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Introduction and Aims: Risky alcohol consumption is linked to poor health and criminal justice outcomes. This study aims to assess the prevalence and correlates of risky drinking in a sample of recently incarcerated Australians. Design and Methods: Consecutive cross‐sectional data were collected from prisoners residing in 19 correctional facilities in six Australian states and territories as part of the National Prison Entrants' Bloodborne Virus and Risk Behaviour Survey Report. The sample consisted of 389 prisoners (339 men, 50 women). Risky alcohol consumption was estimated using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test‐Condensed questionnaire, with a cut‐off score of ≥6. Potential correlates of risky alcohol consumption were assessed utilising univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: Over one‐third (34.5%) of prisoners who were screened met the criteria for risky alcohol consumption. The five factors found to be independently and positively associated with risky alcohol consumption were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) status, incarceration in prison in the Northern Territory, heavy tobacco use, cannabis use and abstinence from drugs in the 4 weeks prior to incarceration. Additionally, risky alcohol consumption was associated with current or past hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection. Discussion and Conclusions: The findings highlight that risky alcohol consumption is common among prisoners across Australia. This is known to be associated with adverse health outcomes and re‐offending, suggesting a need for alcohol interventions targeting prisoners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess the effect of community tobacco interventions in Aboriginal communities., Methods: The study consisted of a pre- and post-study of the effect of a multi-component tobacco intervention conducted in six Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory (NT). The intervention included sports sponsorship, health promotion campaigns, training health professionals in the delivery of smoking cessation advice, school education about tobacco, and policy on smoke-free public places. The study was conducted in three intervention communities and three matched control communities. Surveys were used to measure changes in prevalence of tobacco use, changes in knowledge, and attitudes to cessation in intervention communities., Results: Tobacco consumption decreased in one intervention community compared with the matched control community; the trends of consumption (as measured by tobacco ordered through points of sale) in these communities were significantly different (t = -4.5, 95% CI -33.6 - (-12.5), p < or = 0.01). Community samples in intervention communities included 920 participants. There was no significant change in the prevalence of tobacco use, although knowledge of the health effects of tobacco and readiness to quit increased., Conclusions: Although it is difficult to demonstrate a reduction in tobacco consumption or in the prevalence of tobacco use as a result of multi-component community tobacco interventions delivered in Aboriginal communities, such interventions can increase awareness of the health effects of tobacco and increase reported readiness to cease tobacco use.

Issue Addressed: To assess the effect of anti-tobacco television advertising in comparison to other anti-tobacco interventions for Aboriginal people in remote communities in the Northern Territory., Method: This research was carried out as part of a large study evaluating the effect of multi-component, evidence-based tobacco interventions developed in three remote communities. Community surveys (assessing changes in smoking behaviour and exposure to tobacco interventions) were used to assess exposure to and effect of television advertising, relative to other interventions over the intervention year., Results: 351 community members were interviewed. Exposure to anti-tobacco television advertising was high among both smokers and non-smokers (86% vs. 85%, p = 0.78). However, those who recalled seeing anti-tobacco advertising were no more likely to have quit than those who had not (11 exposed (6%) vs. 3 non-exposed (10%), Fisher's Exact Test p = 0.42). Logistic regression showed that exposure to individual tobacco interventions was not associated with an increased chance of cessation during the intervention year., Conclusion: Recall of anti-tobacco television advertising was high in these remote Aboriginal communities; more Aboriginal people recalled exposure to anti-tobacco television advertising than to any other cessation intervention. Although the overall cessation rate was low, a small number of smokers had given up as a result of seeing these television advertisements.

Objective: To assess use of free nicotine patches by Indigenous people when offered a brief intervention for smoking cessation, and to assess changes in smoking behaviour at six months., Methods: We conducted a pre and post study in three Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory., Results: Forty Indigenous smokers self-selected to receive free nicotine patches and a brief intervention for smoking cessation, and 71 chose the brief intervention only. Eighty-four per cent of participants were followed up; 14% of participants could not be located. Fifteen per cent of the nicotine patches group (10% with CO validation) and 1% (CO validated) of the brief intervention only group reported that they had quit at six months. Seventy-six per cent of the nicotine patches group and 51% of the brief intervention only group had reduced their consumption of tobacco. No participant completed a full course of patches. One possible side effect--the experience of bad dreams--was attributed in one community to the person concerned having been 'sung' or cursed., Conclusions: Free nicotine patches might benefit a small number of Indigenous smokers. Cessation rates for the use of both nicotine patches and brief intervention alone were lower than those in other populations, possibly because the study was conducted in a primary care setting and because of barriers to cessation such as widespread use of tobacco in these communities and the perception of tobacco use as non-problematic.