Hierarchical Binary Logistic Regression Analyses Research Articles

Illness perceptions and affective symptoms: Predictors of self‐management behaviors in mild cognitive impairment

AbstractBackgroundAlthough a recent guideline on mild cognitive impairment (MCI) recommends non‐pharmacological interventions (i.e., self‐management behaviors such as exercise and cognitive training) for the management of MCI, predictors of such behaviors have not been identified in this population. We explored predictors of four categories of self‐management behaviors (i.e., physical activity, cognitive‐enhancing medication, mental activity, and vitamin/herbal supplements) in persons with MCI (PwMCI).MethodsUsing a cross‐sectional design, we conducted a secondary analysis pooling two existing datasets. We examined the predictive role of perceptual factors (i.e., individuals’ perceived understanding of MCI and its cause), affective symptoms (i.e., anxiety and depression), and clinical/sociodemographic factors. We also measured the total number of (range: 0‐4), and performance of each (‘yes’ or ‘no’) of the four categories of self‐management behaviors. We performed hierarchical linear (for the total number of self‐management behaviors) and binary logistic (for each self‐management behavior) regression analyses, controlling for age, sex, years of education, and the number of comorbid conditions as potential covariates.ResultsParticipants (N=137) were on average 71.5 years old with 16.1 years of education. Most were Caucasian (92.0%) and diagnosed with amnestic MCI (82.5%). Although we did not find any main effects of predictors, some interactions were significant through further model expansion. Better performance of self‐management behaviors was associated with 1) lower levels of perceived understanding of MCI in men (b= ‐0.090, =.037), and 2) lower levels of anxiety symptoms in Caucasian participants (b= ‐0.206, p=.049). In hierarchical logistic regression analyses, higher levels of perceived understanding of MCI were associated with the better performance of physical (OR=0.942, 95%CI=[0.898, 0.980]) and mental (OR=0.959, 95% CI=[0.922,0.998]) activities among participants with lower levels of education. Among participants with more years of education, higher levels of perceived understanding of MCI were associated with better adherence to cognitive‐enhancing medication (OR=1.043, 95% CI=[1.002, 1.085]), and more anxiety symptoms were associated with better performance of mental activity (OR=1.048, 95% CI=[1.003,1.095]).ConclusionOur findings suggest that perceived understanding of MCI, levels of anxiety, and demographic factors should be considered together when evaluating the performance of self‐management behaviors to prevent or delay further cognitive changes among PwMCI.

Endocannabinoids and related lipids in serum from patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

The goals of this study were to determine whether serum concentrations of endocannabinoids (eCB) and related lipids predict disease status in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) relative to healthy controls, and whether concentrations correlate with disease duration and severity. Serum concentrations of the eCBs 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA), and related lipids palmitoylethanolamine (PEA), oleoylethanolamine (OEA), and 2-oleoylglycerol (2-OG), were measured in samples from 47 patients with ALS and 19 healthy adults. Hierarchical binary logistic and linear regression analyses assessed whether lipid concentrations predicted disease status (ALS or healthy control), duration, or severity. Binary logistic regression revealed that, after controlling for age and gender, 2-AG, 2-OG and AEA concentrations were unique predictors of the presence of ALS, demonstrating odds ratios of 0.86 (P = .039), 1.03 (P = .023), and 42.17 (P = .026), respectively. When all five lipids and covariates (age, sex, race, ethnicity, body mass index, presence of a feeding tube) were included, the resulting model had an overall classification accuracy of 92.9%. Hierarchical linear regression analyses indicated that in patients with ALS, AEA and OEA inversely correlated with disease duration (P = .030 and .031 respectively), while PEA demonstrated a positive relationship with disease duration (P = .013). None of the lipids examined predicted disease severity. These findings support previous studies indicating significant alterations in concentrations of circulating lipids in patients with ALS. They suggest that arachidonic and oleic acid containing small lipids may serve as biomarkers for identifying the presence and duration of this disease.

