[Reasons of Individuals 60 Years and Older in Germany for not Getting Vaccinated against Covid-19]. / Gründe von Menschen ab 60 Jahren in Deutschland, sich nicht gegen Covid-19 impfen zu lassen.

PURPOSE: To identify the reasons of individuals aged 60 years and older in Germany for not getting vaccinated against Covid-19. METHODS: Data for this study were collected in July/August 2021 from "Kommunikation der Corona-Schutzimpfung in Deutschland" (CoSiD)", a representative survey of the general adult population in Germany. The focus was on individuals aged 60 years and older in our current study (n=1,281 individuals). RESULTS: Approximately 92% of individuals 60 years and older were already vaccinated against Covid-19. Among the older unvaccinated, nearly 60% were opposed to vaccination. Major reasons among older (and also younger) unvaccinated persons for "rather not getting vaccinated"/"definitely not" wanting to be vaccinated against Covid-19 were: (1) too little research on the vaccines or too short a time of research (roughly half of the individuals) and (2 and 3) no confidence/general skepticism or because of side effects (in each case, just over a quarter of the group surveyed). CONCLUSION: To increase the vaccination rate, these three arguments must be countered, for instance, during conversations in the context of medical care.

[COVID-19 vaccination status, sources of used information and socio-demographic characteristics-results of the CoSiD study]. / COVID-19-Impfstatus, genutzte Informationsquellen und soziodemografische Merkmale ­ Ergebnisse der CoSiD-Studie.

BACKGROUND: Despite the benefits of a COVID-19 vaccination, too few people in Germany were still considered vaccinated in the summer of 2022. This was explained, among other factors, by socio-demographic differences. The article also analyses this correlation by including the sources of information used on corona vaccination based on the data from the third survey of the "Accompanying research on the communication of corona vaccination in Germany" (CoSiD study, Nov./Dec. 2021; n = 4366 16-year-olds and older). METHODS: Bi- and multivariate correlations were analysed between the uptake of vaccination or the intention to vaccinate of the unvaccinated and socio-demographic characteristics as well as sources of information on COVID-19 vaccination. RESULTS: Of the respondents, 87.7% have been vaccinated at least once. The vaccination rate tends to increase with age, education level and household income and is higher among people in the old federal states and without a migration background. The sources of information on COVID-19 vaccination were mostly discussions among family, friends and colleagues (81.8%) and German TV and radio stations (77.1%). In the multivariate model, higher proportions of people without vaccination intentions were found among respondents who obtained information from TV and radio stations from abroad as well as from social media. DISCUSSION: Information offerings for specific target groups must take social inequalities even more into account. One challenge here is that the use of different information sources is related to different vaccination intentions. In particular, people with vaccination intentions and the undecided can be reached with easily understandable, trustworthy information offerings.

Perceived Norms and Vaccination against COVID-19 among the General Adult Population in Germany: Results of a Nationally Representative Survey.

OBJECTIVE: to examine whether perceived norms are associated with vaccination against COVID-19 (also stratified by age group). STUDY DESIGN: nationally representative survey. METHODS: Data were taken from a sample of the general adult population (n = 3829, 16 to 94 years). Data collection took place from early July to early August 2021, and 3 different groups (1: not yet vaccinated and no intention to vaccinate against COVID-19; 2: not yet, but intended to vaccinate against COVID-19; 3: yes, at least one vaccination against COVID-19) were distinguished in the analyses. Data were adjusted for several sociodemographic and health-related factors. Perceived norms served as key independent variables (1: number of important friends and relatives who would like me to get vaccinated; 2: number of important friends and relatives who already have been vaccinated or still want to do so; 3: how your general practitioner (GP) thinks about Corona vaccination). RESULTS: Multiple logistic regression showed that, in particular, the number of important friends/relatives who would like an individual to get vaccinated is associated with the actual COVID-19 vaccination status among individuals aged 16 to 59 years. Interestingly, all 3 indicators for perceived norms are associated with the likelihood of COVID-19 vaccination status among individuals aged 60 years and over. CONCLUSIONS: Our study adds to the understanding of the association between perceived norms and COVID-19 vaccination status. This highlights potential pathways to increase vaccination rates to further combat the later stages of the pandemic.

[Health information behaviour and health literacy on COVID-19 vaccination of the general population in Germany-findings from the CoSiD study]. / Gesundheitsinformationsverhalten und Gesundheitskompetenzen zur COVID-19-Schutzimpfung von Menschen in Deutschland ­ Befunde der CoSiD-Studie.

