Declining physical activity levels as an unintended consequence of abolishing mandatory campus service fees

Objective: This study investigates the effect of the introduction of voluntary student unionism and subsequent increase in campus facility fees on engagement in physical activity on campus. Participants: Participants were 1,904 students from a large regional NSW (Australia) university across 3 time periods (926 in 2005, 504 in 2006, and 474 in 2007). Methods: Students completed a survey across the 3 time periods, responding to questions about physical activity levels, use of on-campus and off-campus facilities, and barriers to facility use. Results: Participation in physical activity at university facilities was low overall, and declined substantially between 2005 and 2007, with the proportion of students identifying cost as a barrier more than doubling over this time period. Conclusions: There is a need for policy makers to consider the unintended health impacts of such policy changes, particularly in relation to the impact on already insufficient levels of physical activity

Point-of-sale alcohol promotions in the Perth and Sydney metropolitan areas

There is considerable evidence that reducing the price of alcohol increases the amount consumed, particularly among young people. However, there is an absence of research on other point-of-sale (POS) alcohol marketing strategies - such as those that ‘reward’ purchasers with free gifts. The purpose of the present study was to document the nature and extent of POS alcohol promotions in bottle shops in two Australian capital cities. An audit tool was developed and point-of-sale promotions were found to be ubiquitous, with 416 promotions identified across 24 audits (an average of 17.3 promotions per outlet; 19.8 in Sydney and 14.9 in Perth). The most concerning finding was that these promotions appear to provide an incentive for (young) consumers to increase their purchase quantity

At least I\u27m not drink-driving : Formative research for a social marketing campaign to reduce drug-driving among young drivers

This paper reports on a qualitative study designed to examine young drivers’ knowledge and attitudes regarding drug-driving, as the formative research for a potential drug-driving social marketing program in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). Drug driving has been found to be associated with motor vehicle accidents, particularly among younger drivers. However, the potential for social marketing in this area has received little attention. This study found that young people were not aware of the effects of drugs on driving, formed their perceptions of risk (both of getting caught and of impaired driving) based on other people’s experiences, and felt that there were potential benefits to drug driving and substantial barriers to the alternative behaviours (such as using public transport). (c) 2011 Australian and New Zealand Marketing Academy. All rights reserved

Cheap as chips: the price of RTDs in New South Wales

Ready-to-drink products have been the subject of considerable concern in relation to their contribution to the problems associated with alcohol consumption among young people. In recognition of the impact of low price of RTDs on adolescent and young peoples alcohol consumption, the Federal Government introduced an increase in the tax on RTDs on Sunday 27th of April 2008. The purpose of the current study was to examine the current price of RTDs in New South Wales, and whether the taxation change has increased the price of RTDs to a point where they are unlikely to be affordable for underage drinkers

The perceptions and usage of alcohol and other drugs in Middle Eastern and Burmese refugee communities across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven region

People from a refugee background experience intersecting challenges which predisposes them to a heightened risk of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) related harms. Despite AOD service staff being conscious of increased risks regarding substance usage, there remains pivotal inextricable differences amongst the way cultures and subcultures conceptualise and relate to substance usage. This may be evident for refugee populations that have to navigate through the experiences of displacement, resettlement, and the acculturation process. Despite refugee populations being at risk for AOD harm, the services available for support remain under utilised. As a result, this can highlight discrepancies within the knowledge(s) of both service-provisions and refugee and CALD communities concerning engagement with one another as there is a misalignment of expectations. The research outlined in this report aims to minimise service-access barriers that exist for people from a refugee and CALD background by proposing recommendations based on key findings. Influenced by grounded theory, our qualitative study utilised focus groups to collaboratively engage participants who were from a Middle Eastern and Burmese refugee background. All participants (n=26) were between the ages of 18-25 and were resettled within the Illawarra or Shoalhaven local government areas within the last 10 years. Data was documented using a recording device and was later transcribed and coded using thematic analysis. Results showed participants understood the nuances of AOD harm in a unique way that was mediated through cultural values, language, and lived experiences. Thus, impacting the knowledge and access of AOD services. The study is pivotal because it paves the way forward in improving refugee service-provisions in AOD for youth and communities

Why (not) alcohol energy drinks? A qualitative study with Australian university students

