Search Results (9)

Gender-based violence (GBV) in urban contexts is a complex, multifactorial phenomenon shaped by socioeconomic, territorial, and contextual factors. This study aims to develop a predictive model for GBV-related crimes in Valencia (Spain), using open geospatial data and advanced machine learning techniques to support the identification of high-risk areas and guide targeted interventions. A 25 m grid was generated to homogenize crime data and independent variables, including socioeconomic indicators, urban services, real estate information, and traffic intensity. Multiple models were tested—Multiple Linear Regression (MLR), Decision Tree (DT), and Random Forest (RF). Linear models were found to be insufficient for explaining GBV patterns (R² ≈ 0.45), while RF and DT achieved high predictive accuracy (R² ≈ 0.97 and 0.95, respectively. The variables with the greatest influence were traffic intensity, average monthly income, unemployment rate, and proximity to nightlife venues. To enhance the interpretability of the most accurate models, we applied SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) to quantify the contribution of each predictor and elucidate the direction and magnitude of their effects on model predictions. These findings demonstrate the utility of geospatial ML techniques in understanding the spatial dynamics of GBV and in supporting urban safety policies. While the current model focuses on static spatial predictors and does not explicitly model temporal dynamics or spatial autocorrelation, future research will integrate these aspects, along with participatory data, and test the model’s applicability in other cities to enhance its robustness and generalizability. Full article

(1) Background: Housing instability, a key social determinant of health, disproportionately affects people who use drugs (PWUD), increasing their risk for adverse outcomes. This study explores the relationship between housing status and drug-related health outcomes among PWUD in an urban setting in the Southeastern United States (US) and determines the cutoff point for the Housing Instability Scale (HIS). (2) Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey from July to November 2024 among adult PWUD. Recruitment was through syringe services programs (SSPs), nightlife venues, and community outreach. HIS was used to assess housing status, while cluster analysis and Gaussian Mixture Modeling (GMM) were used to suggest a potential cutoff. Logistic regression models were employed to examine associations between housing instability and health outcomes. (3) Results: Among 164 participants (mean age = 41.2; 79.9% Black/African American), the average HIS score was 3.23. Cluster analysis suggested a singular cutoff, while GMM suggested four levels of housing instability. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that housing instability was significantly associated with infections (AOR = 1.55, p = 0.064), blackouts (AOR = 1.47, p = 0.0457), and seizures (AOR = 1.28, p = 0.0667). Overdose and wounds showed no significant association. SSP use, opioid use, and Xanax use were also identified as potential predictors. Full article

Understanding how environmental design and institutional trust shape perceived security in nightlife settings is essential for enhancing customer experiences and business sustainability. This study examines how surveillance, access control, territoriality, maintenance, and trust in police influence customers’ perceptions of security in nightlife establishments in Colombia, and how these perceptions affect satisfaction and revisit intentions. A survey was conducted involving 400 customers in nightlife venues in Guadalajara de Buga, using Likert scales to evaluate the constructs. Data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling; Results indicate that maintenance (β = 0.304), surveillance (β = 0.264), trust in police (β = 0.203), and territoriality (β = 0.184) significantly influence perceived security, while access control does not. Perceived security strongly impacts satisfaction (β = 0.662) and revisit intention (β = 0.641). The model explains 47% of the variance in perceived security, 43% in satisfaction, and 41% in revisit intention. These findings highlight the value of integrating environmental design and institutional trust within service marketing and crime prevention, showing that investments in design and maintenance can yield commercial benefits. The study offers guidance for owners seeking to improve customer satisfaction and loyalty through targeted strategies. Full article

