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Biomedical subjects

G Bagnall

Publications and source records attributed to G Bagnall.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

HIV/AIDS risks, alcohol and illicit drug use among young adults in areas of high and low rates of HIV infection.

The results are presented of a survey of HIV/AIDS related risks amongst young adults in two urban areas in Scotland. This exercise elicited data from random samples of those aged 16-30 in Muirhouse and Easterhouse. Muirhouse has a high rate of HIV infection, mainly related to intravenous drug use. Easterhouse has a much lower rate of recorded HIV infection. A total of 1,378 individuals were successfully interviewed. Levels of knowledge about risks of HIV infection were relatively high. Even so levels of condom use were low. Respondents in Muirhouse reported high levels of personal knowledge of HIV infected people. In addition 8% of those in Muirhouse and 3% of those in Easterhouse reported having had sex with a person who was HIV infected. Few of such encounters had involved condom use. The combination of alcohol consumption and sexual activity was reported by 82% of respondents. Twelve per cent had combined sexual activity and illicit drug use. Overall patterns of self-reported HIV/AIDS related risks in the two study areas were very similar.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Alcohol and drug use in a Scottish cohort: 10 years on.

This paper reports the findings from a survey which elicited detailed information on patterns of alcohol use amongst a cohort of young adults. It is the fourth wave of data collection in a longitudinal study which began in 1979 on a study group of 1036 15-16 year olds attending schools in the Lothian region of Scotland. The longitudinal analysis presented here suggests that for this cohort, patterns of alcohol use at age 15-16 bear little relation to those at age 24-25 years. These findings are discussed, and compared in detail with the more limited alcohol data from the larger-scale National Child Development Study.

Adolescent

Alcohol, drugs and AIDS-related risks: results from a prospective study.

This paper examines the relationship between AIDS-related risks amongst a cohort of young adults and alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use. Data were elicited by standardized interview and self completed questionnaires from a non-random study group of 350 males and 428 females. Only a minority of respondents reported always using condoms during sexual activity. Over half the study group reported having had only one sexual partner in the past year. Levels of condom use were not significantly associated with general levels of alcohol-consumption or alcohol-related consequences. Experience of alcohol-related consequences by both males and females was associated with the perceived risk of their sexual behaviour. Respondents who reported a high frequency of combining alcohol and sex were seven times less likely than others to report always using condoms for vaginal intercourse.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Young people and drinking: results of an English national survey.

An account is presented of a survey of self-reported drinking habits and beliefs about alcohol amongst a national sample of teenagers in England. Fieldwork was conducted during 1988 and 1989 and involved 27 systematically selected state secondary (high) schools. Respondents were virtually all aged 14-16. The majority of teenagers reported drinking only moderate amounts of alcohol. Even so, a third of the males and nearly a fifth of the females reported having at some time consumed the equivalent of five and a half pints of beer on a single occasion. Factual knowledge about alcohol was not high and more than half of the study group supported a reduction in the legal minimum age at which alcohol may be purchased in licensed premises.

Adolescent

Teenage heavy drinkers: alcohol-related knowledge, beliefs, experiences, motivation and the social context of drinking.

During 1988 and 1989 a survey was conducted of the drinking habits and alcohol-related beliefs of a national sample of teenagers in England. Data were obtained from 6,244 respondents virtually all aged 14-16. Heavy drinkers were significantly more likely to report drinking in a mixed sex group than were other teenagers. They were also more likely than others to have drunk illegally in licensed premises, and were distinctive from other teenagers in relation to their self-reported reasons for drinking and their alcohol-related beliefs.

Adolescent

Alcohol education for 13 year olds--does it work? Results from a controlled evaluation.

This paper presents the findings from a controlled prospective study of the effectiveness of a school-based alcohol education package for 13 year olds. The research had three phases: (1) baseline survey of alcohol-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviour; (2) development and teaching of a short alcohol education package and (3) follow-up survey. The results indicate that the students who received the alcohol education knew more about alcohol than the controls. In addition, the educational intervention was found to have influenced the self-reported last consumption of alcohol and maximum consumption, with the 'educated' youngsters generally exhibiting more restrained behaviour. There has been little scientific evidence that past alcohol education has been effective in changing young people's drinking behaviour. The outcome of this research reinforces some recent studies which suggest the way forward may lie in an educational approach which takes account of social influences on substance use and misuse.

Adolescent

Use of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drugs amongst 13-year-olds in three areas of Britain.

The survey described in this paper is the first stage of a study designed to evaluate the effectiveness of school-based alcohol education for 13-year-olds. The results presented are from baseline data, collected before administration of an alcohol education package. Data have been collected from 1600 pupils in nine schools, three in Scotland, three in England and three in Wales. Although 96% of the study group had some experience of alcohol, the majority drank infrequently and usually only small amounts. However, occasional problems of intoxication were identified, with 20% having experienced a hangover. Gender differences in drinking habits are discussed along with the implications of the findings for school-based alcohol education.

Adolescent