Mariangels Duch - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Mariangels Duch

European Journal of Public Health, 2021

Background Preventing sexual violence in nightlife environments is a pervasive issue across many ... more Background Preventing sexual violence in nightlife environments is a pervasive issue across many countries. This study explored the associated impact of a nightlife worker sexual violence awareness raising/bystander training programme (STOP-SV) on trainees’ sexual violence myth acceptance and readiness and confidence to intervene. Methods : Pre- and post-test (n = 118), and 3-month follow-up (n = 38) trainee surveys were implemented across three countries (Czech Republic, Portugal and Spain). Paired-sample tests examined changes across time-periods in participants’ myth acceptance (e.g. unwanted sexual advances are a normal part of a night out), and readiness and confidence to intervene. Multi-nominal regression was used to examine the relationship between the change in pre-to-post-training scores and trainee characteristics. Results Compared to pre-training, post-training participants were significantly (P < 0.01) less likely to agree with sexual violence myths, and more likely ...

Drinking behaviours and blood alcohol concentration in four European drinking environments: A cro... more Drinking behaviours and blood alcohol concentration in four European drinking environments: A cross-sectional study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020

In Spain the legal age to buy alcohol is 18 years. However, official surveys show that minors per... more In Spain the legal age to buy alcohol is 18 years. However, official surveys show that minors perceive alcohol availability to be easy. This paper describes the impacts of a community-based intervention to increase vendors’ compliance with age limits regarding alcohol sales in supermarkets. The aim of this study was to explore the association between implementation of a multicomponent intervention to reduce adolescents’ alcohol use and sale of alcohol to minors in the city of Palma (Spain). Twenty trained adolescents (14–17 years old) conducted 138 alcohol test purchases in nine supermarket chains in August 2018 (baseline; n = 73) prior to the intervention, and again in January 2020 (follow-up; n = 65). Analysis was conducted according to three levels of intervention implemented across the supermarkets: (i) personnel from the supermarkets’ Human Resources or Corporate Social Responsibility teams received alcohol service training as trainers (i.e., community mobilization); (ii) manag...

... Técnicos que han participado en el trabajo de campo: Miquel Àngel Crespí Elena Fernández Cris... more ... Técnicos que han participado en el trabajo de campo: Miquel Àngel Crespí Elena Fernández Cristina Gelabert Sara López Úrsula Martínez Carla Weidberg 1 Page 2. ... combinados y un 3,16% destilados. • El consumo en el botellón indica que un 6,89% ha consumido ...

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020

Alcohol is a common drug misused by young people worldwide. Previous studies have found that atti... more Alcohol is a common drug misused by young people worldwide. Previous studies have found that attitudes towards heavy consumption are stronger predictors than general norms concerning alcohol. This study aims to explore adolescents’ alcohol use and drunkenness, to understand adolescents’ attitudes towards alcohol use, drunkenness and prevention approaches, and to explore associations between attitudes and personal alcohol use and demographics. Methods: Cross-sectional face-to-face survey of 410 adolescents (61.2% women) who were socializing at night in the streets of Palma (Spain). Breath Alcohol Concentration (BrAC), self-reported measures of alcohol use and social variables were assessed. Results: 70.7% of respondents had a BrAC score higher than 0. The full sample reported having a mean of 3.9 drunk episodes in the last month, and a mean of 7.34 in Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). A total of 30.7% were under the minimum age limit for alcohol drinking in Spain and...

Adicciones, 2012

It is well known that various aspects of family functioning can influence children's drug use... more It is well known that various aspects of family functioning can influence children's drug use, both by promoting resilience and by increasing the risk of use. This review examines studies published in the last 30 years about the influence of family disorganization on children's drug use. Based on the results, we consider that disorganised families (charactirezed by parents' mental illness, parents' substance use and/or non-intact families) are more likely to have children who are drug users, both legal and illegal. Finally, we stress the need to improve the conceptualization of family disorganization and its assessment, and point out other methodological limitations found in the empirical studies reviewed.