The Relationship Among Demographic Factors, Transition Services, and Individual Development Account (IDA) Saving Participation Among Transition-Age Youth With Disabilities

Saving participation in adolescence is crucial for young adults to achieve financial well-being over their lifetime. Yet, very little is known about the factors that encourage saving participation among youth with disability, including youth who receive supplemental security income (SSI). This study examines relationships between personal and family factors, transition services, and participation in Wisconsin Promoting Readiness of Minors in Supplemental Security Income (PROMISE) individual development account (IDA), within a sample of youth with disabilities who receive SSI. Results of the hierarchical binary logistic and hierarchical multiple regression analyses suggests that the PROMISE interventions variable sets emerged as the most frequent predictors of IDA saving participation among youth receiving SSI. Specifically, work incentive benefits consultation services, financial capability-focused financial coaching services, and self-advocacy training were significant predictors of a youth’s IDA saving participation. This study’s findings offer important implications for transition planning and building financial capability.

The AAGP Scholars Program: Predictors of Pursuing Geriatric Psychiatry Fellowship Training

The American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry (AAGP) Scholars Program was developed to recruit trainees into geriatric psychiatry fellowships and is considered a pipeline for fellowship recruitment. Nonetheless, the number of trainees entering geriatric psychiatry fellowship is declining, making it important to identify modifiable factors that may influence trainees' decisions to pursue fellowship. We analyzed survey data from Scholars Program participants to identify demographic characteristics, attitudes toward program components, and behaviors after the program that were independently associated with the decision to pursue fellowship. Web-based surveys were distributed to all 289 former Scholars participants (2010-2018), whether or not they had completed geriatric psychiatry fellowships. We conducted a hierarchical binary logistic regression analysis to examine demographics, program components, and behaviors after the program associated with deciding to pursue geriatric psychiatry fellowship. Sixty-one percent of Scholars decided to pursue geriatric psychiatry fellowship. Attending more than one AAGP annual meeting (relative variance explained [RVE] = 34.2%), maintaining membership in the AAGP (RVE = 28.2%), and rating the Scholars Program as important for meeting potential collaborators (RVE = 26.6%) explained the vast majority of variance in the decision to pursue geriatric psychiatry fellowship. Nearly two-thirds of Scholars Program participants decided to pursue geriatric psychiatry fellowship, suggesting the existing program is an effective fellowship recruitment pipeline. Moreover, greater involvement in the AAGP longitudinally may positively influence Scholars to pursue fellowship. Creative approaches that encourage Scholars to develop collaborations, maintain AAGP membership, and regularly attend AAGP annual meetings may help attract more trainees into geriatric psychiatry.

Factors affecting internet use among university students in Sarawak, Malaysia: an empirical study

Background: The internet has become an indispensable tool for communication, academic research, information and entertainment. However, heavy users of the internet lead to less confidence in social skills and the tendency to be isolated. The study aimed to assess the pattern of internet use and factors affecting problematic internet use among university students.Methods: This cross-sectional study conducted among the students of a university in Sarawak, Malaysia. A multistage cluster sampling technique was adapted to select the participants. Data were collected from 463 students by self-administered questionnaire. Hierarchical binary logistic regression analysis was done to determine the potential factors for problematic internet use.Results: The mean age of the students was 22 years, with a standard deviation of 1.6 years. Two-fifths (61.8%) of the students had no problematic internet use. However, 35.4% had moderate and 2.8% had severe problematic internet use. Hierarchical binary logistic regression analysis found that age of the students, year of study, duration of daily internet use and use of social networking like Skype appeared to be potential predictors of problematic internet use (p<0.05).Conclusions: This study was conducted in only one university, thus did not depict the overall scenarios of the country. The implications of the findings are still worth noting in the process of designing internet addiction studies among university students. Overall, this study has unearthed some useful insights which can serve as a guide to more elaborate studies.

