in Burkina Faso, even after adjusting for women's sociodemographic characteristics. These results suggest that cell phone ownership selectivity and associated biases need to be addressed when planning family planning programs or conducting surveys using cell phones. ImplicationsCell phones can be used for myriad family planning purposes, from confidential data collection to contraceptive promotion and knowledge dissemination, but ownership bias is significant. A cell-phone-based intervention or population-based survey is unlikely to reach a critical mass of the population at highest risk for unintended pregnancy.

Comparing Response Rates, Costs, and Tobacco-Related Outcomes Across Phone, Mail, and Online Surveys

Tobacco control evaluation relies on surveillance documenting attitudes and behaviors. Practitioners and evaluators seek the most efficient, high-quality surveillance methodology. This paper explores the feasibility of mail and online survey data collection protocols using address-based sampling (ABS) to complement landline and cell phone surveys as part of a comprehensive tobacco control program evaluation. We used a comparative study of response rates, costs, and key outcomes across phone, mail, and online survey protocols. In 2015, we supplemented the phone-administered NY Adult Tobacco Survey with an ABS for paper and online data collection. For each survey protocol, we calculated response rates; compared unweighted demographic characteristics; and compared weighted outcome data for smoking prevalence, quit attempts, and tobacco control policy support. We assessed relative cost-per-complete per protocol. Response rates were highest for paper surveys (38.9%), followed by online (28.6%), landline (22.2%), and cell phone (14.7%) surveys. Respondent demographics differed across protocols; landline, mail, and online respondents were more likely than cell phone respondents to be older, female, white, and higher educated. Smoking prevalence varied by protocol, but quit attempts and tobacco control policy support were similar across protocols. Cost-per-complete estimates were lowest for paper surveys. Programs rely on efficient and representative methodologies, and paper and online surveys with ABS show promise for supplementing phone surveillance to improve response rates and lower costs per completed survey.

Survey of chronic pain in Chile - prevalence and treatment, impact on mood, daily activities and quality of life.

Background and aims The prevalence of chronic non-cancer pain has not been specifically reported in Chile. Methods In order to assess its prevalence and impact, we designed a tool based on previously published survey studies. We analyzed a sample of 784 subjects to determine the prevalence of chronic non-cancer pain, with a maximum variability of 50%, a confidence interval (CI) of 95%, and an estimation error of 3.5%. Finally, a cross-sectional cell phone survey was conducted on a nationally representative probability sample of 865 subjects of over 18 years, in November 2013. The prevalence of chronic non-cancer pain was estimated by using expansion factors according to national projections by age group and gender, from the Chilean National Institute of Statistics for the year 2010. Results The estimated prevalence of chronic non-cancer pain was 32.1% (95% CI: 26.5-36.0). The respondents with chronic non-cancer pain presented the following results: 65.7% had moderate pain, and 20.8%, severe pain; 65.6% had somatic pain, 31.7% neuropathic pain, and 2.7% visceral pain. Approximately 70% reported they were receiving some kind of pharmacological treatment with certain frequency. In 64.9%, medication was prescribed by a physician. The prevalence of sick leave in workers was 30.22%, with a median duration of 14 days (interquartile range: 14; range: 1-60). Conclusions Chronic non-oncological pain occurs in 32% of Chilean adults. These figures provide the first measurement of chronic non-cancer pain in the Chilean population. Implications Chronic non-oncological pain impact as a public health problem is revealed, given the high prevalence found, and the elevated private and social costs involved.

The future of telephone surveys in Hong Kong

PurposeThis paper aims to compare residential fixed-line telephone surveys with cell phone surveys for assessing the extent of the potential undercoverage issue evaluating the necessity and feasibility of conducting cell phone surveys or dual-frame telephone surveys in Hong Kong.Design/methodology/approachThe research team simultaneously carried out a conventional fixed-line telephone survey and a cell phone survey in 2015 with similar features on survey design, sampling and data collection procedures. Two samples with sample size of 801 and 1,203 were achieved separately. Data collected were analysed to see to what extent survey findings will be biased if the sampling frame of telephone surveys is solely based on residential fixed-line numbers in Hong Kong, and if such a bias does exist, whether a survey conducted through cell phones or by adding a cell phone-only (CO) group would be an ideal solution for it.FindingsThe findings show that the cooperation rates for the cell phone survey were much lower than those of the fixed-line telephone survey. The respondents from two surveys were fairly different. However, estimates of most commonly used socio-demographic characteristics from the latter group had the least bias compared with population statistics. Supplanting the traditional fixed-line survey with a cell phone survey or supplementing it with a CO group will not make the resulting sample a better representative of the population but it will amplify the sample bias on the major social socio-demographic characteristics.Originality/valueThis paper empirically compares the two types of telephone surveys in a well-designed scientific study.

