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Publication Cross-cultural validation of the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) in 42 countries and 26 languages(Springer, 2024-10-24) Költő, AndrásIntroduction The Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX) is a brief questionnaire that evaluates five major aspects of sexual function: sex drive, arousal, erectile function/vaginal lubrication, ability to reach orgasm, and satisfaction with orgasm. An advantage of the ASEX is its simplicity and brevity (five items), making it suitable for the screening of sexual function problems in healthcare contexts and large-scale studies. The main objective of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the ASEX in a multi-national sample, as well as to explore sexual function according to countries, genders, and sexual orientations. Methods The psychometric examination of the ASEX was conducted with a sample of 82,243 participants (women = 57.02%; men = 39.59%; gender-diverse = 3.38%; Mage = 32.39 years; SD = 12.52) from 42 different countries speaking 26 languages. Results The CFA supported a one-factor solution. Multigroup CFAs supported configural, metric, partial scalar, and residual invariance across countries, languages, genders, and sexual orientations. Furthermore, the ASEX showed good internal consistency (ω = .85) and convergent validity (e.g., significant negative associations with masturbation and sexual intercourse frequency). Finally, individuals in Eastern countries, women, and asexual participants reported higher levels of sexual function issues. Conclusions and Policy Implications The findings supported the use of the ASEX as a tool to screen for sexual function problems across diverse populations in multi-cultural settings. This scale may be used to improve our knowledge on the cross-cultural differences on the expression of sexual function, serving as the basis for the development of culturally tailored interventions for the improvement of this basic aspect of well-being.Publication Drivers and facilitators of HIV-related stigma in healthcare settings in Ireland(Springer, 2024-09-13) Vaughan, Elena; Költő, András; IReL ConsortiumPeople living with HIV who experience stigma in healthcare settings are at increased risk for engaging in health avoidance behaviours, suboptimal adherence to antiretroviral therapy, and viral non-suppression. HIV-related stigma erodes trust between patients and healthcare providers, thereby undermining both individual and public health. This study aimed to identify predictors of stigmatising attitudes, stigma practices, and fear of occupational transmission among healthcare workers in the Republic of Ireland. Data were collected from 295 healthcare workers using a standardised tool designed to measure HIV-related stigma. The outcomes examined were stigmatising attitudes, stigmatising practices (such as excessive infection precaution measures), and fear of occupational transmission. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to explore predictors at the individual, clinic, and policy levels. The results indicated that none of the models significantly predicted stigmatising attitudes. However, stigmatising practices were positively associated with never having worked in an HIV clinic, lack of knowledge or agreement with the concept of ‘undetectable equals untransmittable’ (U = U), and the presence of institutional policies, collectively accounting for 25.3% of the variance. Fear of occupational transmission was positively predicted by gender and lack of knowledge or agreement with U = U, explaining 23.8% of the variance. The findings highlight the critical role of U = U knowledge in reducing stigma-related behaviours and fears among healthcare workers. Enhancing knowledge and acceptance of U = U as part of comprehensive stigma interventions may help reduce the stigma experienced by people living with HIV in healthcare settings.Publication Sun-related knowledge and practices in Irish construction and agricultural workers(Oxford University Press, 2024-07-11) Hogan, Victoria; Hogan, Michael; Kirwan, O.; Langan Walsh, C.; McLaughlin, C.; Moynihan, Á.; Connolly, A.; Walsh, J.; Coggins, MarieBackground Agricultural and construction workers spend much of their work time outdoors and have higher risks of developing skin cancer when compared to indoor workers. However, there is limited research on ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure knowledge, sun safety practices and constraints within these occupational groups in Ireland. Aims This study aimed to examine self-reported time spent outdoors in a sample of Irish agricultural and construction workers; to describe and compare UVR exposure knowledge, safety practices and perceived constraints in both occupational groups, and to assess the association of demographic, personal and occupational factors with sun-related knowledge, practices and perceived constraints. Methods Agricultural workers (n = 154) and construction workers (n = 467) completed a questionnaire, which measured solar UVR exposure knowledge, safety practices, and perceived constraints to sun personal protective equipment and sunscreen use in addition to demographic, personal, and workplace characteristics. Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used to examine differences in knowledge, practices and perceived constraints by these characteristics. Results Both groups spend a significant proportion of their working week outdoors (25 hours per week on average). Although participation in sun safety training was high for both groups, UVR exposure knowledge and sunscreen use were low, and annual rates of reported sunburn were high. Knowledge, practices and perceived constraints also differed significantly according to demographic, personal, occupational and workplace characteristics. Conclusions In addition to training by employers and advisory groups, interventions are required to address perceived barriers that impede the uptake and usage of control measures that can lower risk.Publication The discursive construction of HIV stigma in Irish print media(SAGE Publications, 2021-08-23) Vaughan, Elena; Power, MartinAs interlocutors in national level discourse with the power to influence public opinion and inform policy, the news media are an important data source in understanding the constitutive roles played by culture and discourse in shaping health experiences and outcomes. This paper reports on a critical discourse analysis of news media coverage of HIV in the Republic of Ireland between 2006 and 2016. This period is significant because of the considerable increase in new HIV diagnoses that occurred in Ireland after the 2008 recession. Analysis of articles (n=103) demonstrated a pattern of dividing practices whereby people living with or affected by HIV were frequently positioned as somatically and morally deficient via discourses of risk and responsibility. Little focus was given over to examination of the structural drivers of HIV, occluding the social context of the epidemic. The findings suggest that media discourses on HIV have the potential to other people living with HIV and generate stigma by invoking a dynamic of blame and shame frequently implicated in the stigma process.Publication Implementing school-based social and emotional learning programmes: Recommendations from research (Practice brief)(Health Promotion Research Centre, National University of Ireland Galway, 2021-06) Dowling, Katherine; Barry, Margaret[No abstract available]Publication Sunburn, sun safety and indoor tanning among schoolchildren in Ireland(Frontiers Media, 2021-05-20) Költő, András; Rodriguez, Lauren; McAvoy, Helen; Nic Gabhainn, Saoirse; Department of Health, Republic of IrelandObjectives: We present patterns of sunburn, sun safety behaviors and indoor tanning bed use in a nationally representative sample of schoolchildren aged 10–17. These behaviors were explored across gender, age, and social class groups. Methods: Within the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) Ireland study, 10,271 young people (aged 13.54 ± 1.92, percentage girls 53.3%) reported frequency of sun safety behaviors, sunburn, and frequency and circumstances of indoor tanning bed use. Results: Children frequently experienced sunburn (90% lifetime, 74% last year), and 3% reported never using any sun protection. Applying sunscreen and wearing sunglasses were the most commonly used sun safety measures; other ways of sun protection were less popular. Indoor tanning bed use was reported by around 5%, and a large proportion of users were not advised of any indoor tanning safety measures. Sun safety behaviors varied by age and gender, with some socio-economic differences in tanning bed use. An association was found between frequency of family holidays abroad and sunburn. Conclusion: Targeted interventions are needed to increase sun safety behaviors and eliminate tanning bed use among children in Ireland.Publication Transport to school and mental well-being of schoolchildren in Ireland(Frontiers Media, 2021-04-09) Költő, András; Gavin, Aoife; Kelly, Colette; Nic Gabhainn, Saoirse; Department of Health, Republic of Ireland.Objectives: We explored whether modes of transport (cycling, walking, public transport or private vehicle) between home and school are associated with mental well-being in children aged 10 17 years, participating in the Irish Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study. Methods: Scores on the World Health Organization Well-being Index and the Mental Health Inventory five-item versions, self-reported life satisfaction, happiness with self, body satisfaction, excellent self-rated health, and multiple health complaints of 9,077 schoolchildren (mean age: 13.99 ± 1.91 years, percentage girls: 52.2%) were compared across modes of transport, unadjusted and adjusted for gender, age, family affluence and area of residence. Results: Those who reported using public transport reported poorer mental well-being than those using other means of transport, but adjusting for sociodemographic variables obscured these differences. The only exception was excellent health, where children who cycled outperformed the other three groups, even after adjustment for sociodemographic variables. Conclusions: Cycling can improve well-being in children. However, in promotion of cycling, social and environmental determinants and inequalities which influence adolescents and their parents decisions on modes of transport, need to be considered.Publication Parental participation in primary schools: the views of parents and children(Emerald, 2014-07-28) John-Akinola, Yetunde Olufisayo; Nic Gabhainn, SaoirsePurpose Parental participation is important for strengthening and sustaining the concept of school health promotion