112 Cognitive Frailty, Physical Frailty and Loneliness Predicts the Incidence of Falls among Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract Background Although frailty is a well-known risk factor for falls, the concomitant effects of physical frailty and cognitive impairments or known as cognitive frailty (CF), in predicting the incidence falls is not established. Methods In a prospective cohort study, we examined the predictive ability of CF towards the incidence of falls among older adults from Malaysian Towards Useful Aging (TUA) study. A total of 400 participants aged > 60 years were successfully followed up at five years. Participants were interviewed on their sociodemographic data, medical and falls history. Assessments to examine cognitive function, physical functional status, psychosocial and dietary intake were conducted. Univariate analysis was performed for every variable, followed by hierarchical binary logistic regression (BLR) analysis to identify the ability of CF in predicting the incidence of falls. Results After adjusting for the covariates, CF (Odd Ratio (OR) = 2.976, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.776-4.987, p<0.05), physical frailty (OR = 2.882, 95% CI: 1.187-6.999, p<0.05), women (OR = 2.229, 95% CI: 1.362-3.648, p<0.05), and loneliness (OR = 1.329, 95% CI: 1.028-1.718, p<0.05) were the significant predictors for the incidence of falls. Conclusion Both cognitive and physical frailty were significant predictors of future falls among community-dwelling older adults. It is important to provide an effective intervention to prevent falls in this high-risk group of older adults. This study was funded by the Long-term Research Grant Scheme (LGRS) provided by the Ministry of Education Malaysia (LRGS/BU/2012/UKM-UKM/K/01) and Grand Challenge Grant funded by the National University of Malaysia (DCP-2017-002/1).

Consumption of alcohol and drugs and school absenteeism among high school students of public schools.

To evaluate the relation between the consumption of alcohol and other drugs and school absenteeism in high school students of public schools in the 30 days prior to data collection. Cross-sectional study of quantitative character conducted from May to September 2017, with 282 high school students of public schools of Mossoró-RN. We used a closed questionnaire with questions about drug consumption as our instrument of analysis. We performed hierarchical binary logistic regression by using the SPSS 20.0. In bivariate analysis, the relation between absenteeism and drug consumption patterns proved to be significant to those who engage in heavy episodic drinking of alcohol and in the use of tobacco, inhalants and marijuana. The adjusted regression model only included the variables tobacco and heavy episodic drinking of alcohol. The hierarchical binary logistic regression analysis corroborated with absenteeism outcomes, explaining it in 12.3% of cases.

COULD CHASING GRANDKIDS KEEP US YOUNG? THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN CUSTODIAL GRANDPARENT STATUS AND HEALTH

There are approximately 7.2 million grandparents living with their grandchildren in the United States. Of these, roughly 2.5 million are skipped-generation households in which grandparents are solely responsible for meeting the needs of their grandchildren (U.S. Census, 2017). Previous research has established that custodial grandparents suffer from added strain and burden compared to their peers, which negatively impacts their health (Lo, M., Liu, Y., 2009). A decline in functional ability has a negative impact on not only the lives of these older adult grandparents but also their family members who are dependent upon them for care. The current study examines adults aged 65 and older using data from the American Community Survey 2016 to assess the extent to which raising one’s grandchildren is associated with five areas commonly subject to decline in older adulthood: cognitive performance, self-care ability, ambulatory difficulty, hearing, and vision abilities. Hierarchical binary logistic regression analyses found that after controlling for the effects of age, sex, race, and income-to-poverty ratio, custodial grandparents (those who reported having primary responsibility for their grandchildren in their own home with no parents present) were significantly less likely than their peers to report experiencing any of these five disabilities. Details of each model and clinical implications will be discussed.

