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Both theory and empirical evidence suggest that adolescents engage in risk behaviour to gain mature status, thereby becoming popular among their peers. Using a cross-sectional design with 20 school classes from higher secondary schools in Austria and the Netherlands, associations between risk behaviour and social status in late adolescence were examined (N = 408,Mage = 16.95,SD = 0.81, 50% male). Popularity and likeability were assessed as distinct facets of social status in adolescence using peer nominations. Self-reported risk behaviour included alcohol, tobacco and marijuana use, as well as sexual intercourse. Using a latent variable approach, results showed that in accordance with our assumptions, risk behaviour was strongly associated with popularity, but not with likeability. This study shows that in Austria and the Netherlands, associations between risk behaviour and social status among peers are in line with findings from outside of Europe. Theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed and proposals for future research are given. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Small game involves numerous infection hazards in terms of contact zoonoses and foodborne diseases. Especially exposed are hunters, game dealers, veterinarians, housewives, farmers, forest workers, laboratory staff, and taxidermists, but also consumers of insufficiently cooked game. This paper gives a survey of the most significant zoonoses in small game in Europe, which are discussed in the light of the author's own research results in this field. Finally, measures concerning prophylaxis and food hygiene are suggested.

This paper deals with zoonoses in European pig herds and wild boars in general and in particular with the risk of infection carried by veterinarians, farmers and workers handling pigs and pork in slaughterhouses and meat processing companies. Furthermore the risk of infection and intoxication as a result of pork consumption is discussed. Special reference is made to the responsibility of veterinarians for keeping production animals healthy and informing animal owners and consumers about zoonoses. It would appear that it will be necessary in future to intensify veterinarian herd care, perform regional monitoring and surveillance programmes, participate in establishing specific pathogen-free herds and to foster diagnosis and research into zoonoses together with human medicine.