but little is written on the processes involved. The purpose of this paper is to assess Irish parents’ and pupils’ views on how parents take part, or would like to take part, in school life. Design/methodology/approach The sample was recruited from nine primary schools, three Health Promoting Schools and six matched schools. Pupils aged nine to 13 years in the 4th, 5th and 6th class groups participated in the study. Parents of all participating pupils were also invited to take part in the study. Data were collected by self-completion questionnaire, comprising three closed and one open question. Findings A total of 218 parents and 231 pupils participated. There was general agreement between parents and pupils on parental participation in school. Overall 40.6 per cent of parents and 43.2 per cent of pupils reported that parents frequently take part in school activities. A majority of both parents (79.5 per cent) and pupils (83.6 per cent), agreed that parents were encouraged to talk about things that concern their child in school, while 73.5 per cent of parents and 65.6 per cent of pupils reported that they were made to feel a part of child's school. Qualitative data from parents and pupils suggested similar ways in which parents can best take part in school. Some respondents suggested how schools could engage with parents but most responses provided examples of how parents could act directly to take part in school life. These direct actions included doing, helping with, and watching school activities such as sports, tours, music and cake sales. Originality/value The findings illustrate the similarity of views of parents and pupils concerning parents’ participation in school life and suggest that children may have the potential to represent the voice of their parents in school when considering how to improve parental participation in schools.Publication Is school participation good for children? Associations with health and wellbeing(Emerald, 2012-02-17) de Róiste, Aingeal; Kelly, Colette; Molcho, Michal; Gavin, Aoife; Nic Gabhainn, SaoirsePurpose There is increasing recognition of children's abilities to speak for themselves. School democracy, as demonstrated by genuine participation, has the potential to benefit both teachers and students; leading to better relationships and improved learning experiences. The aim of this study is to investigate whether participation in schools in Ireland is linked with perceived academic performance, liking school and positive health perceptions. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected via self‐completion questionnaires from a stratified random sample of 10,334 students aged 10‐17 years in Irish schools. The questions included encouragement to express their views in class, participation in the organisation of school events; taking part in making school rules; liking school, perceived academic performance, self‐rated health, life satisfaction and self‐reported happiness. Associations between school participation and other measures were expressed by odds ratios from logistic regression models, conducted separately for girls and boys. Findings More than 63 per cent of participating students reported that they were encouraged to express their views in class, 58 per cent that they were involved in organising school events and 22 per cent that they had been involved in making school rules. All forms of participation were lower among older students. Participation in school was significantly associated with liking school and higher perceived academic performance, better self‐rated health, higher life satisfaction and greater reported happiness. Research limitations/implications These data are all cross‐sectional and relationships cannot imply causality. Practical implications These findings underscore the relevance of school participation for students in Ireland. Originality/value The paper illustrates that, in general, positive relationships between school participation and health and wellbeing are demonstrated among Irish children.Publication Taking part in school life: views of children(Emerald, 2014-01-01) John-Akinola, Yetunde Olufisayo; Gavin, Aoife; O’Higgins, Siobhán Elizabeth; Nic Gabhainn, SaoirseInvestigating active travel to primary school in Ireland Investigating active travel to primary school in Ireland Natasha Daniels (Health Promotion Research Centre, Aras na Coiribe, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland) Colette Kelly (Health Promotion Research Centre, Aras na Coiribe, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland) Michal Molcho (Health Promotion Research Centre, Aras Moyola, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland) Jane Sixsmith (Health Promotion Research Centre, Aras Moyola, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland) Molly Byrne (School of Psychology, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland) Saoirse Nic Gabhainn (Health Promotion Research Centre, Aras Moyola, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland) Health Education ISSN: 0965-4283 Publication date: 30 September 2014 Reprints & Permissions Abstract Purpose Active travel to school, by walking or cycling, can positively influence children's health and increase physical activity. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the context and promoters and barriers of active travel, and the required actions and actors that need to be involved to address each of these. Design/methodology/approach Both quantitative and participative research methodologies were employed. The sample consisted of 73 children aged between 11 and 13 years from four primary schools in the West of Ireland. A self-completion questionnaire was followed by a participative protocol conducted with the class groups. Findings Overall 30.1 per cent of children reported that they actively travelled to school. A greater proportion of children from urban and disadvantaged schools actively travelled. Proximity to the school was the most frequently reported promoter and barrier. The children identified many actors that need to be involved to eliminate the barriers and enact the promoters of active travel to school. They also highlighted the need for a multi-sectorial approach to improve active travel rates in Ireland. Originality/value This study holds potential value in addressing the continued decline in active travel to school in Ireland as it shares a new perspective on the issue; that of the children. Adopting a participative approach allowed the children to participate in groups and develop the data themselves. The children confirmed that they have a relevant and valuable understanding of the process necessary to address active travel to school as a public health issue in Ireland.Publication Investigating active travel to primary school in Ireland(Emerald, 2014-09-30) Daniels, Natasha; Kelly, Colette; Molcho, Michal; Sixsmith, Jane; Byrne, Molly; Nic Gabhainn, SaoirseAbstract Purpose Active travel to school, by walking or cycling, can positively influence children's health and increase physical activity. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the context and promoters and barriers of active travel, and the required actions and actors that need to be involved to address each of these. Design/methodology/approach Both quantitative and participative research methodologies were employed. The sample consisted of 73 children aged between 11 and 13 years from four primary schools in the West of Ireland. A self-completion questionnaire was followed by a participative protocol conducted with the class groups. Findings Overall 30.1 per cent of children reported that they actively travelled to school. A greater proportion of children from urban and disadvantaged schools actively travelled. Proximity to the school was the most frequently reported promoter and barrier. The children identified many actors that need to be involved to eliminate the barriers and enact the promoters of active travel to school. They also highlighted the need for a multi-sectorial approach to improve active travel rates in Ireland. Originality/value This study holds potential value in addressing the continued decline in active travel to school in Ireland as it shares a new perspective on the issue; that of the children. Adopting a participative approach allowed the children to participate in groups and develop the data themselves. The children confirmed that they have a relevant and valuable understanding of the process necessary to address active travel to school as a public health issue in Ireland.Publication Parents' support and knowledge of their daughters' lives and females' early sexual initiation In nine European countries.(Wiley, 2012-10-08) Madkour, Aubrey Spriggs; Farha, Tilda; Farhat, Tilda; Halpern, Carolyn Tucker; Nic Gabhainn, Saoirse; Godeau, EmmanuelleCONTEXT: Associations between early sexual initiation and parental support and knowledge have not been uniformly tested in multiple European population-based samples. Understanding such associations is important in efforts to discourage females' early sex.METHODS: Data were compiled for 7,466 females aged 14-16 who participated in the 2005-2006 Health Behaviors in School-Aged Children survey in nine countries (Austria, Finland, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Lithuania, Romania, Spain and Ukraine). Univariate, bivariate and multivariable analyses were run with standard error corrections and weights to assess how sexual initiation before age 16 was related to maternal and paternal support and knowledge of daily activities.RESULTS: Prevalence of early sexual initiation ranged from 7% (in Romania) to 35% (in Iceland). In bivariate analyses, maternal and paternal support were significantly negatively related to adolescent females' early sexual initiation in most countries. In models with demographic controls, parental support was negatively associated with early sexual initiation (odds ratio, 0.8 for maternal and 0.7 for paternal). After parental knowledge was added, early sexual initiation was no longer associated with parental support, but was negatively associated with maternal and paternal knowledge (0.7 for each). These patterns held across countries.CONCLUSIONS: Parental knowledge largely explained negative associations between parental support and early initiation, suggesting either that knowledge is more important than support or that knowledge mediates the association between support and early sex. Perspectives on Sexual and Reproductive Health, 2012, 44(3):167-175, doi: 10.1363/4416712Publication Dance Is the new metal: Adolescent music preferences and substance use across Europe(Taylor and Francis, 2012-01-17) ter Bogt, Tom F.M.; Nic Gabhainn, Saoirse; Simons-Morton, Bruce G.; Ferreira, Mafalda; Hublet, Anne; Godeau, Emmanuelle; Kuntsche, Emmanuel; Richter, MatthiasThis