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Reid, Alison, Enzo Merler, Susan Peters, Nimashi Jayasinghe, Vittoria Bressan, Peter Franklin, Fraser Brims, Nicholas H. de Klerk, and Arthur W. Musk. "Migration and work in postwar Australia: mortality profile comparisons between Australian and Italian workers exposed to blue asbestos at Wittenoom." Occupational and Environmental Medicine 75, no. 1 (July 29, 2017): 29–36. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2017-104322.
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ObjectivesThree hundred and thirty thousand Italians arrived in Australia between 1945 and 1966, many on assisted passage schemes where the worker agreed to a 2-year unskilled employment contract. Italians were the largest of 52 migrant groups employed at the Wittenoom blue asbestos mining and milling operation. We compare mortality from asbestos-related diseases among Italian and Australian workers employed at Wittenoom.MethodsA cohort of 6500 male workers was established from employment records and followed up at state and national mortality and cancer registries. SMRs were calculated to compare mortality with the Western Australian male population. Time-varying Cox proportional hazards models compared the risk of mesothelioma between Australian and Italian workers.Results1031 Italians and 3465 Australians worked at Wittenoom between 1943 and 1966. Duration of employment was longer for the Italian workers, although the concentration of exposure was similar. The mesothelioma mortality rate per 100 000 was higher in Italians (184, 95% CI 148 to 229) than Australians (128, 95% CI 111 to 149). The risk of mesothelioma was greater than twofold (HR 2.27, 95% CI 1.43 to 3.60) in Italians at the lowest asbestos exposure category (<10 fibre years/per mL).ConclusionsA hierarchy in migration, isolation and a shortage of workers led to Italians at Wittenoom incurring higher cumulative exposure to blue asbestos and subsequently a greater rate of malignant mesothelioma than Australian workers.ImpactPoor working conditions and disparities between native and foreign-born workers has had a detrimental and differential impact on the long-term health of the workforce.
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CARRAFA, GINO P., CYNTHIA L. SCHULTZ, and KOSMAS X. SMYRNIOS. "Differences between Anglo-Celtic and Italian Caregivers of Dependent Elderly Persons: a Pilot Study." Ageing and Society 17, no. 6 (November 1997): 699–712. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0144686x97006697.
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This paper describes a preliminary investigation of differences in family caregiving in Australia. Forty-eight Italian-born family caregivers of dependent elderly persons were compared with 461 caregivers of Anglo-Celtic origin on measures reflecting psychological health and well-being, and on a range of socio-demographic variables. The latter had participated in the national Caring for Family Caregivers (CFC) group programme; the former are residents of the Melbourne metropolitan area. Statistical tests were conducted on measures which included the Affect Balance Scale (Bradburn and Noll 1969) and the Spielberger State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (Spielberger et al. 1983) and its translation (Pedrabassi and Santinello 1989). Findings indicated that Italians reported experiencing significantly less trait anxiety than Anglo-Celtic caregivers. Furthermore, significantly more Italians used community supports, were employed full-time, had lower levels of education, and reported better levels of general health than Anglo-Celtics. Implications for research and practice are drawn.
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Hall, Nina Lansbury. "Challenges of WASH in remote Australian Indigenous communities." Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development 9, no. 3 (June 3, 2019): 429–37. http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/washdev.2019.154.
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Abstract Health and well-being are influenced by access and quality to safe drinking water, wastewater treatment, and hygiene practices and settings. This is recognised in the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals for water and health. As a signatory to the UN Goals, Australia has a commitment to ensure the access and quality of these resources is attained for all, including Indigenous Australians living in remote communities. This research sought to identify the status of water, sanitation and hygiene services within remote communities on mainland Australia. Interviews were conducted with representatives of organisations providing water, sanitation and/or hygiene to communities. The quality and access of WASH services in remote Indigenous communities were revealed in this research as lacking at times in many communities. The qualitative results indicate that drinking water supplies can be contaminated by microbes or naturally occurring chemicals, wastewater treatment can be poorly maintained with irregular monitoring, and the health of residents is negatively impacted by crowding in houses, which affects residents' ability to maintain healthy hygiene levels of people, clothing, bedding and infrastructure. Effective responses require a collaborative and systemic approach by the respective government agencies responsible that effectively partner with – and adequately fund – Indigenous communities to provide options that are ‘fit for purpose, place and people’.
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Flynn, John, Elizabeth Foxon, Jim Lutz, and Janine Pyrek. "Skin condition and hand hygiene practices of Health Care Workers in Australia and New Zealand." Australian Infection Control 10, no. 2 (June 2005): 59–65. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/hi05059.
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Canossa, Sofia, Ricardo J. Fernandes, Luísa Estriga, J. Arturo Abraldes, Corrado Lupo, and Júlio M. Garganta. "Water Polo Offensive Methods after the 2018 FINA Rules Update." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19, no. 5 (February 23, 2022): 2568. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19052568.
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Water polo is a team sport that has been suffering rule changes aiming for a more attractive game. Our goal was to unveil whether different offensive playing styles or methods were adopted by elite national teams from Eastern Europe and from other world countries after the new rules framework was applied at the 2019 FINA World Championship. Additionally, we questioned whether those rules induced a more dynamic game. A total of 648 offensive sequences from games contested by the top-six ranked national squads were analysed. Descriptive statistics, parametric and nonparametric tests were computed, and the effect size was used. The eastern Europeans were the tallest (t (76) = −4.081; p < 0.001, d = 0.42) and the Hungarians were higher than Italians (p = 0.005, dz = −0.41). Offensive time length differed between teams (H (5) = 30.50, p < 0.001) with Serbia being the fastest (Mdn = 22 s). In successful attacks without extra time, Italy was quicker than Spain (17.5 vs. 25.0 s; p = 0.031, dz = −0.36) scoring 30% of their total goals under 20 s, while Australia up to 24% and Croatia, Hungary and Spain ≤ 16.0%. When power-play occurred, the teams’ pass action was different (H (5) = 15.99, p < 0.007), with Italy performing more passes than counterparts, especially Serbia (Mdn = 13 vs. 9, respectively; p= 0.003, dz = 0.20) and with the exception of Hungary. Through fast play sequences, Italy, Serbia and Australia scored up to 33% of their goals, while Spain, Croatia, and Hungary scored ≤ 15%. The power-play contributed to ≥50% of teams’ goals, except for Spain and Australia (48 and 45%, respectively). Playing styles commonly attributed to Eastern vs. non-Eastern Europeans and other worldwide national teams such as Australia were not confirmed. However, offensive trends were perceived and described for the first time, and some base guidelines were suggested to distinguish the static or positional vs. a more dynamic playing model. Rule changes did not seem to induce the expected effects on game dynamics.
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Noprianty, Richa, and Gendis Kintan Dwi Thahara. "Healthcare Workers Knowledge, Attitude, and Availability of Facilities Toward Compliance Hand Hygiene." Indonesian Journal of Global Health Research 1, no. 1 (November 30, 2019): 13–20. http://dx.doi.org/10.37287/ijghr.v1i1.2.
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Failure to perform good hand hygiene is considered as an major cause of Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs). From the WHO data, compliance rate of nurses hand hygiene activity at the United States is about 50%, Australia 65% while in Indonesia 47%. This study aims to determine healthcare workers knowledge, attitude, and availability of facilities toward that affect hand hygiene compliance. This research method is analytical descriptive with cross-sectional approach. The object of data collection is an healthcare workers (nurse, doctor, and pharmacy) at General Hospitalin West Java as many as 51 samples. Sample selection using stratified sampling method with research instrument in the form of questionnaire and observation sheet about knowledge and attitude to hand hygiene adopted from WHO. The results of this study that obtained in the group of nurse were 48.6% doing imperfect hand hygiene and group of doctor respectively 80.0% and pharmacy were 100.0%. In terms of nurses knowledge about hand hygiene is 59.5%, doctor80.0% and pharmacy 50.0%. In terms of attitudes about the implementation of hand hygiene, the nurses group is 48.6%, doctors respectively 40% and pharmacy 50.00% have a positive attitude. In terms of facilities is 40.5% nurses stated available, doctors 20% and pharmacy 0.00%. There was a significant relationship between hand hygiene with knowledge (p = 0,019), attitude (0.004) and hand hygiene facility (p = 0.040).
Keywords: attitude, hand hygiene, health care, knowledge
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Vikke, Heidi Storm. "Hygiene perception and motivational factors of influence on high-quality hand hygiene performance among emergency medical service providers: Results from an international survey." Dansk Tidsskrift for Akutmedicin 2, no. 3 (April 30, 2019): 53. http://dx.doi.org/10.7146/akut.v2i3.112995.
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Background: Hand hygiene a cornerstone in infection prevention and control lacks quality in the EMS. Improvement is complicated and includes both individual and institutional aspects. However, little is known about EMS providers' perception and motivational factors leading to a high-quality hand hygiene. We aimed to describe 1) EMS providers’ perception on hand hygiene, 2) practical measures’ feasibility to improve compliance and 3) motivational factors related to high-quality hand hygiene among the cohort.
Methods: A cross-sectional, self-administered questionnaire consisting of 24 items (developed from WHOs Perception Survey for Health-Care Workers) provided information on demographics, improvement feasibility of practical measures, and various subjective, normative and control beliefs among EMS providers from Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Australia.