As shared micromobility grows quickly in metropolitan settings, e-scooter safety issues have become more urgent. This paper uses a Bayesian hierarchical model applied to census block groups in several Texas metropolitan areas to construct a spatial risk assessment methodology for e-scooter crashes. Based on crash statistics from 2018 to 2024, we develop a severity-weighted crash risk index and combine it with variables related to land use, transportation, demographics, economics, and other factors. The model comprises a geographically structured random effect based on a Conditional Autoregressive (CAR) model, which accounts for residual spatial clustering after capture. It also includes fixed effects for covariates such as car ownership and nightlife density, as well as regional random intercepts to account for city-level heterogeneity. Markov Chain Monte Carlo is used for model fitting; evaluation reveals robust spatial calibration and predictive ability. The following key predictors are statistically significant: a higher share of working-age residents shows a positive association with crash frequency (incidence rate ratio (IRR): ≈1.55 per +10% population aged 18–64), as does a greater proportion of car-free households (IRR ≈ 1.20). In the built environment, entertainment-related employment density is strongly linked to elevated risk (IRR ≈ 1.37), and high intersection density similarly increases crash risk (IRR ≈ 1.32). In contrast, higher residential housing density has a protective effect (IRR ≈ 0.78), correlating with fewer crashes. Additionally, a sensitivity study reveals that the risk index is responsive to policy scenarios, including reducing car ownership or increasing employment density, and is sensitive to varying crash intensity weights. Results show notable collision hotspots near entertainment venues and central areas, as well as increased baseline risk in car-oriented urban environments. The results provide practical information for targeted initiatives to lower e-scooter collision risk and safety planning. Full article

Sustainable development is a subject of study and consideration by scientists and policymakers, especially the sustainable development of the night-time economy. The night-time economy refers to the various economic activities and businesses that primarily operate during the evening and night hours, typically from 6 p.m. until early morning. It includes a diverse range of sectors such as entertainment, dining, hospitality, and nightlife, with establishments such as bars, clubs, restaurants, theaters, and live music venues playing a significant role. The development of the night-time economy refers to the process of managing and promoting the growth of economic activities during the evening and night hours in a manner that balances economic, social, and environmental considerations. Therefore, the paper aimed to identify the factors affecting the night-time economy in Hanoi to achieve the sustainable development of this economy. The paper processed and analyzed the data using SPSS Statistics 26.0 software. The quantitative study included (1) testing the suitability of the scale for the variables using Cronbach’s alpha, (2) analyzing the EFA factors to check the convergence of the observed variables and the separation between the independent variables, (3) checking the correlation to evaluate the problem of multicollinearity of the model, and (4) performing regression analysis to evaluate the impact of the factors on night-time economic development in Hanoi City. The empirical results showed that the variables positively impacted night-time economic development in Hanoi. However, the study found differences in the levels of their impact. Among the four factors, factor 3 (promotion and sharing) had the strongest impact on night-time economic development, followed by factor 2 (city infrastructure and safety), factor 1 (institutions and environment), and factor 4 (nature and resources). The empirical results will help policymakers promote the sustained development of the night-time economy in Hanoi, Vietnam. Full article

Introduction and aims: Associations between bar trading hours, a government lever for controlling alcohol availability, nightlife-goer intoxication levels and their likelihood of alcohol use disorder (AUD) have not been explored. We investigated whether: (i) participant AUD was associated with blood alcohol concentration (BAC); and, (ii) any association between AUD and BAC was moderated by participant preferred bar (i.e., venue spent most time at) closing time. Design and methods: A cross-sectional observational study using a sample of nightlife-goers who went out drinking in Perth, Western Australia, on weekends in 2015-16. Participants who reported alcohol use that night and spent most time in a bar (n = 667) completed street intercept surveys including AUDIT-C (n = 459) and provided a breath sample to estimate BAC (n = 651). We used gender-specific multinomial logistic regression models to explore associations between participant AUDIT-C score (1–4, lower risk; 5–7, hazardous; 8–12, active AUD), preferred bar type (standard vs. late closing time based on absence or presence of an extended trading permit) and BAC (male: 0–0.049, 0.05–0.099, ≥0.1 g/100 mL; female: 0–0.049, 0.05–0.079, ≥0.08 g/100 mL). Results: Males with active AUD (RR = 3.31; 95% CI 1.30–8.42; p = 0.01) and females with hazardous/active AUD (RR = 9.75; 95% CI 2.78–34.21; p < 0.001) were both more likely to have high-range BAC than their counterparts typically drinking at lower risk. We also found preferred bar type moderated the association between AUDIT-C score and BAC for some males but no females. Males with active AUD and high-range BAC were less likely to prefer late closing bars than males usually drinking at lower risk and high-range BAC (RR = 0.12; 95% CI 0.02–0.96; p = 0.046). Discussion and conclusions: Our study provides evidence of positive associations between AUD and acute intoxication among nightlife-goers and on the moderating effect of bar closing times among males. Full article

