Smokeless tobacco marketing and sales practices in Appalachian Ohio following federal regulations

Introduction: Smokeless tobacco (ST) use is increasingly prevalent among poor and vulnerable groups, especially rural males. Access to tobacco products, as well as marketing messages, is associated with tobacco usage. In June 2010, the Tobacco Control Act (TCA) marked the beginning of federal regulation of the sale and marketing of tobacco products — including ST. The goal of this study was to describe marketing practices over time and to provide early assessment of the federal regulation in rural tobacco-licensed retail outlets. Methods: Observational data were collected from a sample of retail outlets within three Ohio Appalachian counties. From an estimated 300 retail establishments, a stratifi ed random sample was drawn ( n = 86). Trained observers surveyed the sales and marketing of tobacco products. Baseline surveys were conducted between November 2009 and May 2010 before the TCA; follow-up surveys were repeated in August 2010. Results: Follow-up surveys were completed for 79 tobaccolicensed retail outlets. The majority of retail outlets were gas stations or convenience stores. Compared with baseline, there was a signifi cant reduction in the frequency of exterior and interior advertisements observed after the TCA ( p < .01). Despite the lack of change in the proportion of stores advertising ST, the number of ST brands being advertised doubled between baseline and follow-up. Conclusion: Initial compliance with certain elements of the federal restrictions appears to be high in Appalachian Ohio. The signifi cant increase in ST brands advertised suggests that advertising remains a clear presence in retail outlets in Appalachian Ohio

Factors influencing smokeless tobacco use in rural Ohio Appalachia

The burden of smokeless tobacco (ST) use disproportionally impacts males in rural Ohio Appalachia. The purpose of this study was to describe the cultural factors contributing to this disparity and to articulate the way in which culture, through interpersonal factors (i.e. social norms and social networks) and community factors (i.e. marketing and availability), impacts ST initiation and use of ST among boys and men in Ohio Appalachia. Fifteen focus groups and 23 individual qualitative interviews were conducted with adult (n = 63) and adolescent (n = 53) residents in Ohio Appalachian counties to ascertain factors associated with ST use and the impact of ST marketing. Transcriptions were independently coded according to questions and themes. ST use appears to be a rite of passage in the development of masculine identity in Ohio Appalachian culture. Interpersonal factors had the greatest influence on initiation and continued use of ST. Ohio Appalachian boys either emulated current ST users or were actively encouraged to use ST through male family and peer networks. Users perceived their acceptance into the male social network as predicated on ST use. Community factors, including ST advertisement and access to ST, reinforced and normalized underlying cultural values. In addition to policy aimed at reducing tobacco marketing and access, interventions designed to reduce ST use in Ohio Appalachia should incorporate efforts to (1) shift the perception of cultural norms regarding ST use and (2) address male social networks as vehicles in ST initiation

Factors influencing smokeless tobacco use in rural Ohio Appalachia

The burden of smokeless tobacco (ST) use disproportionally impacts males in rural Ohio Appalachia. The purpose of this study was to describe the cultural factors contributing to this disparity and to articulate the way in which culture, through interpersonal factors (i.e. social norms and social networks) and community factors (i.e. marketing and availability), impacts ST initiation and use of ST among boys and men in Ohio Appalachia. Fifteen focus groups and 23 individual qualitative interviews were conducted with adult (n = 63) and adolescent (n = 53) residents in Ohio Appalachian counties to ascertain factors associated with ST use and the impact of ST marketing. Transcriptions were independently coded according to questions and themes. ST use appears to be a rite of passage in the development of masculine identity in Ohio Appalachian culture. Interpersonal factors had the greatest influence on initiation and continued use of ST. Ohio Appalachian boys either emulated current ST users or were actively encouraged to use ST through male family and peer networks. Users perceived their acceptance into the male social network as predicated on ST use. Community factors, including ST advertisement and access to ST, reinforced and normalized underlying cultural values. In addition to policy aimed at reducing tobacco marketing and access, interventions designed to reduce ST use in Ohio Appalachia should incorporate efforts to (1) shift the perception of cultural norms regarding ST use and (2) address male social networks as vehicles in ST initiation

Development of an auditory cueing system to assist gait in patients with Parkinson's disease

Patients with Parkinsons Disease often experience motor symptoms that compromise their ability to walk independently and safely. One of the key problems is the inability to generate sufficient step length, which is typically compensated by an increase in stepping frequency. In this work, a system providing real-time auditory stimuli through a headset connected to a smartphone is developed and tested. Stimuli are provided when certain episodes are identified so as to modify speed and amplitude of movements. In this study, the feasibility of the system in stimulating gait using self-adaptive cueing rhythms is investigated and systems usefulness and acceptance are evaluated. Experimental results suggest that better gait patterns can be stimulated when individuals follow sounds whose rate is close to their natural step rate. Results also suggest that the system would be readily accepted by patients, provided that it can help them in real time during their daily activities

Enhancing the transition from a Foundation Degree to the third year of an Undergraduate Degree

One-day transition to university workshops have been successful in enhancing peer networks. This study aimed to influence the transition from a Foundation Degree to a third year Undergraduate Degree programme through the use of peer led workshops. Two 2-hour workshops were planned and delivered by five previous students of the Foundation Degree, all of whom were completing their third year of an Undergraduate Degree. The workshops were delivered to 19current Foundation Degree students. Visual analogue scales exploring students' feelings and knowledge of the third year were administered prior to the first workshop, immediately after the second workshop and three months following the second workshop. Quantitative analyses found that the peer led workshops enhanced learners knowledge regarding course options, the third year project, module options and location of the universities sports science department. There was also a feeling of increased apprehensiveness following the peer led workshops