Results: Overall, 933 questionnaires were returned (response rate 15%). Most respondents were advanced-care providers, male and had > 5 years EMS experience. In total, 61% received hand hygiene training < 3 years ago, and 93% perceived hand hygiene a routine. Most perceived access to hand hygiene supplies, and training and education as feasible practical measures to improve overall hand hygiene compliance. The majority acknowledged the scope and severity of health-care associated infections and the preventive effect of hand hygiene. Overall, 55% believed that hand hygiene was an organizational priority, 26% that it was important to their managers, 36% to colleges, and 58% to patients. Also, 44% perceived their colleges' hand hygiene compliance high (≥ 80% compliance rate), 71% perceived hand hygiene relatively easy to perform. Organizational priority, peer pressure, and self-efficacy were separately associated with self-reported high-quality hand hygiene.
Conclusions: Hand hygiene supplies, simple and clear instructions, and training and education are highly warranted. Moreover, organizational priority, role models, and self-efficacy are motivational components with the potential to empower hand hygiene compliance within this cohort. Future interventional studies are needed to investigate the effect of a multimodal improvement strategy including both practical and behavioral aspects.
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Ayre, Julie, Erin Cvejic, Kirsten McCaffery, Tessa Copp, Samuel Cornell, Rachael H. Dodd, Kristen Pickles, et al. "Contextualising COVID-19 prevention behaviour over time in Australia: Patterns and long-term predictors from April to July 2020 in an online social media sample." PLOS ONE 16, no. 6 (June 29, 2021): e0253930. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0253930.
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Background In Australia in March 2020 a national public health directive required that non-essential workers stay at home, except for essential activities. These restrictions began easing in May 2020 as community transmission slowed. Objectives This study investigated changes in COVID prevention behaviours from April-July 2020, and psychosocial predictors of these behaviours. Methods An Australia-wide (national) survey was conducted in April, with monthly follow-up over four months. Participants who were adults (18+ years), currently residing in Australia and who could read and understand English were eligible. Recruitment was via online social media. Analysis sample included those who provided responses to the baseline survey (April) and at least one subsequent follow-up survey (N = 1834 out of a possible 3216 who completed the April survey). 71.7% of the sample was female (n = 1,322). Principal components analysis (PCA) combined self-reported adherence across seven prevention behaviours. PCA identified two behaviour types: ‘distancing’ (e.g. staying 1.5m away) and ‘hygiene’ (e.g. washing hands), explaining 28.3% and 24.2% of variance, respectively. Distancing and hygiene behaviours were analysed individually using multivariable regression models. Results On average, participants agreed with statements of adherence for all behaviours (means all above 4 out of 7). Distancing behaviours declined each month (p’s < .001), whereas hygiene behaviours remained relatively stable. For distancing, stronger perceptions of societal risk, self-efficacy to maintain distancing, and greater perceived social obligation at baseline were associated with adherence in June and July (p’s<0.05). For hygiene, the only significant correlate of adherence in June and July was belief that one’s actions could prevent infection of family members (p < .001). Conclusion High adherence to COVID prevention behaviours were reported in this social media sample; however, distancing behaviours tended to decrease over time. Belief in social responsibility may be an important aspect to consider in encouraging distancing behaviours. These findings have implications for managing a shift from government-imposed restrictions to individual responsibility.
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Atkinson, Josie R., Andrea I. Boudville, Emma E. Stanford, Fiona D. Lange, and Mitchell D. Anjou. "Australian Football League clinics promoting health, hygiene and trachoma elimination: the Northern Territory experience." Australian Journal of Primary Health 20, no. 4 (2014): 334. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/py14050.
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Australia is the only developed country to suffer trachoma and it is only found in remote Indigenous communities. In 2009, trachoma prevalence was 14%, but through screening, treatment and health promotion, rates had fallen to 4% in 2012. More work needs to be done to sustain these declining rates. In 2012, 25% of screened communities still had endemic trachoma and 8% had hyperendemic trachoma. In addition, only 58% of communities had reached clean face targets in children aged 5–9 years. Australian Football League (AFL) players are highly influential role models and the community love of football provides a platform to engage and strengthen community participation in health promotion. The University of Melbourne has partnered with Melbourne Football Club since 2010 to run trachoma football hygiene clinics in the Northern Territory (NT) to raise awareness of the importance of clean faces in order to reduce the spread of trachoma. This activity supports Federal and state government trachoma screening and treatment programs. Between 2010 and 2013, 12 football clinics were held in major towns and remote communities in the NT. Almost 2000 children and adults attended football clinics run by 16 partner organisations. Awareness of the football clinics has grown and has become a media feature in the NT trachoma elimination campaign. The hygiene station featured within the football clinic could be adapted for other events hosted in remote NT community events to add value to the experience and reinforce good holistic health and hygiene messages, as well as encourage interagency collaboration.
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Robson, Belinda. "An English psychiatrist in Australia: memories of Eric Cunningham Dax and the Victorian Mental Hygiene Authority, 1951-1969." History of Psychiatry 13, no. 49 (March 2002): 069–87. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0957154x0201304904.
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Herbert, Jeremy, Caitlin Horsham, Helen Ford, Alexander Wall, and Elke Hacker. "Deployment of a Smart Handwashing Station in a School Setting During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Field Study." JMIR Public Health and Surveillance 6, no. 4 (October 19, 2020): e22305. http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/22305.
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Background Hand hygiene is one of the most effective ways to remove germs, prevent the spread of infectious pathogens, and avoid getting sick. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, health authorities have been advocating good hand hygiene practices. Objective The primary aim of this study is to field test a prototype smart handwashing station deployed in a school setting during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We deployed a smart handwashing station and examined key technological considerations including connectivity, security, and data management systems, as well as the health and safety of users. Results The smart handwashing station was deployed for 10 days in a school setting in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic. The smart handwashing station’s electrical components remained operational during field testing and underwent robust cleaning protocols each day. The handwashing station was used 1138 times during the field test and there was no COVID-19 transmission at the school during the testing. Conclusions This study demonstrates that a personalized feedback approach using technology can successfully be implemented at a school and can provide a platform to improve hand hygiene among school-aged children.
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Aminian, Parmis, Estie Kruger, John Winters, Wendy Nicholls, and Marc Tennant. "Dental Emergency Attendance at an Australia Tertiary Children’s Hospital." Asia Pacific Journal of Health Management 13, no. 2 (October 1, 2018): i35. http://dx.doi.org/10.24083/apjhm.v13i2.1.
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Objective: Dental emergencies are a significant impact on the health system. The resource needs are complex and consume services in the tertiary health sector. It is important that we examine the reasons and types of attendances to look for ways to mitigate this demand. The aim was to identify the rate of dental emergencies according to age groups, genders and Indigenous status.Design: A retrospective analysis of dental emergencies at the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH; tertiary children hospital in Perth) was performed. Setting: The study included data from hard-copy files of patients admitted to the PMH.Main outcome measures: The records of 239 children who attended the PMH in Perth with dental emergency problems during the first 3 months of 2017 were analyzed. Findings: The major reasons for dental emergencies were infection and trauma. The most common age group was children between 3 to 6 years old. In this age group, boys attended more than girls due to dental injury. Although there were equal presentations of dental infection and dental trauma cases, dental infection cases mostly required hospitalization and treatment under general anesthetic. Conclusion: While some dental emergencies are unavoidable, increasing awareness about dental hygiene, regular checkups and early dental treatments in children could decrease emergency visits and prevent conditions such as dental infections
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FERSON, M. J., L. C. YOUNG, and M.-L. STOKES. "Changing epidemiology of hepatitis A in the 1990s in Sydney, Australia." Epidemiology and Infection 121, no. 3 (December 1998): 631–36. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0950268898001563.
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Surveillance of hepatitis A in residents of Eastern Sydney Health Area identified substantial epidemics in homosexual males in 1991–2 with a peak rate of 520 per 100000 recorded in males aged 25–29 years, and again in 1995–6, with a peak rate of 405 per 100000 per year in males aged 30–34 years. During 1994–5 an epidemic was detected among disadvantaged youth associated with injecting drug use; peak rates of 200 per 100000 per year were reported in males aged 25–29 years and of 64 per 100000 per year among females aged 20–24 years. The epidemiology of hepatitis A in these inner suburbs of Sydney is characterized by very few childhood cases and recurrent epidemics among homosexual men. Identified risk groups need to be targeted with appropriate messages regarding the importance of hygiene and vaccination in preventing hepatitis A. However, poor access to health services among disadvantaged youth and a constant influx of young homosexual males into these inner suburbs present major challenges to hepatitis A control.
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Oldenburg, Brian. "Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in the Primary Health Care Setting: Setting the Scene." Behaviour Change 11, no. 3 (September 1994): 129–31. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0813483900005027.
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Last (1983) defines public health as: the efforts organised by society to protect, promote and restore the public's health. It is the combination of sciences, skills and beliefs that are directed to the maintenance and improvement of the health of all people through collective or social actions. The programs, services and institutions involved emphasise the prevention of disease and the health needs of the population as a whole. Public health activities change with changing technology and values, but the goals remain the same: to reduce the amount of disease, premature death and disability in the population. (p.45)Recommended goals and targets for addressing national public health problems and directed at reducing the amount of death and premature death have been proposed in many countries over the past 10 years, including the United States of America (United States Department of Health and Human Services, 1990), the United Kingdom (Department of Health, 1992), Canada (Ontario Premiers' Council on Health, 1987) and Australia (Nutbeam, Wise, Bauman, Harris, & Leeder, 1993). In Australia for example, over the past 2 years, much attention has been directed at health outcomes related to cardiovascular disease, cancers, accidents and injuries and mental health. All of these reports have emphasised the importance of changing those lifestyle and related risk factors associated with preventable causes of death. Priority lifestyle areas that have been identified include physical inactivity, diet and nutrition, smoking, alcohol and other drug use, safety behaviours, sun protective behaviours, appropriate use of medicines, immunisation, sexuality and reproductive health, oral hygiene, and mental health. Priority populations and appropriate settings for intervening in these areas have also been identified.