Adicciones, 2009

Participating in nightlife it is a meaningful cultural activity for young people. Councils welcom... more Participating in nightlife it is a meaningful cultural activity for young people. Councils welcome a flourishing late-night entertainment industry. But there also problems related to the people involved (alcohol and drug abuse, violence, risky sex…) and to the recreational activity itself (noise, street drinking, vandalism…). Prevention intervention possibilities are numerous, and most have been implemented, however assessment of their outcomes is less common. We have identified 11 types of prevention according to their main objective (venues centred, community, education, law enforcement, industry collaboration…) and we have reviewed the existing evidence in relation to each form of intervention. Popular types of interventions as providing information or pill testing are not evidence based. Other interventions as Responsible beverage services or designated driver programmes, backed by the industry, are not exactly the most effective, especially if they are not enforced. Others like community approaches can be effective but it can be a problem how to achieve their continuity. From the present review, what emerges as the best strategy is the combination of training, cooperation and enforcement. 'Classical' measures (taxation, reduced BAC limits, minimum legal purchasing age…) are also evidence-based and effective. Could be interesting to investigate interventions that address the cultural aspects of nightlife. But this sort of interventions do not depend on the will or the skills of professionals, and are more related to societal changes. The highly frequent use of popular but ineffective interventions contributes more to the problem than to its solution, and only facilitates giving preventive efforts a bad reputation.

The International Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research, 2014

Quigg, Z., Hughes, K., Bellis, M., van Hasselt, N., Calafat, A., Košir, M., Duch, M., Juan, M., V... more Quigg, Z., Hughes, K., Bellis, M., van Hasselt, N., Calafat, A., Košir, M., Duch, M., Juan, M., Voorham, L., & Goossens, F. (2014). Incidents of harm in European drinking environments and relationships with venue and customer characteristics. The International Journal Of Alcohol And Drug Research, 3(4), 269-275. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.v3i4.180Aim: Research shows there are associations between bar environments and alcohol-related harms. However, few European studies have examined such links. Our study investigates the type of harms experienced by patrons in European bars, and their relationships with individual, social and environmental factors.Design: Unobtrusive one-hour observational visits. Characteristics of the bar environment, staff and patrons, and harms observed were recorded on structured schedules.Setting: Bars in four cities in the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain and the United Kingdom (U.K.).Participants: 238 observations across 60 bars.Measures: Analyses utili...

Public health, 2013

There is an established relationship between nightlife, substance use and violence. This study in... more There is an established relationship between nightlife, substance use and violence. This study investigated this relationship when people are on holiday, and explored the differences in experiences between physical and verbal violence. A survey of young tourists at seven airport departure areas in Southern European resorts. Questionnaires from 6502 British and German tourists were analysed exploring demographics, violence (verbal and physical), substance use, and reasons for resort and venue selection. Over two-thirds of respondents reported being drunk on their holiday, 12.4% had been involved in arguments and 2.9% had been involved in fights. Logistic regression highlighted more violence amongst visitors to Mallorca [arguments: adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.7; fights: AOR 2.0] compared with those visiting Portugal, males (arguments: AOR 1.3; fights: AOR 1.7), those who had used illicit drugs (arguments: AOR 1.5; fights: AOR 2.9), those who had been in fights at home in the last 12 m...

The European Journal of Public Health, 2010

Background: Mediterranean lifestyle has long been hailed as protective against certain risk behav... more Background: Mediterranean lifestyle has long been hailed as protective against certain risk behaviours and diseases. Mediterranean drinking patterns of moderate alcohol consumption as part of daily life have often been assumed to protect young people from harmful alcohol consumption, in contrast to Northern European drinking patterns. Nightlife environments are strong related to alcohol and drugs use, and other health risk behaviours but few cross-national studies have been undertaken amongst young Europeans frequenting bars and nightclubs. This study aims to understand differences in nightlife risk-taking behaviours between young nightlife users from Mediterranean and non-Mediterranean cultures, including alcohol and illicit drug use, unprotected sex, violence and driving under the influence of alcohol. Methods: A total of 1363 regular nightlife users aged 16-35 years were surveyed in nine European cities by means of a self-reported questionnaire. Sample selection was done through respondent driven sampling techniques. Results: after controlling for demographic variables, no differences among the Mediterranean and non-Mediterranean samples were found in current alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, or cocaine use, neither in violent behaviours, but Northern people were more likely to get drunk [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.53], while Mediterranean were more likely to have unprotected sex (AOR = 2.01) and to drive drunken (AOR = 5.86). Conclusion: Our data suggest that stereotypes are partially confirmed, and that Mediterranean lifestyle is protective for some risk behaviours (drunkenness, ecstasy and amphetamines current use), but not for all of them. Further research in depth is needed in order to clarify the relations between cultural patterns, social norms and nightlife risk behaviours assumed by the young people.