study examined relationships between music preferences and substance use (tobacco, alcohol, cannabis) among 18,103 fifteen-year-olds from 10 European countries. In 2005–2006, across Europe, preferences for mainstream Pop (pop chart music) and Highbrow (classical music and jazz) were negatively associated with substance use, while preferences for Dance (house/trance and techno/hardhouse) were associated positively with substance use. In three countries, links were identified between liking Rock (rock, heavy metal punk/hardcore, and gothic) and substance use; associations between Urban (hip-hop and R&B) and substance use were mixed. No substantial gender differences emerged in these patterns, and controlling for relevant covariates did not attenuate the predictive value of substance use. The findings are consistent with the conclusion that music is a robust marker of adolescent substance use.Publication The prevalence, impact and cost of chronic non-cancer pain in Irish primary schoolchildren (PRIME-C): protocol for a longitudinal school-based survey(BMJ Publishing Group, 2015-05-14) O'Higgins, Siobhán; Doherty, Edel; Nic Gabhainn, Saoirse; Murphy, Andrew; Hogan, Michael; O'Neill, Ciaran; McGuire, Brian E.; Health Research BoardIntroduction Previous research has indicated that pain influences children's daily lives, resulting in absence from school, sleep problems, poor school performance and problems with social activities. Our study aims to characterise the nature, extent, impact and cost of chronic pain among Irish children. Methods and analysis Using cluster-systematic random sampling, primary schools will be invited to participate and 6000 5–12-year-olds asked to complete questionnaires in school classrooms, at time points 1 year apart. Questionnaires will use internationally valid psychometric measures to assess a range of quality of life factors and chronic pain indicators among children, with corresponding parental/primary caregiver questions, which will be completed at home. Data will also be gathered on the cost of chronic pain. Space will be given for comments on how pain impacts on participants’ lives and possible coping mechanisms. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval has been granted by the Research Ethics Committee, National University of Ireland, Galway. Dissemination of results will be via journal articles and conference presentations on the various aspects of the study (ie, prevalence, impact and economic cost of chronic pain among 5–12-year-olds living in Ireland).Publication Children’s participation in school: a cross-sectional study of the relationship between school environments, participation and health and well-being outcomes(BMC, 2014-09-17) John-Akinola, Yetunde O.; Nic Gabhainn, SaoirseBackground: Schools are a key setting for health promotion and improvement activities and the psycho-social environment of the school is an important dimension for promoting the health and well-being of children. The development of Health Promoting Schools (HPS) draws on the settings-based approach to health promotion and includes child participation as one of its basic values. This paper investigates the relationships between child participation, the school environment and child outcomes.Methods: Study participants were recruited from nine primary schools, three of which were designated as Health Promoting Schools (HPS). Each HPS was matched with two non-HPS (NHPS) with similar characteristics. Two hundred and thirty-one pupils in the 4th-6th class groups completed self-report questionnaires to document their perspectives on the school socio-ecological environment, how they take part in school life, school processes and their health and well-being.Results: School participation was measured with four scales: participation in school decisions and rules, school activities, school events and positive perception of school participation. The differences in the reported mean score for three of the four scales were marginal and not statistically significant. However, the mean score for reported positive perception of school participation was significantly lower (X-2 = 5.13, df = 1, pPublication Effectiveness of a biopsychosocial e-learning intervention on the clinical judgements of medical students and GP trainees regarding future risk of disability in patients with chronic lower back pain: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial(BMJ Publishing Group, 2016-03-16) Dwyer, Christopher P.; Durand, Hannah; MacNeela, Pádraig; Reynolds, Bronagh; Hamm, Robert M.; Main, Christopher J.; O’Connor, Laura L.; Conneely, Sinéad; Taheny, Darragh; Slattery, Brian W.; O’Neill, Ciaran; Nic Gabhainn, Saoirse; Murphy, Andrew W .; Kropmans, Thomas; McGuire, Brian E.Introduction Chronic lower back pain (CLBP) is a major healthcare problem with wide ranging effects. It is a priority for appropriate management of CLBP to get individuals back to work as early as possible. Interventions that identify biopsychosocial barriers to recovery have been observed to lead to successfully reduced pain-related work absences and increased return to work for individuals with CLBP. Modern conceptualisations of pain adopt a biopsychosocial approach, such as the flags approach. Biopsychosocial perspectives have been applied to judgements about future adjustment, recovery from pain and risk of long-term disability; and