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Poirier, Brianna F., Joanne Hedges, Lisa G. Smithers, Megan Moskos, and Lisa M. Jamieson. "Child-, Family-, and Community-Level Facilitators for Promoting Oral Health Practices among Indigenous Children." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 19, no. 3 (January 20, 2022): 1150. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19031150.
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Despite the preventive nature of oral diseases and their significance for general wellbeing, poor oral health is highly prevalent and has unfavourable ramifications for children around the world. Indigenous children in Australia experience disproportionate rates of early childhood caries compared to their non-Indigenous counterparts. Therefore, this paper aims to collate parental experiences and generate an understanding of facilitators for Indigenous childhood oral health. This project aggregated stories from parents of Indigenous children across South Australia who were participants in an early childhood caries-prevention trial. This paper explores facilitators for establishing oral health and nutrition behaviours for Indigenous children under the age of three through reflexive thematic analysis. Fisher-Owens’ conceptual model for influences on children’s oral health is utilised as a framework for thematic findings. Child-level facilitators include oral hygiene routines and regular water consumption. Family-level facilitators include familial ties, importance of knowledge, and positive oral health beliefs. Community-level facilitators include generational teaching, helpful community resources, and holistic health care. Recommendations from findings include the following: exploration of Indigenous health workers and elder participation in oral health initiatives; inclusion of Indigenous community representatives in mainstream oral health discussions; and incorporation of child-level, family-level, and community-level facilitators to increase support for efficacious oral health programs.
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Jain, Susan, Denise Edgar, Janine Bothe, Helen Newman, Annmaree Wilson, Beth Bint, Megan Brown, Suzanne Alexander, and Joanna Harris. "Reflection on observation: A qualitative study using practice development methods to explore the experience of being a hand hygiene auditor in Australia." American Journal of Infection Control 43, no. 12 (December 2015): 1310–15. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2015.07.009.
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Taylor, A. W., E. Dal Grande, P. Fateh-Moghadam, A. Montgomerie, L. Battisti, H. Barrie, C. Kourbelis, and S. Campostrini. "Comparison of Health and Risk Factors of Older, Working-age Australians, Italians and Italian-born Migrants to Australia, with Data from an Italian (PASSI), and an Australian (SAMSS) Risk Factor Surveillance System." Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health 20, no. 5 (September 26, 2017): 1190–96. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10903-017-0654-9.
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Ferson, Mark J., Keira Morgan, Peter W. Robertson, Alan W. Hampson, Ian Carter, and William D. Rawlinson. "Concurrent Summer Influenza and Pertussis Outbreaks in a Nursing Home in Sydney, Australia." Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology 25, no. 11 (November 2004): 962–66. http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/502327.
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AbstractObjective:To report on the investigation of a summer outbreak of acute respiratory illness among residents of a Sydney nursing home.Design:An epidemiologic and microbiological investigation of the resident cohort at the time of the outbreak and medical record review 5 months later.Setting:A nursing home located in Sydney, Australia, during February to July 1999.Patients:The cohort of residents present in the nursing home at the time of the outbreak.Interventions:Public health interventions included recommendations regarding hygiene, cohorting of residents and staff, closure to further admissions, and prompt reporting of illness; and virologic and serologic studies of residents.Results:Of the 69 residents (mean age, 85.1 years), 35 fulfilled the case definition of acute respiratory illness. Influenza A infection was confirmed in 19 residents, and phylogenetic analysis of the resulting isolate, designated H3N2 A/Sydney/203/99, showed that it differed from strains isolated in eastern Australia during the same period. Serologic evidence ofBordetellainfection was also found in 10 residents; however, stratified epidemiologic analysis pointed to influenza A as the cause of illness.Conclusions:The investigation revealed an unusual summer outbreak of influenza A concurrent with subclinical pertussis infection. Surveillance of acute respiratory illness in nursing homes throughout the year, rather than solely during epidemic periods, in combination with appropriate public health laboratory support, would allow initiation of a timely public health response to outbreaks of acute respiratory illness in this setting.
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Baijayanti Ghosh. "Gandhian philosophy of health and hygeine in an era of pandemic." International Journal on Integrated Education 3, no. 8 (August 5, 2020): 1–5. http://dx.doi.org/10.31149/ijie.v3i8.518.
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Challenges faced by the world today aren’t limited to a single sphere. Multiple avenues pose threats like never before; global warming with melting of arctic ice, raging fires in Amazon and Australia, humanitarian crisis of refugees, civil war in Libya and other parts of the world pose threats to the very Human existence. The very ecology is threatened on multiple frontiers due to these challenges. None the less, associated with this Health crisis of humongous proportions is causing catastrophe in various ways. As the world advances and countries strive to keep pace with development, the cut throat competition has worsened the health crisis more than ever. Imbalances brought by humans are no longer sustained by Mother Nature. As the environment changes rapidly Nature is unleashing its fury on us, and what could be truer in today’s world gripped by a Pandemic that’s unleashing its wrath. Looking back, we will see Gandhiji’s simplicity in laying down models for health and hygiene are more realistic and true than ever. As we move forward in post pandemic era, Gandhiji’s simple measures almost a century old, holds more value than ever before
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Midgley, Georgia, Hayley Smithers-Sheedy, Sarah McIntyre, Nadia Badawi, John Keogh, and Cheryl A. Jones. "Congenital Cytomegalovirus Prevention, Awareness and Policy Recommendations - A Scoping Study." Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets 20, no. 3 (July 20, 2020): 291–302. http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1871526518666181009093725.
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Background: Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) is known to cause childhood deafness, neurodevelopmental disability and death. Simple hygiene precautions are effective in reducing maternal risk of CMV infection. Objective: To review i) awareness of CMV infection and available primary prevention strategies both in the community and amongst health professionals ii) available cCMV information sources in the literature, grey literature and published professional guidelines. Methods: Scoping study to i) identify literature pertaining to cCMV awareness amongst parents and health professionals using MedLine and CINAHL databases via EBSCO ii) review one high income country’s guidelines and recommendations regarding cCMV infection and pregnancy (example country Australia) iii) grey literature for parental information. Results: Worldwide awareness of cCMV and of available prevention strategies amongst women and health professionals are poor. Findings internationally suggest at least half of maternity care health professionals do not routinely provide advice to women regarding simple hygiene precautions that can reduce their risk of infection during pregnancy. Though information resources regarding cCMV are available, they are frequently not included within general healthy pregnancy advice and require individuals to search for ‘congenital cytomegalovirus’. Conclusion: cCMV is a preventable cause of serious congenital disability and death. Prevention opportunities are being missed because most women are not aware of cCMV or how to reduce their risk of infection in pregnancy, in part due to poor health professional awareness. New strategies to disseminate cCMV information to the community and to support health professionals to embed cCMV advice within routine pregnancy counselling is required.
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Laver, Kate, Emmanuel Gnanamanickam, Craig Whitehead, Susan Kurrle, Megan Corlis, Julie Ratcliffe, Wendy Shulver, and Maria Crotty. "Introducing consumer directed care in residential care settings for older people in Australia: views of a citizens’ jury." Journal of Health Services Research & Policy 23, no. 3 (March 9, 2018): 176–84. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1355819618764223.
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Objectives Health services worldwide are increasingly adopting consumer directed care approaches. Traditionally, consumer directed care models have been implemented in home care services and there is little guidance as to how to implement them in residential care. This study used a citizens’ jury to elicit views of members of the public regarding consumer directed care in residential care. Methods A citizens’ jury involving 12 members of the public was held over two days in July 2016, exploring the question: For people with dementia living in residential care facilities, how do we enable increased personal decision making to ensure that care is based on their needs and preferences? Jury members were recruited through a market research company and selected to be broadly representative of the general public. Results The jury believed that person-centred care should be the foundation of care for all older people. They recommended that each person’s funding be split between core services (to ensure basic health, nutrition and hygiene needs are met) and discretionary services. Systems needed to be put into place to enable the transition to consumer directed care including care coordinators to assist in eliciting resident preferences, supports for proxy decision makers, and accreditation processes and risk management strategies to ensure that residents with significant cognitive impairment are not taken advantage of by goods and service providers. Transparency should be increased (perhaps using technologies) so that both the resident and nominated family members can be sure that the person is receiving what they have paid for. Conclusions The views of the jury (as representatives of the public) were that people in residential care should have more say regarding the way in which their care is provided and that a model of consumer directed care should be introduced. Policy makers should consider implementation of consumer directed care models that are economically viable and are associated with high levels of satisfaction among users.
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Dettori, Marco, Lucia Altea, Donatella Fracasso, Federica Trogu, Antonio Azara, Andrea Piana, Antonella Arghittu, Laura Saderi, Giovanni Sotgiu, and Paolo Castiglia. "Housing Demand in Urban Areas and Sanitary Requirements of Dwellings in Italy." Journal of Environmental and Public Health 2020 (February 27, 2020): 1–6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/7642658.