Differences in the immune-inflammatory profiles of unipolar and bipolar depression

BackgroundMajor depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar depression (BD) both share increased immune-inflammatory activation. However, there are unclear patterns of differences in peripheral immune profiles between them. MethodsWe examined such differences in 245 MDD and 59 BD patients, recruited in the same center, who were in an acute depressive episode of moderate severity. Hierarchical binary logistic regression analyses and generalized linear models were used to compare levels of plasma biomarkers between groups and to predict dichotomous classification. ResultsInterleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, soluble TNF receptor (sTNFR)1, IL-12 and IL-10 were significantly higher in MDD than in BD, whereas IL-6, sTNFR2, IL-18, IL-33, ST2 (IL1R Like 1) and KLOTHO were significantly higher in BD than in MDD. Moreover, logistic regression analyses correctly classified BD and MDD patients with 98.1% accuracy, using a combination of IL-6, IL-8, ST2, sTNFR2 (directly associated with BD) and IL-12 and TNF-α (directly associated with MDD). Patients with MDD with melancholic features showed higher IL-1β levels than those without melancholia. The sTNFR1 / sTNFR2 ratio significantly predicted MDD and state and trait anxiety and negative affect. Results remained significant after covariate adjustment, including drug use. LimitationsCross-sectional study. Lack of control comparison group. Differences in exposure to medications among participants. ConclusionsDifferences in immune profiles between BD and MDD patients exist, especially for the compensatory immune-regulatory system (CIRS): increased IL-10 is the primary immune-regulatory mechanism in MDD, while increased sTNFR2 and KLOTHO are the primary regulatory mechanisms in BD.

Rural Disparities in Hospital Patient Satisfaction: Multilevel Analysis of the Massachusetts AHA, SID, and HCAHPS Data.

Introduction:Hospital patient satisfaction has been a salient policy concern. We examined rurality’s impact on patient satisfaction measures.Methodology:We examined patients (age 50 and up) from 65 rural and urban hospitals in Massachusetts, using the merged data from 2007 American Hospital Association Annual Survey, State Inpatient Database and Survey of Patients’ Hospital Experiences, utilizing Hierarchical binary logistic regression analyses to examine the rural disparities in patient satisfaction measures.Results:Relative to the urban location, rurality reduced the likelihood of cleanliness of environment (odds ratio = 0.66, 95% confidence interval: [0.63-0.70]); but increased the likelihood of staff responsiveness and quietness. Compared to Caucasian counterparts, Hispanic patients were less likely to reside in a quiet hospital. Compared to other payments, Medicare or Medicaid coverage each reduced the likelihood of staff responsiveness and cleanliness. Compared to other diagnoses, depressive or psychosis disorders predicted smaller odds in responsiveness and cleanliness. Anxiety diagnosis reduced the likelihood of cleanness and quietness. At the facility level, higher registered nurse full-time equivalent (FTE)s or being a teaching hospital increased the likelihood of all measures.Conclusion:Relative to the urban counterparts, rural patients experienced lower likelihood of staff responsiveness after adjusting for other factors. Compared to Caucasian patients, Hispanic patients were less likely to reside in quiet hospital environment. Research is needed to further explore the basis of these disparities. Mental health diagnoses in depressive and psychosis disorders also called upon further studies in special care needs.

Nicotine dependence in US military veterans: results from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study

