Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Minorities Health and hygiene Australia'
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1
Ohtsuka, Thai, and thai_ohtsuka@hotmail com. "Impact of cultural change and acculturation on the health and help seeking behaviour of Vietnamese-Australians." Swinburne University of Technology, 2005. http://adt.lib.swin.edu.au./public/adt-VSWT20051013.095125.
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This study investigated the influence of cultural change and acculturation on
health-related help seeking behaviour of Vietnamese-Australians. Using convenience
sampling, 94 Vietnamese-Australians, 106 Anglo-Australians, and 49 Vietnamese in Vietnam participated in the study. Beliefs about health and health-related help-seeking behaviours were assessed through measures of common mental health symptoms, illness expression (somatisation, psychologisation), symptom causal attributions (environmental, psychological, biological), and choice of help seeking (self-help, family/friends, spiritual, mental health, Western medicine, Eastern medicine).Vietnamese-Australian data was compared with that of the Anglo-Australian and Vietnamese-in Vietnam. Results revealed that the help seeking behaviours and health related cognitions of Vietnamese-Australians, while significantly different from those of Anglo-Australians, were similar to those of Vietnamese in Vietnam. Specifically, both Vietnamese groups were less likely than Anglo-Australians to somatise and
psychologise or attribute the cause of symptoms to environmental, psychological or biological causes. However, the two Vietnamese groups were not different from each other in their style of illness expression or in their symptom causal attributions. The Vietnamese-Australians reported experiencing more mental health symptoms than the Vietnamese in Vietnam but fewer than the Anglo-Australians. In relation to help seeking, the Anglo-Australians chose self-help more than the Vietnamese, but there were few other differences between the cultural groups.
To investigate the influence of acculturation on health-related beliefs and help seeking behaviour, Vietnamese-Australians were compared according to their modes of acculturation (integration, assimilation, separation, and marginalisation). Generally, results showed a distinct pattern of response. Those with high levels of acculturation towards the Australian culture (the integration and the assimilation) were found to be most similar (in that they scored the highest in most areas measured) to the Anglo-Australians, while few differences were found between the separated and the
marginalised groups. Further, cultural orientation was a powerful predictor of help
seeking. In that, original cultural orientation predicted selection of help seeking from
Western and Eastern medicine, whereas, the host cultural orientation was a more robust predictor of the other variables. However, neither cultural orientation predicted preference for mental health help. Finally, the study found that, although the combination of symptom score, modes of illness expression, and symptom causal
attribution were strong predictors of choice of help seeking of Vietnamese-Australians,
acculturation scores further improved predictive power. The results were discussed in terms of the various limitations and constraints on interpretation of this complex data set.
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Cheng, Leung-li Nanley, and 鄭良莉. "Migration and health among ethnic minorities in Hong Kong." Thesis, The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong), 2007. http://hub.hku.hk/bib/B39724360.
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Sanchez, Patricia Elizabeth. "Prevalence of type 2 diabetes among minority groups." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 2005. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd-project/2840.
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The purpose of this study was twofold. First, the study evaluated Loma Linda University Medical Center's (LLUMC) Diabetes Treatment Center's (DTC) effectiveness in providing diabetes education and services to high risk minority populations. Second, the results of the study helped the DTC determine the need for expanding its present efforts in the form of community health prevention services to San Bernardino County residents.
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Bonds, Stacy. "An Exploratory Mixed Method Study of Gender and Sexual Minority Health in Dallas: A Needs Assessment." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2018. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1248392/.
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Gender and sexual minorities (GSM) experience considerably worse health outcomes than heterosexual and cisgender people, yet no comprehensive understanding of GSM health exists due to a dearth of research. GSM leaders in Dallas expressed need for a community needs assessment of GSM health. In response to this call, the Center for Psychosocial Health Research conducted a needs assessment of gender and sexual minority health in Dallas (35 interviews, 6 focus groups). Competency was one area highlighted and shared across existing research. Thus, the current study explored how competency impacts gender and sexual minorities' experience of health care in Dallas. We utilized a consensual qualitative research approach to analyze competency-related contents. The meaning and implications of emerging core ideas were explored. These findings were also used to develop a survey instrument.
