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Aims: To compare four a priori rival mediated pathways of frequent social media use, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) use and internalizing mental health (MH) problems across five waves of nationally representative data. Design, setting and participants: This was a longitudinal study using data drawn from waves 2–5 (October 2014–November 2019) of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study, a nationally representative cohort study spanning approximately 5 years, conducted in the United States. The analytical sample of participants included those who were aged 12–14 years at wave 2 and who provided data in subsequent waves until wave 4.5 (n = 4627, 69.7% were White and 51.4% were male). Measurements: Frequent social media use (several times a day), ENDS use (past 30‐day use) and internalizing MH problems (endorsed symptoms on four items in the past year) were dichotomized for analysis. Findings The weighted proportions of the three key variables increased over time. From wave 2 to wave 5, frequent social media use grew from 56.9 to 77.2%; internalizing MH problems from 18.9 to 29.0%; and ENDS use from 1.4 to 11.4%. In weighted logistic regressions using generalized linear mixed models with random effects, there was a significant within‐person association between frequent social media use at time t and greater ENDS use at t + 1 [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.87; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.47, 2.37] and worsened internalizing MH problems at t + 1 (aOR = 1.19; 95% CI = 1.04, 1.37). A model‐based causal mediation analysis and marginal structural models were fitted to estimate the average causal mediation effect. Among all four examined mediation pathways throughout the three constructs, partial mediation was observed, and all the pathways were significant for both boys and girls. Sex differences did not emerge in the examined prospective mediated pathways. Conclusions: Among youth in the United States, frequent social media use appears to mediate the prospective association between experiencing internalizing mental health problems and using electronic nicotine delivery systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two independent studies were conducted to extend previous research by examining the associations between task value priority patterns across school subjects and aspirations toward the physical and information technology- (IT-) related sciences. Study 1 measured task values of a sample of 10th graders in the United States (N = 249) across (a) physics and chemistry, (b) math, and (c) English. Study 2 measured task values of a sample of students in the second year of high school in Finland (N = 351) across (a) math and science, (b) Finnish, and (c) the arts and physical education. In both studies, students were classified into groups according to how they ranked math and science in relation to the other subjects. Regression analyses indicated that task value group membership significantly predicted subsequent aspirations toward physical and IT-related sciences measured 1-2 years later. The task value groups who placed the highest priority on math and science were significantly more likely to aspire to physical and IT-related sciences than were the other groups. These findings provide support for the theoretical assumption regarding the predictive role of intraindividual hierarchical patterns of task values for subsequent preferences and choices suggested by the Eccles [Parsons] (1983) expectancy-value model. (Contains 11 tables and 2 figures.)

Background: The United States FDA approved an over-the-counter HIV self-test, to facilitate increased HIV testing and earlier linkage to care. We assessed the accuracy of self-testing by untrained participants compared to healthcare worker (HCW) testing, participants' ability to interpret sample results and user-acceptability of self-tests in Singapore. Methodology/Principal Findings: A cross-sectional study, involving 200 known HIV-positive patients and 794 unknown HIV status at-risk participants was conducted. Participants (all without prior self-test experience) performed self-testing guided solely by visual instructions, followed by HCW testing, both using the OraQuick ADVANCE Rapid HIV 1/2 Antibody Test, with both results interpreted by the HCW. To assess ability to interpret results, participants were provided 3 sample results (positive, negative, and invalid) to interpret. Of 192 participants who tested positive on HCW testing, self-testing was positive in 186 (96.9%), negative in 5 (2.6%), and invalid in 1 (0.5%). Of 794 participants who tested negative on HCW testing, self-testing was negative in 791 (99.6%), positive in 1 (0.1%), and invalid in 2 (0.3%). Excluding invalid tests, self-testing had sensitivity of 97.4% (95% CI 95.1% to 99.7%) and specificity of 99.9% (95% CI: 99.6% to 100%). When interpreting results, 96%, 93.1% and 95.2% correctly read the positive, negative and invalid respectively. There were no significant demographic predictors for false negative self-testing or wrongly interpreting positive or invalid sample results as negative. Eighty-seven percent would purchase the kit over-the-counter; 89% preferred to take HIV tests in private. 