Effect of High Levels of Energy on Nitrogen Utilization and Digestibility of Wintering Rations by Steers

Animal Husbandr

Effect of Added Energy on Nitrogen Utilization and Digestibility of Wintering Rations by Steers

Animal Nutritio

Development of transmission-reducing behaviour adherence measure (TRAM) for monitoring and predicting transmission-reducing behaviours during the pandemic

There is a need for a measure to monitor adherence to transmission-reducing behaviours (TRBs) during pandemics. An adherence measure can monitor current TRBs, assess change over time and, potentially, predict later behaviours. The TRB adherence measure (scale consisting of seven items) includes questions based on government behavioural directives in Scotland that were common internationally, i.e., physical distancing, face covering and hand hygiene. Data were collected weekly for 6 weeks at the beginning of the pandemic, including a later follow-up repeated measure of some participants, in 20-minute structured telephone surveys with a nationally representative random sample of adults in Scotland. A total of 2969 people completed the adherence items and were highly adherent. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a unidimensional scale (CFI = .95; TLI = .93; RMSEA = .08; SRMR = .08), although internal consistency was low (Cronbach’s alpha = .49). The adherence score significantly predicted adherence to a validity test item (ΔR2 = .114, F(1,2964) = 379.76, p < .001). It also predicted adherence to TRBs later over and above personal habitual styles (Creature of Habit Scale: COHS). The adherence score has been developed for routine monitoring of adherence to TRBs during the COVID-19 pandemic. It can be used to predict future similar behaviours and adherence to other behaviours, although it may be necessary to explore adherence to the specific behaviours occasionally. Adherent behaviour for one TRB is likely to be associated with adherence to government directives to other TRBs. Importantly, these TRBs are likely to be crucial in reducing COVID-19 case numbers, as well as protecting against other infectious diseases including influenza and the common cold

An experimental COVID-19 messaging study in a representative sample of the Scottish population: Increasing physical distancing intentions through self-efficacy

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We are grateful to all the participants of the Scottish Health Council (SHC) Public Engagement Group and the NHS Research Scotland Primary Care Patient and Public Involvement. CHARIS was funded via a grant from the Chief Scientist Office, Edinburgh (COV/ABN/20/07).Peer reviewedPublisher PD

People with long-term conditions are more adherent to protective behaviours against infectious disease

ObjectivesTo investigate the relationship between long-term condition status and adherence to protective behaviours against infectious disease (face covering, physical distancing, hand hygiene).Study designRepresentative cross-sectional observational survey in summer 2020 in Scotland.MethodsIndependent variable is LTC status (LTC, disability, no LTC); dependent variable is adherence to protective behaviours (face covering, hand hygiene, social distancing); moderator variables are age, gender and area deprivation; mediator variables are perceived threat and psychological distress. P values of p < 0.05 were taken as statistically significant.Results3972 participants of whom 2696 (67.9%) indicated not having a LTC. People with no LTC had lowest adherence to protective behaviours, perceived threat and psychological distress. Age did not moderate the relationship between LTC status and adherence; females were more adherent than males and this gender difference was greater in people with disability compared to people with no LTC; for people with a LTC adherence was greater in the more deprived areas compared to the least deprived areas whereas adherence in those with no LTC was not related to area deprivation; threat appraisal partially mediated the relationship between having a LTC or disability and adherence; psychological distress did not mediate the relationship between LTC status and adherence.ConclusionsThis study addresses a gap in evidence about protective behaviours of people with LTCs. Perceptions of threat may be useful intervention targets against winter flu and during future pandemics in order to protect people with LTCs who are one of the most vulnerable groups of the population

Development of transmission-reducing behaviour adherence measure (TRAM) for monitoring and predicting transmission-reducing behaviours during the pandemic

Funding Information: We would like to thank the participants, the Scotland-wide consortium of 33 behavioural and health scientists, and our PPI Groups. CHARIS was funded via a grant from the Chief Scientist Office, Edinburgh (COV/ABN/20/07). Publisher Copyright: © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Using behavioural theory to understand adherence to behaviours that reduce transmission of Covid-19:evidence from the CHARIS representative national study

Objectives: To examine the ability of four models of behaviour, namely, Protection Motivation Theory (PMT), the Common Sense Self-Regulation Model (CS-SRM) and Social Cognitive Theory and the Reasoned Action Approach (SCT and RAA) to understand adherence to transmission-reducing behaviours (TRBs) advised by national governments for suppression of SARS-CoV2. Design: A series of six cross-sectional telephone surveys of a random representative sample of adults living in Scotland. Methods: Self-reported adherence to three TRBs (physical distancing, wearing a face covering and hand washing), PMT, CS-SRM and SCT/RAA constructs, and sociodemographic variables were measured each week for 6-weeks (n=~500p/w; 3rd June-15th July) via a 15min telephone survey. Results: Adherence was high (‘Always’ or ‘Most times’) throughout for physical distancing and hand washing, and, when mandated, for wearing a face covering. Older people were more adherent to all TRBs. Constructs from all three models predicted all three TRBs. Intention and self-efficacy (SCT/RAA) were the only beliefs to predict to all three TRBs each week and for all groups equally; intention was the strongest predictor. The predictive utility of PMT and CS-SRM varied by TRB and by group. Of note was the observation that several illness beliefs were associated with adherence only for those who believed they had not had Covid-19. Conclusions: The CHARIS project has identified beliefs about specific behaviours, the illness and the risks associated with lower adherence rates that might be addressed in national interventions. It confirms previous findings that some groups show lower levels of adherence and might be specially targeted

