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 /

Factors associated with HCV test uptake in heroin users entering substitution treatment in Greece

ObjectivesPeople who inject drugs (PWID) represent the main risk group for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in most middle and high-income countries. Testing PWID is considered as an important prevention measure. Identification of PWID characteristics associated with HCV testing may contribute to strategies targeting the containment of the HCV and HIV epidemics in Greece. MethodsAnonymous behavioural data from 2747 heroin users were collected upon entry in 38 opioid substitution treatment (OST) clinics in Greece during the period 2013-2015. HCV test uptake was the dependent variable while covariates included sociodemographic and addiction-related variables, mostly derived from the EMCDDA treatment demand indicator protocol. ResultsAmong 2299 cases with complete data on HCV testing, 83.5% reported any HCV testing uptake, with 61.2% reporting a recent test (&lt;12months). In the multivariate analyses, any previous HCV testing uptake was associated with age 25years, past drug treatment attempt, injecting or sniffing the primary substance, injection history 5years, and syringe sharing earlier than the past 12months. Past HCV test uptake was higher among those reporting full-time employment and 2-4years injecting histories, and lower among residents of Athens. Recent testing was positively associated with female gender and polysubstance use. ConclusionAny previous HCV testing uptake is high among PWID entering OST in Greece and is associated with older age, longer injecting histories and past drug-related treatment attempts. Efforts to prevent and mitigate the ongoing HCV test epidemic among PWID in Greece should combine treatment with scaling up of screening, targeting especially those younger than 25years and at the beginning of their hazardous use

2009 H1N1 virus : hearing before a subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations, United States Senate, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, first session, special hearing, May 7, 2009, Washington, D.C.

Shipping list no.: 2010-0037-P.Mode of access: Internet

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and related agencies appropriations for fiscal year 2010 : hearings before a subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations, United States Senate, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, first session on H.R. 2997/S. 1406, an act making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and related agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010, and for other purposes.

Shipping list no: 2010-0115-P."Department of Agriculture, Department of Health and Human Services: Food and Drug Administration, nondepartmental witnesses."Includes bibliographical references and indexes.Mode of access: Internet