1
|
Willemsen A, Wolka E, Assefa Y, Reid S. A 'training of trainers' programme for operational research: increasing capacity remotely. Glob Health Action 2024; 17:2297881. [PMID: 38224021 PMCID: PMC10791116 DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2023.2297881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Operational research (OR) is a process to improve health system capacity by evaluating interventions to improve health delivery and outcomes. The World Health Organization (WHO) Structured Operational Research Training Initiative (SORT-IT) programme promotes how OR contributes to improved health care delivery and health outcomes. A partnership project between the International Institute of Primary Health Care (IPHCE) in Ethiopia and The University of Queensland (UQ) in Australia modified the SORT-IT programme to deliver a hybrid Training of Trainers programme and improve OR capacity. OBJECTIVE This study was performed to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of Train-the Trainers approach in building capability to expand the capacity of the IPHCE to deliver the SORT-IT programme. METHODS Recruitment of participants and training were aligned with the principles of the SORT-IT programme. Training was face-to-face for the first session with subsequent training sessions delivered via Zoom over a 13-week period. Participants were required to complete all activities in line with SORT-IT deliverables. Slide decks supporting the SORT-IT training videos were developed and adapted to the Ethiopian context. RESULTS Participants had diverse experience from programme directors to research officers. All training sessions were recorded and available for participants to watch and review when required. All participants completed OR protocols to the draft stage. Course evaluation revealed participants found the content and format of the training useful, pertinent, and interesting. CONCLUSION A hybrid model (face-to-face and video platform) for OR training was implemented. Managing contextual challenges such as information technology were managed easily by programme staff. Translating course requirements at a management level proved challenging with data collection for the protocols but provided insight into potential future challenges. This OR Training of Trainers course demonstrated that sharing of skills and knowledge can occur through a hybrid delivery model and contribute to developing capacity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angela Willemsen
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Eskinder Wolka
- National Primary Health Care, International Institute for Primary Health Care, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Yibeltal Assefa
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Simon Reid
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Barut S, Sabancı Baransel E, Çelik OT, Uçar T. The trends and hotspots of research on non-pharmacological interventions for labor pain management: a bibliometric analysis. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol 2024; 45:2322614. [PMID: 38444387 DOI: 10.1080/0167482x.2024.2322614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study aimed to examine important points of focus, trends, and depth of research on non-pharmacological interventions for the management of labor pain worldwide from a macro perspective and present an extensive definition of research fields regarding non-pharmacological interventions. METHODS Bibliometric methods were used in this study. With comprehensive keyword lists, the Web of Science and PubMed databases were searched using different screening strategies for publications made until 25 February 2023. RESULTS Studies on non-pharmacological interventions in the management of labor pain have continued to develop since 2003 with great momentum. In this study, the most productive country in research on non-pharmacological interventions was found to be Iran, while Australia, the USA, China, and the United Kingdom were the most notable ones in terms of collaboration. The most prevalently studied non-pharmacological interventions were hydrotherapy and acupuncture. The results of the co-word analysis revealed 5 main themes about this field of research. CONCLUSION The results of this study showed that interest in studies on non-pharmacological interventions in the management of labor pain has increased, the quality of research in the field is high, international collaboration is increasingly higher, and technological approaches have started to emerge in relevant studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sümeyye Barut
- Department of Midwifery, Fırat University, Elazığ, Türkiye
| | | | | | - Tuba Uçar
- Department of Midwifery, İnönü University, Malatya, Türkiye
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
McCausland K, Booth S, Leaversuch F, Freeman B, Wolf K, Leaver T, Jancey J. Socio-ecological factors that influence youth vaping: perspectives from Western Australian school professionals, parents and young people. Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being 2024; 19:2322753. [PMID: 38416991 PMCID: PMC10903751 DOI: 10.1080/17482631.2024.2322753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To understand from the perspectives of school professionals, parents and young people the socio-ecological factors that may facilitate and prevent e-cigarette use among young people in Perth, Western Australia. METHODS Purposive sampling was used to recruit school professionals, parents and young people for one-on-one (n = 35) or joint (n = 3) interviews (in-person n = 11 or online n = 27). Data were analysed using thematic analysis and classified into four domains based on the socio-ecological model: i) individual, ii) interpersonal, iii) organizational/community and iv) societal/policy. RESULTS Factors that were found to support vaping among young people included sensation-seeking and risk-taking behaviour; a low-risk perception of vapes; attractive characteristics of vapes; ease of access; perception vaping is a social activity; and lack of knowledge about vaping among parents and school professionals. Vaping prevention messages originating from the familial, educational and community spheres are lacking but wanted by adults and young people. CONCLUSIONS The pervasiveness of the e-cigarette trade and persistent challenges related to surveillance and enforcement need to be addressed to reduce exposure and access to e-cigarettes. A mixture of "hard" and "soft" public policy tools involving key stakeholders in a range of settings is needed to prevent e-cigarette access and uptake by young people.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kahlia McCausland
- Collaboration for Evidence, Research and Impact in Public Health, School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Sue Booth
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Francene Leaversuch
- Collaboration for Evidence, Research and Impact in Public Health, School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Becky Freeman
- School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Katharina Wolf
- School of Management and Marketing, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Tama Leaver
- School of Media, Creative Arts and Social Inquiry, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Jonine Jancey
- Collaboration for Evidence, Research and Impact in Public Health, School of Population Health, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Sangha KK, Dinku Y, Costanza R, Poelina A. A comprehensive analysis of well-being frameworks applied in Australia and their suitability for Indigenous peoples. Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being 2024; 19:2321646. [PMID: 38437516 PMCID: PMC10913715 DOI: 10.1080/17482631.2024.2321646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Well-being is a complex, multi-dimensional, dynamic, and evolving concept, covering social, economic, health, cultural and spiritual dimensions of human living, and often used synonymously with happiness, life satisfaction, prosperity, and quality of life. We review the existing key wellbeing frameworks applied in Australia both for the wider public and Indigenous peoples. The aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of various applied frameworks, along with a critical analysis of domains or dimensions comprising those frameworks, and to analyse the role of nature in those frameworks. METHODOLOGY We conducted a critical analysis of the main frameworks applied in Australia to date to measure the well-being of the mainstream (mainly non-Indigenous) and Indigenous populations. This study is particularly timely given the Australian Government's interest in revising the well-being frameworks as mentioned in the Government "Measuring What Matters" statement. RESULTS The existing well-being frameworks in Australia either overlook or hardly consider the role of nature and its services which are important to support human well-being. Likewise, for Indigenous peoples "Country" (Indigenous clan land) is vital for their well-being as their living is imbued with "Country". The role of nature/"Country" needs to be considered in revising the well-being frameworks, indicators and measures to inform and develop appropriate policies and programs in Australia. CONCLUSION To develop appropriate welfare policies and programs for achieving socio-economic and other wellbeing outcomes, it is essential to evolve and conceptualize wellbeing frameworks (and related indicators and measures) in line with people's contemporary values, particularly considering the role of nature and its services.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kamaljit K Sangha
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia
| | - Yonatan Dinku
- Centre for Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Robert Costanza
- Institute for Global Prosperity, University College London, London, UK
| | - Anne Poelina
- College of Indigenous Education Futures, Arts & Society, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ullman J, Hobby L, Ferfolja T. Revalidating a Measure of Parents' Attitudes Toward Gender and Sexuality Diversity-Inclusive Curricula in an Australian National Sample. J Homosex 2024; 71:1536-1559. [PMID: 36883979 DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2023.2178355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
This paper details revalidation of a higher-order (HO) version of the Parental Attitudes Toward Inclusiveness Instrument (PATII), measuring parents' attitudes toward curricular inclusivity of gender and sexuality diversity. The 48-item scale includes two HO factors: Supports and Barriers, and one first-order factor: Parental Capability. Responses from parents of government-school students (N = 2093) provided evidence for scale reliability, validity, and measurement invariance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline Ullman
- Centre for Educational Research, School of Education, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Lucy Hobby
- Centre for Educational Research, School of Education, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| | - Tania Ferfolja
- Centre for Educational Research, School of Education, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Liang W, Nunes R, Leong JV, Carvalho APS, Müller CJ, Braby MF, Pequin O, Hoshizaki S, Morinaka S, Peggie D, Badon JAT, Mohagan AB, Beaver E, Hsu YF, Inayoshi Y, Monastyrskii A, Vlasanek P, Toussaint EFA, Benítez HA, Kawahara AY, Pierce NE, Lohman DJ. To and fro in the archipelago: Repeated inter-island dispersal and New Guinea's orogeny affect diversification of Delias, the world's largest butterfly genus. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2024; 194:108022. [PMID: 38325534 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2024.108022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
The world's largest butterfly genus Delias, commonly known as Jezebels, comprises ca. 251 species found throughout Asia, Australia, and Melanesia. Most species are endemic to islands in the Indo-Australian Archipelago or to New Guinea and nearby islands in Melanesia, and many species are restricted to montane habitats over 1200 m. We inferred an extensively sampled and well-supported molecular phylogeny of the group to better understand the spatial and temporal dimensions of its diversification. The remarkable diversity of Delias evolved in just ca. 15-16 Myr (crown age). The most recent common ancestor of a clade with most of the species dispersed out of New Guinea ca. 14 Mya, but at least six subsequently diverging lineages dispersed back to the island. Diversification was associated with frequent dispersal of lineages among the islands of the Indo-Australian Archipelago, and the divergence of sister taxa on a single landmass was rare and occurred only on the largest islands, most notably on New Guinea. We conclude that frequent inter-island dispersal during the Neogene-likely facilitated by frequent sea level change-sparked much diversification during that period. Many extant New Guinea lineages started diversifying 5 Mya, suggesting that orogeny facilitated their diversification. Our results largely agree with the most recently proposed species group classification system, and we use our large taxon sample to extend this system to all described species. Finally, we summarize recent insights to speculate how wing pattern evolution, mimicry, and sexual selection might also contribute to these butterflies' rapid speciation and diversification.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weijun Liang
- Department of Biology, City College of New York, City University of New York, USA
| | - Renato Nunes
- Department of Biology, City College of New York, City University of New York, USA; PhD Program in Biology, Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jing V Leong
- Department of Biology, City College of New York, City University of New York, USA; Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; Faculty of Science, Department of Zoology, University of South Bohemia, Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Ana Paula S Carvalho
- McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | | | - Michael F Braby
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia; Australian National Insect Collection, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | | | - Sugihiko Hoshizaki
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | | | - Djunijanti Peggie
- Museum Zoologicum Bogoriense, Research Center for Biosystematics and Evolution, National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong-Bogor, Indonesia
| | - Jade Aster T Badon
- Animal Biology Division, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
| | - Alma B Mohagan
- Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, and Center for Biodiversity Research & Extension in Mindanao, Central Mindanao University, Musuan, Maramag, Bukidnon, Philippines
| | - Ethan Beaver
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia; Australian National Insect Collection, Canberra, ACT, Australia
| | - Yu-Feng Hsu
- College of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yutaka Inayoshi
- Sritana Condominium 2, 96/173, Huay Kaeo Rd. T. Suthep, A. Muang, Chiang Mai, Thailand
| | - Alexander Monastyrskii
- Vietnam National Museum of Nature, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Viet Nam
| | - Petr Vlasanek
- T.G. Masaryk Water Research Institute, Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | - Hugo A Benítez
- Laboratorio de Ecología y Morfometría Evolutiva, Centro de Investigación de Estudios Avanzados del Maule, Universidad Católica del Maule, Talca, Chile
| | - Akito Y Kawahara
- McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity, Florida Museum of Natural History, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA; Entomology & Nematology Department and Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Naomi E Pierce
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology and Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - David J Lohman
- Department of Biology, City College of New York, City University of New York, USA; PhD Program in Biology, Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, USA; Entomology Section, National Museum of Natural History, Manila, Philippines.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Anderson LE, Collins KE, Myers L, Ireland MJ, Omar M, Drummond A, Goodwin BC. Decisions and prompts to screen for cervical, bowel, and breast cancer. Patient Educ Couns 2024; 122:108174. [PMID: 38295667 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2024.108174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate what makes Australians decide to screen and follow through for breast, cervical, and bowel cancer population screening programs. METHODS A convenience sample (N = 962) answered open-text questions about their decision to screen and what prompted them to act in an online survey. Open text responses were coded based on shared meaning using content analysis. Frequencies of each code were calculated. RESULTS For breast and cervical screening, decisions were commonly based on screening being routine (32.58%breast and 35.19%cervical) or receiving a reminder (20.53% breast 13.07% cervical), and similarly, common prompts were receiving a reminder (40.68% breast and 29.13% cervical), screening being routine (22.05% breast and 18.65% cervical). Participants reported deciding to screen for bowel cancer due to arrival of home screening test kit (40.50%) or the experience of loved one's cancer (13.57%) and were prompted by arrival of home test kit (23.58%), and convenience (15.72%). CONCLUSIONS Findings can inform the development of interventions targeting non-participants of cancer screening programs. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Messages to encourage breast and cervical cancer screening should frame screening as part of regular healthcare routine. Messages to encourage bowel cancer screening should encourage immediate use of the screening kit upon arrival.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Laura E Anderson
- National Centre for Youth Substance Use, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia; Viertel Cancer Research Centre, Cancer Council Queensland, Fortitude Valley, QLD, Australia.