provide a helpful model for understanding the importance of contextual interactions between psychosocial and biological variables in the experience of pain. Medical students and general practitioner (GP) trainees are important groups to target with education about biopsychosocial conceptualisations of pain and related clinical implications. Aim The current study will compare the effects of an e-learning intervention that focuses on a biopsychosocial model of pain, on the clinical judgements of medical students and trainees. Methods and analysis Medical student and GP trainee participants will be randomised to 1 of 2 study conditions: (1) a 20 min e-learning intervention focused on the fundamentals of the flags approach to clinical judgement-making regarding risk of future pain-related disability; compared with a (2) wait-list control group on judgement accuracy and weighting (ie, primary outcomes); flags approach knowledge, attitudes and beliefs towards pain, judgement speed and empathy (ie, secondary outcomes). Participants will be assessed at preintervention and postintervention.Publication Sexual health questions included in the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) Study: an international methodological pilot investigation(BMC, 2016-12-05) Young, Honor; Költő, András; Reis, Marta; Saewyc, Elizabeth M.; Moreau, Nathalie; Burke, Lorraine; Cosma, Alina; Windlin, Béat; Nic Gabhainn, Saoirse; Godeau, EmmanuelleBackground This paper describes the methodological developments of the sexual health items included in the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study since their mandatory inclusion in the study in 2002. The current methodological, ethical and pedagogical challenges in measuring young people’s sexual health behaviours are discussed along with the issues associated with the sexual health items introduced to the HBSC study in 2002. The development and piloting of new cross-national items for use in the 2013/14 HBSC data collection are presented and discussed. Methods An international pilot study was undertaken to determine the impact of these proposed changes. Questionnaires and classroom discussion groups were conducted in five pilot countries in 2012/2013 (France, Hungary, Ireland, Portugal and Romania) with a total of 612 school-aged children (age M = 15.55 years, SD = 0.95). Results The majority of participants in each country provided positive feedback about the appropriateness of the questions. Some small cross-national differences were found in the self-reported quantitative data relating to the appropriateness of the questions (χ2 = 22.831, df = 9, p = .007, V = .117). Qualitative feedback suggests that for the vast majority of students the phrasing and age-targeting of the questions were considered appropriate. With the exception of a small number of respondents who commented on the clarity and/or personal nature of the content, no specific issues with the questions were identified. Conclusions These findings provide guidance on the answerability (including the extent of missing and inconsistent data), understandability, acceptability (including in different cultures) and relevance of questions to potential participants. The findings from the pilot study suggest that in general, the questions are understandable, acceptable, and of a high priority to the target population, and that the simplification has significantly reduced the proportion of missing data. The new developments thus enhance the capacity of the questions to measure cross-nationally, sensitive aspects of young people’s sexual behaviour. These questions were included in the 2013/2014 round of the HBSC survey and will continue to be used to monitor trends in adolescent sexual health and behaviours, and to inform and influence health services and health education policy and practice at local, national and international levels.Publication Physical activity, screen time and the risk of subjective health complaints in school-aged children(Elsevier, 2016-12-11) Keane, Eimear; Kelly, Colette; Molcho, Michal; Nic Gabhainn, Saoirse; Department of Health, IrelandInternationally, subjective health complaints have become increasingly prevalent in children. Thus, a comprehensive understanding of the determinants of health complaints is needed to inform effective policies and strategies. This study explores if meeting physical activity and total screen time (TST) recommendations are associated with the risk of reporting health complaints weekly or more. The 2014 Irish Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study collected questionnaire data from 10,474 10–17 year olds. Children reported how often they experienced eight health complaints as less than weekly or weekly or more. Children who met moderate-to-vigorous physical activity recommendations were active for 60 min/day in the past seven days. Three types of screen based activity were categorised to reflect if children met TST recommendations of ≤ 2 h/day. Poisson regression examined the association between meeting recommendations and the risk of health complaints. The prevalence of individual health complaints ranged from 20.4–44.3% in girls and from 10.1–35.4% in boys. Overall, 5.1% (4.5–5.6%) of girls and 8.7% (7.8–9.5%) of boys met both (physical activity and TST) recommendations, while two thirds of girls (67.3%, 66.1–68.5%) and over half of boys (55.0%, 53.5–56.6%) met neither