BMC Public Health, 2011

Background: Reducing harm in drinking environments is a growing priority for European alcohol pol... more Background: Reducing harm in drinking environments is a growing priority for European alcohol policy yet few studies have explored nightlife drinking behaviours. This study examines alcohol consumption and blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in drinking environments in four European cities. Methods: A short questionnaire was implemented among 838 drinkers aged 16-35 in drinking environments in four European cities, in the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain and the UK. Questions included self-reported alcohol use before interview and expected consumption over the remainder of the night. Breathalyser tests were used to measured breath alcohol concentration (converted to BAC) at interview. Results: Most participants in the Dutch (56.2%), Spanish (59.6%) and British (61.4%) samples had preloaded (cf Slovenia 34.8%). In those drinking < 3 h at interview, there were no differences in BAC by gender or nationality. In UK participants, BAC increased significantly in those who had been drinking longer, reaching 0.13% (median) in females and 0.17% in males drinking > 5 h. In other nationalities, BAC increases were less pronounced or absent. High BAC (> 0.08%) was associated with being male, aged > 19, British and having consumed spirits. In all cities most participants intended to drink enough alcohol to constitute binge drinking. Conclusions: Different models of drinking behaviour are seen in different nightlife settings. Here, the UK sample was typified by continued increases in inebriation compared with steady, more moderate intoxication elsewhere. With the former being associated with higher health risks, European alcohol policy must work to deter this form of nightlife.

Archives of Sexual Behavior, 2012

Despite the known increase in substance use and risky sexual behaviors among young people during ... more Despite the known increase in substance use and risky sexual behaviors among young people during holiday periods, issues of sexual harassment (SH) and having sex against one's will (SAW) have not received adequate attention. We implemented a cross-sectional airport-based study to identify experience of SH and SAW in 6,502 British and German holidaymakers aged 16-35 years visiting tourist resorts in Southern Europe (Crete, Cyprus, Italy, Portugal, and Spain) in summer 2009. Across all participants, 8.6 % reported SH during their holiday and 1.5 % reported SAW. Women reported higher levels of SH than heterosexual males. However, gay and bisexual males reported SH levels similar to females and the highest levels of SAW. Of 19 predictor variables tested, ten were independently associated with SH. SH was increased in those who were visitors to Mallorca or Crete, British, younger, female, gay or bisexual, frequently drunk on holiday, cocaine users, and attracted to bars where people get drunk, or where there are opportunities for sex. Among 13 predictor variables tested for SAW, four were significant. SAW reduced in those visiting Cyprus, and was strongly associated with being a gay or bisexual male, using cannabis on holiday and being attracted to bars where there were opportunities for sex. Holiday resorts represent a key location for SH and SAW, especially for holidaymakers who get drunk and use drugs. Preventive programs can raise awareness of the risks of unwanted sexual encounters on holiday and work with the tourist industry and tourist authorities to develop environments where sexual aggression is not tolerated.

Drinking behaviours and blood alcohol concentration in four European drinking environments: a cro... more Drinking behaviours and blood alcohol concentration in four European drinking environments: a cross-sectional study

Adicciones, 2012

There is growing concern to understand those interventions which when effectively implemented may... more There is growing concern to understand those interventions which when effectively implemented may bring reduction in the harms associated with recreational nightlife venues. Management of drinking environments vary across Europe and we are faced with the need to set standards across European countries. The aim of this study is to present evidence highlighted by literature to a diverse sample of European recreational industry representatives and other key stakeholders (74 participants in 14 European countries), to ascertain their judgements on level of implementation, acceptance, effectiveness and regulation to propose a set of standards be implemented in European recreational nightlife settings. Results revealed that most industry representatives display high rates of agreement with those preventive interventions deemed most important by evidence, including those concerning venue management, underage checkouts, staff training and collaboration with the police. However, participants ...