| | - Katelyn E Collins
- Viertel Cancer Research Centre, Cancer Council Queensland, Fortitude Valley, QLD, Australia; School of Psychology and Wellbeing, University of Southern Queensland, Springfield, QLD, Australia
| | - Larry Myers
- Viertel Cancer Research Centre, Cancer Council Queensland, Fortitude Valley, QLD, Australia; School of Psychology and Wellbeing, University of Southern Queensland, Springfield, QLD, Australia
| | - Michael J Ireland
- Centre for Health Research, University of Southern Queensland, Springfield, QLD, Australia; School of Psychology and Wellbeing, University of Southern Queensland, Springfield, QLD, Australia
| | - Mariam Omar
- Viertel Cancer Research Centre, Cancer Council Queensland, Fortitude Valley, QLD, Australia
| | - Allanah Drummond
- School of Psychology and Wellbeing, University of Southern Queensland, Springfield, QLD, Australia
| | - Belinda C Goodwin
- Viertel Cancer Research Centre, Cancer Council Queensland, Fortitude Valley, QLD, Australia; Centre for Health Research, University of Southern Queensland, Springfield, QLD, Australia; Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Chen HY, Möller H, Senserrick TM, Rogers KD, Cullen P, Ivers RQ. Young drivers' early access to their own car and crash risk into early adulthood: Findings from the DRIVE study. Accid Anal Prev 2024; 199:107516. [PMID: 38401242 DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2024.107516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Car ownership at early licensure for young drivers has been identified as a crash risk factor, but for how long this risk persists is unknown. This study examined crash hazard rates between young drivers with their own vehicle and those who shared a family vehicle at early licensure over 13 years. METHODS The DRIVE study, a 2003/04 survey of 20,806 young novice drivers in New South Wales, Australia was used to link to police crash, hospital and death records up to 2016. The first police-reported crash and crash resulting in hospitalisation/death was modelled via flexible parametric survival analysis by type of vehicle access at baseline (own vs. shared family vehicle). RESULTS After adjusting for covariates, drivers with their own vehicle at early licensure had an almost 30 % increased hazard rate for any crash after one year (95 % CI:1.16-1.42) compared with those who only had access to a family car and this attenuated but remained significantly higher until year 7 (HR: 1.1, 95 % CI: >1.00-1.20). For crashes resulting in hospitalisation or death, an almost 15-times higher hazard (95 % CI: 1.40-158.17) was observed at the start of follow up, remaining 50 % to year 3 (95 % CI:1.01-2.18). CONCLUSIONS Parents and young drivers should be aware of the increased risks involved in car ownership at early licensure. Development of poorer driving habits has been associated with less parental monitoring at this time. Graduated Driving Licensing educators, researchers and stakeholders should seek to address this and to identify improved safety management options.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huei-Yang Chen
- Evidence Directorate, Agency for Clinical Innovation, Sydney, NSW 2065, Australia.
| | - Holger Möller
- School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, NSW 2042, Australia.
| | - Teresa M Senserrick
- Western Australian Centre for Road Safety Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia.
| | - Kris D Rogers
- School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, NSW 2042, Australia; Graduate School of Health, The University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
| | - Patricia Cullen
- School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, NSW 2042, Australia; Ngarruwan Ngadju: First Peoples Health and Wellbeing Research Centre, University of Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia.
| | - Rebecca Q Ivers
- School of Population Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia; The George Institute for Global Health, Sydney, NSW 2042, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Robinson K, Egan SJ, Shafran R, Wade TD. A randomised controlled evaluation of an online perfectionism intervention for people with disordered eating - how perfect does it need to be? Cogn Behav Ther 2024; 53:286-301. [PMID: 38328877 DOI: 10.1080/16506073.2024.2313739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Less help-seeking for an eating disorder is predicted by higher levels of denial of, and failure to perceive, illness severity. This research evaluates a "backdoor" approach to early intervention by investigating whether internet cognitive behaviour therapy for perfectionism can significantly improve disordered eating. Additionally, we investigated whether a more interactive intervention impacted outcomes. Participants were recruited worldwide online; 368 were screened, 172 (46.7%) met inclusion criteria (endorsed high shape, weight, or eating concerns) and randomised to an interactive (Focused Minds Program; FMP) or static PDF intervention (Centre for Clinical Intervention; CCI-P) or waitlisted (control condition). Participants completed assessments on disordered eating, perfectionism, and a range of secondary variables at the end of treatment, and 1- and 3-month follow-up. Intent-to-treat analyses indicated that, compared to control, FMP resulted in significantly lower levels of disordered eating at each assessment and CCI-P at the 1- and 3-month follow-up (respective 3-month follow-up between group effect sizes of 0.78 and 0.54). There were no significant differences between the two active interventions on any measure except depression and hated self. Results suggest an alternative approach to directly tackling disordered eating that is low-cost is effective, with a more interactive intervention producing a more rapid effect.Trials Registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) Trial Number: ACTRN12621001448831.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Robinson
- Institute of Mental Health and Wellbeing, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Sarah J Egan
- Faculty of Health Sciences, enAble Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
- Discipline of Psychology, School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Roz Shafran
- Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Tracey D Wade
- Institute of Mental Health and Wellbeing, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Sadiq S, Harvey E, Mifsud JCO, Minasny B, McBratney AB, Pozza LE, Mahar JE, Holmes EC. Australian terrestrial environments harbour extensive RNA virus diversity. Virology 2024; 593:110007. [PMID: 38346363 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2024.110007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Australia is home to a diverse range of unique native fauna and flora. To address whether Australian ecosystems also harbour unique viruses, we performed meta-transcriptomic sequencing of 16 farmland and sediment samples taken from the east and west coasts of Australia. We identified 2460 putatively novel RNA viruses across 18 orders, the vast majority of which belonged to the microbe-associated phylum Lenarviricota. In many orders, such as the Nodamuvirales and Ghabrivirales, the novel viruses identified here comprised entirely new clades. Novel viruses also fell between established genera or families, such as in the Cystoviridae and Picornavirales, while highly divergent lineages were identified in the Sobelivirales and Ghabrivirales. Viral read abundance and alpha diversity were influenced by sampling site, soil type and land use, but not by depth from the surface. In sum, Australian soils and sediments are home to remarkable viral diversity, reflecting the biodiversity of local fauna and flora.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Sadiq
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Erin Harvey
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Jonathon C O Mifsud
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Budiman Minasny
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences & Sydney Institute of Agriculture, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Alex B McBratney
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences & Sydney Institute of Agriculture, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Liana E Pozza
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences & Sydney Institute of Agriculture, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Jackie E Mahar
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Edward C Holmes
- Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Bigby C, Humphreys L. The strength of Frontline Practice Leadership in Australian supported accommodation services: Challenges confronting service providers. J Appl Res Intellect Disabil 2024; 37:e13227. [PMID: 38520280 DOI: 10.1111/jar.13227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The strength of practice leadership predicts the quality of Active Support but it can be compromised by other demands on frontline managers. The study aimed to identify and understand differences in practice leadership over time and between organisations. METHOD Data collected in 2022 in 96 services from 11 organisations using the Observed Measure of Practice Leadership were compared to similar data from 2013 and 2018. Qualitative fieldnotes were analysed thematically. FINDINGS Practice leadership scores increased significantly between 2013 and 2018 but declined significantly between 2018 and 2022. Scores were significantly higher in organisations that had implemented Active Support since 2013 compared to later adopters. Higher scoring organisations had structures that supported frontline managers with practice leadership and that countered increasing administrative demands. CONCLUSIONS Establishment of support structures for practice leadership by organisations warrants further investigation together with the relative importance of each task of practice leadership.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christine Bigby
- Living with Disability Research Centre, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lincoln Humphreys
- Living with Disability Research Centre, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Dahm MR, Raine SE, Slade D, Chien LJ, Kennard A, Walters G, Spinks T, Talaulikar G. Older patients and dialysis shared decision-making. Insights from an ethnographic discourse analysis of interviews and clinical interactions. Patient Educ Couns 2024; 122:108124. [PMID: 38232671 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2023.108124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe and analyse the perspectives and communication practices of kidney clinicians and older patients (aged 60 +) during collaborative education and decision-making about dialysis. METHODS This qualitative study drew on pluralistic data sources and analytical approaches investigating elicited semi-structured interviews (n = 31) with doctors (n = 8), nurses (n = 8) and patients (n = 15), combined with ethnographic observations, written artefacts and audio-recorded naturally-occurring interactions (n = 23, education sessions n = 4; consultations n = 19) in a tertiary Australian kidney outpatient clinic. Data were analysed for themes and linguistic discourse features. RESULTS Five themes were identified across all data sources: 1) lost opportunity in education; 2) persistent disease knowledge gaps; 3) putting up with dialysis; 4) perceived and real involvement in decision-making and 5) complex role of family as decision-making brokers. CONCLUSION As the first study to complement interviews with evidence from naturally-occurring kidney interactions, this study balances the perspectives of how older patients and their clinicians view chronic kidney disease education, with how decision-making about dialysis is reflected in practice. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS The study provides suggestions for contextualized, multi-perspectives formal and informal training for improving decision-making about dialysis, spanning from indications to boost communication efficiency, to reducing unexplained jargon, incorporating patient navigators and exploring different dialysis modalities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria R Dahm
- Institute for Communication in Health Care (ICH), College of Arts and Social Sciences, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.
| | - Suzanne Eggins Raine
- Institute for Communication in Health Care (ICH), College of Arts and Social Sciences, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Diana Slade
- Institute for Communication in Health Care (ICH), College of Arts and Social Sciences, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Laura J Chien
- Institute for Communication in Health Care (ICH), College of Arts and Social Sciences, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Alice Kennard
- Canberra Hospital Renal Service, Canberra, Australia; College of Health and Medicine, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Giles Walters
- Canberra Hospital Renal Service, Canberra, Australia; College of Health and Medicine, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Tony Spinks
- Canberra Hospital Renal Service, Canberra, Australia
| | - Girish Talaulikar
- Canberra Hospital Renal Service, Canberra, Australia; College of Health and Medicine, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Austin EE, Blakely B, Salmon P, Braithwaite J, Clay-Williams R. Eadem Sed Aliter. Validating an emergency department work domain analysis across three hospital configurations. Appl Ergon 2024; 117:104240. [PMID: 38286045 DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2024.104240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Work Domain Analysis (WDA), the foundational phase in the Cognitive Work Analysis Framework (CWA), provides a platform for understanding and designing complex systems. Though it has been used extensively, there are few applications in healthcare, and model validation for different contexts is not always undertaken. The current study aimed to validate an Emergency Department (ED) WDA across three metropolitan hospitals that differ in the type and nature of services they provide, including the ED in which the original ED WDA was developed. A facilitated workshop was conducted at the first ED and interviews at two subsequent EDs to refine and validate the ED WDA. ED subject matter experts (SMEs) including nurses, doctors, administration, and allied health personnel provided feedback on the model. SME feedback resulted in modifications to the original ED WDA model including combining nodes to reduce duplication and amending five labels for clarity. The resulting WDA provides a valid representation of the EDs found in metropolitan districts within an Australian state and can be used by roles such as frontline ED clinicians, hospital managers, and policy developers to facilitate the design, testing, and sharing of solutions to local and shared problems. The findings also demonstrate the importance of validating WDA models across different contexts.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth E Austin
- Australian Insititute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia.
| | - Brette Blakely
- Australian Insititute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia.
| | - Paul Salmon
- Centre for Human Factors and Sociotechnical Systems, University of the Sunshine Coast, QLD, Australia.
| | - Jeffrey Braithwaite
- Australian Insititute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia.
| | - Robyn Clay-Williams
- Australian Insititute of Health Innovation, Macquarie University, NSW, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Irwin P, Magee D, Weiley S, Teakel S, Linden K. Improving student success and retention in first-year nursing through embedded tutor support. Nurse Educ Today 2024; 136:106134. [PMID: 38387213 DOI: 10.1016/j.nedt.2024.106134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nursing students from diverse or equity backgrounds are less likely to possess the required skills to ensure success in their studies. This research explores the impact of embedded support on student learning in a first-year foundational subject, Contexts of Nursing, in an undergraduate nursing degree.t. METHODS The Embedded Tutor Program offers specialised tutoring support for first-year undergraduate students. Embedded tutors, with backgrounds as registered nurses and academics, provided online one-on-one feedback to students on draft assessment tasks. Outreach contact was provided to students at risk of failing. A Pearson's Chi-squared test was used to assess the impact of tutor support on grade distribution and a paired student t-test was used to assess the difference in cumulative marks for students from equity backgrounds. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Feedback provided by students, tutors and staff in an online anonymous survey was thematically analysed. RESULTS There was a significant grade shift for the 267 students who met with an embedded tutor (p < 0.05). Students who were a member of an Australian Government identified equity group had a significant increase in their cumulative mark if they met with a tutor of 9-17 % (p < 0.05). This improvement in cumulative mark was maintained for students with cumulative equity factors. The overwhelming majority of students who were identified as at risk of failing and met with a tutor following outreach support received a passing grade. Students reported growing skills and confidence in academic literacy was a key benefit of the program. CONCLUSION A shared approach to delivering education has a positive effect on the experience of learning. The combined efforts of the subject convenor, embedded tutors, and extended student service roles within the University resulted in outcomes that were positive for student learning. Determining student capacity for learning extended beyond a student's consideration of grades or their progression in the program to include the development of self-efficacy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pauletta Irwin
- Charles Sturt University, School of Nursing, Paramedicine and Healthcare Science, Port Macquarie, NSW 2444, Australia.