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The phenomenon of urbanisation is becoming increasingly prevalent on a global level, and the health issues regarding the urban environment are of primary importance in public health. Accordingly, the present manuscript describes an analysis of the housing conditions of Italian urban areas, referring to the city of Sassari (Sardinia), Italy, focused on the dwelling structural and sanitary conditions issued by the Italian regulations. Data relating to the housing conditions of the population were acquired by the Local Hygiene and Public Health Service (SISP), in a period between 2012 and 2016. Qualitative variables were summarised with absolute and relative (percentages) frequencies, whereas quantitative variables with means and standard deviations depending on their parametric distribution. Statistical comparisons for qualitative and quantitative variables were performed with the χ2 test or Student’s t-test, respectively. A p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Finally, the dwellings and the collected variables were georeferenced on a city map. During the 2012–2016 observation period, 363 certification requests were received from 193 (53.2%) foreign-born citizens and 170 (46.8%) Italians at the SISP offices. The main reasons relate to the request for a residency permit (46.6%) and to obtain a subsidy from the local government (32.8%). Overall, 15.4% of dwellings were found to be improper, while 35.3% and 22.0% were found to be unhygienic and uninhabitable, respectively. The foreigners’ homes were found to be suitable in 82.7% of cases; the housing of Italian citizens, on the contrary, was found to be suitable in 28% of the observations. The present study offers a cross section of the housing conditions of Italian urban areas, referring to the city of Sassari. To the authors’ best knowledge, this observation is the first one carried out in Sardinia and one of the first observations in Italy. It has emerged that “hygienically unsuitable” homes are those that, in most cases, are located in the city centre. Moreover, the Italian population is hit by a significant housing problem, due to overcrowding, uninhabitability, and unhygienic conditions. Overall, our findings suggest that it is necessary to develop a multidisciplinary approach to guarantee public health, with safe dwellings homes and the surrounding urban context alongside the development of social relations. Nevertheless, there is still little evidence available today on the population housing conditions, especially regarding the private indoor environment, and further research is needed to bridge this knowledge gap.
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Tuncer, Eren, and Ivan Darby. "Knowledge and attitudes towards periodontal health among Australians diagnosed with diabetes." Australian Journal of Primary Health 27, no. 6 (2021): 509. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/py20311.
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Diabetes and periodontitis are two major diseases affecting the Australian population. Despite the established interrelationship between the diseases, the knowledge of people with diabetes about this interrelationship is limited. This study investigated the knowledge of individuals with diabetes towards periodontal health in Australia. Adults diagnosed with diabetes participated in a survey asking about demographics, medical history, symptoms in the oral cavity, oral hygiene, attendance at the dentist and their knowledge of the interactions between periodontal disease and diabetes. The survey was completed by 113 participants, most of whom thought their diabetes was well controlled. Over half reported bleeding on brushing and one-third reported swollen gums. More than half (53.6%) the respondents were unaware of any complications of diabetes associated with the oral cavity, especially periodontal disease. Most respondents did not talk to their dentist about diabetes (53.6%), yet most wanted to know more about the effects of diabetes on gum health (75.3%). These findings demonstrate that, in this survey, adult Australians diagnosed with diabetes have limited knowledge about how periodontal disease affects them. These individuals, who are at a higher risk of periodontal disease, need to be better informed of the established bidirectional relationship between diabetes and oral health by all health professionals.
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Campbell, Narelle, Sandra C. Thompson, Anna Tynan, Louise Townsin, Lauren A. Booker, and Geoff Argus. "Silver Linings Reported by Australians Experiencing Public Health Restrictions during the First Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Report." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 21 (October 29, 2021): 11406. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182111406.
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This national study investigated the positives reported by residents experiencing the large-scale public health measures instituted in Australia to manage the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Most Australians had not previously experienced the traditional public health measures used (social distancing, hand hygiene and restriction of movement) and which could potentially impact negatively on mental well-being. The research design included qualitative semi-structured phone interviews where participants described their early pandemic experiences. Data analysis used a rapid identification of themes technique, well-suited to large-scale qualitative research. The ninety participants (mean age 48 years; 70 women) were distributed nationally. Analysis revealed five themes linked with mental well-being and the concept of silver linings: safety and security, gratitude and appreciation, social cohesion and connections, and opportunities to reset priorities and resilience. Participants demonstrated support for the public health measures and evidence of individual and community resilience. They were cognisant of positives despite personal curtailment and negative impacts of public health directives. Stories of hope, strength, and acceptance, innovative connections with others and focusing on priorities and opportunities within the hardship were important strategies that others could use in managing adversity.
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O'CONNOR, B. A., J. CARMAN, K. ECKERT, G. TUCKER, R. GIVNEY, and S. CAMERON. "Does using potting mix make you sick? Results from a Legionella longbeachae case-control study in South Australia." Epidemiology and Infection 135, no. 1 (June 19, 2006): 34–39. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s095026880600656x.
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A case-control study was performed in South Australia to determine if L. longbeachae infection was associated with recent handling of commercial potting mix and to examine possible modes of transmission. Twenty-five laboratory-confirmed cases and 75 matched controls were enrolled between April 1997 and March 1999. Information on underlying illness, smoking, gardening exposures and behaviours was obtained by telephone interviews. Recent use of potting mix was associated with illness (OR 4·74, 95% CI 1·65–13·55, P=0·004) in bivariate analysis only. Better predictors of illness in multivariate analysis included poor hand-washing practices after gardening, long-term smoking and being near dripping hanging flower pots. Awareness of a possible health risk with potting mix protected against illness. Results are consistent with inhalation and ingestion as possible modes of transmission. Exposure to aerosolized organisms and poor gardening hygiene may be important predisposing factors to L. longbeachae infection.
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Acharya, Reecha, Ajesh George, Harrison Ng Chok, Della Maneze, and Stacy Blythe. "Exploring the experiences of foster and kinship carers in Australia regarding the oral healthcare of children living in out-of-home care." Adoption & Fostering 46, no. 4 (December 2022): 466–76. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/03085759221140875.
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Foster and kinship carers play an integral part in establishing oral health promoting behaviours and managing the oral health issues of children in out-of-home care (OOHC). This study aimed to explore the knowledge, experiences and support needs of Australian foster and kinship carers in maintaining the oral health of children living in OOHC, using semi-structured interviews with eight purposively sampled carers. Results showed that the participants understood the importance of good oral health for general well-being and were motivated to implement good oral hygiene practices with the children in their care. The challenges encountered by foster and kinship carers included: a lack of information from foster care agencies regarding the oral health needs of children; difficulty in the pre-approval processes for dental treatment; and poor communication between carers and foster care agencies. Systemic challenges included: transience and frequent changes in the child’s foster placement; long waiting lists for dental treatment; and lack of dental professionals. We conclude that foster and kinship carers need support to promote the oral health of children in OOHC and that systemic barriers must be identified and addressed.
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Bivins, Roberta E. "Colonial Pathologies: American Tropical Medicine, Race, and Hygiene in the Philippines, and: The Cultivation of Whiteness: Science, Health, and Racial Destiny in Australia (review)." Technology and Culture 48, no. 4 (2007): 866–68. http://dx.doi.org/10.1353/tech.2007.0152.
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Barrington, Dani, Kathryn Fuller, and Andrew McMillan. "Water safety planning: adapting the existing approach to community-managed systems in rural Nepal." Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development 3, no. 3 (May 6, 2013): 392–401. http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/washdev.2013.120.
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Water Safety Plans (WSPs) improve the quality and secure the quantity of drinking water supplies, and hence improve public health outcomes. In developing countries such as Nepal, thousands of residents die each year as a result of poor water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services and WSPs show great promise for improving both health and livelihoods. The Nepali Non-Governmental Organisation Nepal Water for Health (NEWAH) has been working in partnership with Engineers Without Borders Australia and WaterAid Nepal to develop a WSP methodology suited to rural, community-managed water supply systems. Three pilot projects were undertaken incorporating community-based hazard management into the standard World Health Organization and Nepali Department of Water Supply and Sewerage WSP approaches. The successes and challenges of these pilots were assessed, and it was determined that community education, behaviour change, and the distribution of simplified WSP documentation to households and managers were essential to implementing successful WSPs within this context. This new WSP methodology is currently being mainstreamed throughout all of NEWAH's WASH projects in rural Nepal, as well as being shared with the wider Nepali WASH sector.
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Sawyerr, Henry O., Rauf O. Yusuf, and Adedotun T. Adeolu. "Risk Factors and Rates of Hepatitis B Virus Infection among Municipal Waste Management Workers and Scavengers in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria." Journal of Health and Pollution 6, no. 12 (December 1, 2016): 1–6. http://dx.doi.org/10.5696/2156-9614-6.12.1.
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Background. Poor municipal waste management, including waste treatment and disposal methods, threatens the environment and public health in most developing countries. Lack of proper municipal waste segregation and transportation techniques has increased the potential for the transmission of pathogens such as hepatitis B virus (HBV). Objectives. This study addressed issues relating to the potential risk of infectious diseases and prevalence of HBV among municipal waste workers and scavengers in Ilorin metropolis, Nigeria. Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted among municipal waste management workers and waste scavengers in Ilorin metropolis, Kwara State, Nigeria. A total of 120 respondents were administered questionnaires during the first stage of the study and participated in the second (testing) stage of the study. The prevalence of an HBV infection biological marker, the Australia antigen (HBsAg), and its association with exposure to waste, socio-demographic factors, and history of occupational injuries with sharp objects/needle sticks was examined. Results. The prevalence of HBV infection among municipal waste management workers and waste scavengers was 2.6% and 16.67% respectively, indicating that scavengers were at higher risk of HBV infection. Conclusions. Lack of proper occupational health safety management among municipal waste management workers was a possible risk factor for HBV infection through injury with sharp instruments. The possible pathway of virus transmission was waste segregation, which is usually carried out with bare hands, and lack of hygiene and occupational safety during waste management activities. Therefore, vaccination against HBV, personal hygiene practices and regular training on occupational safety will help to control risk of HBV infection among municipal waste workers and scavengers.