Abstract: Preventing alcohol-related harm in drinking environments is a growing international pri... more Abstract: Preventing alcohol-related harm in drinking environments is a growing international priority. Factors relating to the physical, social and staffing environments in bars can contribute to increased alcohol consumption and harm. Understanding the relationships between such factors and intoxication in European drinking environments is critical to developing appropriate interventions. We undertook a quantitative observational

Abstract: Preventing alcohol-related harm in drinking environments is a growing international pri... more Abstract: Preventing alcohol-related harm in drinking environments is a growing international priority. Factors relating to the physical, social and staffing environments in bars can contribute to increased alcohol consumption and harm. Understanding the relationships between such factors and intoxication in European drinking environments is critical to developing appropriate interventions. We undertook a quantitative observational

Actas espanolas de psiquiatria, 2013

BACKGROUND Getting drunk is a common practice in the nightlife context and is related to risk beh... more BACKGROUND Getting drunk is a common practice in the nightlife context and is related to risk behaviors. One potentially preventive strategy would be to conduct breathalyzer (blood alcohol content level-BAC) tests in situ, encouraging the young people to take responsibility. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of such a measure. METHOD A sample of 555 young people were interviewed in the most popular nightlife recreational areas in three Spanish cities. After they answered to a brief questionnaire, the breathalyzer test was done and they were then informed of the results and also informed about the results, telling them what the maximum authorized rate of alcohol in expired air was for driving. After, they were asked about their drinking intentions for the rest of the night, and if they we going to be driving. RESULTS Only 21.6% stated that they would stop drinking or drink less, while a similar percentage (21.5%) said they would drink even more than they had intended ...

Los problemas con el abuso de alcohol y drogas ilegales están relacionados con la práctica de la ... more Los problemas con el abuso de alcohol y drogas ilegales están relacionados con la práctica de la diversión nocturna. Esta forma de diversión ha experimentado un gran desarrollo en las últimas décadas. El turismo ha tenido mucho que ver con esta expansión de este modelo de diversión. Pero también existen problemas por exceso de alcohol en las fiestas populares, que son promocionadas por los propios municipios. Los municipios se encuentran en una posición difícil: deben promover la vida nocturna (que es fuente de riqueza y bienestar) y deben minimizar los problemas relacionados con la práctica de este tipo de diversión. Se abordan en este artículo el impacto de esta vida recreativa en los municipios. Las corporaciones locales cuentan con un enorme potencial en prevención estructural (regulación de los horarios de venta de alcohol, prohibición de su consumo en ciertos lugares y determinados momentos, reorganización y fortalecimiento de la policía, cumplimiento de la legalidad vigente, ...

European Journal of Public Health, 2021

Background Preventing sexual violence in nightlife environments is a pervasive issue across many ... more Background Preventing sexual violence in nightlife environments is a pervasive issue across many countries. This study explored the associated impact of a nightlife worker sexual violence awareness raising/bystander training programme (STOP-SV) on trainees’ sexual violence myth acceptance and readiness and confidence to intervene. Methods : Pre- and post-test (n = 118), and 3-month follow-up (n = 38) trainee surveys were implemented across three countries (Czech Republic, Portugal and Spain). Paired-sample tests examined changes across time-periods in participants’ myth acceptance (e.g. unwanted sexual advances are a normal part of a night out), and readiness and confidence to intervene. Multi-nominal regression was used to examine the relationship between the change in pre-to-post-training scores and trainee characteristics. Results Compared to pre-training, post-training participants were significantly (P < 0.01) less likely to agree with sexual violence myths, and more likely ...

Drinking behaviours and blood alcohol concentration in four European drinking environments: A cro... more Drinking behaviours and blood alcohol concentration in four European drinking environments: A cross-sectional study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020

In Spain the legal age to buy alcohol is 18 years. However, official surveys show that minors per... more In Spain the legal age to buy alcohol is 18 years. However, official surveys show that minors perceive alcohol availability to be easy. This paper describes the impacts of a community-based intervention to increase vendors’ compliance with age limits regarding alcohol sales in supermarkets. The aim of this study was to explore the association between implementation of a multicomponent intervention to reduce adolescents’ alcohol use and sale of alcohol to minors in the city of Palma (Spain). Twenty trained adolescents (14–17 years old) conducted 138 alcohol test purchases in nine supermarket chains in August 2018 (baseline; n = 73) prior to the intervention, and again in January 2020 (follow-up; n = 65). Analysis was conducted according to three levels of intervention implemented across the supermarkets: (i) personnel from the supermarkets’ Human Resources or Corporate Social Responsibility teams received alcohol service training as trainers (i.e., community mobilization); (ii) manag...