| | - Deborah Magee
- Charles Sturt University, School of Nursing, Paramedicine and Healthcare Science, Port Macquarie, NSW 2444, Australia.
| | - Shannon Weiley
- Charles Sturt University, School of Nursing, Paramedicine and Healthcare Science, Port Macquarie, NSW 2444, Australia.
| | - Sarah Teakel
- Charles Sturt University, Division of Student Success, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650, Australia.
| | - Kelly Linden
- Charles Sturt University, Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, Albury, NSW 2640, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Hussain F, Ali Y, Li Y, Haque MM. Revisiting the hybrid approach of anomaly detection and extreme value theory for estimating pedestrian crashes using traffic conflicts obtained from artificial intelligence-based video analytics. Accid Anal Prev 2024; 199:107517. [PMID: 38442633 DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2024.107517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Pedestrians represent a group of vulnerable road users who are at a higher risk of sustaining severe injuries than other road users. As such, proactively assessing pedestrian crash risks is of paramount importance. Recently, extreme value theory models have been employed for proactively assessing crash risks from traffic conflicts, whereby the underpinning of these models are two sampling approaches, namely block maxima and peak over threshold. Earlier studies reported poor accuracy and large uncertainty of these models, which has been largely attributed to limited sample size. Another fundamental reason for such poor performance could be the improper selection of traffic conflict extremes due to the lack of an efficient sampling mechanism. To test this hypothesis and demonstrate the effect of sampling technique on extreme value theory models, this study aims to develop hybrid models whereby unconventional sampling techniques were used to select the extreme vehicle-pedestrian conflicts that were then modelled using extreme value distributions to estimate the crash risk. Unconventional sampling techniques refer to unsupervised machine learning-based anomaly detection techniques. In particular, Isolation forest and minimum covariance determinant techniques were used to identify extreme vehicle-pedestrian conflicts characterised by post encroachment time as the traffic conflict measure. Video data was collected for four weekdays (6 am-6 pm) from three four-legged intersections in Brisbane, Australia and processed using artificial intelligence-based video analytics. Results indicate that mean crash estimates of hybrid models were much closer to observed crashes with narrower confidence intervals as compared with traditional extreme value models. The findings of this study demonstrate the suitability of machine learning-based anomaly detection techniques to augment the performance of existing extreme value models for estimating pedestrian crashes from traffic conflicts. These findings are envisaged to further explore the possibility of utilising more advanced machine learning models for traffic conflict techniques.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fizza Hussain
- Queensland University of Technology, School of Civil & Environment Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Brisbane 4001, Australia.
| | - Yasir Ali
- School of Architecture, Building, and Civil Engineering, Loughborough University, Leicestershire LE11 3TU, United Kingdom.
| | - Yuefeng Li
- Queensland University of Technology, School of Computer Science, Faculty of Science, Brisbane 4001, Australia.
| | - Md Mazharul Haque
- Queensland University of Technology, School of Civil & Environment Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Brisbane 4001, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Taylor MD, Langdon KA, Smith JA, Stevenson G, Edge K. Polychlorinated dibenzodioxins/furans and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls in fish and crustaceans of a recreationally fished estuary, following targeted remediation. Sci Total Environ 2024; 921:171089. [PMID: 38387567 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans (PCDD/Fs) and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) are a suite of harmful chemicals (hereafter collectively referred to as 'dioxins'), and their emission into aquatic habitats leads to persistent contamination of sediments, aquatic food-webs, and seafoods. Quantifying contaminant levels in seafood species is important for the ongoing management of exposure risk by fishers, particularly after any remediation actions. We present dioxin concentrations in four seafood species (Yellowfin Bream Acanthopagrus australis, Sea Mullet Mugil cephalus, Eastern School Prawn Metapenaeus macleayi, and Eastern King Prawn Penaeus plebejus) in a recreationally fished estuary, in relation to a contaminated site that has undergone a remediation process, partially removing contaminated sediments (Homebush Bay, Port Jackson, New South Wales, Australia). Dioxin concentrations in these species were measured before (2005/6) and after (2015/16) remediation at a range of locations in and around the remediated site. Dioxin concentrations and congener profiles differed substantially among taxa, and concentrations were frequently higher than Australian screening criteria. The two prawn species showed evidence of a decline in dioxin concentrations after remediation, but the fish species only showed a declining dioxin concentration with distance from the contaminated site (not between periods). There were some minor changes in the congener profile for some species following remediation. While there was evidence for greatly reduced dioxin concentrations in prawn species following remediation, the complex patterns for fish were likely affected by environmental changes, species-specific and temporal changes in lipid content, and animal movement patterns. Future monitoring may aid interpretation of the patterns and modelling of exposure risk associated with seafood consumption into the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D Taylor
- Port Stephens Fisheries Institute, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Locked Bag 1, Nelson Bay, New South Wales 2315, Australia; School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, New South Wales 2308, Australia; The University of Queensland, Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia.
| | - Kate A Langdon
- Environment Protection Science, New South Wales Department of Planning and Environment, 480 Weeroona Road, Lidcombe, New South Wales 2141, Australia
| | - James A Smith
- Port Stephens Fisheries Institute, New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Locked Bag 1, Nelson Bay, New South Wales 2315, Australia
| | - Gavin Stevenson
- National Measurement Institute, Department of Industry, Science and Resources, 105 Delhi Road, Sydney, New South Wales 2113, Australia
| | - Katelyn Edge
- Environment Protection Science, New South Wales Department of Planning and Environment, 480 Weeroona Road, Lidcombe, New South Wales 2141, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Puljević C, Tscharke B, Wessel EL, Francis C, Verhagen R, O'Brien JW, Bade R, Nadarajan D, Measham F, Stowe MJ, Piatkowski T, Ferris J, Page R, Hiley S, Eassey C, McKinnon G, Sinclair G, Blatchford E, Engel L, Norvill A, Barratt MJ. Characterising differences between self-reported and wastewater-identified drug use at two consecutive years of an Australian music festival. Sci Total Environ 2024; 921:170934. [PMID: 38360330 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the context of drug prohibition, potential adulteration and variable purity pose additional health risks for people who use drugs, with these risks often compounded by the outdoor music festival environment. Ahead of the imminent implementation of drug checking services in Queensland, Australia, this study aims to characterise this problem using triangulated survey and wastewater data to understand self-reported and detected drug use among attendees of a multi-day Queensland-based music festival in 2021 and 2022. METHODS We administered an in-situ survey focusing on drug use at the festival to two convenience samples of 136 and 140 festival attendees in 2021 and 2022 respectively. We compared survey findings to wastewater collected concurrently from the festival's site-specific wastewater treatment plant, which was analysed using Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry. RESULTS Most survey respondents (82 % in 2021, 92 % in 2022) reported using or intending to use an illicit drug at the festival. Some respondents reported potentially risky drug use practices such as using drugs found on the ground (2 % in 2021, 4 % in 2022). Substances detected in wastewater but not surveys include MDEA, mephedrone, methylone, 3-MMC, alpha-D2PV, etizolam, eutylone, and N,N-dimethylpentylone. CONCLUSION Many substances detected in wastewater but not self-reported in surveys likely represent substitutions or adulterants. These findings highlight the benefits of drug checking services to prevent harms from adulterants and provide education on safer drug use practices. These findings also provide useful information on socio-demographic characteristics and drug use patterns of potential users of Queensland's future drug checking service.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cheneal Puljević
- The Loop Australia, Australia; School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
| | - Benjamin Tscharke
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Ellen Leslie Wessel
- The Loop Australia, Australia; School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | | | - Rory Verhagen
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Jake W O'Brien
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Richard Bade
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Dhayaalini Nadarajan
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Fiona Measham
- The Loop Australia, Australia; Department of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom; The Loop Drug Checking Service, United Kingdom
| | - M J Stowe
- The Loop Australia, Australia; The Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Timothy Piatkowski
- The Loop Australia, Australia; School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Jason Ferris
- The Loop Australia, Australia; Centre for Health Services Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Robert Page
- The Loop Australia, Australia; National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Alcohol & Drug Service, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | - Christopher Eassey
- The Loop Australia, Australia; National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Monica J Barratt
- The Loop Australia, Australia; National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales Sydney, Sydney, Australia; Social Equity Research Centre and Digital Ethnography Research Centre, RMIT University, Melbourne, Vic, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Neale PA, Neelamraju C, Warne MSJ. Derivation of species sensitivity distributions and ecotoxicity threshold values for 66 pesticide active ingredients and the hazard and risk they pose to freshwater waterways that discharge to the Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Sci Total Environ 2024; 920:170988. [PMID: 38365043 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Pesticide active ingredients (PAIs) are one of the main contributors affecting water quality in the Great Barrier Reef Catchment Area (GBRCA). While an extensive list of pesticides is monitored in the GBRCA, only a limited number have water quality guideline values (WQGs), meaning it is not possible to know whether these PAIs are present at concentrations that may pose a hazard to the aquatic environment. In the current study, we derived 66 ecotoxicity threshold values (ETVs) for PAIs, the equivalent of WQGs, with a focus on PAIs applied to sugar cane. The hazard posed by PAIs monitored as part of the Great Barrier Reef Catchment Loads Monitoring Program (GBRCLMP) was assessed by comparing the derived ETVs with monitoring data from 2016/2017 to 2021/2022. The derived ETVs included herbicides, insecticides and fungicides, with the values that should protect 99 or 95 % of aquatic species (PC99 or PC95) spanning nine orders of magnitude. The concentrations of 10 PAIs exceeded their respective ETVs, giving a hazard quotient (HQ) >1. Of particular concern were insecticides chlorpyrifos, diazinon and methomyl, which have maximum HQ values >10. However, joint probability plots indicated that the PAIs generally pose a low risk to the aquatic environment, with most samples below the limit of reporting. As PAIs are predominantly found in mixtures in the GBRCA, the hazard posed by PAI mixtures was assessed by summing all individual HQ values in a sample for all PAIs with an ETV or WQG. On average, the insecticide active ingredient imidacloprid and herbicide active ingredients metolachlor, metsulfuron methyl, diuron and imazepic were the drivers of combined mixture hazard. Methomyl was an important contributor at some sites, suggesting that this pesticide should be considered for inclusion in any future PAI mixture hazard and/or risk assessment of the GBRCA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- P A Neale
- Reef Catchments Science Partnership, School of the Environment, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4108, Australia
| | - C Neelamraju
- Reef Catchments Science Partnership, School of the Environment, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4108, Australia; Water Quality and Investigations, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Science, Science Delivery, Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, Brisbane, Queensland 4102, Australia
| | - M St J Warne
- Reef Catchments Science Partnership, School of the Environment, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4108, Australia; Water Quality and Investigations, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Science, Science Delivery, Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, Brisbane, Queensland 4102, Australia; Centre for Agroecology, Water and Resilience, Coventry University, Coventry, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Bade R, Nadarajan D, Driver EM, Halden RU, Gerber C, Krotulski A, Hall W, Mueller JF. Wastewater-based monitoring of the nitazene analogues: First detection of protonitazene in wastewater. Sci Total Environ 2024; 920:170781. [PMID: 38360322 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Synthetic opioids, particularly the nitazene analogues class, have become a public health concern due to their high potency. Wastewater-based epidemiology can detect community use of these compounds. The objective of this work was to detect nitazene analogues in wastewater from samples collected from eight sites in the United States. Influent wastewater samples were collected from eight sites in seven states (Arizona, Oregon, New Mexico, Illinois, New Jersey, Washington and Georgia) in the United States. Samples were collected from each site on three days between 27 December 2022 and 4 January 2023, acidified on collection, stored frozen and shipped to Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ) for sample processing. Samples were then shipped to The University of Queensland (Brisbane, Australia) for sample analysis. Protonitazene was found in samples collected from two sites in Washington and Illinois. The concentration was estimated up to 0.5 ng/L, with estimated excreted mass loads up to 0.3 mg/day/1000 people. This work has shown that it is possible to detect nitazene analogues in wastewater using a combination of sample pre-concentration and sensitive instrumentation, thereby further expanding the utility of wastewater-based epidemiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richard Bade
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia.
