Risk factors for gambling and problem gambling: a protocol for a rapid umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses.

Background: Gambling and problem gambling are increasingly being viewed as a public health issue. European surveys have reported a high prevalence of gambling, and according to the Gambling Commission, in 2018, almost half of the general population aged 16 and over in England had participated in gambling in the 4 weeks prior to being surveyed. The potential harms associated with gambling and problem are broad, including harms to individuals, their friends and family, and society.

Harms associated with gambling: abbreviated systematic review protocol.

Background: According to the Gambling Commission, in 2018, almost half of the general population aged 16 and over had participated in gambling in the 4 weeks before being surveyed. Such surveys suggest that the proportion of people who are classed as 'problem' gamblers is relatively small; however, this may be related to the ways data are collected and gambling behaviour is classified. Concern about the harms associated with gambling is rising, and in response, Public Health England (PHE) has initiated this review to identify the harms associated with this activity.

Factors associated with treatment type of non-malarial febrile illnesses in under-fives at Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya.

Background: Non-malarial febrile illnesses comprise of almost half of all fever presenting morbidities, among under-five children in sub-Saharan Africa. Studies have reported cases of prescription of antimalarial medications to these febrile under-fives who were negative for malaria. The treatment of these children with antimalarial medications increases incidences of antimalarial drug resistance as well as further morbidities and mortalities, due to failure to treat the actual underlying causes of fever.

Alcohol-related harm to others in England: a cross-sectional analysis of national survey data.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence, the frequency and the perpetrators of alcohol-related harm to others (AHTO) and identify factors associated with experiencing harm and aggressive harm.

Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Setting: England.

Hepatitis B vaccination coverage, knowledge and sociodemographic determinants of uptake in high risk public safety workers in Kaduna State, Nigeria: a cross sectional survey.

Objectives: To estimate hepatitis B vaccination (HBVc) coverage, and knowledge and sociodemographic determinants of full dose uptake in Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) members, Kaduna State, Nigeria, to inform relevant targeted vaccination policies.

Design: A cross sectional survey of FRSC members, Kaduna Sector Command.

Settings: Six randomly selected unit commands under Kaduna Sector Command, Kaduna State, Nigeria.

Particulate Matter and Respiratory Symptoms among Adults Living in Windhoek, Namibia: A Cross Sectional Descriptive Study.

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and to assess respiratory health risks associated with Particulate Matter (PM) exposure among the residents of Windhoek, Namibia. To measure particulate pollution concentration in Windhoek through monitoring of particulate matter concentration and to identify any associations between particulate pollution, individual location, and respiratory health among the Windhoek resident's. an adapted standardized self-administered questionnaire was used to collect respiratory health related data as well as previous exposure, while PM monitoring was done using the ASTM (American Standard Test Method) D1739 reference method.

A rapid evidence review of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of alcohol control policies: an English perspective.

This paper reviews the evidence for the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of policies to reduce alcohol-related harm. Policies focus on price, marketing, availability, information and education, the drinking environment, drink-driving, and brief interventions and treatment. Although there is variability in research design and measured outcomes, evidence supports the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of policies that address affordability and marketing.

Potential Years of Life Lost Due to Premature Mortality Among Treatment-Seeking Illicit Drug Users in Finland.

Premature death is a serious public health concern. The primary objective of this study was to examine premature deaths in terms of potential years of life lost (PYLL) in a cohort of 4817 treatment-seeking illicit drug users. Clients' data were linked to the Finnish national cause-of-death register and the follow-up period ranged from 31 January 1997 to 31 December 2010.

Factors associated with hospitalization for blood-borne viral infections among treatment-seeking illicit drug users.

Blood-borne viral infections (BBVIs) are important health consequences of illicit drug use. This study assessed predictors of inpatient hospital admissions for BBVIs in a cohort of 4817 clients seeking treatment for drug use in Finland. We examined clients' data on hospital admissions registered in the Finnish National Hospital Discharge Register from 1997 to 2010 with diagnoses of BBVIs.

Hospitalization in a cohort seeking treatment for illicit drug use in Finland.

Illicit drug use is associated with various health problems that result in inpatient hospital admissions. The primary objective of this study was to examine all-cause and cause-specific hospitalizations by gender. The cohort comprised 4817 drug users (3365 males and 1452 females) who sought treatment in Helsinki between 1997 and 2008.

Deaths ascribed to non-communicable diseases among rural Kenyan adults are proportionately increasing: evidence from a health and demographic surveillance system, 2003-2010.

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) result in more deaths globally than other causes. Monitoring systems require strengthening to attribute the NCD burden and deaths in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Data from health and demographic surveillance systems (HDSS) can contribute towards this goal.

Patterns and 14-year trends in mortality among illicit drug users in Finland: the HUUTI study.

Background: Although mortality is a known complication of illicit drug use, robust epidemiological studies on drug-related mortality in Finland are scarce. We examined all deaths, specific causes of death, and trends in mortality among a large number of illicit drug users in Finland during a 14-year period.

Methods: Details of 4817 clients who sought treatment for drug use at Helsinki Deaconess Institute between 1997 and 2008 were linked to national cause of death register to identify all deaths and causes of death.

Trauma-related mortality among adults in Rural Western Kenya: characterising deaths using data from a health and demographic surveillance system.

