Involving Fathers in Teaching Youth About Farm Tractor Seatbelt Safety—A Randomized Control Study

PurposeFarm youth continue to experience high rates of injury and deaths as a result of agricultural activities. Farm machinery, especially tractors, is the most common cause of casualties to youth. A Roll-Over Protection Structure (ROPS) along with a fastened seatbelt can prevent almost all injuries and fatalities from tractor overturns. Despite this knowledge, the use of seatbelts by farmers on ROPS tractors remains low. This study treats farm safety as a family issue and builds on the central role of parents as teachers and role models of farm safety for youth.MethodsThis research study used a longitudinal, repeated-measures, randomized-control design in which youth 10–19 years of age were randomly assigned to either of two intervention groups (parent-led group and staff-led group) or the control group.ResultsFathers in the parent-led group were less likely to operate ROPS tractors without a seatbelt compared with other groups. They were more likely to have communicated with youth about the importance of wearing seatbelts on ROPS tractors. Consequently, youth in the parent-led group were less likely to operate a ROPS tractor without a seatbelt than the control group at post-test.ConclusionsThis randomized control trial supports the effectiveness of a home-based, father-led farm safety intervention as a promising strategy for reducing youth as well as father-unsafe behaviors (related to tractor seatbelts) on the farm. This intervention appealed to fathers' strong motivation to practice tractor safety for the sake of their youth. Involving fathers helped change both father as well as youth unsafe tractor-seatbelt behaviors.     

State-specific estimates of complete smoke-free home rules among postpartum women, 2010

BackgroundSecondhand smoke exposure increases an infant's risk of morbidity and mortality. We provide state-specific estimates for and characterize postpartum women with complete smoke-free home rules.MethodsData were analyzed from 26 states and New York City (n = 37,698) from the 2010 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, a population-based survey of women who recently delivered live-born infants. We calculated state-specific estimates of complete rules and assessed associations between complete rules and selected characteristics.ResultsOverall, 93.6% (95% CI: 93.1–94.1) of women with recent live births had complete smoke-free home rules (86.8% [West Virginia] to 98.6% [Utah]). Demographic groups with the lowest percentage of rules were women who smoked during pregnancy/postpartum (77.6%), were non-Hispanic Black (86.8%), never initiated breastfeeding (86.8%), < 20 years of age (87.1%), < $15,000 annual income (87.6%), < 12 years of education (88.6%), unmarried (88.6%), initiated prenatal care late/had no prenatal care (88.8%), had Medicaid coverage (89.7%), had an unintended pregnancy (90.3%), and enrolled in WIC (90.6%).ConclusionsPrevalence of complete smoke-free home rules was high among women with recent live births; however, disparities exist by state and among certain sub-populations. Women, particularly smokers, should be educated during and after pregnancy about secondhand smoke and encouraged to maintain 100% smoke-free homes.     

A method for determination mass absorption coefficient of gamma rays by Compton scattering

A method was proposed for determination mass absorption coefficient of gamma rays for compounds, alloys and mixtures. It is based on simulating interaction processes of gamma rays with target elements having atomic numbers from Z=1 to Z=92 using the MCSHAPE software. Intensities of Compton scattered gamma rays at saturation thicknesses and at a scattering angle of 90° were calculated for incident gamma rays of different energies. The obtained results showed that the intensity of Compton scattered gamma rays at saturations and mass absorption coefficients can be described by mathematical formulas. These were used to determine mass absorption coefficients for compound, alloys and mixtures with the knowledge of their Compton scattered intensities. The method was tested by calculating mass absorption coefficients for some compounds, alloys and mixtures. There is a good agreement between obtained results and calculated ones using WinXom software. The advantages and limitations of the method were discussed.     