| | - Dhayaalini Nadarajan
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia
| | - Erin M Driver
- Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, 1001 S. McAllister Ave., Tempe, AZ 85281, USA
| | - Rolf U Halden
- Biodesign Center for Environmental Health Engineering, Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, 1001 S. McAllister Ave., Tempe, AZ 85281, USA; School of Sustainable Engineering and Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85281, USA; OneWaterOneHealth, Arizona State University Foundation, 1001 S. McAllister Avenue, Tempe, AZ 85287-8101, USA
| | - Cobus Gerber
- Health and Biomedical Innovation, UniSA: Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide 5001, South Australia, Australia
| | - Alex Krotulski
- Center for Forensic Science Research and Education, Fredric Rieders Family Foundation, Willow Grove, PA 19090, United States
| | - Wayne Hall
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia; National Centre for Youth Substance Use Research, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia
| | - Jochen F Mueller
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
McKay AKA, Minahan C, Harris R, McCormick R, Skinner J, Ackerman KE, Burke LM. Female Athlete Research Camp: A Unique Model for Conducting Research in High-Performance Female Athletes. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2024; 56:706-716. [PMID: 38109054 DOI: 10.1249/mss.0000000000003354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to describe the implementation of a novel research protocol for conducting research with highly trained female athletes, including characterizing menstrual cycle (MC) function, hormonal profiles and symptoms of the participating athletes. METHODS Twenty-four Australian First Nation female Rugby League athletes completed this study, which involved 11 wk of cycle tracking, followed by attendance at a 5-wk training camp. Throughout the study, athletes completed a daily survey, reporting their MC function and any associated symptoms. During the training camp, athletes reported to the laboratory on three occasions and provided a venous blood sample, which was analyzed for reproductive hormones. For naturally cycling athletes (athleteNC, n = 11), this included phase 1, 2, and 4 of the menstrual cycle, whereas athletes using hormonal contraception (athleteHC; n = 13) were tested at three equally spaced time points in which consistent exogenous hormone provision occurred. RESULTS In the athleteNC cohort, just one athlete reached criteria for classification as eumenorrheic, with five athletes showing evidence of MC dysfunction. The prevalence of symptoms on any given day was similar between athleteNC (33.7%) and athleteHC (22.9%; P = 0.376); however, more symptoms were reported in athleteNC, suggesting that they were more likely to report multiple symptoms. Regardless of MC function, there was a significant, positive association between bleeding and symptoms ( P < 0.001), where athletes were more likely to report one or more symptoms on bleeding (50.1%) compared with nonbleeding days (22.0%). CONCLUSIONS We describe an innovative strategy to investigate the effect of MC function and MC phase in a high-performance sport environment, including approaches to address the challenges of undertaking research with female athletes with MC variability and those using exogenous hormonal therapies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alannah K A McKay
- Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, VIC, AUSTRALIA
| | | | | | - Rachel McCormick
- Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, VIC, AUSTRALIA
| | | | - Kathryn E Ackerman
- Female Athlete Program, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Louise M Burke
- Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, VIC, AUSTRALIA
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Tonet V, Brodribb T, Bourbia I. Variation in xylem vulnerability to cavitation shapes the photosynthetic legacy of drought. Plant Cell Environ 2024; 47:1160-1170. [PMID: 38108586 DOI: 10.1111/pce.14788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Increased drought conditions impact tree health, negatively disrupting plant water transport which, in turn, affects plant growth and survival. Persistent drought legacy effects have been documented in many diverse ecosystems, yet we still lack a mechanistic understanding of the physiological processes limiting tree recovery after drought. Tackling this question, we exposed saplings of a common Australian evergreen tree (Eucalyptus viminalis) to a cycle of drought and rewatering, seeking evidence for a link between the spread of xylem cavitation within the crown and the degree of photosynthetic recovery postdrought. Individual leaves experiencing >35% vein cavitation quickly died but this did not translate to a rapid overall canopy damage. Rather, whole canopies showed a gradual decline in mean postdrought gas exchange rates as water stress increased. This gradual loss of canopy function postdrought was due to a significant variation in cavitation vulnerability of leaves within canopies leading to diversity in the capacity of leaves within a single crown to recover function after drought. These results from the evergreen E. viminalis emphasise the importance of within-crown variation in xylem vulnerability as a central character regulating the dynamics of canopy death and the severity of drought legacy through time.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Tonet
- Discipline of Biological Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
- School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Timothy Brodribb
- Discipline of Biological Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| | - Ibrahim Bourbia
- Discipline of Biological Sciences, School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Pai NB, Vella SLC. Comment on: What are the evidence bases for developing models of rehabilitation for older people with mental illness in Australia? Australas Psychiatry 2024; 32:165. [PMID: 38196156 PMCID: PMC10913325 DOI: 10.1177/10398562231224166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
|
23
|
Robertson T, Borland ML, O'Brien S, Haskell L, Babl FE, Dalziel SR, Tavender E. Understanding the uptake and adaption of targeted implementation interventions for reducing bronchiolitis investigations and therapies. Acta Paediatr 2024; 113:802-811. [PMID: 38189212 DOI: 10.1111/apa.17090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
AIM To understand and evaluate the uptake and local adaptations of proven targeted implementation interventions that have effectively reduced unnecessary investigations and therapies in infants with bronchiolitis within emergency departments. METHODS A multi-centred, mixed-methods quality improvement study in four Australian hospitals that provide paediatric emergency and inpatient care from May to December 2021. All hospitals were provided with the same implementation intervention package and training. Real-time tracking logs of adaptions were completed followed by semi-structured interviews. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and subsequently coded using FRAME-IS to further describe the adaptions made. RESULTS Tracking logs were summarised and data from 12 interviews were compared from participating sites. The intervention resulted in 116 education sessions and a total of 23 adaptations made to educational materials, both content and contextual. Shortening education presentations, addition of bronchiolitis definitions, formatting of materials and novel interventions were the most common modifications. Audit and feedback were completed across all sites with varying utilisation. Targeted teaching was noted to dictate adaptions prior to and during implementation. CONCLUSION Quantitative and qualitative analysis of clinical 'real-world' adaptations to proven targeted implementation interventions allows invaluable insight for future de-implementation initiatives and national roll-out of implementation packages in the ED setting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tim Robertson
- Perth Children's Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Meredith L Borland
- Perth Children's Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Medicine, Divisions of Emergency Medicine and Paediatrics, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Sharon O'Brien
- Perth Children's Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Libby Haskell
- Starship Children's Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
- Departments Paediatrics: Child and Youth Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Franz E Babl
- Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Departments of Paediatrics and Critical Care, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stuart R Dalziel
- Starship Children's Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand
- Cure Kids Chair of Child Health Research, Departments of Surgery and Paediatrics: Child and Youth Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Emma Tavender
- Emergency Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Departments of Paediatrics and Critical Care, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Ma T, Tellegen CL, Sanders MR. The role of parenting self-efficacy on teacher-child relationships and parent-teacher communication: Evidence from an Australian national longitudinal study. J Sch Psychol 2024; 103:101296. [PMID: 38432724 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsp.2024.101296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
High-quality teacher-child relationships and parent-teacher communications have substantial benefits to children's well-being and school functioning. However, more research is needed to understand how parenting self-efficacy influences these relationships. This cross-sequential study investigated the direct associations of parenting self-efficacy with the teacher-child relationship and parent-teacher communication, as well as potential mediation pathways. The present study included a sample of 8152 children who participated in the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC), a large study with a nationally representative sample of children from two cohorts who were 4 years apart. We used data collected in three waves when participating children were ages 6 years, 8 years, and 10 years. Structural equation modeling was used to test a panel model with parent-reported parenting self-efficacy and parent-teacher communication quality, as well as teacher-reported teacher-child relationship, child behavior difficulties, and child prosocial behaviors at school. Cross-lagged regressions demonstrated that baseline parenting self-efficacy directly and positively linked with the quality of teacher-child relationship and parent-teacher communication 2 years later. Child behavior at school was identified as a mediation pathway between parenting self-efficacy and teacher-child relationship. The same patterns were identified in two waves (Waves 6-8 and Waves 8-10). Limited child gender, parent gender, or cohort differences were observed. The current findings provide initial support that parenting self-efficacy may have spillover effects on school-related factors. The findings have implications both for parenting and school researchers and for child mental health practitioners because one important way to promote parenting self-efficacy is through evidence-based parenting programs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tianyi Ma
- Parenting and Family Support Centre, The University of Queensland, 13 Upland Road, St Lucia 4072, Australia.
| | - Cassandra L Tellegen
- Parenting and Family Support Centre, The University of Queensland, 13 Upland Road, St Lucia 4072, Australia
| | - Matthew R Sanders
- Parenting and Family Support Centre, The University of Queensland, 13 Upland Road, St Lucia 4072, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Miura K, Yu R, Entwistle TR, McKenzie SC, Green AC. Association of diet quality and weight increase in adult heart transplant recipients. J Hum Nutr Diet 2024; 37:408-417. [PMID: 37997547 DOI: 10.1111/jhn.13263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding the quality of the diet of heart transplant recipients (HTRs) is essential to developing effective dietary interventions for weight control, but relevant evidence is scarce. We investigated diet quality and its association with post-transplant increase in weight adjusted for height (body mass index [BMI]) in Australian HTRs. METHODS We recruited adult HTRs from Queensland's thoracic transplant clinic, 2020-2021. Study participants completed a 3-day food diary using a smart-phone app. Socio-demographic information was collected by self-administered questionnaire, and height, serial weight and clinical information were obtained from medical records. We calculated the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) index based on nine food groups and nutrients (index of 90 indicates highest possible quality), and any changes in BMI (≤ 0 kg m-2 or >0 kg m-2) post-transplantation. Median DASH index values were assessed in relation to sex and BMI change using Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS Among 49 consented HTRs, 25 (51%) completed the food diary (median age 48 years, 52% females). Median BMI at enrolment was 27.2 kg m-2; median BMI change since transplant was +3.7 kg m-2. Fruit, vegetable, and whole grain intakes were generally lower than recommended, giving a low overall median DASH index of 30 with no sex differences. HTRs for which the BMI increased post-transplant had significantly lower median DASH indices than those whose BMI did not increase (30 vs. 45, p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS The diet quality of HTRs appears suboptimal overall, with fruit and vegetable intakes especially low. HTRs whose BMI increased post-transplant had substantially lower quality diets than HTRs whose BMI did not increase.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kyoko Miura
- Population Health Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | - Regina Yu
- Population Health Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia
| | | | - Scott C McKenzie
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Herston, QLD, Australia
- Advanced Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplant Unit, The Prince Charles Hospital, Chermside, QLD, Australia
| | - Adèle C Green
- Population Health Department, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, QLD, Australia
- CRUK Manchester Institute and University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Reynolds JE, Alvares GA, Williams J, Froude E, Elliott C, McIntyre S, Whitehouse AJO, Evans KL, Reid SL, Cairney J, Licari MK. Investigating the impact of developmental coordination difficulties across home, school, and community settings: Findings from the Australian Impact for DCD survey. Res Dev Disabil 2024; 147:104712. [PMID: 38471296 DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2024.104712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024]
Abstract
AIM To evaluate the participation difficulties experienced by children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) in home, school, and community environments. METHODS The Impact for DCD survey was completed by primary caregivers of 4-18-year-old children with DCD (or synonymous diagnosis) (n = 429). OUTCOMES AND RESULTS The greatest participation difficulties experienced at home included dressing, eating with utensils, self-care tasks and drawing/writing reported by over 70% of families. At school, fine motor difficulties were also frequently reported, with additional difficulties keeping up or completing tasks, and not feeling supported at school. Socialisation challenges and bullying were also commonly reported (34.9%). As a result of participation difficulties at school, 5.4% were home schooled. Many children engaged in community activity, with 72.0% currently engaged in at least one organised sports-based activity. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Increased recognition of the widespread impact of DCD in a child's life is crucial at an individual and societal level. Parents reported their children experiencing significant participation restrictions and difficulties. The findings of this large-scale study have revealed that most children with DCD are not receiving the support they need to thrive, especially at school. This largely reflects a lack of understanding and recognition of the condition and its associated challenges.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jess E Reynolds
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
| | - Gail A Alvares
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Jacqueline Williams
- College of Sport, Health and Engineering, Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Elspeth Froude
- School of Allied Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Catherine Elliott
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Sarah McIntyre
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; Cerebral Palsy Alliance, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Andrew J O Whitehouse
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Kiah L Evans
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; School of Allied Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Siobhan L Reid
- School of Human Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - John Cairney
- School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, Health and Well-Being Centre for Research Innovation, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Melissa K Licari
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Roycroft E, Ford F, Ramm T, Schembri R, Breed WG, Burns PA, Rowe KC, Moritz C. Speciation across biomes: Rapid diversification with reproductive isolation in the Australian delicate mice. Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e17301. [PMID: 38385302 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Phylogeographic studies of continental clades, especially when combined with palaeoclimate modelling, provide powerful insight into how environment drives speciation across climatic contexts. Australia, a continent characterized by disparate modern biomes and dynamic climate change, provides diverse opportunity to reconstruct the impact of past and present environments on diversification. Here, we use genomic-scale data (1310 exons and whole mitogenomes from 111 samples) to investigate Pleistocene diversification, cryptic diversity, and secondary contact in the Australian delicate mice (Hydromyini: Pseudomys), a recent radiation spanning almost all Australian environments. Across northern Australia, we find no evidence for introgression between cryptic lineages within Pseudomys delicatulus sensu lato, with palaeoclimate models supporting contraction and expansion of suitable habitat since the last glacial maximum. Despite multiple contact zones, we also find little evidence of introgression at a continental scale, with the exception of a potential hybrid zone in the mesic biome. In the arid zone, combined insights from genetic data and palaeomodels support a recent expansion in the arid specialist P. hermannsburgensis and contraction in the semi-arid P. bolami. In the face of repeated secondary contact, differences in sperm morphology and chromosomal rearrangements are potential mechanisms that maintain species boundaries in these recently diverged species. Additionally, we describe the western delicate mouse as a new species and recommend taxonomic reinstatement of the eastern delicate mouse. Overall, we show that speciation in an evolutionarily young and widespread clade has been driven by environmental change, and potentially maintained by divergence in reproductive morphology and chromosome rearrangements.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily Roycroft
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Acton, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Fred Ford
- Biodiversity Conservation and Science, New South Wales Department of Planning and Environment, Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia
- Australian National Wildlife Collection, National Research Collections Australia, CSIRO, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| | - Till Ramm
- Zoo Leipzig, Leipzig, Germany
- Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rhiannon Schembri
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Acton, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
- School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Macquarie Park, New South Wales, Australia
| | - William G Breed
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Phoebe A Burns
- Wildlife Conservation and Science, Zoos Victoria, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kevin C Rowe
- Sciences Department, Museums Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Craig Moritz
- Division of Ecology and Evolution, Research School of Biology, The Australian National University, Acton, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Middleton R, Lewer K, Antoniou C, Pratt H, Bowdler S, Jans C, Rolls K. Understanding the processes, practices and influences of calibration on feedback literacy in higher education marking: A qualitative study. Nurse Educ Today 2024; 135:106106. [PMID: 38335909 DOI: 10.1016/j.nedt.2024.106106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the University setting, striving for consistency and reliability of assessment evaluation is essential to reducing the impact of marking variations. Marking processes such as consensus calibration have the potential to reduce issues which arise from the influence of markers professional knowledge and experience, as well as fixed and acquired marking habits. Furthermore, the influence of marker feedback which supports learning development is associated with the feedback literacy of both the teacher and the student. A gap is currently present in the literature as these practices are not discussed together. OBJECTIVES To explore how nursing academics perceive and understand calibration practices and associated feedback literacy. DESIGN Theoretical underpinnings in participatory and person-centred research methodology supported the critical ontological perspective of this study where the intent of the research was to explore the reality that exists within the context where the research was conducted. SETTING A single School of Nursing in an Australian University with six campuses spanning metropolitan, regional and rural sites. PARTICIPANTS Nursing academics and casual tutors with various levels of experience in assessment marking and feedback. METHODS Semi-structured group interviews that were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS Four overarching themes were identified; rubrics, calibration, feedback and justice. CONCLUSION Calibration improves staff cohesion, fosters better practices and consistency, and permits nuanced interpretation of assessments while maintaining uniformity. Enhanced feedback literacy that integrates principles of equity, justice, and learner-centeredness is required. Fundamentally calibration guides educators toward holistic approaches that foster consistency, equity, and thorough feedback practices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Kelly Lewer
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Science, Medicine & Health, Australia.