Background: Information on trauma-related deaths in low and middle income countries is limited but needed to target public health interventions. Data from a health and demographic surveillance system (HDSS) were examined to characterise such deaths in rural western Kenya.

Methods And Findings: Verbal autopsy data were analysed.

Effectiveness of interventions to increase hepatitis C testing uptake among high-risk groups: a systematic review.

Background: People who inject drugs are at the greatest risk of acquiring hepatitis C virus infection in many high-income countries, including those in Europe. Our review examined the effectiveness of interventions aimed at increasing hepatitis C virus testing uptake.

Methods: We undertook a systematic review of controlled studies.

Prevalence of, and risk factors for, HIV, hepatitis B and C infections among men who inject image and performance enhancing drugs: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: To describe drug use, sexual risks and the prevalence of blood-borne viral infections among men who inject image and performance enhancing drugs (IPEDs).

Design: A voluntary unlinked-anonymous cross-sectional biobehavioural survey.

Setting: 19 needle and syringe programmes across England and Wales.

Exercise referral for drug users aged 40 and over: results of a pilot study in the UK.

Objectives: To test whether older drug users (aged 40 and over) could be recruited to an exercise referral (ER) scheme, to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability and measure the impact of participation on health.

Design: Observational pilot.

Setting: Liverpool, UK.

Coexisting social conditions and health problems among clients seeking treatment for illicit drug use in Finland: the HUUTI study.

Background: Illicit drug use is an important public health problem. Identifying conditions that coexist with illicit drug use is necessary for planning health services. This study described the prevalence and factors associated with social and health problems among clients seeking treatment for illicit drug use.

Sociodemographic characteristics and drug abuse patterns of treatment-seeking illicit drug abusers in Finland, 1997-2008: the Huuti study.

The epidemiological part of the Huume tietokanta (HUUTI) consortium research project is the first large-scale longitudinal study of treatment-seeking illicit drug abusers in Finland. The objective of this report was to describe the sociodemographic characteristics and drug abuse patterns of treatment-seeking clients at their first visit. This study analysed baseline data of 4817 clients (3365 men and 1452 women) aged 11-65 years who sought treatment for drug abuse between 1997 and 2008 at Helsinki Deaconess Institute.

Mortality trends from 2003 to 2009 among adolescents and young adults in rural Western Kenya using a health and demographic surveillance system.

Background: Targeted global efforts to improve survival of young adults need information on mortality trends; contributions from health and demographic surveillance system (HDSS) are required.

Methods And Findings: This study aimed to explore changing trends in deaths among adolescents (15-19 years) and young adults (20-24 years), using census and verbal autopsy data in rural western Kenya using a HDSS. Mid-year population estimates were used to generate all-cause mortality rates per 100,000 population by age and gender, by communicable (CD) and non-communicable disease (NCD) causes.

Gender differences in alcohol-related non-consensual sex; cross-sectional analysis of a student population.

Background: Sexual offences are a global public health concern. Recent changes in the law in England and Wales have dramatically altered the legal landscape of sexual offences, but sexual assaults where the victim is voluntarily intoxicated by alcohol continue to have low conviction rates. Worldwide, students are high consumers of alcohol.

Using clustering techniques to identify localities with multiple health and social needs.

Development of health promoting policies requires an understanding not just of the interplay between different measures of health but also their relationship with broader education, criminal justice and other social issues. Methods to better utilise multi-sectoral data to inform policy are needed. Applying clustering techniques to 30 health and social metrics we identify 5 distinct local authority types, with poor outcomes for the majority of metrics concentrated in the same cluster.

The cost of emergency hospital admissions for falls on snow and ice in England during winter 2009/10: a cross sectional analysis.

Background: In the UK, the 2009/10 winter was characterised by sustained low temperatures; grit stocks became depleted and surfaces left untreated. We describe the relationship between temperature and emergency hospital admissions for falls on snow and ice in England, identify the age and gender of those most likely to be admitted, and estimate the inpatient costs of these admissions during the 2009/10 winter.

Methods: Hospital Episode Statistics were used to identify episodes of emergency admissions for falls on snow and ice during winters 2005/06 to 2009/10; these were plotted against mean winter temperature.

Feasibility and acceptability of point of care HIV testing in community outreach and GUM drop-in services in the North West of England: a programmatic evaluation.

Background: In Liverpool, injecting drug users (IDUs), men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) and UK Africans experience a disproportionate burden of HIV, yet services do not reach out to these groups and late presentations continue. We set out to: increase testing uptake in targeted marginalized groups through a community and genitourinary medicine (GUM)-based point of care testing (POCT) programme; and conduct a process evaluation to examine service provider inputs and document service user perceptions of the programme.

Methods: Mixed quantitative, qualitative and process evaluation methods were used.

Experiences of drug use and ageing: health, quality of life, relationship and service implications.

Aim: This paper is a report of an exploration of older people's experiences of substance use in the context of ageing, and its impact on health, quality of life, relationships and service use.

Background: Use of illicit drugs by older people is a neglected policy, research and service provision and is generally perceived as a lifestyle of younger populations.

Method: A convenience sample of 11 people aged 49-61 years (mean 57 years) in contact with voluntary sector drug treatment services participated in qualitative semi-structured tape-recorded interviews and thematic content analysis was performed.