BACKGROUND: Although COVID-19 vaccination reduces severe disease progression as well as hospitalisations and deaths, every fourth to fifth person in Germany is not vaccinated against COVID-19. Effective information and communication measures are needed to reach these people. For this, it is important to know the information behaviour as well as the health competences in the area of COVID-19 vaccination, especially of previously unvaccinated people. METHODS: The third representative population survey (November/December 2021; n = 4366) of the CoSiD study (Corona vaccination in Germany) was conducted as a combined telephone and online survey. Bivariate correlations between reported information behaviour, subjective health literacy and vaccination status and intention are investigated. In addition, multivariate correlations of socio-demographic characteristics and subjective health literacy are analysed. RESULTS: Undecided people and people that are more likely to vaccinate were overall less likely to report a good subjective level of information (46.1%; 41.1%) and competences in evaluating information about COVID-19 vaccination (36.5%; 38.8%) as well as decision making (39.0%; 35.9%). Unvaccinated people without vaccination intentions are more likely to report observing information rated as untrustworthy or wrong (60.3%). People with a lower level of education, younger people and people with a migration background report lower levels of heath literacy. DISCUSSION: Communication measures to promote health literacy should specifically address people with uncertain vaccination intentions as well as younger people, people with lower levels of education and people with a migration background.

[Changes in binge drinking among adolescents and young adults in Germany depending on educational level and migration background]. / Veränderungen des Rauschtrinkens bei Jugendlichen und jungen Erwachsenen in Deutschland in Abhängigkeit von Bildungsniveau und Migrationshintergrund.

BACKGROUND: Studies show that the prevalence of binge drinking among young people in Germany is declining overall. This change is usually studied in more detail based on age and gender. This paper expands on these analyses and examines whether the decline in binge drinking among young people differs as a function of educational level and migration background. METHODS: Based on representative surveys conducted by the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA), 30-day prevalences of binge drinking were determined for Germany between 2008 and 2019 for male and female 12- to 17-year-old adolescents and 18- to 25-year-old young adults. Logistic regression analyses were used to estimate trend patterns for the period from 2008 to 2019. This was also done as a function of education level and migration background. RESULTS: Across all surveys, more young adults than adolescents, more male than female young people, and more young people without a migration background get drunk. Between 2008 and 2019, the 30-day prevalence of binge drinking decreased overall among adolescents (male: from 23.0 to 16.4%; female: from 17.7 to 10.7%) and young men (from 53.0 to 43.9%), and it did not change statistically significantly among young women (2008: 28.1%; 2019: 24.5%). The trend analyses depending on the level of education and migration background show that at least among young women without a (technical) higher education entrance qualification there is a decrease in binge drinking. DISCUSSION: The decline in binge drinking may differ depending on social characteristics. Such differences should be taken into account in the prevention of binge drinking. In particular, young women with a higher level of education must be reached with prevention offers.

[The decline of cigarette smoking among adolescents and young adults in Germany and the rising relevance of waterpipes, e­cigarettes and e­hookahs]. / Der Rückgang des Zigarettenkonsums Jugendlicher und junger Erwachsener in Deutschland und die zunehmende Bedeutung von Wasserpfeifen, E­Zigaretten und E­Shishas.

BACKGROUND: National and international studies indicate that despite the decline in the consumption of traditional tobacco cigarettes, the consumption of other products, such as waterpipes (or hookahs), e­cigarettes or e­hookahs (a variant of e­cigarettes), may be increasing. In addition to the long-term change in smoking behaviour, this article examines how the prevalence of smoking tobacco cigarettes, waterpipes, e­cigarettes and e­hookahs in adolescents and young adults in Germany has developed between 2007 and 2016. METHODS: Data are based on representative surveys on substance use among adolescents and young adults between the ages of 12 and 25 conducted by the Federal Center for Health Education (BZgA) from 1973 to 2016. Age- and gender-specific trends of the proportion of those who describe themselves as smokers are shown. Additionally, trends of single and combined 30-day prevalence of consumption of tobacco cigarettes, waterpipes, e­cigarettes and e­hookahs are presented and tested for significance. RESULTS: Between 2007 and 2016, the decline in the proportion of adolescents and young adults who call themselves smokers and the decline of 30-day prevalence of consumption of tobacco cigarettes continued. At the same time, the consumption of waterpipes is rising in young adults and the consumption of e­cigarettes is rising in young men. Among adolescents, the exclusive use of waterpipes, e­cigarettes or e­hookahs was more widespread in 2016 than the exclusive consumption of tobacco cigarettes. DISCUSSION: In comparison to tobacco cigarettes, the consumption of waterpipes, e­cigarettes and e­hookahs is becoming increasingly important among adolescents and young adults. Thus, these products must also be considered in the planning and design of preventive measures for the prevention of smoking.

[Trends in educational inequalities in smoking among adolescents in Germany : Evidence from four population-based studies]. / Zeitliche Entwicklung von Bildungsunterschieden im Rauchverhalten von Jugendlichen in Deutschland : Ergebnisse aus vier bevölkerungsweiten Studien.