| | | | - Helen Pratt
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Science, Medicine & Health, Australia.
| | - Suzanne Bowdler
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Science, Medicine & Health, Australia.
| | - Carley Jans
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Science, Medicine & Health, Australia.
| | - Kaye Rolls
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Science, Medicine & Health, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Mauch CE, Golley RK, Hendrie GA. Variety Predicts Discretionary Food and Beverage Intake of Australian Adults: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of an Online Food Intake Survey. J Acad Nutr Diet 2024; 124:509-520. [PMID: 37499867 DOI: 10.1016/j.jand.2023.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Variety has been used as a strategy for increasing intakes of healthy foods, but has not been well explored with respect to discretionary food/beverages. The diverse sensory properties of these foods suggests that variety could play an important role in total intake. OBJECTIVE This study explored variety as a predictor of intake of discretionary food/beverages, and described the variety of these items consumed by Australian adults. DESIGN Secondary analyses of cross-sectional data from a validated, online survey that assesses participants' dietary intake using frequency and portion-based questions. Discretionary food/beverages are grouped into 11 categories. PARTICIPANTS/SETTING Participants included 235,203 Australian adults, aged 18 years or older, who provided data from May 2015 to November 2020. OUTCOME MEASURES Variety was the number of categories of discretionary food/beverages consumed. Servings were estimated from usual intake questions, and percent contribution summarized by category. Consumption prevalence was the proportion of the sample/subgroup consuming each category. Consumption was calculated as the mean of the sample and per capita in servings. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED Descriptive statistics were used to present variety and percent contribution to total intake across the sample and subgroups, and multiple regression was used to examine whether or not variety predicted intake of discretionary food/beverages. RESULTS Participants consumed a median of 8 categories of discretionary food/beverages, with every additional category associated wit h an increase in intake of half a serving of discretionary food/beverages per day (B = 0.48; P < 0.001). Alcohol, cakes and cookies, takeaway, and confectionary collectively contributed around two-thirds of total daily intake of discretionary food/beverages, with alcohol contributing the largest proportion (28.3% of total daily intake). CONCLUSIONS Variety is related to total intake of discretionary food/beverages. Intervention approaches targeting a reduction in variety, as an alternative to a focus on portion size or frequency of intake, would be a novel way of addressing overconsumption of discretionary food/beverages in future research.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea E Mauch
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Rebecca K Golley
- College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Gilly A Hendrie
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Lubicz-Zaorski C, Newlands M, Petray T. Fuelling the climate and science 'denial machine' on social media: A case study of the Great Barrier Reef's 2021 'in danger' recommendation on Twitter, YouTube and Facebook. Public Underst Sci 2024; 33:270-289. [PMID: 37882500 PMCID: PMC10958753 DOI: 10.1177/09636625231202117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
Australian climate policy has been stifled by a network of free-market and extractive industry-advocating actors, yet there is little empirical evidence to show how these actors and information flows behave in online communication spaces during Australian environmental conflicts. Focusing on the UNESCO 2021 'in danger' recommendation for the Great Barrier Reef for 6 weeks, this mixed-methods study of Twitter, Facebook and YouTube uses social network analysis, including cluster analysis and in-depth close reading. We find that a small, yet significant, mix of ideologically aligned partisan actors are fuelling the 'denial machine' in Australia by co-opting a scientific report's findings to argue that the Great Barrier Reef has recovered, and to contest the need for climate action. This article offers insights into the central actors and tactics that could erode public support for Australian climate policy, with similarities to strategies already established in the United States. It also contributes to furthering multi-platform analyses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carly Lubicz-Zaorski
- Queensland University of Technology, Australia; James Cook University, Australia
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
31
|
Ebrahimi S, Ellery SJ, Leech RM, van der Pligt PF. Associations between diet quality and dietary patterns and gestational diabetes mellitus in a low-risk cohort of pregnant women in Australia: a cross-sectional study. J Hum Nutr Diet 2024; 37:503-513. [PMID: 38193638 DOI: 10.1111/jhn.13274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Evidence of associations between the Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) score and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in pregnant women is limited. This study examined changes in MDS and DASH and dietary patterns in Australian pregnant women between early and late pregnancy and their associations with GDM. METHODS The data from n = 284 participants were analysed. Diet quality indices and empirical dietary patterns were determined in early (15 ± 3 weeks gestation) and late pregnancy (35 ± 2 weeks gestation). Paired t-tests were used to examine changes in scores for diet quality indices and dietary patterns from early to late pregnancy. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine associations between GDM, diet quality indices and dietary patterns. RESULTS Three major dietary patterns were identified at early pregnancy. The first and second dietary patterns included unhealthier and healthier food groups, respectively, and the third comprised mixed food groups. Although diet quality scores did not change over time, consumption of the first dietary pattern increased (p = 0.01), and consumption of the second dietary pattern decreased by late pregnancy in women without GDM (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION No associations between DASH score, MDS and GDM were found; however an inverse association was observed between the first dietary pattern and GDM in late pregnancy (p = 0.023). Longitudinal studies are needed to examine diet quality and dietary patterns at early and late pregnancy to inform the development of tailored dietary advice for GDM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Ebrahimi
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stacey J Ellery
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rebecca M Leech
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paige F van der Pligt
- Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Nutrition, Western Health, Footscray, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Billich N, Bray P, Truby H, Evans M, Ryan MM, Carroll K, de Valle K, Villano D, Kornberg A, Sowerby B, Farrar MA, Menezes MP, Holland S, Lindeback R, Cairns A, Davidson ZE. Exploring caregivers' attitudes and beliefs about nutrition and weight management for young people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Muscle Nerve 2024; 69:448-458. [PMID: 38353293 DOI: 10.1002/mus.28062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION/AIMS Obesity disproportionately affects children and adolescents with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and with adverse consequences for disease progression. This study aims to: explore barriers, enablers, attitudes, and beliefs about nutrition and weight management; and to obtain caregiver preferences for the design of a weight management program for DMD. METHODS We surveyed caregivers of young people with DMD from four Australian pediatric neuromuscular clinics. Survey questions were informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework and purposefully designed to explore barriers and enablers to food and weight management. Caregivers were asked to identify their preferred features in a weight management program for families living with DMD. RESULTS Fifty-three caregivers completed the survey. Almost half (48%) perceived their son as above healthy weight. Consequences for those children were perceived to be self-consciousness (71%), a negative impact on self-esteem (64%) and movement (57%). Preventing weight gain was a common reason for providing healthy food and healthy eating was a high priority for families. Barriers to that intention included: time constraints, selective food preferences, and insufficient nutrition information. Caregivers preferred an intensive six-week weight management program addressing appetite management and screen time. DISCUSSION Managing weight is an important issue for caregivers of sons with DMD; yet several barriers exist. Individualized 6 week programs are preferred by caregivers to improve weight management for DMD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Natassja Billich
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Neurology, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Paula Bray
- Children's Hospital, Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Neurology, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, Australia
| | - Helen Truby
- School of Human Movement and Nutrition Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- School of Primary and Allied Health Care Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Maureen Evans
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Metabolic Medicine, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Monique M Ryan
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Neurology, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Neurosciences Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, Melbourne University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Kate Carroll
- Department of Neurology, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Neurosciences Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Physiotherapy, School of Primary and Allied Health Care, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Katy de Valle
- Department of Neurology, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Neurosciences Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Daniella Villano
- Department of Neurology, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Neurosciences Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Andrew Kornberg
- Department of Neurology, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Neurosciences Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Bianca Sowerby
- Department of Neurology, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Michelle A Farrar
- Department of Neurology, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, Australia
- Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Manoj P Menezes
- Children's Hospital, Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
- Department of Neurology, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, Australia
| | - Sandra Holland
- Department of Neurology, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Rachel Lindeback
- Department of Neurology, Sydney Children's Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Anita Cairns
- Department of Neurology, Queensland Children's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Zoe E Davidson
- Department of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Neurology, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
- Neurosciences Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Arnot G, Pitt H, McCarthy S, Warner E, Thomas S. 'You can't really separate these risks, our environment, our animals and us': Australian children's perceptions of the risks of the climate crisis. Health Promot Int 2024; 39:daae023. [PMID: 38452241 PMCID: PMC10919885 DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daae023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Perceptions of the risks associated with the climate crisis are shaped by a range of social and political contexts and information sources. While some have expressed concerns about the impact of the spread of climate misinformation through social media platforms on young people, others have shown that the youth climate movement has played a key role in countering misinformation. Despite this, there has been very limited research with children about how they conceptualize the risks associated with the climate crisis, how they receive climate information, and how they understand and apply this to their own and others' lives. The following qualitative study used photo-elicitation techniques and in-depth interviews with Australian children to address this gap. A total of n = 28 children (12-16 years) participated, with four themes constructed from the data using a reflexive approach to thematic analysis. Children were concerned about how the climate crisis would continue to harm their futures and the health of planet and people. They recognized that some groups and countries would experience more risks associated with the climate crisis as compared to others. While they received information from a range of different sources (school, family, social media), they mostly used social media to seek out climate information. They recognized that social media sites could be a source of climate misinformation, and argued that a range of strategies were needed to identify and counter false information about the climate crisis. Children's perspectives must be harnessed to improve information about climate risks and action.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Grace Arnot
- Faculty of Health, Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, 1 Geringhap Street, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Hannah Pitt
- Faculty of Health, Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, 1 Geringhap Street, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Simone McCarthy
- Faculty of Health, Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, 1 Geringhap Street, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Elyse Warner
- Faculty of Health, Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, 1 Geringhap Street, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
| | - Samantha Thomas
- Faculty of Health, Institute for Health Transformation, Deakin University, 1 Geringhap Street, Geelong, VIC 3220, Australia
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Cheney K, Mignacca E, Black KI, Homer C, Bradfield Z. An exploration of the contraceptive counselling practices of midwives who provide postpartum care in Australia. Midwifery 2024; 131:103948. [PMID: 38335692 DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2024.103948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We sought to explore and describe midwives' attitudes and practices relating to their provision of postpartum contraception counselling. DESIGN We used an exploratory cross-sectional design. Recruitment used an anonymous online survey using electronic communication platforms of professional, and special-interest organisations, over six months . Descriptive and quantitative analysis was used. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Australian Midwives who provide postpartum care. MEANING AND FINDINGS A total of 289 complete responses were included. Findings from this national survey of midwives showed that almost 75% of Australian midwives reported providing some contraceptive advice to women. Those working in continuity of care models were significantly more likely to fulfil this responsibility. More than half (67%) indicated they had not received any formal contraception education or training. Those working in private obstetric-led settings were significantly less likely to have received education compared to midwives in community settings. Systems barriers preventing the provision of contraceptive counselling included: clinical workload; lack of management support; lack of education; and models of care. KEY CONCLUSIONS Most midwives (82%) wanted to provide postpartum contraception counselling as part of their role. They cited barriers from within the health system, ambiguity about roles and responsibilities and offered solutions to improve the provision of postnatal contraception counselling. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Recommendations include the development of education programs for midwives. Continuity of care models provided the time, autonomy and opportunity for midwives to undertake contraceptive counselling and fulfil this part of their professional scope. Consideration should be given to expanding access and provision of continuity of midwifery care. An urgent investment in the education and skills of midwives is recommended to ensure all women across acute and community services benefit from improved outcomes associated with pregnancy spacing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kate Cheney