... Técnicos que han participado en el trabajo de campo: Miquel Àngel Crespí Elena Fernández Cris... more ... Técnicos que han participado en el trabajo de campo: Miquel Àngel Crespí Elena Fernández Cristina Gelabert Sara López Úrsula Martínez Carla Weidberg 1 Page 2. ... combinados y un 3,16% destilados. • El consumo en el botellón indica que un 6,89% ha consumido ...

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020

Alcohol is a common drug misused by young people worldwide. Previous studies have found that atti... more Alcohol is a common drug misused by young people worldwide. Previous studies have found that attitudes towards heavy consumption are stronger predictors than general norms concerning alcohol. This study aims to explore adolescents’ alcohol use and drunkenness, to understand adolescents’ attitudes towards alcohol use, drunkenness and prevention approaches, and to explore associations between attitudes and personal alcohol use and demographics. Methods: Cross-sectional face-to-face survey of 410 adolescents (61.2% women) who were socializing at night in the streets of Palma (Spain). Breath Alcohol Concentration (BrAC), self-reported measures of alcohol use and social variables were assessed. Results: 70.7% of respondents had a BrAC score higher than 0. The full sample reported having a mean of 3.9 drunk episodes in the last month, and a mean of 7.34 in Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT). A total of 30.7% were under the minimum age limit for alcohol drinking in Spain and...

Adicciones, 2012

It is well known that various aspects of family functioning can influence children's drug use... more It is well known that various aspects of family functioning can influence children's drug use, both by promoting resilience and by increasing the risk of use. This review examines studies published in the last 30 years about the influence of family disorganization on children's drug use. Based on the results, we consider that disorganised families (charactirezed by parents' mental illness, parents' substance use and/or non-intact families) are more likely to have children who are drug users, both legal and illegal. Finally, we stress the need to improve the conceptualization of family disorganization and its assessment, and point out other methodological limitations found in the empirical studies reviewed.

Adicciones, 2009

Participating in nightlife it is a meaningful cultural activity for young people. Councils welcom... more Participating in nightlife it is a meaningful cultural activity for young people. Councils welcome a flourishing late-night entertainment industry. But there also problems related to the people involved (alcohol and drug abuse, violence, risky sex…) and to the recreational activity itself (noise, street drinking, vandalism…). Prevention intervention possibilities are numerous, and most have been implemented, however assessment of their outcomes is less common. We have identified 11 types of prevention according to their main objective (venues centred, community, education, law enforcement, industry collaboration…) and we have reviewed the existing evidence in relation to each form of intervention. Popular types of interventions as providing information or pill testing are not evidence based. Other interventions as Responsible beverage services or designated driver programmes, backed by the industry, are not exactly the most effective, especially if they are not enforced. Others like community approaches can be effective but it can be a problem how to achieve their continuity. From the present review, what emerges as the best strategy is the combination of training, cooperation and enforcement. 'Classical' measures (taxation, reduced BAC limits, minimum legal purchasing age…) are also evidence-based and effective. Could be interesting to investigate interventions that address the cultural aspects of nightlife. But this sort of interventions do not depend on the will or the skills of professionals, and are more related to societal changes. The highly frequent use of popular but ineffective interventions contributes more to the problem than to its solution, and only facilitates giving preventive efforts a bad reputation.

The International Journal of Alcohol and Drug Research, 2014

Quigg, Z., Hughes, K., Bellis, M., van Hasselt, N., Calafat, A., Košir, M., Duch, M., Juan, M., V... more Quigg, Z., Hughes, K., Bellis, M., van Hasselt, N., Calafat, A., Košir, M., Duch, M., Juan, M., Voorham, L., & Goossens, F. (2014). Incidents of harm in European drinking environments and relationships with venue and customer characteristics. The International Journal Of Alcohol And Drug Research, 3(4), 269-275. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.7895/ijadr.v3i4.180Aim: Research shows there are associations between bar environments and alcohol-related harms. However, few European studies have examined such links. Our study investigates the type of harms experienced by patrons in European bars, and their relationships with individual, social and environmental factors.Design: Unobtrusive one-hour observational visits. Characteristics of the bar environment, staff and patrons, and harms observed were recorded on structured schedules.Setting: Bars in four cities in the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain and the United Kingdom (U.K.).Participants: 238 observations across 60 bars.Measures: Analyses utili...