Reasons to quit and barriers to quitting smoking in US young adults.

Young adulthood provides an enormous opportunity to alter trajectories of smoking behaviour for a large public health impact. The purpose of this study was to examine correlates of perceived barriers to quitting smoking and reasons to quit in a sample of young adult current and former smokers. This study used data from the 2011 National Young Adult Health Survey, a random-digit-dial cellphone survey. Participants were US young adult current smokers aged 18-34 (n = 699) and young adults who were either current smokers who had made a quit attempt in the past-year (n = 402) or former smokers (n = 289). Correlates of barriers to quitting smoking and reasons for quitting smoking were assessed using bivariate and multivariable analyses. More than half of current smokers identified 'loss of a way to handle stress' (59%) and 'cravings or withdrawal' (52%) as barriers to quitting. Female gender, daily smoking and intention to quit remained significantly associated with endorsing 'loss of a way to handle stress' as a barrier to quitting in multivariable analyses. The two most popular reasons for quitting smoking were physical fitness (64%) and the cost of tobacco (64%). These findings highlight barriers to cessation and the reasons that young smokers give for quitting. This information may be helpful to physicians as they counsel their young adult patients to quit smoking.

The extent and risk of knee injuries in children aged 9-14 with Generalised Joint Hypermobility and knee joint hypermobility - the CHAMPS-study Denmark.

BackgroundGeneralised Joint Hypermobility (GJH) is suggested as an aetiological factor for knee injuries in adolescents and adults. It is presumed that GJH causes decreased joint stability, thereby increasing the risk of knee injuries during challenging situations like jumping and landing. The aim was to study the extent and risk of knee injuries in children with GJH and knee hypermobility.MethodsIn total, 999 children (9–14 years) were tested twice during spring 2012 and 2013 with Beighton´s Tests (BT) for hypermobility, a 0–9 scoring system. GJH was classified with cut-point ≥5/9 on both test rounds. On basis of weekly cell phone surveys of knee pain, children requiring clinical examination were seen. Traumatic and overuse knee injuries were registered by WHO ICD-10 diagnoses. Logistic regression and Poisson regression models with robust standard errors were used to examine the association between GJH and knee injuries, taking into account clustering on school class levels.ResultsTotally, 36 children were classified GJH on both test rounds. Overuse knee injuries were the most frequent injury type (86 %), mainly apophysitis for both groups (61 %), other than patella-femoral pain syndrome for the control group (13 %). For traumatic knee injuries, distortions and contusions were most frequent in both groups (51 % resp. 36 %), besides traumatic lesions of knee tendons and muscles for the control group (5 %). No significant association was found between overuse knee injuries and GJH with/without knee hypermobility (OR 0.69, p = 0.407 resp. OR 0.75, p = 0.576) or traumatic knee injuries and GJH with/without knee hypermobility (OR 1.56, p = 0.495 resp. OR 2.22, p = 0.231).ConclusionsApophysitis, distortions and contusions were the most frequent knee injuries. Despite the relatively large study, the number of children with GJH and knee injuries was low, with no significant increased risk for knee injuries for this group. This questions whether GJH is a clinically relevant risk factor for knee injuries in school children aged 9–14 years. A fluctuation in the individual child´s status of GJH between test rounds was observed, suggesting that inter- and intra-tester reproducibility of BT as well as growth may be considered important confounders to future studies of children with GJH.

The epidemiology of family meals among Ohio's adults.

The epidemiology of family meals among adults at a population level is poorly characterized and whether living with children impacts this health behaviour is uncertain. We determined the prevalence of family meals among US adults in a mid-western state whose families did and did not include minor children and described how it varied by sociodemographic characteristics. The cross-sectional 2012 Ohio Medicaid Assessment Survey is representative of Ohio adults and included questions on their sociodemographic characteristics and the frequency with which they eat family meals at home. Trained interviewers administered landline and cell phone surveys to adults sampled from Ohio's non-institutionalized population. We analysed data from 5766 adults living with minor children and 8291 adults not living alone or with children. The prevalence of family meals was similar for adults who did and did not live with minor children: 47 % (95 % CI 46, 49 %) of adults living with and 51 % (95 % CI 50, 53 %) of adults living without children reported eating family meals on most (six or seven) days of the week. Family meal frequency varied by race/ethnicity, marital and employment status in both groups. Non-Hispanic African-American adults, those who were not married and those who were employed ate family meals less often. Adults in Ohio frequently shared meals with their family and family meal frequency was not strongly related to living with children. Broadening the scope of future studies to include adults who are not parents could enhance our understanding of the potential health benefits of sharing meals.