- The Sydney School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Susan Wakil Health Building, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
| | - Emily Mignacca
- School of Nursing, Midwifery, Oral Health Therapy, Paramedicine, Faculty of Health Science, Curtin University Perth, WA 6102, Australia
| | - Kirsten I Black
- The Sydney Medical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Susan Wakil Health Building, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Caroline Homer
- Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health, Burnet Institute, Melbourne 3004, Australia
| | - Zoe Bradfield
- School of Nursing, Midwifery, Oral Health Therapy, Paramedicine, Faculty of Health Science, Curtin University Perth, WA 6102, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Andrews T, Meadley B, Gabbe B, Beck B, Dicker B, Cameron P. Review article: Pre-hospital trauma guidelines and access to lifesaving interventions in Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand. Emerg Med Australas 2024; 36:197-205. [PMID: 38253461 DOI: 10.1111/1742-6723.14373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
The centralisation of trauma services in western countries has led to an improvement in patient outcomes. Effective trauma systems include a pre-hospital trauma system. Delivery of high-level pre-hospital trauma care must include identification of potential major trauma patients, access and correct application of lifesaving interventions (LSIs) and timely transport to definitive care. Globally, many nations endorse nationwide pre-hospital major trauma triage guidelines, to ensure a universal approach to patient care. This paper examined clinical guidelines from all 10 EMS in Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand. All relevant trauma guidelines were included, and key information was extracted. Authors compared major trauma triage criteria, all LSI included in guidelines, and guidelines for transport to definitive care. The identification of major trauma patients varied between all 10 EMS, with no universal criteria. The most common approach to trauma triage included a three-step assessment process: physiological criteria, identified injuries and mechanism of injury. Disparity between physiological criteria, injuries and mechanism was found when comparing guidelines. All 10 EMS had fundamental LSI included in their trauma guidelines. Fundamental LSI included haemorrhage control (arterial tourniquets, pelvic binders), non-invasive airway management (face mask ventilation, supraglottic airway devices) and pleural wall needle decompression. Variation in more advanced LSI was evident between EMS. Optimising trauma triage guidelines is an important aspect of a robust and evidence driven trauma system. The lack of consensus in trauma triage identified in the present study makes benchmarking and comparison of trauma systems difficult.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tim Andrews
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Clinical Operations, Ambulance Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Paramedicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ben Meadley
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Clinical Operations, Ambulance Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Paramedicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Belinda Gabbe
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ben Beck
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bridget Dicker
- Clinical Audit and Research, Hato Hone St John New Zealand, Auckland, New Zealand
- Paramedicine Department, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Peter Cameron
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Emergency and Trauma Centre, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Veerhuis N, Merizzi A, Papoulias S, Bradbury C, Sheret K, Traynor V. 'It is empowering and gives people dignity in a very difficult process': A multistage, multimethod qualitative study to understand the views of end users in the cultural adaptation of a dementia and driving decision aid. Health Expect 2024; 27:e14006. [PMID: 38497286 PMCID: PMC10945392 DOI: 10.1111/hex.14006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Decisions about driving for individuals living with dementia (ILWD) can be challenging. There are limited evidence-based person-centred interventions in the United Kingdom that support decisions about transitioning to not driving or guidelines for developing decision aids for ILWD. This study aimed to understand the important features of a decision aid through the cultural adaptation of Australian dementia and driving decision aid (DDDA) for ILWD residing in the United Kingdom. METHODS This qualitative study was theoretically underpinned by a person-centred framework and conducted over three stages: (1) Development of a draft UK-specific DDDA; (2) semistructured interviews with ILWD and an online survey with stakeholders to obtain their views on a draft UK DDDA and (3) content analysis and synthesis of qualitative data to inform the final version of the decision aid. RESULTS Eleven ILWD and six of their spouses participated in interviews, and 102 stakeholders responded to an online survey. The four broad features identified as important to include in a decision aid for drivers living with dementia were: a structured and interactive format; positive and supportive messaging and presentation; relevant and concise content and choice-centred. The perceived benefits of the decision aid were identified as supporting conversations, enhancing collaborative decision making and enabling agency with decisions about driving and future mobility options. CONCLUSIONS Decision aids that are underpinned by interactive choice-driven questions enhance a person-centred approach to decisions about driving. Positively framing decision aids through the presentation and content can facilitate engagement with the decision-making process about driving. The findings have implications for the development of decision aids designed for ILWD on other important health and social topics. PATIENT AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT Advocating for the development of a UK DDDA were ILWD. Healthcare professionals contributed to the development of a draft UK DDDA. Former and current drivers living with dementia, family members, healthcare professionals and other support networks of ILWD participated in interviews or an online survey which informed the final version of the UK DDDA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Veerhuis
- Aged, Dementia, Health Education and Research Centre, Faculty of Science Medicine and Health, School of Nursing, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Alessandra Merizzi
- Memory Assessment and Treatment Service, Pennine Care National Health Service Foundation Trust, Oldham, UK
| | - Stephanie Papoulias
- Memory Assessment and Treatment Service, Pennine Care National Health Service Foundation Trust, Oldham, UK
| | - Claire Bradbury
- Memory Assessment Service, Dorset Healthcare University Foundation Trust, Alderney Hospital, Poole, UK
| | - Kathy Sheret
- Memory Assessment Service, Dorset Healthcare University Foundation Trust, Alderney Hospital, Poole, UK
| | - Victoria Traynor
- Aged, Dementia, Health Education and Research Centre, Faculty of Science Medicine and Health, School of Nursing, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Blake JA, Farugia TL, Andrew B, Malacova E, Lawrence D, Thomas HJ, Scott JG. The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale in Australian adolescents: Analysis of the second Australian Child and Adolescent Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing. Aust N Z J Psychiatry 2024; 58:345-354. [PMID: 38095118 DOI: 10.1177/00048674231216601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The 10-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) is used to screen adolescents for mental disorders in Australian clinical practice; however, there are no Australian adolescent normative data. METHODS Data were drawn from a nationally representative sample (N = 2964) of Australian adolescents (11-17 years). This study had three aims: (1) to examine concurrent validity between the K10 and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) emotional symptoms subscale, (2) to establish normative Australian adolescent K10 data and (3) to determine optimal K10 cut-off scores for screening for major depressive disorder (MDD) via receiver operator characteristic curve analysis and stratum-specific likelihood ratios. RESULTS The K10 and SDQ emotional symptoms scales were moderately correlated (rs = 0.63, p < 0.001). Older female adolescents reported higher total K10 scores compared with younger female adolescents (15-17 years: M = 20.2, standard error [SE] = 0.3; 11-14 years: M = 16.8, SE = 0.3) and male adolescents (11-14 years: M = 16.6, SE = 0.2; 15-17 years: M = 16.0, SE=0.2). K10 scores to optimally discriminate those with and without MDD varied by age and sex and had low specificities. Stratum-specific likelihood ratios indicated adolescents with a K10 score of ≥30 will have a 12.9 (95% confidence interval = [10.2, 16.2]) increased likelihood of MDD. CONCLUSION The K10 has utility for assessing psychological distress in health care and epidemiological research in Australian adolescents. Adolescents with K10 scores in the 'very high' range are at increased risk of MDD. Further assessment of these young people is indicated to identify those with or at risk of developing MDD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Julie A Blake
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Taya L Farugia
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Brooke Andrew
- School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Eva Malacova
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - David Lawrence
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Hannah J Thomas
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, The Park Centre for Mental Health, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - James G Scott
- QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Child Health Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research, The Park Centre for Mental Health, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
- Child and Youth Mental Health Service, Children's Health Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Nikodijevic CJ, Probst YC, Tan SY, Neale EP. Metabolisable energy from nuts and patterns of nut consumption in the Australian population: a secondary analysis of the 2011-12 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey. J Hum Nutr Diet 2024; 37:538-549. [PMID: 38238999 DOI: 10.1111/jhn.13278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nut intake is not associated with increased body weight, which may be explained by their metabolisable energy, among other factors. Therefore, total energy intake may be overestimated among nut consumers. This study aimed to describe the metabolisable energy from nuts and nut consumption patterns in the Australian population. METHODS A nut-specific database was expanded to include metabolisable energy of nuts (based on nut type and form) and applied to the 2011-12 National Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey (NNPAS). Participants were Australians aged 2 years and older from the 2011-12 NNPAS (n = 12,153, with n = 4,765 nut consumers). Mean metabolisable energy intake was compared with mean energy intake using Atwater factors in nut consumers. Additionally, nut consumption patterns were explored, including the proportion of nuts consumed at meals and snacks. RESULTS Among nut consumers, mean metabolisable energy from nuts based only on nut type was 241.2 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 232.0, 250.5) kJ/day and mean metabolisable energy considering both nut type and form was 260.7 (95% CI: 250.2, 271.2) kJ/day. Energy intake from nuts using Atwater factors was 317.6 (95% CI: 304.8, 330.3) kJ/day. Nuts were more likely to be consumed at snack occasions, with approximately 63% of nut intake occurring as a snack. CONCLUSION Application of metabolisable energy to the 2011-12 NNPAS has a significant impact on calculation of energy intake from nuts. Nut consumption patterns identified a majority of nut consumption occurring as snacks. These findings may inform strategies to support nut consumption in Australia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cassandra J Nikodijevic
- School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Yasmine C Probst
- School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Sze-Yen Tan
- School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
| | - Elizabeth P Neale
- School of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Essue BM, Kapiriri L, Mohamud H, Vélez CM, Nouvet E, Aguilera B, Williams I, Kiwanuka S. Priority setting in times of crises: an analysis of priority setting for the COVID-19 response in the Western Pacific Region. Health Policy 2024; 142:105010. [PMID: 38364637 DOI: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2024.105010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While priority setting is recognized as critical for promoting accountability and transparency in health system planning, its role in supporting rational, equitable and fair pandemic planning and responses is less well understood. This study aims to describe how priority setting was used to support planning in the initial stage of the pandemic response in a subset of countries in the Western Pacific Region (WPR). METHODS We purposively sampled a subset of countries from WPR and undertook a critical document review of the initial national COVID-19 pandemic response plans. A pre-specified tool guided data extraction and the analysis examined the use of quality parameters of priority setting, and equity considerations. RESULTS Nine plans were included in this analysis, from the following countries: Papua New Guinea, Tonga, The Philippines, Fiji, China, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Taiwan. Most commonly the plans described strong political will to respond swiftly, resource needs, stakeholder engagement, and defined the roles of institutions that guided COVID-19 response decision-making. The initial plans did not reflect strong evidence of public engagement or considerations of equity informing the early responses to the pandemic. CONCLUSION This study advances an understanding of how priority setting and equity considerations were integrated to support the development of the initial COVID-19 responses in nine countries in WPR and contributes to the literature on health system planning during emergencies. This baseline assessment reveals evidence of the common priority setting parameters that were deployed in the initial responses, the prioritized resources and equity considerations and reinforces the importance of strengthening health system capacity for priority setting to support future pandemic preparedness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Beverley M Essue
- Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, 155 College Street West Toronto ON M5T 3M6, Canada.