Public health, 2013

There is an established relationship between nightlife, substance use and violence. This study in... more There is an established relationship between nightlife, substance use and violence. This study investigated this relationship when people are on holiday, and explored the differences in experiences between physical and verbal violence. A survey of young tourists at seven airport departure areas in Southern European resorts. Questionnaires from 6502 British and German tourists were analysed exploring demographics, violence (verbal and physical), substance use, and reasons for resort and venue selection. Over two-thirds of respondents reported being drunk on their holiday, 12.4% had been involved in arguments and 2.9% had been involved in fights. Logistic regression highlighted more violence amongst visitors to Mallorca [arguments: adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.7; fights: AOR 2.0] compared with those visiting Portugal, males (arguments: AOR 1.3; fights: AOR 1.7), those who had used illicit drugs (arguments: AOR 1.5; fights: AOR 2.9), those who had been in fights at home in the last 12 m...

The European Journal of Public Health, 2010

Background: Mediterranean lifestyle has long been hailed as protective against certain risk behav... more Background: Mediterranean lifestyle has long been hailed as protective against certain risk behaviours and diseases. Mediterranean drinking patterns of moderate alcohol consumption as part of daily life have often been assumed to protect young people from harmful alcohol consumption, in contrast to Northern European drinking patterns. Nightlife environments are strong related to alcohol and drugs use, and other health risk behaviours but few cross-national studies have been undertaken amongst young Europeans frequenting bars and nightclubs. This study aims to understand differences in nightlife risk-taking behaviours between young nightlife users from Mediterranean and non-Mediterranean cultures, including alcohol and illicit drug use, unprotected sex, violence and driving under the influence of alcohol. Methods: A total of 1363 regular nightlife users aged 16-35 years were surveyed in nine European cities by means of a self-reported questionnaire. Sample selection was done through respondent driven sampling techniques. Results: after controlling for demographic variables, no differences among the Mediterranean and non-Mediterranean samples were found in current alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, or cocaine use, neither in violent behaviours, but Northern people were more likely to get drunk [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.53], while Mediterranean were more likely to have unprotected sex (AOR = 2.01) and to drive drunken (AOR = 5.86). Conclusion: Our data suggest that stereotypes are partially confirmed, and that Mediterranean lifestyle is protective for some risk behaviours (drunkenness, ecstasy and amphetamines current use), but not for all of them. Further research in depth is needed in order to clarify the relations between cultural patterns, social norms and nightlife risk behaviours assumed by the young people.

BMC Public Health, 2011

Background: Reducing harm in drinking environments is a growing priority for European alcohol pol... more Background: Reducing harm in drinking environments is a growing priority for European alcohol policy yet few studies have explored nightlife drinking behaviours. This study examines alcohol consumption and blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in drinking environments in four European cities. Methods: A short questionnaire was implemented among 838 drinkers aged 16-35 in drinking environments in four European cities, in the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain and the UK. Questions included self-reported alcohol use before interview and expected consumption over the remainder of the night. Breathalyser tests were used to measured breath alcohol concentration (converted to BAC) at interview. Results: Most participants in the Dutch (56.2%), Spanish (59.6%) and British (61.4%) samples had preloaded (cf Slovenia 34.8%). In those drinking < 3 h at interview, there were no differences in BAC by gender or nationality. In UK participants, BAC increased significantly in those who had been drinking longer, reaching 0.13% (median) in females and 0.17% in males drinking > 5 h. In other nationalities, BAC increases were less pronounced or absent. High BAC (> 0.08%) was associated with being male, aged > 19, British and having consumed spirits. In all cities most participants intended to drink enough alcohol to constitute binge drinking. Conclusions: Different models of drinking behaviour are seen in different nightlife settings. Here, the UK sample was typified by continued increases in inebriation compared with steady, more moderate intoxication elsewhere. With the former being associated with higher health risks, European alcohol policy must work to deter this form of nightlife.