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FULHAM, ELIZABETH, and BARBARA MULLAN. "Hygienic Food Handling Behaviors: Attempting To Bridge the Intention-Behavior Gap Using Aspects from Temporal Self-Regulation Theory." Journal of Food Protection 74, no. 6 (June 1, 2011): 925–32. http://dx.doi.org/10.4315/0362-028x.jfp-10-558.
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An estimated 25% of the populations of both the United States and Australia suffer from foodborne illness every year, generally as a result of incorrect food handling practices. The aim of the current study was to determine through the application of the theory of planned behavior what motivates these behaviors and to supplement the model with two aspects of temporal self-regulation theory—behavioral prepotency and executive function—in an attempt to bridge the “intention-behavior gap.” A prospective 1-week design was utilized to investigate the prediction of food hygiene using the theory of planned behavior with the additional variables of behavioral prepotency and executive function. One hundred forty-nine undergraduate psychology students completed two neurocognitive executive function tasks and a self-report questionnaire assessing theory of planned behavior variables, behavioral prepotency, and intentions to perform hygienic food handling behaviors. A week later, behavior was assessed via a follow-up self-report questionnaire. It was found that subjective norm and perceived behavioral control predicted intentions and intentions predicted behavior. However, behavioral prepotency was found to be the strongest predictor of behavior, over and above intentions, suggesting that food hygiene behavior is habitual. Neither executive function measure of self-regulation predicted any additional variance. These results provide support for the utility of the theory of planned behavior in this health domain, but the augmentation of the theory with two aspects of temporal self-regulation theory was only partially successful.
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Rolf, Floraidh, Narelle Campbell, Sandra Thompson, and Geoff Argus. "Australians’ Experience of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Advantages and Challenges of Scaling Up Qualitative Research Using Large-Scale Rapid Analysis and Building Research Capacity Across Rural Australia." International Journal of Qualitative Methods 20 (January 2021): 160940692110519. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/16094069211051937.
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Australia responded to the emergence of the COVID-19 global pandemic in 2020 by initiating a border and bio-security zone lockdown and policies emphasising social distancing and hand hygiene. To understand the public response to this, Southern Queensland Rural Health commenced a two-phase research project exploring attitudes and practices towards the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. An initial online survey foreshadowed 90 qualitative interviews with respondents to explore what the pandemic meant for everyday life. This paper details use of a qualitative approach by a national collaborative of investigators from 9 rural university departments in Australia who came together to research the qualitative phase of the project. Our methodological approach aligned with extant literature describing the management of large-scale interviewing and coding in the context of unfolding and dynamic contexts. The ‘RITA’ model (Rapid Identification of Themes from Audio recordings) entails a five-step process designed to progress from identifying research foci, through deductive and iterative coding to identify key concepts. We used a combination of coding templates, organisation and tagging of field notes and real-time sharing through a secure cloud drive to create a data set for immersive analysis and generation of ideas. Use of this method has added to the collective knowledge about successful rapid research investigations, recognising the inherent tension between speed and rigour. This is not a binary but a dialectic; trustworthiness is integral to qualitative research. However, use of fresh approaches is accommodated by new technologies and can preserve adequate rigour while enabling collaboration, research capacity building and increasing the pace of data collection and analysis. This project has presented methodological challenges and highlights some strengths of such an approach. It is hoped that reporting our approach and experiences is useful for the broader health and research community considering large-scale qualitative research.
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Ha, Diep, and Loc Do. "Early Life Professional and Layperson Support Reduce Poor Oral Hygiene Habits in Toddlers—A Prospective Birth Cohort Study." Dentistry Journal 6, no. 4 (October 8, 2018): 56. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/dj6040056.
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Oral health behaviours of children are formulated from a very young age. Formation of those behaviours among very young children is dependent on their mothers/caregivers who may themselves require support from the health profession or laypersons. The study aimed to investigate if early life visits for check-up and dental advice and perceived support improved oral health behaviours as practiced by mothers of toddlers aged 24–30 months old. Data from a population-base birth cohort study in South Australia was used. The study recruited and followed mothers of newborn children from birth to age 24–30 months. Parental questionnaires collected information about socioeconomic factors, dental visiting patterns, and oral health behaviours as practiced by the mothers for their child. Self-reported putting a child to bed with a bottle and brushing a child’s teeth were the outcome variables. The two main exposures of this study were (1) early visiting for a dental advice, and (2) layperson support that a mother received in the first two years of having the child. Data were analysed progressively from bivariate to multivariable regression models. A total of 1183 mother/child dyads had complete data. The retained sample was representative of the population. Approximately 36% of mothers put their child to bed with a bottle and 26% of mothers did not brush their child’s teeth the night before. Around 29% of children had a visit for dental check-up and 80% of mothers reported having lay support. There were gradients in the outcome variables by socioeconomic factors and the main exposures. Multivariable regression models reported that having no dental visit for advice and having no lay support were associated with 1.30 and 1.21 imes higher rates of putting a child to bed with a bottle, respectively. Having no dental visit for advice was associated with a 1.37-times higher rate of not brushing a child’s teeth, controlling for other factors. This population-based birth cohort study confirmed importance of early life dental visit for check-up and support for mothers of young children in establishing oral health behaviours of young children.
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Murawski, Beatrice, Ronald C. Plotnikoff, Anna T. Rayward, Corneel Vandelanotte, Wendy J. Brown, and Mitch J. Duncan. "Randomised controlled trial using a theory-based m-health intervention to improve physical activity and sleep health in adults: the Synergy Study protocol." BMJ Open 8, no. 2 (February 2018): e018997. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2017-018997.
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IntroductionThere is a need to reduce physical inactivity and poor sleep health in the adult population to decrease chronic disease rates and the associated burden. Given the high prevalence of these risk behaviours, effective interventions with potential for wide reach are warranted.Methods and analysisThe aim of this two-arm RCT will be to test the effect of a three month personalised mobile app intervention on two main outcomes: minutes of moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity and overall sleep quality. In addition, between-group changes in health-related quality of life and mental health status will be assessed as secondary outcomes. The pre-specified mediators and moderators include social cognitive factors, the neighbourhood environment, health (BMI, depression, anxiety, stress), sociodemographic factors (age, gender, education) and app usage. Assessments will be conducted after three months (primary endpoint) and six months (follow-up). The intervention will provide access to a specifically developed mobile app, through which participants can set goals for active minutes, daily step counts, resistance training, sleep times and sleep hygiene practice. The app also allows participants to log their behaviours daily and view progress bars as well as instant feedback in relation to goals. The personalised support system will consist of weekly summary reports, educational and instructional materials, prompts on disengagement and weekly facts.Ethics and disseminationThe Human Research Ethics Committee of The University of Newcastle, Australia granted full approval: H-2016–0181. This study will assess the efficacy of a combined behaviour intervention, mechanisms of behaviour change and gather high-quality process data, all of which will help refine future trials. Dissemination of findings will include publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presentation at national or international conferences. Participants will receive a plain English summary report of results.Trial registration numberACTRN12617000376347; Pre-results.
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Krasta, Ingrida, Aldis Vidzis, Anda Brinkmane, and Ingrida Cema. "Evaluation of Oral Therapeuthical and Surgical Treatment Needs among Retirement Age Population in Different Countries." Acta Chirurgica Latviensis 11, no. 1 (January 1, 2011): 139–43. http://dx.doi.org/10.2478/v10163-012-0027-3.
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Evaluation of Oral Therapeuthical and Surgical Treatment Needs among Retirement Age Population in Different Countries Oral health in connection with quality of life is affected by such functional factors as dental decay and its complications, untreated tooth roots, oral mucosal diseases and inflammations, precancerous diseases, cancers, pain in temporomandibular joints, xerostomia and partially or fully edentulous jaws. It has been noted in literature that among retirement age population the number of remaining teeth has increased and the number of untreated decayed teeth in developed countries for the last 20 years has decreased. Despite this fact the need to improve measures of oral health remains actual in this age group due to increasing prevalence of diagnosed oral diseases and number of extracted teeth and roots. Oral health indicators among retirement age population living in nursing homes in such countries as Canada, USA, UK, Finland, Denmark, Germany, Turkey, Brazil, Australia and Lithuania differ from the same age group indicators among self-dependent old people able to take care of themself. Oral health indicators of nursing homes residents in many countries are significantly worse than oral health indicators of the corresponding age group population. The proposed evaluation data of oral hygiene, periodontal status, DMF-T index, quality of existing and needs of new prosthodontics as well as oral mucosal disorders among retirement age population provides an important insight into therapeutic and surgical treatment provision in different countries.
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Wu, Jianyun, Daniel Taylor, Jonathan Dartnell, Aine Heaney, Lynn Weekes, Suzanne Blogg, Kirsten Sterling, and Anthony Carr. "PP16 Turning The Tide On Antibiotic Use With Consumers And Health Professionals." International Journal of Technology Assessment in Health Care 34, S1 (2018): 71. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0266462318001885.
