Street-intercept Method Research Articles

Alcohol Use as a Predictor of Risky Sexual Behaviour among Young Adults in the Western Cape Province of South Africa.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between alcohol consumption and risky sexual behaviour (RSB). This study further aimed to examine whether alcohol use, gender, and employment status predicted RSB among young adults in the Cape Flats. A better understanding of these predictors could potentially lead to a more thorough comprehension of the relation between alcohol consumption and RSB among young adults within the South African context. The study employed a cross-sectional correlational survey design, with a sample of 1001 participants aged 18 to 25 (51% women), using the street-intercept method. Participants were selected using purposive sampling, with age and geographical location employed as inclusion criteria. We used the Self-Report Risky Sexual Behaviours Scale (SRSBS) and the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT), which were cognitively tested and modified, in English and Afrikaans. The data were analysed via multivariate multiple regression analysis in Stata. The key findings indicate that alcohol consumption is an important predictor of RSB. Alcohol consumption accounted for 23.22% of the variation in RSB. We also found that alcohol consumption and gender were significant (p < 0.1) predictors of RSB, but not employment status (p > 0.01). Being a woman decreased RSB. The model indicates that alcohol use and gender explain 18.41% of the variance in RSB. This study provides support for the growing body of research evidence that has established a significant link between alcohol consumption and RSB, highlighting the need for longitudinal research to determine patterns of risky drinking in the general population.

Awareness, riding behaviors, and legislative attitudes toward electric bikes among two types of road users: An investigation in Tianjin, a municipality in China

Objective: This study aimed to understand the awareness, riding behaviors, and legislative attitudes of electric bike (e-bike) users and non-e-bike road users toward e-bikes in Tianjin, a municipality in China.Methods: This cross-sectional investigation included 2 components. The field survey was conducted in 9 districts (4 urban and 5 rural) from 2015 to 2017. Adult participants were interviewed using a street intercept method. The online survey was conducted using the WeChat social platform. A series of questions related to awareness and practice of e-bike safety-related issues was asked.Results: A total of 16,859 interviews were completed, including 1,653 (794 e-bike users and 859 other road users) in-person interviews by field survey and 15,206 (4,426 e-bike users and 10,780 other road users) by online survey. Except for ignoring a red light when making a left turn (P = .000) and waiting across the white line at a red light (P = .000), which e-bike users were lower than other road users, there were no significant differences between e-bike users and other road users in regards to the correct awareness rate of riding in the opposite direction, riding in a motor vehicle lane, running red lights, jaywalking, speeding, carrying adult passengers, and riding on the expressway (P > .05). In addition, 74.2% of e-bike users considered helmet use necessary (P = .000) and 54.7% thought that installing a windshield is wrong (P = .000), which was higher than other road users (49.1 and 48.4%, respectively). Other road users had greater awareness than e-bike users regarding whether turning left at a red light is wrong (91.7 vs. 85.1%), waiting across the white line when the light is red is wrong (86.6 vs. 75.9%), lighs should be turned on at night (94.8 vs. 90.3%). Correct practices were far behind awareness in all kinds of violation behaviors (P = .000) among e-bike users in the field survey. The rate of public support for legislation including those who very much support and support legislation was 93.34% in the field survey and 87.68% in the online survey.Conclusions: E-bike users had lower correct awareness rate than other road users regarding e-bike violation behaviors but were more concerned about safety protection than other road users. E-bike users’ correct practices were far behind their awareness for all kinds of violation behaviors. Public education on the traffic law needs to be strengthened among e-bike users. The public strongly supported special regulations for e-bike use, such as helmet use.

Associations between mass incarceration and community health in New York City.

Incarceration has escalated over the past four decades in the United States, creating a number of negative consequences for individuals, families, and communities. This study seeks to identify the associations between mass incarceration and health behaviors/perceptions on a neighborhood level. This study uses the cross-sectional design. Using the street intercept method, we collected in-person survey data from residents in two New York City neighborhoods (one in the South Bronx and the other in Northern Manhattan) with similar levels of social disadvantage but significantly different rates of jail admission. Respondents in both neighborhoods self-reported similar ratings of their physical health. Significant differences between neighborhoods include incidence of fast food consumption over the past week, alcohol use over the last 3 months, and perceptions of the occurrence of teen pregnancy in the neighborhood. This study hopes to inform future researchers and interventionists about associations between mass incarceration and health-related behaviors/perceptions to facilitate consideration of this increasingly common social factor as a determinant of community health in future research.