Background: Veterans are a unique population that may be at increased risk of tobacco use disorder and nicotine dependence (ND). We analyzed data from the National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study (NHRVS), a large nationally representative sample of US veterans, in order to more fully understand the prevalence and correlates of lifetime ND in US Veterans.Methods: Descriptive statistics were conducted to summarize health and functioning/quality of life characteristics among veterans with and without lifetime ND. Hierarchical binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the relationship between ND and psychiatric and physical health variables.Results: Compared with veterans without lifetime ND, veterans with lifetime ND were more likely to screen positive for several lifetime psychiatric disorders including current alcohol use disorder (odds ratio [OR] 2.79 [95% confidence interval [CI] 2.23, 3.49]), depression (OR 1.86 [1.38, 2.50]), and PTSD (OR 1.68 [1.14, 2.47]). From a medical standpoint, they were more likely to endorse having kidney disease (OR 4.18 [2.55, 6.86]), heart attack (OR 2.09 [1.51, 2.89]), and rheumatoid arthritis (1.90 [1.20, 3.00]) in addition to other conditions. They scored lower in overall physical functioning and higher in somatization symptoms.Conclusions: Veterans with lifetime ND in the NHRVS survey were more likely to have psychiatric and medical conditions and lower physical functioning compared with Veterans without lifetime ND. Veterans with lifetime ND may therefore require a comprehensive and integrated approach to care that includes attention to co-morbid illness in addition to drug addiction.

Rehabilitation use in multiple sclerosis: Do illness representations matter?

ObjectivesMultidisciplinary rehabilitation improves illness outcomes and is recommended in clinical guidelines for multiple sclerosis (MS). However, many people with MS do not make use of rehabilitation. We do not know much about the barriers to the use of rehabilitation in MS, but in other patient groups, illness representations have proven to be predictors of service utilization. Therefore, the aim of our study was to explore whether, in patients with MS, illness representations are associated with self‐reports of rehabilitation use in the past and the intention to use rehabilitation in the future, beyond sociodemographic and illness‐related factors.Materials and MethodsPatients were recruited in a cross‐sectional nationwide online survey in Germany. Hierarchical binary logistic regression analysis was used to analyze whether illness representations are associated with the use of rehabilitation in the past and the intention to use rehabilitation in the future, over and above socio‐demographic and illness‐related variables.ResultsThere were 590 patients, who had MS, participating in the study. Illness representations were correlated to both outcome variables beyond sociodemographic and illness‐related factors: The probabilities of having the intention to use rehabilitation and of making using of rehabilitation were higher in patients who believed that their MS was controllable by treatment and perceived that their MS would have severe consequences.ConclusionsOur data suggest that addressing patients’ illness representations may facilitate the intention to use and the use of multimodal rehabilitation, contributing to better illness outcomes.

Combined use of alcohol and energy drinks: Dose relationship with self-reported physiological stimulation and sedation side effects

BackgroundNegative physiological stimulation and sedation side effects are experienced by a significant proportion of consumers who consume alcohol mixed with energy drinks (AmED). Few studies have compared the frequency of side effects between sessions of AmED and sessions of alcohol only within-subject, and none have explored a dose relationship. ObjectivesExplore the occurrence of self-reported physiological stimulant and sedative side effects between sessions of AmED and alcohol only, and at varying ED dosage levels within AmED sessions. MethodsA convenience sample of 2953 residents of New South Wales, Australia completed an online survey. N=731 AmED users reported daily caffeine intake, typical alcohol and AmED consumption, and past 12-month experience of physiological stimulation and sedation side effects during AmED and alcohol only sessions. Within-subject analyses compared occurrence of side effects between session types. Hierarchical binary logistic regression analyses explored the association of ED dose during AmED sessions with the experience of physiological side effects. ResultsThere were greater odds of most stimulant side effects, and lower odds of sedation side effects, during AmED sessions compared to alcohol only sessions. Compared to one ED, consumption of three or more EDs was significantly associated with the majority of both stimulant and alcohol intoxication side effects after controlling for demographics and consumption covariates. ConclusionsAmED is associated with perceived changes in physiological stimulant and sedation side effects of alcohol. Experience of side effects is positively associated with ED dosage. Future research should account for varying ED dosage, and reflect real world consumption levels.

Contributions of sociodemographic factors to criminal behavior.