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Introduction:Many countries have a national antimicrobial resistance strategy. In Australia, primary care is especially important because this setting encompasses a high proportion of antibiotic use. While antibiotic use decreased during the 1990s, it began to increase again in the mid-2000s. In response to this, in 2009 NPS MedicineWise implemented a series of nationwide educational interventions for consumers, family physicians (general practitioners), and community pharmacies that aimed to reduce excessive antibiotic use.Methods:For consumers a social marketing approach was used, including strategies that leveraged collectivism, nudge theory, celebrity endorsement, and co-creation. Channels included social, print, radio, and other media as well as practice waiting rooms and pharmacies. For health professionals, interventions included face-to-face education, audits, comparative prescribing feedback, case studies, and point-of-care materials. Surveys of consumers and family physicians were conducted periodically to evaluate changes in knowledge and behavior. National Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme claims data were analyzed using a Bayesian structural time-series model to estimate the cumulative effect of interventions by comparing the observed and expected monthly dispensing volumes if the interventions had not occurred.Results:The consumer survey results indicated that more people were aware of antibiotic resistance (seventy-four percent in 2017 versus seventy percent in 2014), with the minority requesting or expecting antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) (twenty-two percent in 2017). People underestimated the usual duration of symptoms for URTIs and were more inclined to expect antibiotics beyond that timeframe. Compared with non-participants, family physicians who participated in the program reported more frequent discussions about hand hygiene (ninety percent versus eighty-two percent) and proper use of antibiotics with patients (ninety-five percent versus eighty-eight percent). Between 2009 and 2015 there was an estimated fourteen percent reduction in prescriptions dispensed to concessional patients for antibiotics commonly prescribed for URTIs.Conclusions:Family physicians and consumers have responded positively to national programs. Sustaining and building on these improvements will require continued education and further innovation.
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Sciberras, E., M. Mulraney, F. Mensah, F. Oberklaid, D. Efron, and H. Hiscock. "Sustained impact of a sleep intervention and moderators of treatment outcome for children with ADHD: a randomised controlled trial." Psychological Medicine 50, no. 2 (January 18, 2019): 210–19. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0033291718004063.
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AbstractBackgroundWe aim to (1) determine whether a behavioural sleep intervention for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) leads to sustained benefits; and (2) examine the factors associated with treatment response.MethodsThis study was a randomised controlled trial of 244 children (5–13 years) with ADHD from Victoria, Australia. All participants had a moderate/severe sleep problem that met American Academy of Sleep Medicine criteria for an eligible sleep disorder by parent report. The two-session intervention covered sleep hygiene and standardised behavioural strategies. The control group received usual care. Parent- and teacher-reported outcomes at 12 months included sleep, ADHD severity, quality of life, daily functioning, behaviour, and parent mental health. Adjusted mixed effects regression analyses examined 12 month outcomes. Interaction analyses were used to determine moderators of intervention outcomes over time. The trial was registered with ISRCTN, http://www.controlled-trials.com (ISRCTN68819261).ResultsIntervention children were less likely to have a moderate/severe sleep problem by parent report at 12 months compared to usual care children (28.4% v. 46.5%, p = 0.03). Children in the intervention group fared better than the usual care group in terms of parent-reported ADHD symptoms (Cohen's d: −0.3, p < 0.001), quality of life (d: 0.4, p < 0.001), daily functioning (d: −0.5, p < 0.001), and behaviour (d: −0.3, p = 0.005) 12 months later. The benefits of the intervention over time in terms of sleep were less for children not taking ADHD medication and children with parents experiencing depression.ConclusionsA behavioural sleep intervention for ADHD is associated with small sustained improvements in child wellbeing. Children who are not taking ADHD medication or have parents with depression may require follow-up booster sleep sessions.
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Mattes, B. W., and C. Walters. "DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF A SAFETY, HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN BHP PETROLEUM." APPEA Journal 35, no. 1 (1995): 792. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/aj94056.
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BHP Petroleum Pty Ltd (BHPP) is subdivided, worldwide, into three 'regions'—Australia/Asia; Europe/Russia/Africa/Middle East; and Americas—each a self-contained, operating entity, each with its own system of management. The Australian/ Asian operations group within BHPP is implementing an integrated management system, of which the safety, occupational health and environmental elements will form crucial components. The management system has been designed to provide management control of safety, health and environment issues for all of the BHPP producing operations in Australasia. The Safety, Health and Environment Department of BHPP provides a region-wide function for Australasia, and the safety, health and environment portions of the management system, which the Department is helping to develop and implement, will document planned requirements at a number of levels: region-wide requirements for all departments (e.g. implementation of corporate policies, legislative compliance, emergency management, auditing, permit-to-work, health promotion, incident investigation, environmental approvals, etc), requirements specific to the Operations Department (e.g. safety/environmental auditing of plants and facilities, monitoring of oil spills/greenhouse gas emissions), and requirements specific to operational sites within the Operations Department. Responsibility for development, implementation, and maintenance of the management system, and compliance with its provisions, rests with line management—a logical extension of the accountability and responsibility for safety, health and environment matters that rests squarely on the shoulders of all line managers within BHPP. The Safety, Health and Environment Department provides expert advice, document control, training and auditing expertise, and offers a pool of experts available for participation in projects on a consultative basis. For contractor management, the BHPP system mandates intensive scrutiny of contractor safety, health and environmental performance and the systems that the contractor has in place to manage that performance, beginning at the stage of contract prequalification. Failure to meet the minimum standards set by BHPP will disqualify a contractor from contract tendering unless and until remedial action is taken. The ultimate aim of the BHPP system is a level of safety, health and environmental performance which leads the world—no injuries, no workplace health or hygiene problems and no adverse effect on the environment.
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Gargiulo, Adriana H., Stephany G. Duarte, Gabriela Z. Campos, Mariza Landgraf, Bernadette D. G. M. Franco, and Uelinton M. Pinto. "Food Safety Issues Related to Eating In and Eating Out." Microorganisms 10, no. 11 (October 26, 2022): 2118. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10112118.
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Because of growing urbanization and lack of time to prepare meals at home, eating out or getting food delivered have become common trends for many people. The consumption of food from unknown sources may impose an increased chance of contamination with microbiological hazards, especially if sanitary conditions are not met. We evaluated data from health surveillance agencies and scientific articles on foodborne diseases (FBD) reported internationally according to the exposure sites. We observed that the data are influenced by cultural, political, and socioeconomic differences. For instance, in New Zealand, Australia, United States, Denmark and India, the occurrence of FBD outbreaks was greater from foods prepared in commercial establishments and street vendors than from households. Conversely, in China, countries of the European Union and Brazil, the results are the opposite. Additionally, the pandemic imposed new eating behavior patterns, increasing delivery services and foods prepared in so-called “Dark Kitchens”. The underreporting and heterogeneity of data among countries prevented a precise conclusion to the question of whether homemade foods are inherently safer than foods prepared out. Nevertheless, a lower level of development in a country influences its sanitation conditions, as well as the number of street food vendors, the search for cheaper foods, and insufficient knowledge of the population on good hygiene practices, which can all increase the chances of FBD cases.
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Ghani, Nur Izzati Ab, Muhamad Nasyat Muhamad Nasir, Asyraf Afthanorhan, Mahadzirah Mohamad, Aikal Liyani Mohd Rasdi, Nur Farihin Abd Hadi Khan, and Pg Mohd Auza'e Pg Arshad. "Examining Service Quality at the Destination Level: The Case of Malaysia." Journal of Tourism Management Research 10, no. 1 (December 12, 2022): 1–14. http://dx.doi.org/10.18488/31.v10i1.3230.
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Studies on service quality have gained significant attention from practitioners, managers, and researchers in the tourism industry. Malaysia is experiencing an unstable and declining pattern in the rate of international tourists’ expenditure on services they receive in this country, highlighting a severe challenge in planning the right services to offer tourists since they refuse to spend on the services provided. Therefore, this research investigated the dimensions of service quality at the destination level to improve the quality of a destination. Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to international tourists from the United Kingdom and Australia at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The pilot study’s data, involving 100 respondents, were tested using Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and reliability analysis. Subsequently, 337 usable questionnaires were collected from fieldwork and analyzed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). The study findings identified four dimensions of destination service quality: health and hygiene, accommodation, shopping, and information facilities. In addition, it suggested that tourism management and local citizens (Malaysians) should focus on these four dimensions to enhance the overall quality of service in Malaysia, thereby enhancing tourist satisfaction and spending on the services provided in the country. The limitation of this research was that the data were collected solely at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). Future research may include other Malaysian international airports to strengthen the generalizability of the results.
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Sharma, Ajay, Allauddin Siddiqi, Sobia Zafar, and Alessandro Quaranta. "Awareness of Diabetic Patients Regarding the Bidirectional Association between Periodontal Disease and Diabetes Mellitus: A Public Oral Health Concern." Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice 21, no. 11 (2020): 1270–74. http://dx.doi.org/10.5005/jp-journals-10024-2974.
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ABSTRACT Aim and objective The literature regarding the perception of the two-way relationship between diabetes mellitus and periodontal disease representing diabetic patients living in Australia is scarce. The study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of diabetic patients regarding the bidirectional link and the role of medical healthcare professionals in providing oral health advice to their patients. Materials and methods A convenience sample of diabetic patients attending general practice-based medical and dental centers was invited to complete a questionnaire-based survey. The survey was anonymous, and the responses of the participants were not identifiable. Results A total of 241 participants completed the questionnaire; however, three survey responses were excluded as most of the critical questions were not answered. The majority (87.81%) of the participants reported with type 2 diabetes mellitus, while 11.76% had type 1 diabetes mellitus. Just over 61% of the participants reported brushing their teeth twice a day. The majority of participants (66.38%) said that their medical practitioner/diabetic educator never asked or examined their oral hygiene or any issues with the gums or teeth. The study noted that 54% of the participants never received any information regarding the bidirectional relationship between periodontal disease and diabetes mellitus and were unaware of the association. Conclusion Patients with diabetes mellitus lack knowledge of the bidirectional association between periodontal disease and diabetes mellitus. In this regard, the study urged the need to implement European Federation of Periodontology and International Diabetes Federation guidelines effectively. Medical healthcare professionals and dentists should provide mutual care and should consider every patient as a shared responsibility. Clinical significance Early detection of the disease, timely referrals, and a collaborative approach will enhance patient care and improve the quality of life of individuals living with periodontal disease. How to cite this article Siddiqi A, Zafar S, Sharma A, et al. Awareness of Diabetic Patients Regarding the Bidirectional Association between Periodontal Disease and Diabetes Mellitus: A Public Oral Health Concern. J Contemp Dent Pract 2020;21(11):1270–1274.