Introduction and Aims. Alcohol energy drinks (AEDs) are a recent entry to the ready-to-drink market, but there is an absence of research into the reasons young people consume these products and their consumption-related experiences.The aim of the current study was to investigate university students’ perceptions of, and experiences with, pre-mixed AEDs. Design and Methods. Four focus groups with undergraduate university students in a large regional city in New South Wales; with transcripts coded for key themes. Results.Participants reported a number of benefits of AED consumption,many of which were similar to other ready-to-drinks, such as taste and image. However, the primary benefits of AEDs related to their capacity to wake the drinker up at the beginning of the evening and facilitate partying and drinking over a longer period. Many of the participants reported experiencing or observing negative effects from drinking AEDs, some quite severe, but this did not appear to act as a deterrent to their consumption. Discussion and Conclusions. Given the popularity and perceived benefits of AEDs—and evidence from previous research that their consumption is associated with increases in intoxication levels, risky behaviours and harmful alcohol-related consequences—there is a need to consider a range of strategies to reduce harmful consumption of AEDs. While educational interventions may be of benefit, there is also a role for regulation of the packaging and marketing of a product that is associated with substantial harms. [Jones SC, Barrie L, Berry N.Why (not) alcohol energy drinks? A qualitative study with Australian university students

Ice is crazy but if you just smoke a bit of dope it\u27s not that bad : Formative research for a drug-driving social marketing campaign in the ACT

Road traffic accidents are one of the two leading specific causes of disease and injury burden in people aged 15-24 years. There are a number of factors that have been found to be associated with motor vehicle accidents and fatalities some of which (e.g., speeding and drink-driving) have been heavily targeted by social marketing campaigns and legislative actions. Drug driving has been found to be associated with motor vehicle accidents, particularly among younger drivers, but the potential for social marketing in this area has received little attention. This paper reports on a qualitative study designed to examine young drivers knowledge and attitudes regarding drug-driving, as the formative research for a potential drug-driving social marketing program in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

Confirming the existence and size of behavioural segments in the adolescent sun protection project: results of a NSW schools survey

Sun protection behaviours among Australian adolescents are consistently low. While otherpopulation groups (notably younger children and adults) have responded to social marketingcampaigns and educational interventions, efforts to encourage adolescents to engage in sunprotection have been largely ineffective. This paper reports on the extension of previousqualitative work which identified different behavioural segments within the 14-16 year oldage-group. The present study consisted of a survey of over 2,300 adolescents to confirm theexistence and size of these segments.Keywords: market orientation, loyalty, social, behaviou

Evaluating the impact of the Dandenong Public Drinking Campaign

In 2009, Dandenong launch a campaign targeting drinking in public places using stencils, posters and stickers in community settings and bottle-shops. An evaluation was undertaken and 152 participants completed a survey where elements of the Health Belief Model (HBM) were explored. Over 65% of respondents reported that they had seen at least 4 different advertisements, suggesting that the campaign dissemination was very effective. The campaign had a high recall rate and over 25% of people had either stopped or intended to stop drinking in public places. Overall, awareness of the negative effects of drinking in public increased; however no follow up evaluation has been conducted to determine whether this had a longer-term impact on behaviour

Preventing the spread of colds and flu: a University based social marketing campaign

Each year seasonal influenza in Australia causes an estimated 18,000 hospitalisations, 300,000 General Practitioner consultations, and 1,500 to 3,500 deaths (Newall et al., 2007). Influenza and other viral infections are commonly spread person-to-person by inhaling infectious droplets transmitted when talking, coughing or sneezing (NSW Ministry of Health, 2011). Viruses can survive for an hour or more in the air of closed environments (Weber and Stilianakis, 2008); transmission of the virus from tissues to hands is possible for up to 15 minutes, and from surfaces to hands for up to five minutes (Bean et al., 1982). Individuals in closed communities such as schools, hospitals and aged care facilities are at high risk of contracting an infectious illness as the spread of the virus is aided by humidity and diminished ventilation (Collignon and Carnie, 2006). Transmission risks in universities are similar to those in other closed communities as they host a large number of students and staff daily; these students and staff use shared facilities and spend time indoors in classrooms, libraries and offices. This presents a serious public health issue for universities (Beaton et al., 2007)