Archives of Sexual Behavior, 2012

Despite the known increase in substance use and risky sexual behaviors among young people during ... more Despite the known increase in substance use and risky sexual behaviors among young people during holiday periods, issues of sexual harassment (SH) and having sex against one's will (SAW) have not received adequate attention. We implemented a cross-sectional airport-based study to identify experience of SH and SAW in 6,502 British and German holidaymakers aged 16-35 years visiting tourist resorts in Southern Europe (Crete, Cyprus, Italy, Portugal, and Spain) in summer 2009. Across all participants, 8.6 % reported SH during their holiday and 1.5 % reported SAW. Women reported higher levels of SH than heterosexual males. However, gay and bisexual males reported SH levels similar to females and the highest levels of SAW. Of 19 predictor variables tested, ten were independently associated with SH. SH was increased in those who were visitors to Mallorca or Crete, British, younger, female, gay or bisexual, frequently drunk on holiday, cocaine users, and attracted to bars where people get drunk, or where there are opportunities for sex. Among 13 predictor variables tested for SAW, four were significant. SAW reduced in those visiting Cyprus, and was strongly associated with being a gay or bisexual male, using cannabis on holiday and being attracted to bars where there were opportunities for sex. Holiday resorts represent a key location for SH and SAW, especially for holidaymakers who get drunk and use drugs. Preventive programs can raise awareness of the risks of unwanted sexual encounters on holiday and work with the tourist industry and tourist authorities to develop environments where sexual aggression is not tolerated.

Drinking behaviours and blood alcohol concentration in four European drinking environments: a cro... more Drinking behaviours and blood alcohol concentration in four European drinking environments: a cross-sectional study

Adicciones, 2012

There is growing concern to understand those interventions which when effectively implemented may... more There is growing concern to understand those interventions which when effectively implemented may bring reduction in the harms associated with recreational nightlife venues. Management of drinking environments vary across Europe and we are faced with the need to set standards across European countries. The aim of this study is to present evidence highlighted by literature to a diverse sample of European recreational industry representatives and other key stakeholders (74 participants in 14 European countries), to ascertain their judgements on level of implementation, acceptance, effectiveness and regulation to propose a set of standards be implemented in European recreational nightlife settings. Results revealed that most industry representatives display high rates of agreement with those preventive interventions deemed most important by evidence, including those concerning venue management, underage checkouts, staff training and collaboration with the police. However, participants ...

Abstract: Preventing alcohol-related harm in drinking environments is a growing international pri... more Abstract: Preventing alcohol-related harm in drinking environments is a growing international priority. Factors relating to the physical, social and staffing environments in bars can contribute to increased alcohol consumption and harm. Understanding the relationships between such factors and intoxication in European drinking environments is critical to developing appropriate interventions. We undertook a quantitative observational

Abstract: Preventing alcohol-related harm in drinking environments is a growing international pri... more Abstract: Preventing alcohol-related harm in drinking environments is a growing international priority. Factors relating to the physical, social and staffing environments in bars can contribute to increased alcohol consumption and harm. Understanding the relationships between such factors and intoxication in European drinking environments is critical to developing appropriate interventions. We undertook a quantitative observational

Actas espanolas de psiquiatria, 2013

BACKGROUND Getting drunk is a common practice in the nightlife context and is related to risk beh... more BACKGROUND Getting drunk is a common practice in the nightlife context and is related to risk behaviors. One potentially preventive strategy would be to conduct breathalyzer (blood alcohol content level-BAC) tests in situ, encouraging the young people to take responsibility. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of such a measure. METHOD A sample of 555 young people were interviewed in the most popular nightlife recreational areas in three Spanish cities. After they answered to a brief questionnaire, the breathalyzer test was done and they were then informed of the results and also informed about the results, telling them what the maximum authorized rate of alcohol in expired air was for driving. After, they were asked about their drinking intentions for the rest of the night, and if they we going to be driving. RESULTS Only 21.6% stated that they would stop drinking or drink less, while a similar percentage (21.5%) said they would drink even more than they had intended ...

Los problemas con el abuso de alcohol y drogas ilegales están relacionados con la práctica de la ... more Los problemas con el abuso de alcohol y drogas ilegales están relacionados con la práctica de la diversión nocturna. Esta forma de diversión ha experimentado un gran desarrollo en las últimas décadas. El turismo ha tenido mucho que ver con esta expansión de este modelo de diversión. Pero también existen problemas por exceso de alcohol en las fiestas populares, que son promocionadas por los propios municipios. Los municipios se encuentran en una posición difícil: deben promover la vida nocturna (que es fuente de riqueza y bienestar) y deben minimizar los problemas relacionados con la práctica de este tipo de diversión. Se abordan en este artículo el impacto de esta vida recreativa en los municipios. Las corporaciones locales cuentan con un enorme potencial en prevención estructural (regulación de los horarios de venta de alcohol, prohibición de su consumo en ciertos lugares y determinados momentos, reorganización y fortalecimiento de la policía, cumplimiento de la legalidad vigente, ...