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Martino, Florentine, Ruby Brooks, Jennifer Browne, Nicholas Carah, Christina Zorbas, Kirstan Corben, Emma Saleeba, Jane Martin, Anna Peeters, and Kathryn Backholer. "The Nature and Extent of Online Marketing by Big Food and Big Alcohol During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Australia: Content Analysis Study." JMIR Public Health and Surveillance 7, no. 3 (March 12, 2021): e25202. http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/25202.
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Background Emerging evidence demonstrates that obesity is associated with a higher risk of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. Excessive alcohol consumption and “comfort eating” as coping mechanisms during times of high stress have been shown to further exacerbate mental and physical ill-health. Global examples suggest that unhealthy food and alcohol brands and companies are using the COVID-19 pandemic to further market their products. However, there has been no systematic, in-depth analysis of how “Big Food” and “Big Alcohol” are capitalizing on the COVID-19 pandemic to market their products and brands. Objective We aimed to quantify the extent and nature of online marketing by alcohol and unhealthy food and beverage companies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. Methods We conducted a content analysis of all COVID-19-related social media posts made by leading alcohol and unhealthy food and beverage brands (n=42) and their parent companies (n=12) over a 4-month period (February to May 2020) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. Results Nearly 80% of included brands and all parent companies posted content related to COVID-19 during the 4-month period. Quick service restaurants (QSRs), food and alcohol delivery companies, alcohol brands, and bottle shops were the most active in posting COVID-19-related content. The most common themes for COVID-19-related marketing were isolation activities and community support. Promotion of hygiene and home delivery was also common, particularly for QSRs and alcohol and food delivery companies. Parent companies were more likely to post about corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, such as donations of money and products, and to offer health advice. Conclusions This is the first study to show that Big Food and Big Alcohol are incessantly marketing their products and brands on social media platforms using themes related to COVID-19, such as isolation activities and community support. Parent companies are frequently posting about CSR initiatives, such as donations of money and products, thereby creating a fertile environment to loosen current regulation or resist further industry regulation. “COVID-washing” by large alcohol brands, food and beverage brands, and their parent companies is both common and concerning. The need for comprehensive regulations to restrict unhealthy food and alcohol marketing, as recommended by the World Health Organization, is particularly acute in the COVID-19 context and is urgently required to “build back better” in a post-COVID-19 world.
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Horsham, Caitlin, Ken Dutton-Regester, Jodie Antrobus, Andrew Goldston, Harley Price, Helen Ford, and Elke Hacker. "A Virtual Reality Game to Change Sun Protection Behavior and Prevent Cancer: User-Centered Design Approach." JMIR Serious Games 9, no. 1 (March 25, 2021): e24652. http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/24652.
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Background Public health sun safety campaigns introduced during the 1980s have successfully reduced skin cancer rates in Australia. Despite this success, high rates of sunburn continue to be reported by youth and young adults. As such, new strategies to reinforce sun protection approaches in this demographic are needed. Objective This study aims to develop a virtual reality (VR) game containing preventive skin cancer messaging and to assess the safety and satisfaction of the design based on end user feedback. Methods Using a two-phase design approach, we created a prototype VR game that immersed the player inside the human body while being confronted with growing cancer cells. The first design phase involved defining the problem, identifying stakeholders, choosing the technology platform, brainstorming, and designing esthetic elements. In the second design phase, we tested the prototype VR experience with stakeholders and end users in focus groups and interviews, with feedback incorporated into refining and improving the design. Results The focus groups and interviews were conducted with 18 participants. Qualitative feedback indicated high levels of satisfaction, with all participants reporting the VR game as engaging. A total of 11% (2/8) of participants reported a side effect of feeling nauseous during the experience. The end user feedback identified game improvements, suggesting an extended multistage experience with visual transitions to other environments and interactions involving cancer causation. The implementation of the VR game identified challenges in sharing VR equipment and hygiene issues. Conclusions This study presents key findings highlighting the design and implementation approaches for a VR health intervention primarily aimed at improving sun protection behaviors. This design approach can be applied to other health prevention programs in the future.
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HOLMES, J. D., and G. C. SIMMONS. "Gastrointestinal illness associated with a long-haul flight." Epidemiology and Infection 137, no. 3 (August 8, 2008): 441–47. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0950268808001027.
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SUMMARYAn in-flight incident of vomiting in the cabin and toilet on a trans-Pacific aircraft flight resulted in an outbreak of gastrointestinal (GI) illness among passengers, some of whom subsequently joined a 14-day cruise in New Zealand and Australia. A retrospective cohort analysis of illness occurring in aircraft passengers was undertaken using routine GI illness surveillance data collected by medical staff on a cruise vessel. This was supplemented with data collected from some other passengers and crew on the aircraft. Information was gathered on 224 of the 413 (54·2%) people on the flight (222 passengers and 2 crew members). GI illness within 60 h of arrival in Auckland was reported by 41 of the 122 (33·6%, Fisher's 95% confidence interval 25·3–42·7) passengers seated in the two zones adjacent to the vomiting incident. The pattern of illness suggests a viral infection and highlights the potential of aerosol transmission as well as surface contamination in a closed environment. The spread of infection may have been enhanced by cross-contamination in the toilet cubicle. The significance of the vomiting event was not recognized by the aircraft cabin crew and no pre-arrival information about on-board illness was given to airport health authorities. Isolation of vomiting passengers, where possible, and promotion of appropriate hand hygiene on aircraft has the potential to reduce the spread of infection in passengers on long-haul flights.
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Howells, Kristy, and Tara Coppinger. "Teachers’ Perceptions and Understanding of Children’s Fluid Intake." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 11 (June 5, 2020): 4050. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17114050.
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No public health data exists on elementary teachers’ perceptions of both their own fluid intake and of their elementary school aged children’s fluid intake. A total of 271 (20 males, 251 females) teachers in developed areas of Australia, Belgium, England, Ireland, United Arab Emirates, and the United States of America completed an online questionnaire (Feb–Mar 2019) on: (i) their fluid intake, (ii) their perception and understanding of children’s fluid intake and (iii) barriers in the school day that they felt prevented school children consuming fluids. Overall, the data indicated that teachers consume considerably lower amounts than recommended themselves, but have a good awareness of children’s fluid intake and estimate children drink approximately half (1 litre (34% n = 93)) of what is recommended per day. The results were also similar to those reported by children previously. Yet, the data highlighted a lack of active encouragement of drinking water throughout the school day by teachers, with only 11% (n = 29) suggesting they actively encourage children to drink and 45% (n = 123) reporting no active encouragement at all. It is recommended as a public health measure that all school children consume an extra cup of water during lunch times in those schools where water intake was recognized as sub optimal. Furthermore, depending on weather conditions, a cup of water before, during and after Physical Education lessons should be encouraged by teachers. Water coolers or bottles may be used as a supplementary resource, provided that hygiene is maintained. From an educational perspective, more professional development needs to be provided to teachers on the importance of regular water consumption, and more time dedicated across the elementary curriculum to educational understanding of fluid consumption.
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Campbell, Denise J., Jonathan C. Craig, David W. Mudge, Fiona G. Brown, Germaine Wong, and Allison Tong. "Patients’ Perspectives on the Prevention and Treatment of Peritonitis in Peritoneal Dialysis: A Semi-Structured Interview Study." Peritoneal Dialysis International: Journal of the International Society for Peritoneal Dialysis 36, no. 6 (November 2016): 631–39. http://dx.doi.org/10.3747/pdi.2016.00075.
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Background Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is recommended for adults with residual kidney function and without significant comorbidities. However, peritonitis is a serious and common complication that is associated with hospitalization, pain, catheter loss, and death. This study aims to describe the beliefs, needs, and experiences of PD patients about peritonitis, to inform the training, support, and care of these patients. Methods Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 29 patients from 3 renal units in Australia who had previous or current experience of PD. The interviews were conducted between November 2014 and November 2015. Transcripts were analyzed thematically. Results We identified 4 themes: constant vigilance for prevention (conscious of vulnerability, sharing responsibility with family, demanding attention to detail, ambiguity of detecting infection, ineradicable inhabitation, jeopardizing PD success); invading harm (life-threatening, wreaking internal damage, debilitating pain, losing control and dignity); incapacitating lifestyle interference (financial strain, isolation and separation, exacerbating burden on family); and exasperation with hospitalization (dread of hospital admission, exposure to infection, gruelling follow-up schedule, exposure to harm). Conclusions Patients perceived that peritonitis could threaten their health, treatment modality, and lifestyle, which motivated vigilance and attention to hygiene. They felt a loss of control due to debilitating symptoms including pain and having to be hospitalized, and they were uncertain about how to monitor for signs of peritonitis. Providing patients with education about the causes and signs of peritonitis and addressing their concerns about lifestyle impact, financial impact, hospitalization, and peritonitis-related anxieties may improve treatment satisfaction and outcomes for patients requiring PD.
