Laura Schilling

Licit and illicit substance use patterns among university students in Germany using cluster analysis

BackgroundThe use of multiple licit and illicit substances plays an important role in many university students’ lives. Previous research on multiple substance use patterns of university students, however, often fails to examine use of different illicit substances and/or hookah. Our objective was to complement and advance the current knowledge about common consumption patterns regarding illicit substances and hookah use in this group.MethodsStudents from eight German universities completed an online survey as part of the INSIST study (‘INternet-based Social norms Intervention for the prevention of substance use among STudents’) regarding their consumption of alcohol, tobacco, hookah, cannabis and other illicit substances. Cluster analysis identified distinct consumption patterns of concurrent and non-concurrent substance use and multinomial logistic regressions described key sociodemographic factors associated with these clusters.ResultsSix homogeneous groups were identified: ‘Alcohol Abstainers’ (10.8%), ‘Drinkers Only’ (48.2%), ‘Drinkers and Cigarette Smokers’ (14.6%), ‘Cannabis and Licit Substance Users’ (11.2%), ‘Hookah Users with Co-Use’ (9.8%) and ‘Illicit Substance Users with Co-Use’ (5.4%). Illicit substance use clustered with the consumption of alcohol, tobacco and cannabis. Hookah use was regularly associated with alcohol consumption, less commonly associated with tobacco or cannabis use and very rarely associated with use of other illicit substances. Individuals consuming licit and illicit substances or hookah were mostly male and lived together with other students. Characteristics such as the number of years an individual had spent studying at a university, subject of study, immigrant background and religious affiliation were less commonly associated with cluster membership.ConclusionsAlthough we found substance use patterns in our sample largely similar to previous reports, we identified an important subgroup of individuals using both illicit and licit substances. These individuals may benefit especially from targeted interventions that focus on modifying addictive behavior patterns.Trial registrationDRKS00007635. Registered 17 December 2014 (retrospectively registered).

Deutsches „Nationales Krebshilfe-Monitoring“ 2015–2019 – Studienprotokoll und erste Ergebnisse

Das Projekt „Nationales Krebshilfe‐Monitoring zur Solariennutzung“ (National Cancer Aid Monitoring of Tanning Bed Use, NCAM) ist eine deutsche Großstudie mit dem Ziel, die wichtigsten Risikofaktoren für Hautkrebs zu beobachten: natürliches Sonnenlicht und künstliche UV‐Strahlung.

E-Zigaretten in aller Munde? – Aktuelle repräsentative Daten zur Nutzung unter Jugendlichen und Erwachsenen

Backgroundu2002International data suggest an increase in e-cigarette use. However, there are still significant deficits in the reporting of its current prevalence. The present study reports representative data on e-cigarette use that make it possible to differentiate users both by the nicotine content of the e-cigarette liquids being used and by their smoking status. Methods and materialu2002The underlying data are taken from the National Cancer Aid Monitoring (NCAM). In its first wave, 3000 persons aged between 14 and 45 were interviewed by telephone. Point estimates, confidence intervals and determinants of use will be presented. Resultsu2002Overall, 20u200a% of respondents had used an e-cigarette before, of which 80u200a% used liquids containing nicotine. Men, younger persons, persons with a migrant background and persons with a lower education level were more likely to have used an e-cigarette before than their respective reference groups. Half of all ever users of e-cigarettes also smoked tobacco cigarettes, while roughly one third had never used tobacco products before. Conclusionsu2002For the first time, a representative study was conducted combining questions on the use of e-cigarettes with questions on smoking tobacco cigarettes and the nicotine content of the liquids being used. Target groups for future prevention measures are adolescents, as they had the highest prevalence of e-cigarette use, as well as non-smokers, since one third of e-cigarette users had never used a tobacco product before. Both groups also seem to be relevant target groups for which the introduction to e-cigarettes should be prevented.

Profile of sunless tanning product users: Results from a nationwide representative survey

Sunless tanning products (STPs) are often seen as “healthy alternative” to sunbathing and indoor tanning. However, STP use may entail indirect risks such as overestimating an individuals natural skin type, resulting in risky (natural and artificial) tanning behavior. We aimed to explore STP use in combination with other health‐related risk behaviors (eg, smoking), skin cancer risk, risk awareness of ultraviolet radiation, and preventive behavior.

“Lost in the sun”-The key role of perceived workplace support for sun-protective behavior in outdoor workers

BACKGROUNDnPrevious studies show that workplace support for sun-protective behaviors plays an important role in the actual sun-protective behavior of outdoor workers. Therefore, our aim was to examine perceived workplace support (organizational and social support) in relation to different sun-protective behaviors.nnnMETHODSnA Germany-wide sample of outdoor workers (nu2009=u2009485) was surveyed via telephone. We analyzed associations of workplace support with sun-protective behaviors, sociodemographic, and occupational characteristics, occupational sun exposure, and concerns about sun.nnnRESULTSnA large number of outdoor workers perceived no workplace support for sun protection (eg, 17.8% agreed that sun protection is enforced at their workplace). We found that those who do not get any support are less likely to show sun-protective behaviors.nnnCONCLUSIONSnA starting point for a better organizational support is the implementation of mandatory sun protection policies in the workplace. Social support for protection against solar UV exposure can be promoted through safety training and education.

German “National Cancer Aid Monitoring” 2015–2019 – study protocol and initial results

The National Cancer Aid Monitoring of Tanning Bed Use (NCAM) project is a major German study that aims to observe the most significant risk factors for skin cancer: natural sunlight and artificial UV radiation.

Contextual influences on physical activity and eating habits -options for action on the community level

BackgroundThis conceptual paper aims to illustrate the ways in which communities are able to advance health improvements on a population level. Outcome measures may include increased physical activity and healthier eating habits in particular, as well as an improved health-related quality of life and social cohesion as more generic outcomes.Main bodyThe paper begins by asking initial questions: Why did previous health-specific interventions only show moderate effects on an individual level and mixed effects on a population level? What is the added value of a community-based public health perspective compared to the traditional biomedical perspective when it comes to prevention? Why are we living the way we are living? Why do we eat what we eat? Why do we move the way we move?Subsequently, we illustrate the broad spectrum of contextual interventions available to communities. These can have geographical and technological as well as economic, political, normative and attitude-specific dimensions. It is shown that communities have a strong influence on health-related contexts and decision-making of adults, adolescents and children. In addition contextual characteristics, effects, mediators, moderators and consequences relevant for health can differ greatly between age groups. Both small-scale settings and overarching sectors possess physical, economic, political and sociocultural characteristics that can be proactively influenced by community decision-makers in the sense of a “health in all policies”-strategy.Short conclusionAfter presenting various interdisciplinary approaches to community-based health interventions, the manuscript closes with the following core message: Successful community-based health promotion strategies consist of multilevel – multicomponent interventions on the micro, meso and macro-level-environments.