We explored the extent to which prisoner sociodemographic variables (age, education, marital status, employment, and whether their parents were married or not) influenced offending in 64 randomly selected Brunei inmates, comprising both sexes. A quantitative field survey design ideal for the type of participants used in a prison context was employed to investigate the problem. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis with backward elimination identified prisoner marital status and age groups as significantly related to offending. Furthermore, hierarchical multinomial logistic regression analysis with backward elimination indicated that prisoners’ age, primary level education, marital status, employment status, and parental marital status as significantly related to stealing offenses with high odds ratios. All 29 nonrecidivists were false negatives and predicted to reoffend upon release. Similarly, all 33 recidivists were projected to reoffend after release. Hierarchical binary logistic regression analysis revealed age groups (24–29 years and 30–35 years), employed prisoner, and primary level education as variables with high likelihood trends for reoffending. The results suggested that prisoner interventions (educational, counseling, and psychotherapy) in Brunei should treat not only antisocial personality, psychopathy, and mental health problems but also sociodemographic factors. The study generated offending patterns, trends, and norms that may inform subsequent investigations on Brunei prisoners.

Ethnic differences in diabetes prevalence and ICT use.

Uptake of information and communication technology (ICT) by individuals with diabetes can assist nursing care delivery, and improve patient outcomes. However, it is unclear how such uptake relates to ethnic differences in diabetes risk. To assess the moderating effects of ICT uptake on South Asian excess diabetes prevalence over a specific elapsed timeframe, accounting for selected environmental, socio-economic, and behavioural risk factors. Archived data from a UK Office for National Statistics household survey 2006-2011 (120 621 partly non-orthogonal participant records) were analysed using hierarchical binary logistic regression analyses. ICT uptake qualified ethnic differences in diabetes prevalence. Non-smoking diabetes cases living in terraced housing with a home computer were more likely to be South Asian than Caucasian. By contrast, such cases were more likely to be Caucasian if a computer was unavailable (OR: 0.61; CI: 0.43-0.86; P=0.005). Furthermore, diabetes cases from low-income, mobile-dependent homes were probably South Asian (OR: 0.05; CI: 0.00-0.50; P=0.012). Home computing was linked to better tobacco control among South Asians with diabetes living in terraced properties. Mobile phone dependence was pronounced in those that received income support. Implications for nursing care are considered.

An Examination of Health Inequities among College Students by Sexual Orientation Identity and Sex.

BackgroundLesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) college students may have an increased number of health inequities compared to their heterosexual counterparts. However, to date, no research has provided a comprehensive examination of health-related factors by sexual orientation identity and sex among a national sample of college students. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine physical, sexual, interpersonal relations/safety, and mental health inequities by sexual orientation identity and sex among a national sample of college students.Design and methodsParticipants (n=39,767) completed the National College Health Assessment II during the fall 2008/spring 2009 academic year. Hierarchical binary logistic regression analyses were used to examine health inequities by sexual orientation identity and sex.ResultsLGB students compared to heterosexual students, experienced multiple health inequities including higher rates of being verbally threatened and lower rates of physical activity and condom use.ConclusionsAn understanding of health inequities experienced by LGB college students is critical as during these years of transition, students engage in protective (e.g., physical activity) and risky (e.g., lack of condom use) health behaviours, establishing habits that could last a lifetime. Future research should be used to design and implement targeted public health strategies and policies to reduce health inequities and improve health-related quality of life among LGB college students.Significance for public healthHealth inequities based on sexual orientation identity and sex among college students is a critical public health concern. Based on the results of the current study, lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) college students experienced multiple physical, sexual, interpersonal relations and safety, and mental health inequities. This understanding of health inequities experienced by LGB college students is critical as during these years of transition, students engage in protective (e.g., physical activity) and risky (e.g., lack of condom use) health behaviours, establishing habits that could last a lifetime. By intervening during the college years, targeted public health strategies and policies can be designed and implemented to reduce health inequities and improve health-related quality of life among LGB individuals during mid-to-later adulthood.

