Australians' support for alcohol price-based policies.

BACKGROUND: Price-based policies are effective alcohol harm minimisation policy options. This paper examines public support for price-based policies based on patterns of consumption and expenditure, to determine if the extent to which an individual may be affected by a policy influences their support. METHODS: The current study included 1,684 Australian residents (59.8% male, Mage 43.8 [SD=16.7]). Respondents who purchased and consumed alcohol in the past six months were asked about their support for potential changes in a series of price-based policies. RESULTS: Increasing price was less likely to be supported than either implementing a minimum price or a tax-increase earmarked to pay for alcohol harms. Increasing price and taxing drinkers were more likely to be supported by older people and women. We found no relationship between income or perceived impact of price increases on purchasing and level of support. CONCLUSION: Contrary to the idea that public support might be partly influenced by ability to pay for alcohol, support for a minimum unit price was not related to price paid per drink or income, only amount consumed. Thus, heavier drinkers may be inherently unlikely to support price-based policies even when these policies would have little impact on their actual purchasing.

Harms from a partner's drinking: an international study on adverse effects and reduced quality of life for women.

BACKGROUND: Partners of heavy drinking individuals can be detrimentally affected as a result of their partner's drinking. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify the proportion of heterosexual intimate partner relationships with a heavy drinking male that resulted in reported alcohol-related harm and to investigate the impact of this on well-being in 9 countries. METHODS: This study used survey data from the Gender and Alcohol's Harm to Others (GENAHTO) Project on Alcohol's Harm to Others in 9 countries (10,613 female respondents, 7,091 with intimate live-in partners). Respondents were asked if their partners drinking had negatively affected them as well as questions on depression, anxiety, and satisfaction with life. RESULTS: The proportion of partnered respondents that reported having a harmful heavy drinking partner varied across countries, from 4% in Nigeria and the US to 33% in Vietnam. The most consistent correlate of experiencing harm was being oneself a heavy episodic drinker, most likely as a proxy measure for the acceptability of alcohol consumption in social circles. Women with a harmful heavy drinking partner reported significantly lower mean satisfaction with life than those with a partner that did not drink heavily. CONCLUSIONS: Harms to women from heavy drinking intimate partners appear across a range of subgroups and impact on a wide range of women, at least demographically speaking. Women living with a heavy drinking spouse experience higher levels of anxiety and depression symptoms and lower satisfaction with life.

Stereotactic radiosurgery for the treatment of brain metastases; results from a single institution experience.

BACKGROUND: Stereotactic radiosurgery is frequently used for the treatment of brain metastases. This study provides a retrospective evaluation of patients with secondary lesions of the brain treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) at our institution. AIMS: To provide outcome data from a single institutional experience with SRS and identify any significant prognostic factors in the cohort. METHODS: Sixty-seven patients received first time SRS to 86 intracranial metastases between 2007 and 2010. Sixteen patients were excluded from this study due to the absence of post-treatment neuroimaging, resulting in 51 patients with 64 treated lesions. Of these patients, 37 (72.5%) received SRS electively, while 14 (27.5%) received salvage SRS after brain metastasis progression following whole brain radiotherapy. RESULTS: Median survival for the entire group was 15 months from the date of radiosurgery. Patients without active extracranial disease had statistically significant survival time than those with active extracranial disease (P=0.03). 45 (70.3%) lesions achieved local tumour control in 34 patients (66.7%) with a mean follow-up period of 10.7 months (range 1.7-33.6 months, 95 % confidence interval 6.6-9.8 months). CONCLUSIONS: The results reported in this study equate to those reported in other series consolidating SRS as an effective treatment option with few serious complications. Developments in systemic disease control will see further improvements in overall survival.

Mumps epidemiology in the mid-west of Ireland 2004-2008: increasing disease burden in the university/college setting.

Mumps is a contagious vaccine-preventable viral disease that is experiencing a revival in students attending second and third level colleges. Large mumps outbreaks have been reported in several countries despite the presence of childhood immunisation programmes over many years, including measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination. In 2008, 1,377 cases of mumps were notified in Ireland and 1,734 in the first three months of 2009 (provisional data). This paper reviews the recent epidemiology of mumps in the Mid-West region of Ireland and highlights preventive measures. A substantial proportion of cases were not laboratory-confirmed and it is important that doctors continue to notify suspected cases. In the Irish Mid-West, data from enhanced surveillance shows a high proportion of mumps in the age group 15-24 years. Complications were uncommon and rarely severe. Where data were available, over half of the cases did not recall having received two doses of MMR, but most recalled one dose. Parents should continue to ensure children receive both MMR vaccinations so that uptake is optimal for protection. Steps were taken to increase awareness of the disease in the school, college and university settings. Preventive measures implemented to limit mumps transmission in the school/college setting over recent years included vaccination of close contacts, isolation for five days and hand hygiene.

Human brucellosis in the Mid-West 2002-3.

Human brucellosis remains a serious public health issue in Ireland. Clinical notifications in the Mid-Western Area (HSE-MWA) underestimate the burden of illness and attendant morbidity in the region. The diagnosis of acute and chronic human brucellosis depends on the clinical evidence and the results from laboratory serological testing or culture on rare occasion. This study examined the clinical evidence behind locally defined serological "positives" in the HSE-MWA from 2002 to 2003. Ninety cases were detected in 2002 and 31 in 2003. While sampling bias is likely to be present, aspects of brucellosis in Ireland were confirmed. Middle-aged males were most commonly affected. The majority of cases were linked to farming or veterinary practice. Symptoms such as sweats, fever and weight loss were commonly associated with acute brucellosis infection while malaise was common in acute and chronic brucellosis. A clear definition of what is notifiable is needed. Surveillance systems must appreciate the importance of both clinical and laboratory evidence to classify confirmed or probable brucellosis as paired sera were not common. Public health authorities must follow-up the clinical aspects for accurate national statistics. General practitioners in the Mid-West appear to be vigilant regarding brucellosis in their patients. Regional zoonoses committees are useful in monitoring disease prevalence in human and animal populations without compromising confidentiality.