| | - Lydia Kapiriri
- Department of Health, Aging & Society, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Kenneth Taylor Hall Room 226, L8S 4M4, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Hodan Mohamud
- Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, 155 College Street West Toronto ON M5T 3M6, Canada
| | - Claudia-Marcela Vélez
- Department of Health, Aging & Society, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Kenneth Taylor Hall Room 226, L8S 4M4, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Faculty of Medicine, University of Antioquia, Cra 51d #62-29, Medellín, Antioquia, Colombia
| | - Elysee Nouvet
- School of Health Studies, Western University, 1151 Richmond Street, N6A 3K7, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Bernardo Aguilera
- Faculty of Medicine and Science at the Universidad San Sebastian, Santiago de Chile, Providencia, Región Metropolitana, Chile
| | - Iestyn Williams
- Health Services Management Centre, University of Birmingham, 40 Edgbaston Park Rd, B15 2RT, Birmingham, UK
| | - Suzanne Kiwanuka
- Department of Health Policy Planning and Management, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Uganda
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Shi L, Liu Z, Gonzalez Viejo C, Ahmadi F, Dunshea FR, Suleria HAR. Comparison of phenolic composition in Australian-grown date fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.) seeds from different varieties and ripening stages. Food Res Int 2024; 181:114096. [PMID: 38448106 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2024.114096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
In this research, different seeds of Australian-grown date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) were studied to evaluate the antioxidant potential and analyze their phenolic constituents. Phenolic compounds were extracted from seeds of various Australian-grown date varieties at different ripening stages. Eight varieties of date seeds (Zahidi, Medjool, Deglet nour, Thoory, Halawi, Barhee, Khadrawy, and Bau Strami) at three ripening stages (Kimri, Khalal, and Tamar) were investigated in this study. Date seeds at Khalal (9.87-16.93 mg GAE/g) and Tamar (9.20-27.87 mg GAE/g) stages showed higher total phenolic content than those at Kimri stage (1.81-5.99 mg GAE/g). For antioxidant assays like DPPH, FRAP, ABTS, RAP, FICA, and TAC, date seeds at Khalal and Tamar stages also showed higher antioxidant potential than Kimri stage. However, date seeds at Kimri stage (55.24-63.26 mg TE/g) expressed higher radical scavenging activity than Khalal (13.58-51.88 mg TE/g) and Tamar (11.06-50.92 mg TE/g) stages. Phenolic compounds were characterized using LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS, revealing the presence of 37 different phenolic compounds, including 8 phenolic acids, 18 flavonoids, and 11 other phenolic compounds. Further, phenolic compounds were quantified using LC-DAD, revealing that Zahidi variety of date seeds exhibited the highest content during the Kimri stage. In contrast, during the Khalal and Tamar stages, Deglet nour and Medjool date seeds displayed higher concentrations of phenolic compounds. The results indicated an increase in phenolic content in date seeds after the Kimri stage, with significant variations observed among different date varieties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Linghong Shi
- School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Ziyao Liu
- School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Claudia Gonzalez Viejo
- Digital Agriculture, Food and Wine Group, School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Farhad Ahmadi
- School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Frank R Dunshea
- School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Hafiz A R Suleria
- School of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Allison S. Unpeeling the onion: Digital triage and monitoring of general practice, private psychiatry, and psychology. Australas Psychiatry 2024; 32:118-120. [PMID: 38114305 PMCID: PMC10913328 DOI: 10.1177/10398562231222826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The Australian federal government is considering a 'digital front door' to mental healthcare. The Brain and Mind Centre at the University of Sydney has published a discussion paper advocating that the government should adopt a comprehensive model of digital triage and monitoring (DTM) based on a government-funded initiative Project Synergy ($30 million). We critically examine the final report on Project Synergy, which is now available under a Freedom of Information request. CONCLUSION The DTM model is disruptive. Non-government organisations would replace general practitioners as care coordinators. Patients, private psychiatrists, and psychologists would be subjected to additional layers of administration, assessment, and digital compliance, which may decrease efficiency, and lengthen the duration of untreated illness. Only one patient was deemed eligible for DTM, however, during the 8-month regional trial of Project Synergy (recruitment rate = 1/500,000 across the region). Instead of an unproven DTM model, the proposed 'digital front door' to Australian mental healthcare should emphasise technology-enabled shared care (general practitioners and mental health professionals) for the treatment of moderate-to-severe illness.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Allison
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia; and Consortium of Australian-Academic Psychiatrists for Independent Policy and Research Analysis (CAPIPRA), Canberra, ACT, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Holland C, Baker M, Bates A, Hughes C, Richmond PC, Carlson S, Moore HC. Parental awareness and attitudes towards prevention of respiratory syncytial virus in infants and young children in Australia. Acta Paediatr 2024; 113:786-794. [PMID: 38299226 DOI: 10.1111/apa.17127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 11/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
AIM To assess parental awareness of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the level of acceptance of future RSV prevention strategies. METHODS A cross-sectional online survey was implemented targeting "future" and "current" parents of children aged ≤5 years in Australia. RESULTS From 1992 eligible participants, two non-mutually exclusive subgroups were formed: "current" parents (N = 1931) and "pregnant/planning" parents (N = 464: 403 also "current" parents and 61 "future" parents). Participants were predominantly (86.6%) aged 25-39 years and 68.5% with university education. The majority (89.6% current; 78.7% future) had heard of RSV. Of those, 64.2% (current) and 50.0% (future) were aware that pneumonia is associated with RSV; 71.8% (current) and 52.1% (future) were aware that bronchiolitis is associated with RSV. In multivariable logistic regression analyses, Australian-born parents (aOR = 2.47 [95% CI: 1.48-4.12]), living in the eastern states (e.g., New South Wales: aOR = 6.15 [95% CI:2.10-18.04]), with a university-level education (aOR = 2.61 [95% CI:1.38-4.94]) and being a current parent (aOR = 12.26 [95% CI:2.82-53.28]) were associated with higher RSV awareness. There was a high level of acceptance for maternal vaccines (future: 79.3%) and infant immunisation (all: 81.7%). CONCLUSION While RSV awareness and immunisation acceptance were high, there was limited knowledge of severity of RSV, especially in future parents. Education campaigns need to be developed to increase RSV knowledge.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Charlie Holland
- Wesfarmers Centre for Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Megan Baker
- Wesfarmers Centre for Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Amber Bates
- Tiny Sparks Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Catherine Hughes
- The Immunisation Foundation of Australia, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Peter C Richmond
- Discipline of Paediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Vaccine Trials Group, Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines & Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Perth Children's Hospital, Child and Adolescent Health Service, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- Department of Immunology, Perth Children's Hospital, Child and Adolescent Health Service, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Samantha Carlson
- Wesfarmers Centre for Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Social Sciences, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Hannah C Moore
- Wesfarmers Centre for Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Albutti A, Mahdi HA, Alwashmi AS, Alfelali M, Barasheed O, Barnes EH, Shaban RZ, Booy R, Rashid H. The relationship between hand hygiene and rates of acute respiratory infections among Umrah pilgrims: A pilot randomised controlled trial. J Infect Public Health 2024; 17 Suppl 1:34-41. [PMID: 37055268 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2023.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is a lack of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the role of hand hygiene in preventing and containing acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in mass gatherings. In this pilot RCT, we assessed the feasibility of establishing a large-scale trial to explore the relationship between practising hand hygiene and rates of ARI in Umrah pilgrimage amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS A parallel RCT was conducted in hotels in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, between April and July 2021. Domestic adult pilgrims who consented to participate were randomised 1:1 to the intervention group who received alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) and instructions, or to the control group who did not receive ABHR or instructions but were free to use their own supplies. Pilgrims in both groups were then followed up for seven days for ARI symptoms. The primary outcome was the difference in the proportions of syndromic ARIs among pilgrims between the randomised groups. RESULTS A total of 507 (control: intervention = 267: 240) participants aged between 18 and 75 (median 34) years were randomised; 61 participants were lost to follow-up or withdrew leaving 446 participants (control: intervention = 237:209) for the primary outcome analysis; of whom 10 (2.2 %) had developed at least one respiratory symptom, three (0.7 %) had 'possible ILI' and two (0.4 %) had 'possible COVID-19'. The analysis of the primary outcome found no evidence of difference in the proportions of ARIs between the randomised groups (odds ratio 1.1 [0.3-4.0] for intervention relative to control). CONCLUSION This pilot trial suggests that conducting a future definitive RCT to assess the role of hand hygiene in the prevention of ARIs is feasible in Umrah setting amidst such a pandemic; however, outcomes from this trial are inconclusive, and such a study would need to be very large given the low rates of outcomes observed here. TRIAL REGISTRATION This trial was registered in the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) (ACTRN12622001287729), the full protocol can be accessed there.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aqel Albutti
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Hashim A Mahdi
- National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Saudi Electronic University, Jeddah 23442, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Ameen S Alwashmi
- Department of Medical Laboratories, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Buraydah 51452, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Mohammad Alfelali
- Family and Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine in Rabigh, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 25732, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Osamah Barasheed
- The Executive Administration of Research and Innovation, King Abdullah Medical City in Holy Capital (KAMC-HC), Makkah 24246, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Elizabeth H Barnes
- NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
| | - Ramon Z Shaban
- New South Wales Biocontainment Centre, New South Wales Ministry of Health, Westmead, NSW 2151, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health Susan Wakil School of Nursing, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; Public Health Unit, Centre for Population Health, Western Sydney Local Health District, North Parramatta, NSW 2151, Australia; Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia.
| | - Robert Booy
- National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia.
| | - Harunor Rashid
- National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; Westmead Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia; Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Vijayakumar N, Husin HM, Dashti SG, Mundy L, Moreno-Betancur M, Viner RM, Goddings AL, Robson E, Sawyer SM, Patton GC. Characterization of Puberty in an Australian Population-Based Cohort Study. J Adolesc Health 2024; 74:665-673. [PMID: 37815771 DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.08.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Current knowledge of the characteristics of puberty beyond age at menarche and thelarche is limited, particularly within population-based cohorts. Secular trends and concerns of the health effects of early puberty reinforce the value of contemporary studies characterizing the timing, tempo, duration, and synchronicity of puberty. METHODS The Childhood to Adolescence Transition Study is a unique Australian cohort of individuals followed annually from late childhood to late adolescence, with up to eight assessments of pubertal stage from 9 to 19 years of age (N = 1,183; 636 females). At each assessment, females reported their Tanner Stage of breast and pubic hair development, while males reported on genital/pubic hair development. Nonlinear mixed-effects models characterized pubertal trajectories and were used to derive each individual's estimates of timing, tempo, and synchronicity. Parametric survival models were used to estimate the overall duration of puberty. RESULTS Timing of mid-puberty (Tanner Stage 3) ranged from 12.5 to 13.5 years, with females developing approximately 6 months before males. Pubertal tempo (at mid-puberty) was similar across sex (between half and one Tanner Stage per year), but the overall duration of puberty was slightly shorter in males. Most females exhibited asynchronous changes of breast and pubic hair development. DISCUSSION Estimates of pubertal timing and tempo are consistent with reports of cohorts from two or more decades ago, suggesting stabilization of certain pubertal characteristics in predominantly White populations. However, our understanding of the duration of puberty and individual differences in pubertal characteristics (e.g., synchronicity of physical changes) remains limited.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nandita Vijayakumar
- Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute and Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Deakin University, Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Hanafi Mohamad Husin
- Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute and Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - S Ghazaleh Dashti
- Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lisa Mundy
- Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute and Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Deakin University, Centre for Social and Early Emotional Development, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Margarita Moreno-Betancur
- Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Russell M Viner
- Population, Policy and Practice Research Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anne-Lise Goddings
- Population, Policy and Practice Research Department, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ellie Robson
- Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute and Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Susan M Sawyer
- Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute and Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - George C Patton
- Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute and Royal Children's Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Mesa-Castrillon CI, Simic M, Ferreira ML, Bennell KL, Luscombe GM, Gater K, Beckenkamp PR, Michell A, Bauman A, de Luca K, Bunker S, Clavisi O, Ferreira PH. Effectiveness of an eHealth-Delivered Program to Empower People With Musculoskeletal Pain in Rural Australia: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 2024; 76:570-581. [PMID: 37984995 DOI: 10.1002/acr.25272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of a three-month physiotherapist-delivered eHealth physical activity program compared with usual care to improve function in adults with low back pain or knee osteoarthritis in rural Australia. METHODS This was a parallel, two-group, pragmatic, superiority, randomized controlled trial involving three- and six-month posttreatment follow-ups. There was a total of 156 adults with chronic nonspecific low back pain (n = 97) or knee osteoarthritis (n = 59) from rural Australia. The intervention involved an eHealth physical activity and an exercise program that included five to eight teleconsultations with a physiotherapist (primary time point three months) or usual care (eg, general practitioner, physiotherapy, and pain medication). The primary outcome was the Patient-Specific Functional Scale (0-30), with a three-point difference between groups being considered the minimum clinically important difference. RESULTS Participants receiving the eHealth intervention (n = 78) reported significantly greater and clinically worthwhile improvements in function (mean between-group difference 3.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.3-5.9) compared to participants receiving usual care (n = 78). Small but statistically significantly greater improvements in disability (7.2 of 100; 95% CI 2.1-12.3) and quality of life (4.5 of 100; 95% CI 0.0-9.0) also favored the eHealth group. No clinical or statistical differences between groups were found for the secondary outcomes of pain, coping skills, and physical activity levels. CONCLUSION A physiotherapist-delivered eHealth intervention is effective and provides clinically meaningful improvements in function compared to usual care for people with musculoskeletal pain in rural communities. These findings highlight the potential for eHealth-based programs to improve access to evidence-based exercise interventions for people with musculoskeletal pain in rural communities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Carlos I Mesa-Castrillon
- University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Musculoskeletal Health, Charles Perkins Centre, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Milena Simic
- University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Kim L Bennell
- University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Kristy Gater
- Dubbo Health Service, Dubbo, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | | | - Adrian Bauman
- University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Katie de Luca
- Central Queensland University Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | | | | | - Paulo H Ferreira
- University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney Musculoskeletal Health, Charles Perkins Centre, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Bäcker HC, Turner P, Johnson MA, Apos E, Cunningham J. The clinical and radiographic degenerative spondylolisthesis classification and its predictive value. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 2024; 144:1597-1601. [PMID: 38416138 DOI: 10.1007/s00402-024-05261-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The clinical and radiographic degenerative spondylolisthesis (CARDS) classification is a new classification that has been introduced for degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS). It has four categories. Our study aimed to analyse the functional and radiographic outcome following DS surgery based on the preoperative CARDS classification. METHODS A retrospective study of the prospectively collected Australian Spine Registry database was performed. Data on demographics, patient reported outcome measures including the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and EQ-5D-3 L scores, and changes in radiographic measurements were analysed. Based on the preoperative findings all x-rays were classified applying the CARDS classification. RESULTS Between 2018 and 2021 a total of 54-patients were identified as having had surgery for DS at L4/5. The mean age was 65.3 ± 11.3years and females were predominantly affected (61%). Most cases were of CARDS type C (46%), followed by type B (29%). CARDS type A and D were observed in 18% and 6% respectively. Preoperatively, the L4/5 lordosis was 19.8 ± 6.3° and lumbar lordosis 43.9 ± 12.8°. Postoperatively the L4/5 lordosis alignment changed significantly to 23.5 ± 8.8° (p < 0.05). Preoperatively, the CARDS classification was 34.8 ± 17.4 (type A), 40.5 ± 11.0 (type B), 43.8 ± 12.9 and 50.0 ± 14.4 for type D (Pearson-coefficient 0.284, p = 0.041). Postoperatively this changed to 22.7 ± 16.1, 28.7 ± 21.2, 12.5 ± 13.1, and 6.5 ± 2.1 respectively. Similar improvements were observed for the EQ-5D-3 L. CONCLUSION This study shows that the CARDS classification correlates with preoperative functional scores as well as helping to predict response to surgery. CARDS will likely assist in operative planning and prognostication. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III, therapeutic and prognostic study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Henrik Constantin Bäcker
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, 300 Grattan Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3050, Australia.