Home modification by older adults and their informal caregivers

The purpose of the study was to examine dyadic factors of home modification in frail older adults and their informal caregivers for improving health care at home in the United States. A secondary data analysis used the National Alliance for Caregiving and the American Association of Retired Persons caregiver survey dataset. Among randomly selected samples from 7 states in the U.S., 737dyads of informal caregivers and frail older adults were selected based on age and medical conditions. Descriptive analyses and a hierarchical binary logistic regression analysis were performed. The study findings showed that the prevalence of home modification in the survey population was 42.20% in the United States. The home modifying group was likely to live together in a rural area, to consist of older care-recipients and younger caregivers, and to be Caucasian (p<.05). Physically functional impairments were the strongest factors of home modification (p<.01), while older adults living with heart disease were more likely to modify their homes (p=.03). In conclusion, older adults’ and their caregivers’ factors clearly affect home modification for health care at home. Our findings revealed that home modification represents an important contribution to multidisciplinary care and is based on comprehensive assessments, multidisciplinary decision-making processes, and careful planning of individualized interventions. Relevant policy suggestions may enhance the effectiveness of home modification to support aging in place in the United States.

The Mystery of the Market for Corporate Control: Takeover Likelihood of Underperforming Firms

This study examined the relationship between underperformance and takeover likelihood using stock-market and accounting-based financial measurements from companies in the UK, US and Canada over a period of 17 years (1988-2004), applying hierarchical binary logistic regression analysis. Despite the general wisdom in the financial literature that the external markets for corporate control are said to work actively as a disciplinary device through takeovers in Anglo-Saxon economies, our study could not confirm these outcomes statistically. This research detected no significant association between takeover likelihood and firm performance, implying that the disciplinary effect of takeovers is statistically non-existent.

When the Cats are away: The impact of sporting events on assault‐ and alcohol‐related emergency department attendances

Despite the attention given to the broad topic of alcohol and violence, there are few studies of this relationship in the context of sporting events and their impact on alcohol-related hospital emergency department (ED) attendances, none of which are Australian. De-identified patient records from Barwon Health's Geelong Hospital ED were analysed from 1 July 2005 to 16 February 2010. Information contained in these records included age, gender, suburb of residence, attendance date and time, arrival mode and reason for attendance. The ED triage database was searched for attendances relating to alcohol, drugs and assault of which 16,940 cases were returned. There was a substantial increase in annual alcohol-related ED attendances from 2006 to 2009. Hierarchical binary logistic regression analyses showed that having a game on a particular day did not contribute to the model, but there were significantly more ED attendances for assaults on days when the Geelong Cats won. There were no significant predictors of ED attendance for alcohol-related harm in the variables studied. The findings of the study suggest that there are significantly more assault-related attendances at the ED in Geelong when the local national football team, the Geelong Cats, won. None of the variables under investigation appears to have impacted on alcohol-related attendances which were not assaults (i.e. injuries or intoxication). It appears that increases in ED attendances associated with the success of a local sporting team are not significantly associated with alcohol use and are more influenced by other factors.

Cognitive, Psychosocial, and Sociodemographic Predictors of Willingness to Use HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Among Chinese Men Who Have Sex with Men

This study was designed to identify predictors of lower versus higher willingness to use pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to reduce HIV among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China. Participants were 570 MSM who completed self-report measures of willingness to use HIV PrEP, beliefs about HIV, psychosocial factors, sexual experiences and sociodemographic characteristics. Results of a hierarchical binary logistic regression analysis indicated that membership in a higher willingness group was predicted by previous consultation about HIV, more reported barriers to using condoms, and elevations in depressive symptoms. Independent of these factors, higher willingness to use HIV PrEP was predicted by beliefs that the intervention was low in stigma and high in potential benefits. In sum, the study highlighted the utility of broad-based assessment of demographic, behavioral, personality, and cognitive factors in identifying Chinese MSM who express willingness to use a promising biologically-based intervention to lower HIV risk.