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Khan, Umar Raza, Ghias Mahmood Khan, and Khurram Arbab. "Creating 'COVID-safe' face-to-face teaching: Critical reflections on on-campus teaching during a pandemic." Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice 18, no. 5 (December 1, 2021): 152–71. http://dx.doi.org/10.53761/1.18.5.9.
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The COVID-19 pandemic of 2019 meant higher education was forced to delivering education online. For most, the transition to emergency remote teaching was a natural next step to support continuity of education. However, there were some examples where education remained on campus. Where after taking all COVID-19 safety measures of social distancing, hand hygiene measures and other health protocols, institutions decided to continue to deliver face-to-face on-campus offerings with limited capacity. The COVID-19 and higher education literature have focused primarily on rapid digitalisation. This manuscript adds value to the literature by focusing on three case studies of on-campus delivery for faceto-face teaching in the classroom and practical lessons during the pandemic in Australia, the United Kingdom, and Pakistan. The changes to the learning process affected students’ interactions with the lecturer, other students, and the equipment they were learning to use. Also, it affected interactions with each other in practical activities due to limited numbers of participants, motivation in learning and achieving learning outcomes. Not only the students, but the lecturer’s capability in delivering the course was affected by fatigue due to spending more time teaching within a ‘COVID-19 safe’ environment. This study will provide important documentation on the effect of COVID-19 on on-campus delivery, as well as opportunities to support greater student engagement in class environments through the sharing of learning equipment, fostering positive motivation, managing learning outcomes, and self-monitoring of lecturer capability in more highly stressful teaching and learning environments practical training affected.
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Patel, Mitesh, Mohd Adnan, Abdu Aldarhami, Abdulrahman S. Bazaid, Nizar H. Saeedi, Almohanad A. Alkayyal, Fayez M. Saleh, Ibrahim B. Awadh, Amir Saeed, and Khalid Alshaghdali. "Current Insights into Diagnosis, Prevention Strategies, Treatment, Therapeutic Targets, and Challenges of Monkeypox (Mpox) Infections in Human Populations." Life 13, no. 1 (January 16, 2023): 249. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/life13010249.
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In the wake of the emergence and worldwide respread of a viral infection called Monkeypox (Mpox), there is a serious threat to the health and safety of the global population. This viral infection was endemic to the western and central parts of Africa, but has recently spread out of this endemic area to various countries, including the United Kingdom (UK), Portugal, Spain, the United States of America (USA), Canada, Sweden, Belgium, Italy, Australia, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Israel, and Mexico. This is a timely review focusing on recent findings and developments in the epidemiology, clinical features, therapeutic targets, diagnosis, prevention mechanisms, research challenges and possible treatment for Mpox. To date (29 November 2022), there have been around 81,225 reported cases of Mpox. In most cases, this illness is mild; however, there is a fatality rate ranging from 1 to 10%, which might be increased due to associated complications and/or secondary infections. There is a real challenge in the diagnosis of Mpox, since its symptoms are very similar to those of other infections, including smallpox and chickenpox. Generally, to prevent/limit the risk and transmission of Mpox, the detection and isolation of infected individuals, as well as hand hygiene and cleanliness, are essential and effective approaches to control/combat this viral infection. Nevertheless, updated information about Mpox from different angles is lacking. Thus, this review provides updated and comprehensive information about the Mpox illness, which should highlight the global burden, pathogenicity, symptoms, diagnosis, prevention measures and possible treatment of this emerging disease.
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Sarkar, Probir Kumar, Nital Kumar Sarker, and Md Abu Tayab. "Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD): An Update." Bangladesh Journal of Child Health 40, no. 2 (February 13, 2017): 115–19. http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjch.v40i2.31567.
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Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) also known as vesicular stomatitis with exanthema, first reported in New Zealand in 1957 is caused by Coxsackie virus A16 (CVA16), human enterovirus 71 (HEV71) and occasionally by other HEV-A serotypes, such as Coxsackie virus A6 and Coxsackie virus A10, are also associated with HFMD and herpangina. While all these viruses can cause mild disease in children, EV71 has been associated with neurological disease and mortality in large outbreaks in the Asia Pacific region over the last decade. It is highly contagious and is spread through direct contact with the mucus, saliva, or feces of an infected person. This is characterized by erythrematous papulo vesicular eruptions over hand, feet, perioral area, knee, buttocks and also intra-orally mostly in children, typically occurs in small epidemics usually during the summer and autumn months. HFMD symptoms are usually mild and resolve on their own in 7 to 10 days. Treatment is symptomatic but good hygiene during and after infection is very important in preventing the spread of the disease. Though only small scale outbreaks have been reported from United States, Europe, Australia Japan and Brazil for the first few decade, since 1997 the disease has conspicuously changed its behavior as noted in different Southeast Asian countries. There was sharp rise in incidence, severity, complications and even fatal outcomes that were almost unseen before that period. There are reports of disease activity in different corners of India since 2004, and the largest outbreak of HFMD occurred in eastern part of India in and around Kolkata in 2007and Bhubaneswar, Odisha in 2009. In recent years there are cases of HFMD have been seen in Bangladesh also. Although of milder degree, continuous progress to affect larger parts of the neighboring may indicate vulnerability of Bangladesh from possible future outbreaks.Bangladesh J Child Health 2016; VOL 40 (2) :115-119
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Rathbone, Joanne A., Mark Stevens, Tegan Cruwys, and Laura J. Ferris. "COVID-safe behaviour before, during and after a youth mass gathering event: a longitudinal cohort study." BMJ Open 12, no. 7 (July 2022): e058239. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-058239.
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ObjectiveAs mass gathering events resume in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a pressing need to understand (a) engagement in COVID-safe behaviour at these events and (b) how attending a mass gathering impacts subsequent behaviours. This study examined anticipated COVID-safe behaviour before, during, and after a youth mass gathering event.DesignLongitudinal cohort study.SettingSelf-report data were collected online at five timepoints from secondary-school graduates participating in celebrations linked to an annual week-long youth mass gathering event in Australia.ParticipantsAustralian secondary-school graduates completed surveys before the event (N=397), on days 1 (N=183), 3 (N=158) and 5 (N=163) of the event, and 3 weeks after the event (N=140). Of those who completed the first survey, 72 indicated they would attend a primary mass gathering site where the largest mass gathering of graduates in Australia occurs in a typical (non-pandemic) year; 325 indicated they would be celebrating at other locations (ie, secondary sites).Primary outcome measuresAnticipated COVID-safe behaviour: physical distancing from friends and strangers and additional protective behaviours (hand hygiene and mask wearing).ResultsAt all timepoints, participants anticipated maintaining appropriate (>1.5 m) physical distance from strangers, but not from friends (<0.5 m). Attendees at the primary site reported less physical distancing from friends over time throughout the mass gathering, χ2(4)=16.89, p=0.002. Physical distancing from strangers, χ2(4)=26.93, p<0.001, and additional protective behaviours, χ2(4)=221.23, p<0.001, also declined across the mass gathering among both groups. These reductions in COVID-safe behaviour were significant and enduring, with all declines persisting at follow-up.ConclusionIt is critical that public health messaging and interventions emphasise the risks of disease transmission arising from other attendees who are known to us during mass gathering events, and that such messaging is sustained during and following the event to combat reductions in COVID-safe behaviour.
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de Klerk, Joanna N., and Philip A. Robinson. "Drivers and hazards of consumption of unpasteurised bovine milk and milk products in high-income countries." PeerJ 10 (May 16, 2022): e13426. http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.13426.
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Introduction The consumption of dairy products contributes to health, nutrition, and livelihoods globally. However, dairy products do not come without microbiological food safety risks for consumers. Despite this risk, common hygiene measures in high-income countries, particularly pasteurisation, ensures that milk is safe, and is indeed frequently mandated by law. Nevertheless, over the past two decades, there has been a global increase in the number of consumers in high-income developed countries actively seeking out unpasteurised milk in liquid and product forms for perceived nutritional and health benefits, and improved taste. The often-anecdotal claims upon which consumers make such choices are not all supported by scientific evidence; however, some recent research studies have investigated (and in some cases demonstrated) the positive impact of unpasteurised milk consumption on the prevalence of asthma, atopy, rectal cancer and respiratory illness. Methods To investigate the significance of unpasteurised milk and milk product consumption for human health in high-income countries, outbreak data between the years 2000 and 2018 were obtained for the United States of America, Canada, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Japan, New Zealand and Australia, which were then categorized into three World Health Organisation subregions: AMR A, EUR A and WPR A. Outbreak dynamic variables such as pathogens, the place of consumption, numbers of outbreaks and deaths per million capita, the average number of cases per outbreak and regulations were described and analysed using R Studio. To provide an overview of unpasteurised milk-related disease outbreaks, a rapid evidence review was also undertaken to establish an overview of what is known in the current literature about hazards and drivers of consumption. Results Foodborne outbreaks associated with unpasteurised dairy consumption have risen in high-income countries over the period 2000 to 2018, with Campylobacter spp. being the most common aetiological agent responsible, followed by Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. The most common places of consumption are on farms or in households, indicating individuals choose to drink unpasteurised milk, rather than a widespread distribution of the product, for example, at social events and in schools. Further study is needed to better understand contributing factors, such as cultural differences in the consumption of dairy products. Conclusion There are several observable health benefits linked to consuming raw milk, but outbreaks associated with unpasteurised milk and milk products are on the rise. It cannot be definitively concluded whether the benefits outweigh the risks, and ultimately the decision lies with the individual consumer. Nevertheless, many countries have regulations in place to protect consumer health, acknowledging the definite risks to human health that unpasteurised dairy foods may pose, particularly from microbial hazards.