The ability of screening instruments for convicted drinking drivers to predict subsequent alcohol and drug-related problems rarely has been studied. The predictive validity of the Research Institute on Addictions Self-Inventory (RIASI) was investigated in a sample of 6,003 convicted drinking drivers who were participating in Back on Track (BOT), Ontario's remedial measures program for convicted drinking drivers. All BOT participants complete an assessment (which includes the RIASI), followed by a brief education or treatment program, and concluded 6 months later by a follow-up interview. The follow-up interview collects information on self-reported alcohol and other drug use and problems, and contacts with other health care providers in the 90 days prior to the follow-up contact. The ability of scores on the RIASI to predict these measures was assessed. The results revealed that, for almost all comparisons, individuals who used alcohol and other drugs, reported more substance-related problems at follow-up, and reported more contacts with other health and addictions providers had significantly higher scores on the RIASI total score and the RIASI recidivism scale at the initial assessment. The data indicate that this instrument appears to be able to identify individuals who will experience alcohol and drug related problems in the future.
Dietary data from a representative sample of 1396 adults (603 males, 793 females) aged 18 years and over in the inner London district of Bloomsbury and Islington were analysed using five sets of questions from the 1990 Bloomsbury and Islington Health and Lifestyle Survey. Six qualitative dietary indicators were developed from two sets of food frequency questions to give score ratings for intakes of saturated fat, positive healthy choices for fat, high fibre starchy foods, fruit and vegetables, sugar, and an index of healthy dietary practice. These indicators along with the data from the remaining three sets of questions were analysed to examine the dietary beliefs, attitudes and practices of different age and sex groups in the study population.
About one‐third of men and a fifth of women over 18 years old had poor dietary practice, while a fifth of men and two‐fifths of women had good dietary practice. Younger (age 18–29) and older (age 60 +) groups had poorer dietary practice than adults of middle age. The younger adults with poor dietary practice were more likely to want to change to a healthy diet than older people, whereas a higher proportion of older adults (men aged over 45, women over 60) than younger adults showed a low level of awareness of what a healthy diet comprises.
For health promotion intervention, all men, especially those aged 18–29 and over 45 years and women aged 18–29 and over 60 years need to be targeted for some change in dietary practice. These groups and middle aged (30–44 years) men in particular may benefit from a change of belief or attitude towards diet.
Limitations of the survey questionnaire, and thus the dietary indicators used for analysis are discussed, and suggestions for planning future survey work of this kind are made.
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