CREDIT COMFORTABILITY AND MICROFINANCE: A FIELD STUDY TO DETERMINE PEOPLES’ PERCEPTION ABOUT CONVENTIONAL AND ISLAMIC MICROFINANCE IN PAKISTAN

This paper examines credit comfortability and the role of microfinance, based on a field study which determines the perceptions of Pakistani people regarding conventional (interest based) and Islamic (interest free) microfinance. Conventional microfinance is not naive in poverty alleviation but an in-depth analysis is needed to assess its success in poverty hit countries like Pakistan. The goals of poverty alleviation through microfinance in Pakistan have not fully achieved as majority of population have been living at below poverty line for many years. The primary data has collected through questionnaire with street intercept method during July’2014 to October’2014, in Karachi, Pakistan Keywords : Credit comfortability, Riba free microfinance, Poverty alleviation, Shariah

The Antecedents and Consequences of Effective Brand Positioning

This study investigates which variables most effectively influence the positioning strategy of a brand. In addition, we test the connection between the positioning strategy of the brand and loyalty. Finally, we explore how brand experience effects the relationship between brand position and brand loyalty. To this end, this study employs the street-intercept method to collect data on consumers’ perception of home appliances in Japan and conducts structural equation modeling analysis to test our hypotheses. Specifically, we find that assessments of product, service, and image have a significant impact on a brand’s position which, in turn, drives brand loyalty. In addition, brand experience seems to moderate the relationship between service and brand positioning effectiveness. We also find that price promotions negatively affect brand loyalty. The research provides a consumer-centered, experiential view of how firms can develop strategies to more effectively position brands and increase loyalty among their customers. These results help both academics and practitioners to better understand how consumers assess a brand’s position in the marketplace.

The Antecedents and Consequences of Effective Brand Positioning

This study investigates which variables most effectively influence the positioning strategy of a brand. In addition, we test the connection between the positioning strategy of the brand and loyalty. Finally, we explore how brand experience effects the relationship between brand position and brand loyalty. To this end, this study employs the street-intercept method to collect data on consumers’ perception of home appliances in Japan and conducts structural equation modeling analysis to test our hypotheses. Specifically, we find that assessments of product, service, and image have a significant impact on a brand’s position which, in turn, drives brand loyalty. In addition, brand experience seems to moderate the relationship between service and brand positioning effectiveness. We also find that price promotions negatively affect brand loyalty. The research provides a consumer-centered, experiential view of how firms can develop strategies to more effectively position brands and increase loyalty among their customers. These results help both academics and practitioners to better understand how consumers assess a brand’s position in the marketplace.

Chinese young consumers’ brand loyalty toward sportswear products: a perspective of self-congruity

Purpose – This study aims to investigate Chinese young consumers’ brand loyalty toward sportswear products from a self-congruity perspective. With different performance observed between global and domestic sportswear brands in the Chinese market, this study also aims to examine the impact of country of origin on Chinese young consumers’ behavior toward sportswear brands. Design/methodology/approach – A survey with street intercept method was conducted in Shanghai to collect data for this study. Multiple independent t-tests and structural equation modeling (SEM) with bootstrap method were used to test the hypotheses. Findings – The SEM results indicate a significant influence of brand self-congruity on consumers’ brand association and perceived quality, which, in turn, influenced consumers’ brand loyalty. The multiple t-test results suggest a significant difference between Chinese and global sportswear brands in terms of consumers’ brand association and attitudinal brand loyalty. No significant difference was found in terms of consumers’ behavioral brand loyalty. Research limitations/implications – The main limitation of this study comes from the convenience student sample. Practical implications – First, brands need to strategically design the brand image to represent the largest segment of the target market. Second, while global brands could focus on their pricing strategies, domestic brands need to focus more on maintaining a positive brand association in consumers’ mind. Originality/value – This study contributes to the growing research on the self-congruity perspective of brand loyalty by empirically confirming the indirect effect of brand self-congruity on brand loyalty via the mediation effects of brand association and perceived quality in the context of the ever-growing Chinese sportswear market.