- Neurosciences Clinical Institute, Epworth Richmond, Richmond, Melbourne, Australia.
- Department of orthopaedic surgery, Auckland City Hospital, Grafton, New Zealand.
| | - Peter Turner
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, 300 Grattan Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3050, Australia
- Neurosciences Clinical Institute, Epworth Richmond, Richmond, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Michael A Johnson
- Neurosciences Clinical Institute, Epworth Richmond, Richmond, Melbourne, Australia
- Australian Spine Registry, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Esther Apos
- Australian Spine Registry, Melbourne, Australia
| | - John Cunningham
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Royal Melbourne Hospital, 300 Grattan Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3050, Australia
- Neurosciences Clinical Institute, Epworth Richmond, Richmond, Melbourne, Australia
- Australian Spine Registry, Melbourne, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Wang Y, Islam RM, Hussain SM, McNeil JJ, Davis SR. Associations Between Blood Concentrations of Sex Hormones and Physical Function in Community-Dwelling Older Women: A Prospective Cohort Study. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2024; 79:glad287. [PMID: 38157294 PMCID: PMC10919882 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glad287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blood concentrations of testosterone and estrone tend to increase in women aged ≥70 years, whereas concentrations of their precursor hormone dehydroepiandrosterone decline. It is unknown whether these changes influence physical function. We investigated whether concentrations of these hormones were associated with grip strength and self-reported physical function in community-dwelling older women. METHODS A total of 9 179 Australian women, aged ≥70 years, were recruited to the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) trial. Sex hormones were measured in Sex Hormones in Older Women, an ASPREE substudy, by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in 6 358 women. The associations between hormone concentrations and physical function (handgrip strength and self-reported physical function assessed by SF-12v2 physical component summary [PCS]) were examined using multiple linear regression. RESULTS The median age of the 5,447 participants was 74.0 (interquartile range 71.7-77.6) years. Testosterone concentrations above the lowest quartile were associated with less decline in grip strength (mean -1.39 [95% CI -1.54 to -1.24] vs -1.75 [-2.00 to -1.50] kg, p = .02), and dehydroepiandrosterone concentrations above the lowest quartile were associated with less decline in grip strength (-1.39 [-1.54 to -1.25] vs -1.82 [-2.11 to -1.55] kg, p = .007) and PCS scores (-1.49 [-1.80 to -1.17] vs -2.33 [-2.93 to -1.72], p = .02) over 4 years, compared with those in the respective lowest quartile. CONCLUSIONS Low endogenous concentrations of testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone were associated the greatest likelihood of physical function decline in community-based women aged ≥70 years. Further studies are warranted to determine whether testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone therapy prevent functional decline in this at-risk group using sensitive measures of muscle strength and performance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Wang
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rakibul M Islam
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sultana Monira Hussain
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - John J McNeil
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Susan R Davis
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Bade R, Huchthausen J, Huber C, Dewapriya P, Tscharke BJ, Verhagen R, Puljevic C, Escher BI, O'Brien JW. Improving wastewater-based epidemiology for new psychoactive substance surveillance by combining a high-throughput in vitro metabolism assay and LC-HRMS metabolite identification. Water Res 2024; 253:121297. [PMID: 38354662 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
One of the primary criteria for a suitable drug biomarker for wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is having a unique source representing human metabolism. For WBE studies, this means it is important to identify and monitor metabolites rather than parent drugs, to capture consumption of drugs and not fractions that could be directly disposed. In this study, a high-throughput workflow based on a human liver S9 fraction in vitro metabolism assay was developed to identify human transformation products of new chemicals, using α-pyrrolidino-2-phenylacetophenone (α-D2PV) as a case study. Analysis by liquid chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry identified four metabolites. Subsequently, a targeted liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for their analysis in wastewater samples collected from a music festival in Australia. The successful application of this workflow opens the door for future work to better understand the metabolism of chemicals and their detection and application for wastewater-based epidemiology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richard Bade
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Australia.
| | | | - Carolin Huber
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Pradeep Dewapriya
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Australia
| | - Benjamin J Tscharke
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Australia
| | - Rory Verhagen
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Australia
| | - Cheneal Puljevic
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Beate I Escher
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Australia; Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jake W O'Brien
- Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, Australia; Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS), University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Pham JP, Allen N, Star P, Cust AE, Stewart C, Guitera P, Marghoob AA, Smith A. Full-body skin examination in screening for cutaneous malignancy: a focus on concealed sites and the practices of Australian dermatologists. Int J Dermatol 2024; 63:467-473. [PMID: 38036942 DOI: 10.1111/ijd.16942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Full-body skin examination (FSE) is a vital practice in the diagnosis of cutaneous malignancy. Precisely how FSE should be conducted with respect to concealed site inclusion remains poorly elucidated. OBJECTIVE To establish the approach of Australian dermatologists to concealed site examination (CSE). METHODS A cross-sectional study was performed consisting of an online self-administered 11-question survey delivered to fellows of the Australasian College of Dermatologists. RESULTS There were 237 respondents. Anogenitalia was the least often examined concealed site (4.6%), and 59.9, 32.9, and 14.3% reported always examining the scalp, breasts, and oral mucosa, respectively. Patient concern was the most frequently cited factor prompting examination, while many cited low incidence of pathology and limited chaperone availability as the main barriers to routine examination of these sites. CONCLUSION Most Australian dermatologists do not routinely examine breasts, oral mucosal, or anogenital sites as part of an FSE. Emphasis should be made on identifying individual patient risk factors and education regarding self-examination of sensitive sites. A consensus approach to the conduct of the FSE, including concealed sites, is needed to better delineate clinician responsibilities and address medicolegal implications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James P Pham
- St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine and Health, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicholas Allen
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Phoebe Star
- St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Melanoma Institute of Australia, North Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Anne E Cust
- The Daffodil Centre, The University of Sydney, A Joint Venture with Cancer Council NSW, Sydney, Australia
| | - Cameron Stewart
- Sydney Health Law, Sydney Law School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Pascale Guitera
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Melanoma Institute of Australia, North Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Ashfaq A Marghoob
- Dermatology Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, United States
| | - Annika Smith
- St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Melanoma Institute of Australia, North Sydney, NSW, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Lazarus B, Polkinghorne KR, Gallagher M, Coggan S, Gray NA, Talaulikar G, Kotwal S. Tunneled Hemodialysis Catheter Tip Design and Risk of Catheter Dysfunction: An Australian Nationwide Cohort Study. Am J Kidney Dis 2024; 83:445-455. [PMID: 38061534 DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2023.09.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE Hemodialysis catheter dysfunction is an important problem for patients with kidney failure. The optimal design of the tunneled catheter tip is unknown. This study evaluated the association of catheter tip design with the duration of catheter function. STUDY DESIGN Observational cohort study using data from the nationwide REDUCCTION trial. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS 4,722 adults who each received hemodialysis via 1 or more tunneled central venous catheters in 37 Australian nephrology services from December 2016 to March 2020. EXPOSURE Design of tunneled hemodialysis catheter tip, classified as symmetrical, step, or split. OUTCOME Time to catheter dysfunction requiring removal due to inadequate dialysis blood flow assessed by the treating clinician. ANALYTICAL APPROACH Mixed, 3-level accelerated failure time model, assuming a log-normal survival distribution. Secular trends, the intervention, and baseline differences in service, patient, and catheter factors were included in the adjusted model. In a sensitivity analysis, survival times and proportional hazards were compared among participants' first tunneled catheters. RESULTS Among the study group, 355 of 3,871 (9.2%), 262 of 1,888 (13.9%), and 38 of 455 (8.4%) tunneled catheters with symmetrical, step, and split tip designs, respectively, required removal due to dysfunction. Step tip catheters required removal for dysfunction at a rate 53% faster than symmetrical tip catheters (adjusted time ratio, 0.47 [95% CI, 0.33-0.67) and 76% faster than split tip catheters (adjusted time ratio, 0.24 [95% CI, 0.11-0.51) in the adjusted accelerated failure time models. Only symmetrical tip catheters had performance superior to step tip catheters in unadjusted and sensitivity analyses. Split tip catheters were infrequently used and had risks of dysfunction similar to symmetrical tip catheters. The cumulative incidence of other complications requiring catheter removal, routine removal, and death before removal were similar across the 3 tip designs. LIMITATIONS Tip design was not randomized. CONCLUSIONS Symmetrical and split tip catheters had a lower risk of catheter dysfunction requiring removal than step tip catheters. FUNDING Grants from government (Queensland Health, Safer Care Victoria, Medical Research Future Fund, National Health and Medical Research Council, Australia), academic (Monash University), and not-for-profit (ANZDATA Registry, Kidney Health Australia) sources. TRIAL REGISTRATION Registered at ANZCTR with study number ACTRN12616000830493. PLAIN-LANGUAGE SUMMARY Central venous catheters are widely used to facilitate vascular access for life-sustaining hemodialysis treatments but often fail due to blood clots or other mechanical problems that impede blood flow. A range of adaptations to the design of tunneled hemodialysis catheters have been developed, but it is unclear which designs have the greatest longevity. We analyzed data from an Australian nationwide cohort of patients who received hemodialysis via a tunneled catheter and found that catheters with a step tip design failed more quickly than those with a symmetrical tip. Split tip catheters performed well but were infrequently used and require further study. Use of symmetrical rather than step tip hemodialysis catheters may reduce mechanical failures and unnecessary procedures for patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Lazarus
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Department of Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Australia; Department of Nephrology, Monash Health, Clayton, Australia.
| | - Kevan R Polkinghorne
- Department of Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Australia; Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Prahran, Australia; Department of Nephrology, Monash Health, Clayton, Australia
| | - Martin Gallagher
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; South Western Sydney Campus, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Sarah Coggan
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Nicholas A Gray
- Sunshine Coast University Hospital, Birtinya, Australia; University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Australia
| | - Girish Talaulikar
- Department of Nephrology, Canberra Hospital, Garran, Australia; School of Medicine, Australian National University, Acton, Australia
| | - Sradha Kotwal
- The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Prince of Wales Hospital, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| |
Collapse
|