Assessment of frailty in community-dwelling older adults residents in the Lazio region (Italy): A model to plan regional community-based services

Purpose of the studyThe prevalence of frailty is expected to increase worldwide in parallel with demographic ageing. Despite this, little is known about the prevalence in different populations particularly community-based samples. This cross-sectional study evaluates the prevalence of frailty in a community-dwelling older adult population and describes a methodology to plan community-based interventions.MethodologyA random sample of 1331 older adults, resident in the Lazio-Region of Italy, were screened by trained public health nurses (PHNs) by administering a validated questionnaire (the Functional Geriatric Evaluation questionnaire). Prevalence of frailty was calculated using the Final Synthetic Score derived from the questionnaire’s Final Score. Variables associated with frailty were selected through univariate and multivariate statistical analysis.ResultsPrevalence of frail (FS ≥ 10,≤50) and very frail (FS < 10) individuals was 13.9% and 7.6% respectively. Variables associated with frailty were age (older than 85 years), disability, living alone or the presence of a paid carer, lower education and neurological disorders like stroke, dementia, Parkinson disease and other neuropsychiatric diseases; Anaemia or cancer were also associated with a higher prevalence of frailty.DiscussionThe study provide a comprehensive picture of the prevalence of frailty and factors associated to this condition in community-dwelling older adults. On the basis of the study results, a plan of community-based services could address the needs of care of the elderly population. A trained team of PHNs may be the most appropriate personnel to carry out multidimensional frailty assessment in this setting.     

Measuring perceptions related to e-cigarettes: Important principles and next steps to enhance study validity

Measuring perceptions associated with e-cigarette use can provide valuable information to help explain why youth and adults initiate and continue to use e-cigarettes. However, given the complexity of e-cigarette devices and their continuing evolution, measures of perceptions of this product have varied greatly. Our goal, as members of the working group on e-cigarette measurement within the Tobacco Centers of Regulatory Science (TCORS) network, is to provide guidance to researchers developing surveys concerning e-cigarette perceptions. We surveyed the 14 TCORS sites and received and reviewed 371 e-cigarette perception items from seven sites. We categorized the items based on types of perceptions asked, and identified measurement approaches that could enhance data validity and approaches that researchers may consider avoiding. The committee provides suggestions in four areas: (1) perceptions of benefits, (2) harm perceptions, (3) addiction perceptions, and (4) perceptions of social norms. Across these 4 areas, the most appropriate way to assess e-cigarette perceptions depends largely on study aims. The type and number of items used to examine e-cigarette perceptions will also vary depending on respondents' e-cigarette experience (i.e., user vs. non-user), level of experience (e.g., experimental vs. established), type of e-cigarette device (e.g., cig-a-like, mod), and age. Continuous formative work is critical to adequately capture perceptions in response to the rapidly changing e-cigarette landscape. Most important, it is imperative to consider the unique perceptual aspects of e-cigarettes, building on the conventional cigarette literature as appropriate, but not relying on existing conventional cigarette perception items without adjustment.     

From public health genomics to precision public health: a 20-year journey

In this paper, we review the evolution of the field of public health genomics in the United States in the past two decades. Public health genomics focuses on effective and responsible translation of genomic science into population health benefits. We discuss the relationship of the field to the core public health functions and essential services, review its evidentiary foundation, and provide examples of current US public health priorities and applications. We cite examples of publications to illustrate how Genetics in Medicine reflected the evolution of the field. We also reflect on how public-health genomics is contributing to the emergence of “precision public health” with near-term opportunities offered by the US Precision Medicine (AllofUs) Initiative.     

Parents' drinking motives and problem drinking predict their children's drinking motives,alcohol use and substance misuse

The aim of the current study was to test the direct and indirect influence of parents' drinking motives and problem drinking on their children's drinking motives, alcohol use and substance misuse. Cross-sectional analysis of parent and child drinking patterns and motives, derived from the nationally representative Drinkaware Monitor panel survey. The sample comprised a total of 148 couples of parents and child. Path analysis revealed that children's alcohol use and substance misuse were influenced by their own drinking motives and parents' problem drinking. Parents' conformity motives were linked to their children's conformity motives. Finally, parental drinking problems mediated the effect of their coping motives on their childrens' alcohol use and substance misuse. In conclusion, parental drinking styles relate to their children's alcohol use and substance misuse through problem drinking and drinking motives.