72.5% and 74.9% felt the need for pre- and post-test counseling respectively. Only 28% would pay at least USD15 for the test. Conclusions/Significance: Self-testing was associated with high specificity, and a small but significant number of false negatives. Incorrectly identifying model results as invalid was a major reason for incorrect result interpretation. Survey responses were supportive of making self-testing available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In June 2009, during Singapore's pandemic influenza plan containment phase, pandemic (H1N1) 2009 was introduced into the country through imported cases. To understand how travel patterns affected the initial outbreak, we examined epidemiologic and travel data for the first 116 case-patients admitted to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore, with travel-associated infection. Sixty-one percent and 54% of patients, respectively, met US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization temperature criteria for influenza-like illness. One fourth of the case-patients traveled after illness onset, and 15% became ill while traveling. Regions of exposure for imported infections changed rapidly; case-patients initially arrived from North America, followed by Australasia and Southeast Asia. Case-patients on longer flights were more likely to become ill before arrival; those with shorter flights tended to become ill after arrival. Thermal scanners detected fevers in 12% of the arriving case-patients, resulting in a shorter time to isolation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On April 25, 2009, Singapore implemented strict containment measures for pandemic (H1N1) 2009 with enhanced surveillance and hospital isolation. In the first month, seasonal influenza, predominantly virus subtype H3N2, was diagnosed for 32% of patients with acute febrile respiratory illness. Our findings underscore the high prevalence of seasonal influenza in Singapore. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In recent years, there has been a rapid increase in the use of both electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and electronic devices among U.S. youth. Informed by the Diffusion of Innovations Theory (DIT), it was hypothesized that elevated use of electronic devices (EUED) prospectively would predict ENDS use among youth.Methods: Data were drawn from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study, a longitudinal cohort study in a nationally representative sample. Participants who were 12-17 years old, and naïve to both conventional cigarettes and ENDS at baseline (N = 11,325) were sampled. A total of 8723 respondents had matched data from Wave 1 to Wave 2 and 6051 respondents had matched data for all the three waves. Multivariable sequential logistic regressions were conducted to examine determinants of ENDS use in later waves using R version 3.5.2.Results: Among youth who were naïve to both ENDS and conventional cigarettes at baseline, those with EUED were more likely to initiate ENDS use in later years than those without EUED even after controlling for exposure to ENDS advertisements and other well-established covariates of ENDS use. Daily (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] ranges from 2.76 to 3.56) and weekly (AOR ranges from 2.16 to 2.65) social networking service (SNS) users were more likely to initiate ENDS use than non-users of SNS in the adjusted models.Conclusions: The findings support the hypothesis that EUED prospectively predicts ENDS use among youth. The use of DIT framework helps understand the link between EUED and ENDS use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Polysubstance use among adults has been a public health concern in the U.S. and is associated with adverse consequences. This study aimed to identify the longitudinal trajectory of polysubstance use and test whether internalizing and externalizing problems predict it., Methods: Data of adults aged 18 and older (N = 15076) were extracted from the Waves 1-5 Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study (2013-2019). Group-Based Trajectory Modeling was performed to identify the trajectory of polysubstance use. Examined substances included use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, excessive alcohol, cannabis, painkillers, and cocaine in past 30 days from all waves. Weighted multinomial logistic regressions were conducted to investigate the associations between internalizing and externalizing problems and the trajectory of polysubstance use, controlling for demographic variables., Results: Five trajectory groups were identified: (1) No to minimal polysubstance use risk (45.6 %); (2) Polysubstance use-low risk (10.7 %); (3) Cigarette-leading polysubstance use-high risk (23.5 %); (4) Cigarette-cannabis co-leading polysubstance use-high risk (12.3 %); and (5) Cannabis-leading polysubstance use-high risk (7.8 %). Compared with Group 1, higher internalizing problems predicted the membership of Group 3 [Relative risk ratio (RRR) range: 1.07-1.17] and Group 4 (RRR range: 1.04-1.21). Compared with Group 1, higher externalizing problems predicted the membership of Group 5 (RRR range: 1.01-1.10)., Conclusions: Prevention efforts should consider internalizing problems and associated trajectories of high-risk polysubstance use (e.g., cigarette-leading and cigarette-cannabis co-leading) as well as externalizing problems and associated trajectories of high-risk polysubstance use (e.g., cannabis-leading), when designing interventions to prevent polysubstance use., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Using data from a nationally representative longitudinal study, Midlife in the United States (waves 1-3; N = 1113; aged 49-93), this study investigated whether partnered living status (partnered vs. non-partnered) and partnered living quality (support/strain from partner, partner disagreements) were associated with physical activity in middle-aged/older adults. Regressions were performed to test the effect of change or stability in partnered living status across three waves and relationship quality on the frequency of moderate and vigorous physical activity at Wave 3. Subjects who changed from non-partnered to partnered living had the highest moderate and vigorous physical activity levels. Partner support was positively associated with moderate physical activity (β = .50, p < .01), and partner disagreement was negatively associated with vigorous physical activity (β = -.27, p < .01). Results suggest that partnered living status and quality can influence physical activity among the aging population. Physical activity interventions among older adults may benefit from including social support as a key component., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Background: Aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) personnel are first responders located at airports in the United States who provide emergency response, mitigation, evacuation, and rescue of passengers and crew of aircraft at airports. The nature of their work puts ARFF personnel in close contact with travelers on a regular basis and at elevated risk for COVID-19 exposure., Objective: In this study, we focused on safety behavior, perceived risk, and workplace resources to understand COVID-19 outcomes in the early pandemic among the overlooked worker population of ARFF personnel. The goal of this study was to examine how a self-reported positive COVID test were associated with safety behavior, perceived risk, and workplace resources., Methods: Cross-sectional survey data were collected among ARFF personnel a year into the COVID-19 pandemic., Results: Regression results showed that each additional unit increase in perceived susceptibility to COVID-19 was associated with a 133% increase in the odds of testing positive for COVID-19 (OR = 2.33, p <  0.05), and with each additional unit increase in perceived severity level, the odds of getting COVID-19 decreased by 47% (OR = 0.53, p <  0.05)., Conclusions: Infection control among first responders may be improved by providing relevant information physical and emotional resources, and support that help shape perceptions of risk and adoption of prevention behaviors.

Purpose: Prior studies established significant associations between e-cigarette use and combustible cigarette smoking in the general population; however, little is known about such associations among cancer survivors. Thus, the current study examined possible associations between e-cigarette use and combustible cigarette smoking among U.S. cancer survivors., Methods: Cross-sectional data were drawn from the 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the associations between e-cigarette user status and combustible cigarette-smoking status in a sample of 4680 cancer survivors, controlling for alcohol use and sociodemographic factors. Analyses were weighted for unequal probability of sample selection to reflect national cancer survivor population estimates., Results: Prevalence for current e-cigarette use and combustible cigarette smoking for cancer survivors was 2.57% and 16.16%, respectively. In the adjusted analyses, cancer survivors who reported current e-cigarette use, compared to never-users, had greater odds of being current combustible cigarette smokers (odds ratio [OR] = 11.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 5.38-25.93). Likewise, former e-cigarette users, compared to never-users, had greater odds of being current combustible cigarette smokers (OR = 15.90, 95% CI = 10.68-23.36)., Conclusion: Among cancer survivors in the USA, e-cigarette use had a positive and highly significant association with combustible cigarette smoking., Implications for Cancer Survivors: In order to prevent multiple and substitute use of nicotine-delivery products, prevention interventions and cessation programs designed for cancer survivors should specifically target both current combustible cigarette smokers and non-smokers who report former and current e-cigarette use.