Alcohol consumption and sport: a cross-sectional study of alcohol management practices associated with at-risk alcohol consumption at community football clubs

BackgroundExcessive alcohol consumption is responsible for considerable harm from chronic disease and injury. Within most developed countries, members of sporting clubs participate in at-risk alcohol consumption at levels above that of communities generally. There has been limited research investigating the predictors of at-risk alcohol consumption in sporting settings, particularly at the non-elite level. The purpose of this study was to examine the association between the alcohol management practices and characteristics of community football clubs and at-risk alcohol consumption by club members.MethodsA cross sectional survey of community football club management representatives and members was conducted. Logistic regression analysis (adjusting for clustering by club) was used to determine the association between the alcohol management practices (including alcohol management policy, alcohol-related sponsorship, availability of low- and non-alcoholic drinks, and alcohol-related promotions, awards and prizes) and characteristics (football code, size and location) of sporting clubs and at-risk alcohol consumption by club members.ResultsMembers of clubs that served alcohol to intoxicated people [OR: 2.23 (95% CI: 1.26-3.93)], conducted &lsquo;happy hour&rsquo; promotions [OR: 2.84 (95% CI: 1.84-4.38)] or provided alcohol-only awards and prizes [OR: 1.80 (95% CI: 1.16-2.80)] were at significantly greater odds of consuming alcohol at risky levels than members of clubs that did not have such alcohol management practices. At-risk alcohol consumption was also more likely among members of clubs with less than 150 players compared with larger clubs [OR:1.45 (95% CI: 1.02-2.05)] and amongst members of particular football codes.ConclusionsThe findings of this study suggest a need and opportunity for the implementation of alcohol harm reduction strategies targeting specific alcohol management practices at community football clubs.<br /

On the spot fines and civic compliance. Volume 2

This project, which was undertaken in collaboration with the Faculty of Law at Monash University, provides a comprehensive insight into the Victorian community’s understanding of and attitudes towards the state’s infringement penalty enforcement system and it’s role in supporting road safety, traffic management, and other areas of social regulation. The aims are to identify factors which can enhance compliance with the underlying laws and the administrative arrangements for enforcing them. These research aims are in line with several of the broad outcomes describing the Government’s longer term aspirations for the community and which are associated with the Victorian Department of Justice’s strategic objectives, namely that ‘the legal rights of all persons are protected through a just, responsive and accessible legal system in which the Victorian community has confidence’ and that ‘offenders in Victoria are treated in a just and humane manner and encouraged to adopt law abiding lifestyle’ (Strategic Directions for Justice in Victoria 2001-2006, Department of Justice, victoria, November 2001). In addition, the research meets the objectives of the Department’s Strategic Research Plan 2001-2005 in relation too the need for collaborative applied research into alternative criminal sanctions and their enforcement.<div><br></div><div>The Report is presented in two volumes. Volume One contains an account of the research and it’s findings. Volume Two contains background material on infringement notice legislation, the PERIN Court, research instruments and questionnaires and a review of the relevant literature.</div><div><br></div><div>Copyright. Monash University (Faculty of Law - Professor Richard G. Fox) and the Department of Justice Victoria (Enforcement Management Division and Crime Prevention Victoria)</div

On the spot fines and civic compliance. Volume 1

This project, which was undertaken in collaboration with the Faculty of Law at Monash University, provides a comprehensive insight into the Victorian community’s understanding of and attitudes towards the state’s infringement penalty enforcement system and it’s role in supporting road safety, traffic management, and other areas of social regulation. The aims are to identify factors which can enhance compliance with the underlying laws and the administrative arrangements for enforcing them. These research aims are in line with several of the broad outcomes describing the Government’s longer term aspirations for the community and which are associated with the Victorian Department of Justice’s strategic objectives, namely that ‘the legal rights of all persons are protected through a just, responsive and accessible legal system in which the Victorian community has confidence’ and that ‘offenders in Victoria are treated in a just and humane manner and encouraged to adopt law abiding lifestyle’ (Strategic Directions for Justice in Victoria 2001-2006, Department of Justice, victoria, November 2001). In addition, the research meets the objectives of the Department’s Strategic Research Plan 2001-2005 in relation too the need for collaborative applied research into alternative criminal sanctions and their enforcement.<div><br></div><div>The Report is presented in two volumes. Volume One contains an account of the research and it’s findings. Volume Two contains background material on infringement notice legislation, the PERIN Court, research instruments and questionnaires and a review of the relevant literature.</div><div><br></div><div>Copyright. Monash University (Faculty of Law - Professor Richard G. Fox) and the Department of Justice Victoria (Enforcement Management Division and Crime Prevention Victoria)</div

Violence and Aggression in the Intensive Care Unit: What is the Impact of Australian National Emergency Access Target?

Introduction Violence in healthcare settings is a concern for healthcare professionals and patients. Media reports, and debate within the healthcare profession, and the academic literature infer that workplaces such as intensive care units are becoming exposed to increasing violence. Increases in the incidence of violent behaviour are sometimes attributed to the increased pressure on emergency departments to accelerate the throughput of patients to meet targets. To ensure the wellbeing of patients and staff, there is a need to evaluate the impact of such targets. The aim in this study was to evaluate the incidence and to describe the context in which patients' aggressive and violent behaviours occurred since the introduction of the National Emergency Access Target in a local tertiary Australian intensive care unit. Methods A retrospective examination of events triggering violence-related emergency codes from 12 months before the introduction of the National Emergency Access Target up until 12 months after its implementation (2011–2013). Results A small increase in the number of Code Grey/Code Black activation was identified after the introduction of the target (before = 18, after = 29). Admissions following drug overdoses, isolated head trauma, and cardiac arrest were the presentations most likely to have been associated with a violence-related emergency call. Female registered nurses, male critical care registered nurses, and clinical nurse specialists were the most at risk of occupational violence. Male nursing staff members were found to be more likely to be involved in incidences of verbal violence (p < 0.003). Conclusion Although there was a minimal increase in the overall number of emergencies triggered by violent behaviour, valuable information on the type of occupational violence occurring towards healthcare professionals and patients in this setting was found. We suggest that these findings add further important detail to the existing understanding of the problem of occupational violence. These detailed insights can further inform policy development, professional education, and practice