Introduction and aims: Associations between longer-term alcohol-related conditions and licensed outlet trading hours are not well understood. We investigated the association between nightlife-goers’ likelihood of an alcohol use disorder (AUD) and their preference for bars with special permits to remain open ‘late’ (i.e., spent more time there compared to any other venue) until 2 a.m. or 3 a.m. (Friday; Saturday) or midnight (Sunday) compared to bars with ‘standard’ closing times of midnight (Friday; Saturday) or 10 p.m. (Sunday). Design and methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in four major nightlife areas of Perth, Australia, in 2015–2016. We conducted weekend street intercept surveys outside bars between 8 p.m. and 3 a.m. and screened participants who reported alcohol use prior to the survey and spent more time in a bar than any other venue type (n = 667) regarding their past year drinking pattern using AUDIT-C (n = 459). We used gender-specific logistic regression models to estimate associations between AUDIT-C categories (1–4, low risk; 5–7, hazardous; 8–12, active AUD) and preference for bars with different closing times (late vs. standard). Results: A large proportion of participants were hazardous drinkers or had active AUD (83% males; 65% females), and over half preferred a late to a standard closing bar. We found evidence of a positive association between preference for late closing bars and hazardous drinking females (OR = 3.48; 95% CI 1.47–8.23; p = 0.01), but not for females with active AUD, male hazardous drinkers, nor males with active AUD. Discussion and conclusions: Our study adds new evidence on associations between likelihood of AUD among nightlife-goers and trading hours. With increasing international relaxation of trading hours, evidence that late closing bars may be preferred by hazardous drinking females will be of concern to policymakers wanting to curb alcohol-related harms in the community. Full article

Illicit drug use is prevalent in the nightlife scene, especially at electronic dance music (EDM) events. The aim of the present study was to investigate illicit drug use patterns and consequences of drug use among frequent visitors of EDM events. Young adults (18–34 years old) who had visited at least six EDM events in Sweden during the past year participated in a web-based survey on drug use patterns and its consequences. Fifty-nine percent of participants had used illicit drugs during the past year, most often cannabis followed by ecstasy, cocaine, and amphetamine. Nightlife venues were identified as the main setting for the use of central stimulants, while cannabis was mostly used at home. Frequent alcohol and tobacco use was associated with illicit drug use. The most prevalent negative consequences of drug use were related to mental health, such as impairments in mood, sleep, and memory problems, but physical manifestations were also reported, such as palpitations and collapsing. These findings confirm that drug use is prevalent and associated with negative health effects among EDM nightlife attendees. The nightlife scene is a setting with promising potential to reach a high-risk target group with illicit drug use prevention interventions. Full article

Adolescence and youth are stages of exploration and experimentation, when the consumption of psychoactive substances for recreational or experimental purposes often begins. The general objective of this study was to explore youth consumption habits in nightlife settings and associated factors in Andalusia (Spain). To this end, we took into account young people’s perceptions about patterns of drug polyconsumption in nightlife settings and the perceptions and actions of health and teaching professionals towards this issue. We carried out a qualitative methodology with 24 in-depth interviews and 3 discussion groups with Andalusian girls and boys aged between 16 and 22 (n = 45) and 13 in-depth interviews with social agents (health and teaching professionals). We performed narrative discourse analysis and triangulation of identified categories and measured the units of analysis. The results show information relating to gender, age of initiation, most commonly consumed substances, motivation and effects, peer group pressure and how they obtained the substances, and the perceptions held and main activities carried out in the educational institutions and health centers. Full article