Challenging Race-Based Stereotypes about Gay and Bisexual Men’s Sexual Behavior and Perceived Penis Size and Size Satisfaction

Racial prejudice and stereotyping in gay and bisexual communities may be important contextual factors that contribute to racial disparities in HIV. In an effort to challenge race-based stereotypes regarding gay and bisexual men’s sexuality, we sought to determine the extent to which race and ethnicity were associated with (1) racial homophily (i.e., same-race partnerships), (2) sexual behavior (e.g., number of partners, condomless anal sex (CAS), sexual position (top/versatile/bottom)), and (3) perceived penis size and size satisfaction. Data were taken from a survey of 1,009 gay and bisexual men recruited using a street-intercept method at gay, lesbian, and bisexual community events in NYC in 2006—15 % Black, 61 % White, 18 % Latino, and 6 % Asian/Pacific Islander (mean age, 35.7). There was strong evidence of racial homophily (i.e., having a partner of the same race) among men who were in relationships, particularly for White and Black men. Race and ethnicity was largely unassociated with multiple dimensions of sexual behavior (e.g., number of partners, CAS, sexual positioning). Although we observed some racial and ethnic differences in perceived penis size that were consistent with stereotypes, the magnitudes of the differences were insufficient to justify the stereotype. As well, there were no significant differences with regard to satisfaction with penis size or lying to others about penis size. The disproportionate HIV prevalence among Black and Latino men does not appear to be as a result of differences in sexual behavior (e.g., CAS, number of partners) and race-based sexual stereotypes were largely unsupported by empirical data.

Street intercept method: an innovative approach to recruiting young adult high-risk drinkers.

Many young adults are risky drinkers who are often missed by general population surveys. The aim of the present study was to assess factors affecting participation rates in a street intercept approach to recruiting young adult bar-goers for an online survey. Two hundred eighty-seven young adults were approached as they entered the bar district of a medium-sized city on two consecutive weekend nights. Of these, 170 met eligibility requirements and were invited to complete a 2 min street survey for which they were paid $5 and given a gift card for $50 or $100 to be redeemed when they completed a follow-up online survey. Sixty-one per cent of eligible persons (n = 104) participated in the street survey, with greater participation on the second night (74% vs. 50%). Sixty-eight per cent (n = 71) of those who participated in the street survey completed the online survey, with no differences in response by age or student status; however, men were significantly more likely to complete the online survey if they received the higher incentive, had consumed less alcohol and were recruited before midnight. The larger incentive was especially effective at increasing completion rates for men who had consumed a larger amount of alcohol. Street intercept is an effective and efficient recruitment method that can measure both drinking and other experiences in the event and link these data to information collected in follow-up research. Unlike recruitment through convenience samples, response rates and response bias can also be assessed.

Alcohol consumption amongst young adults living in a low socioeconomic status community in Cape Town

Our aim was to ascertain the extent of risky alcohol consumption amongst young adults living in a low socioeconomic status community in Cape Town, South Africa. We used a cross-sectional survey design and the street intercept method to administer the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). A key finding in this study was that 54.30% of male and 47.90% of the female participants were alcohol dependent, according to the classification criteria set out in the AUDIT. Our finding necessitates further investigations into alcohol consumption amongst young adults in South Africa. In addition, researchers should endeavor not only to identify, but also to understand, the dynamics of risk and resilience factors so that this information could be used to develop intervention initiatives that could mediate young adults' initial consumption of alcohol.

Alcohol consumption and risky sexual behaviour amongst young adults in a low-income community in Cape Town

Aims: The aim of the study was to explore alcohol use and risky sexual behaviour among young adults in a low-income community in Cape Town. Design and setting: The study followed a descriptive correlational design within a quantitative methodological framework. More specifically, a participatory research model was employed in collaboration with young people attending a secondary school in the participating community. Data collection: The street-intercept method was used to administer a structured questionnaire consisting of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test and the Self-Report Risky Sexual Behaviours Scale. Findings: A key finding of this study contributes to the established body of research demonstrating a significant relationship between alcohol consumption and RSB (r = 0.48; p ≤ 0.01; N = 143). Another crucial finding of the study indicates that a substantial amount of the participants are classified as either harmful drinkers (Males = 20.0%; Females = 17.8%) or being alcohol dependent (Males = 54.3%; Females = 47.9%). Conclusions: These statistics are a typical reflection of drinking behaviour in impoverished communities in Cape Town and South Africa in general. The findings display the exigency for interventions to start at both the primary and secondary school level to counter the effects and consequences of alcohol consumption and risky sexual behaviour among young adults in this community.