Are Rurality, Area Deprivation, Access to Outside Space, and Green Space Associated with Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic? A Cross Sectional Study (CHARIS-E)

The study investigated if rurality, area deprivation, access to outside space (Study 1), and frequency of visiting and duration in green space (Study 2) are associated with mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic and examined if individual demographics (age, gender, COVID-19 shielding status) and illness beliefs have a direct association with mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. A serial, weekly, nationally representative, cross-sectional, observational study of randomly selected adults was conducted in Scotland during June and July 2020. If available, validated instruments were used to measure psychological distress, individual demographics, illness beliefs, and the following characteristics: Rurality, area deprivation, access to residential outside space, frequency of visiting, and duration in green space. Simple linear regressions followed by examination of moderation effect were conducted. There were 2969 participants in Study 1, of which 1765 (59.6%) were female, 349 (11.9%) were in the shielding category, and the median age was 54 years. There were 502 participants in Study 2, of which 295 (58.60%) were female, 58 (11.6%) were in shielding category, and the median age was 53 years. Direct effects showed that psychological distress was worse if participants reported the following: Urban, in a deprived area, no access to or sharing residential outside space, fewer visits to green space (environment), younger, female, in the shielding category (demographics), worse illness (COVID-19) representations, and greater threat perception (illness beliefs). Moderation analyses showed that environmental factors amplified the direct effects of the individual factors on psychological distress. This study offers pointers for public health and for environmental planning, design, and management, including housing design and public open space provision and regulation.</p

Is rurality, area deprivation, access to outside space and green space associated with mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic?:A cross sectional study from the Covid-19 Health and Adherence Research in Scotland (CHARIS) project

Objectives To determine if rurality, area deprivation, access to outside space (Study 1) and frequency of visiting and duration in green space (Study 2) are associated with mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic. Design Serial, weekly, nationally representative, cross-sectional, observational study of randomly selected adults in Scotland during June and July 2020. Methods If available, validated instruments were used to measure psychological distress, individual demographics and illness beliefs and the following environments: rurality, area deprivation, access to residential outside space, frequency of visiting, and duration in green space. Simple linear regressions followed by examination of moderation effect. Results 2969 participants in Study 1, of which, 1765 (59.6%) female, 349 (11.9%) in the shielding category, median age 54 years. 502 participants in Study 2, of which, 295 (58.60%) female, 58 (11.6%) in shielding category, median age 53 years. Direct effects show that psychological distress was worse if: younger, female, in shielding category (demographics), worse illness (Covid-19) representations and greater threat perception (illness beliefs), if urban, in a deprived area, no access to or sharing residential outside space, and fewer visits to green space (environment). Moderation analyses show that environment amplify the direct effects of the individual factors on psychological distress. Conclusions Environment is important for mental health during pandemics and this study offers pointers for public health and for environmental planning, design and management, including housing design and public open space provision and regulation

Using behavioural theory to understand adherence to behaviours that reduce transmission of COVID‐19; evidence from the CHARIS representative national study

ObjectivesTo examine the ability of four models of behaviour, namely, Protection Motivation Theory (PMT), the Common Sense Self-Regulation Model (CS-SRM), and Social Cognitive Theory and the Reasoned Action Approach (SCT and RAA) to understand adherence to transmission-reducing behaviours (TRBs) advised by national governments for suppression of SARS-CoV2.DesignA series of six cross-sectional telephone surveys of a random representative sample of adults living in Scotland.MethodsSelf-reported adherence to three TRBs (physical distancing, wearing a face covering and handwashing), PMT, CS-SRM, and SCT/RAA constructs, and sociodemographic variables were measured each week for 6 weeks (n = ~500 p/w; third June–15th July) via a 15 min telephone survey.ResultsAdherence was high (‘Always’ or ‘Most times’) throughout for physical distancing and handwashing, and, when mandated, for wearing a face covering. Older people were more adherent to all TRBs. Constructs from all three models predicted all three TRBs. Intention and self-efficacy (SCT/RAA) were the only beliefs to predict to all three TRBs each week and for all groups equally; intention was the strongest predictor. The predictive utility of PMT and CS-SRM varied by TRB and by group. Of note was the observation that several illness beliefs were associated with adherence only for those who believed they had not had COVID-19.ConclusionsThe CHARIS project has identified beliefs about specific behaviours, the illness and the risks associated with lower adherence rates that might be addressed in national interventions. It confirms previous findings that some groups show lower levels of adherence and might be specially targeted