recommendation. Not meeting TST recommendations was significantly associated with the risk of reporting health complaints while associations with physical activity were less apparent. Children who did not meet either recommendation had a significantly increased risk for six of the health complaints when compared to those who met both recommendations. As health complaints and poor lifestyle behaviours were common in children, population levePublication Programme implementation in schools: conceptualisations from Irish teachers(Emerald, 2018-10-01) Murphy, Christina; Barry, Margaret M.; Nic Gabhainn, Saoirse; College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, National university of Ireland GalwayPurpose School-based programmes face a variety of personal, environmental and organisational challenges to implementation. Stakeholders can provide crucial contextual information to improve implementation. The purpose of this paper is to explore teachers’ perspectives on implementation through a bottom-up participatory process. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative participatory approach was employed. This comprised groups of teachers theorising and creating schemas of school-based implementation. Findings Two schemas were developed. Support, time, training and resources emerged as common components. Students and other educational stakeholders did not feature in either schema. Research limitations/implications The schemas were developed by teachers in Ireland. The findings are relevant to that local context and generalisability beyond this may be limited. The developed schemas contain structural and content components that appear in published conceptual frameworks of programme implementation. Thus, there is some correspondence between the views of published theorists and the current sample of teachers, particularly with regard to leadership and teacher motivation. There are also disjunctures that deserve exploration, such as the lack of reference to students. Practical implications Participatory schema development could be of particular value to trainers working with educators. The generated schemas provide useful detail on current perspectives, which could be valuable as part of any training process or the pre-planning stages of implementation. Originality/value This study describes a straightforward approach to revealing the perspectives of stakeholders that could help school-based implementation processes.Publication Sexual intercourse, age of initiation and contraception among adolescents in Ireland: findings from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) Ireland study(BMC, 2018-03-16) Young, Honor; Burke, Lorraine; Nic Gabhainn, Saoirse; Department of Health, Ireland; Irish Research Council; Health Services ExecutiveBackground The need to tackle sexual health problems and promote positive sexual health has been acknowledged in Irish health policy. Young people’s sexual behaviour however remains under-researched with limited national data available. Methods This study presents the first nationally representative and internationally comparable data on young people’s sexual health behaviours in Ireland. Self-complete questionnaire data were collected from 4494 schoolchildren aged 15–18 years as part of a broader examination of health behaviour and their context. The prevalence of sexual initiation, very early sexual initiation (< 14 years) and non-condom use at last intercourse are reported and used as outcomes in separate multilevel logistic regression models examining associations between sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle characteristics and young people’s sexual behaviours. Results Overall, 25.7% of boys and 21.2% of girls were sexually initiated. Older age was consistently predictive of initiation for both boys and girls, as were alcohol, tobacco and cannabis involvement, living in poorer neighbourhoods and having good communication with friends. Involvement in music and drama was protective. Very early sexual initiation (< 14 years) was reported by 22.8% of sexually initiated boys and 13.4% of sexually initiated girls, and was consistently associated with rural living, cannabis involvement and bullying others for both. Boys’ very early initiation was predicted by alcohol involvement, receiving unhealthy food from parents and taking medication for psychological symptoms, whereas better communication with friends and more experience of negative health symptoms were protective. Girls’ very early initiation was predicted by being bullied and belonging to a non-Traveller community, whereas taking medication for physical symptoms and attending regular health checks was protective. Condom use was reported by 80% of sexually initiated students at last intercourse. Boys’ condom use was associated with older age, higher family affluence, bullying others, more frequent physical activity and health protective behaviours. For girls, condom use was predicted by belonging to a non-Traveller community, healthy food consumption, higher quality of life and being bullied, whereas taking medication for physical and psychological symptoms was associated with non-condom use. Conclusions These nationally representative research findings highlight the importance of focusing on young people as a distinct population subgroup with unique influences on their sexual health requiring targeted interventions and policy.