Stigma and Sexual Compulsivity in a Community-Based Sample of HIV-Positive Gay and Bisexual Men

A better exploration of factors associated with sexual compulsivity (SC) among various subpopulations may help to explain its etiology, development, and course, as well as provide implications for treatment. Criticisms of SC highlight the need to have a better understanding of SC that takes into account both behavioral and psychosocial variables such as stigma, particularly stigma related to sexual orientation and HIV status. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of SC with sexual behavior and stigma in a sample of HIV-positive gay and bisexual men. A cross-sectional, street-intercept method was adapted to survey a sample of 127 HIV-positive gay and bisexual males at two large-scale LGBT community events in the fall of 2008 and spring of 2009. We found that the number of recent male sexual partners (AOR = 1.05) and internalized HIV stigma (AOR = 8.20) were significantly associated with SC symptomology, while internalized homonegativity and interpersonal HIV stigma were not. These findings contradict many prominent criticisms of SC while highlighting the need to better understand the mechanisms related to the development of SC symptomology and the potential role stigma may have for the psychosexual well-being of HIV-positive gay and bisexual men.

A New Addition to the Family of Space Sampling Methods

Space sampling is a useful substitute for classical random sampling if the sampling universe is unknown. It is a family of sampling methods that uses geographical features such as patches on maps or geographical points. So far, the methods have been applied to problems in which the spatial dimensions of the sampling units are irrelevant (i.e., where the probability of sampling any unit is independent of its size, for example, persons surveyed with the street intercept method). If, however, space sampling is applied to problems in which the spatial dimensions of the sampling units matter, the existing evaluation procedures fail. This article describes evaluation procedures that work in such cases.

Perceived social cohesion and prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases.

Although physical attributes have been shown to be associated with sexually transmitted disease (SD) rates, there is little information about the association between social attributes and STD rates. The objective of this study was to determine the association between gonorrhea prevalence and perceptions of social cohesion in impoverished, urban neighborhoods. We conducted a street-based survey of 18- to 24-year-olds residing in selected census block groups in Baltimore City, Maryland. Census block groups eligible for selection were defined as impoverished (greater than 20% in poverty) and unstable (lowest 25th percentile for stability). From the eligible census block groups, 5 from high gonorrhea rate (greater than the 75th percentile) census block groups and 5 from the lower gonorrhea rate (lowest 25th percentile to equal or greater than the 75th percentile) census block groups were randomly selected. Participants within the 10 selected census block groups were recruited using a street-intercept method. Participants were asked about perceived social cohesion and control. Results showed that for young adults 18 to 24 years of age residing in high gonorrhea census block groups, the mean social cohesion index scores were 1.7 points lower than mean social cohesion index scores of the participants residing in the low gonorrhea census block groups (P <0.01). Future research needs to be conducted to determine the temporal association between gonorrhea prevalence and local social cohesion dynamics.

The feasibility of a street-intercept survey method in an African-American community.

This study evaluates the feasibility of a nonquota, street-intercept survey method that utilized random selection of interview sites. The street-intercept survey was compared with a random digit-dial telephone survey conducted in the same catchment area among African-American adults aged 18 or older. The street-intercept survey's response rate was 80.2%; residence rate, 85.3%; interview completion rate, 97.9%; interference rate, 4.0%; and yield rate, 2.5 interviews per interviewer per hour. The street-intercept method produced more representative distributions of age and sex than the random-digit-dial survey. The street-intercept method is a feasible alternative to traditional population survey methods and may provide better access to harder-to-reach segments of the urban population in a safe manner.

Comparison of three data collection methodologies for the study of young illicit drug users

Three data collection methods (street-intercept, telephone ring-in and focus-group discussions) were compared for their feasibility, reliability, validity and cost. The subjects of investigation were drug-related behaviours, attitudes and knowledge among current illicit drug users aged 16 to 21 years in Sydney. All three methods were found to be feasible and to produce reliable and valid information. Few differences in the demographic make-up and drug-use profiles of the samples were evident. The main differences between the data collections related to cost and the type of information obtained. The street-intercept method was the cheapest per completed interview and the focus-group method was the most expensive. Focus-group discussions were considered a valuable adjunct to the surveys because they facilitated an understanding of the quantitative survey results. It was concluded that the street-intercept method is the preferred survey method because of its lower cost and lower susceptibility to volunteer bias compared to the telephone ring-in. For repeated data collection to monitor changes in drug use patterns, street-intercept surveys in combination with focus-group discussions are recommended.