BACKGROUND: In Germany, smoking prevalence among adolescents has significantly declined since the early 2000s. However, data show that adolescent smoking rates considerably differ between different types of secondary schools. The aim of our study was to examine how educational inequalities in adolescent smoking behaviour have developed over time. METHODS: Data were used from four population-based studies (each consisting of repeated cross-sectional surveys from 2001-2015): the representative surveys of the Federal Centre for Health Education, the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents, the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children Study, and the European School Survey Project on Alcohol and Other Drugs. Each study comprised different age groups (within the age range of 11-17 years) and used different smoking measures. Adolescents' educational status was based on the attended type of secondary school. Absolute and relative educational inequalities were presented as prevalence differences and prevalence ratios, respectively. RESULTS: Despite methodical differences, all four studies similarly reveal that adolescent smoking rates have significantly declined in all educational groups. However, lower smoking rates among secondary school students attending higher educational tracks could be observed. While absolute educational inequalities tended to decrease over time, relative inequalities between educational groups remained rather stable or even increased. DISCUSSION: Declining adolescent smoking rates suggest that smoking may have lost some of its attractiveness for young people. Our findings further emphasize the importance of tobacco control measures such as raising cigarette taxes, smoking bans, and increasing minimum legal age for tobacco purchase. As relative educational inequalities in adolescent smoking rates did not diminish over time, setting- and target group-specific interventions should focus more on students in middle and lower secondary school tracks.

Cluster-randomized trial of a German leisure-based alcohol peer education measure.

Because of scarce research, the effectiveness of substance abuse prevention in leisure settings remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of a peer-led educational prevention measure with adolescent groups in unstructured leisure settings, which is a component of the complex German nationwide 'Na Toll!' campaign. Using a cluster-randomized two-group post-test-only design, we tested whether the measure influenced component-specific goals, namely risk and protective factors of alcohol use such as risk perception, group communication and resistance self-efficacy. The sample consisted of 738 adolescents aged 12-20 years who were recruited at recreational locations and completed an online questionnaire 1 week after the peer education or recruitment event. Sixty-three percent of the sample participated in the 3-month follow-up assessment. Data analysis revealed post-test effects on risk perception, perceived norm of alcohol communication in the peer group and resistance self-efficacy. Follow-up effects were not observed, with the exception of a significant effect on risk perception. In conclusion, the peer-led education measure in leisure settings might have supported the adolescents in this study to perceive alcohol-related risks, to feel accepted to talk about alcohol problems with their friends and to be more assertive in resisting alcohol use in the short term.

Association of average daily alcohol consumption, binge drinking and alcohol-related social problems: results from the German Epidemiological Surveys of Substance Abuse.

AIMS: The present study investigates the combined effect of average volume and binge drinking in predicting alcohol-related social problems and estimates the proportion of alcohol-related harms related to specific drinking patterns that could be prevented if transferred to a low-risk drinking group. METHODS: Data came from the 1997 and 2000 German Epidemiological Survey of Substance Abuse (ESA) (age: 18-59 years; response rate: 65% and 51%, respectively). The pooled sample consisted of 12,668 current drinkers. By using nine categories of average daily intake and three groups of binge drinking, individuals were grouped into 22 mutual exclusive groups. Social problems were defined as the occurrence of 'repeated family quarrels', 'concern of family members or friends', 'loss of partner or friend' or 'physical fight or injury' in relation to alcohol. RESULTS: The effect of average daily intake is modified by binge drinking frequency such that the association was strongest in those with four or more binge drinking occasions during the last 30 days. Within each binge drinking group, adjusted relative risks (aRR) increased with alcohol intake up to a certain threshold and decreased thereafter. Overall, compared to the reference group (

Drug use patterns and drug-related disorders of cocaine users in a sample of the general population in Germany.

AIMS: The prevalence of cocaine use is still very low in Germany, but rates have been increasing over the past few decades. Patterns of drug consumption and related adverse consequences in individuals who have used cocaine were investigated in order to distinguish different types of cocaine users. METHODS: Data come from two national representative surveys on substance abuse in the German general population conducted in 1997 and 2000 using self- administered questionnaires. Overall response rates were 65 and 51%, respectively. The two samples were pooled (n = 16,159) and latent cluster analysis was conducted using a sub-sample of 272 lifetime cocaine users. RESULTS: Three clusters were derived: the majority belonged to the group of mainly unproblematic users (UPG, 80%), the second group comprised non-amphetamine poly-problem drug users (NAPPG, 12%), and a small group was composed of poly-problem drug users (PPG, 8%). Comparisons of sociodemographic characteristics, consumption patterns and age of onset for licit and illicit drug use revealed significant differences between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of cocaine users in the general population are experimental or occasional users of licit and illicit drugs. Rather than being a major drug, cocaine is one of many other licit and illicit drugs. Cocaine use as part of predominantly poly-drug use behaviour is strongly associated with substance-related disorders.