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Koo, Fung Kuen. "Disharmony between Chinese and Western views about preventative health : a qualitative investigation of the health beliefs and behaviour of older Hong Kong Chinese people in Australia." University of Sydney, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/2123/1610.
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Doctor of PhilosophyThis study explores the health beliefs and preventive health behaviours of older Hong Kong Chinese people resident in Australia. Participation in physical activity was used as the case study. There were two frameworks used to shape the research. Because of their perceived influence on the health beliefs and practices of Hong Kong Chinese people, the traditional Chinese philosophies of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism provided the philosophical framework. The Theory of Planned Behaviour provided a theoretical framework for understanding the target group's preventive health behaviour. Data was collected by means of in-depth interviews, participant observation and case study. Twenty-two informants were interviewed, their transcripts analysed, summarised and typologised, identifying six states of physical activity participation. Findings demonstrated that this target group possessed a holistic view of health, with food taking a special role in preventive care and self-treatment at times of illness. The Cantonese terms used to denote “physical activity” caused confusion among the target group. Most interpreted it as meaning deliberate planned body movement, strength-enhancing activities or exercise, although some did see it as including mundane daily activities and chores. Lack of time, no interest and laziness were reported as the main reasons for low participation in deliberate planned physical activity. Cultural, social and environmental determinants were the intrinsic and extrinsic factors influencing attitudes toward physical activity, as well as perceived social supports and perceived control over physical activity participation barriers. To a large extent, these interactive determinants of health were rooted in the three traditional Chinese philosophies mentioned above. The thesis concludes by arguing that rather than simply advocating activities designed for other populations, health promotion strategies and education need to create links to the traditions of this target group and also clarify their conception of physical activity.
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Meliala, Andreanyta 1971. "Dietary phytoestrogens and hormone-related health conditions in men and women." Monash University, Monash Asia Institute, 2002. http://arrow.monash.edu.au/hdl/1959.1/8504.
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Oliffe, John, and mikewood@deakin edu au. "Prostate cancer : Anglo-Australian heterosexual perspectives." Deakin University. School of Health and Social Development, 2003. http://tux.lib.deakin.edu.au./adt-VDU/public/adt-VDU20050712.095519.
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Prostate cancer is one of the most prominent diseases in mens health. It is inherently 'male', given the exclusivity of the prostate gland to mens bodies and its physiological connection to testosterone and male sexuality. The biomedical complexities of prostate cancer continue to be unravelled and researched and are often connected to identifying causes, the virtues of screening and treatment modalities. However, despite the biological male 'sex' link, most of the prostate cancer research is not connected with research on gender relations, men and masculinities. The net outcome is that mens lives and illness experiences are absent in much of the prostate cancer research. This PhD thesis Prostate cancer: Anglo-Australian heterosexual perspectives, is an ethnographic study of thirty-five Anglo-Australian men diagnosed with prostate cancer. Participants shared their experiences of living with prostate cancer in the context of health promotion, health services and in relation to their sexuality and intimate relationships. Through participant photographic novella and in-depth semi-structured interviews, rich cultural insights are provided. A social constructionist gender analysis is used in this research that shows how the social constructions of masculinity interconnect and occasionally collide with prostate cancer throughout the illness trajectory.
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Wright, David R. "Accident experience of Commonwealth Government employees in Western Australia : 1 June 1993 to 2 December 1995." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 1998. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1444.
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This quantitative study documents, analyses and discusses the accident experience of Commonwealth employees in Western Australia from 1 July 1993 to 2 December 1995 as recorded on 1663 accident report forms. The research addresses the problem of lack of knowledge of accidents in the Commonwealth sector of the Western Australian work force. Its purpose is to identify possible areas of health and safety improvement and highlight where accident frequency may be reduced. Risk management is adopted as a conceptual framework to explore categories of accident related data, including month of year, time of day, day of the week of accidents, number of years of job experience, age and gender of the worker, accident frequency and severity. Where applicable accident related data was subjected to Chi-square statistical tests. Important findings, amongst others, include the identification of the month of August as having a higher frequency of accidents, inexperienced Commonwealth workers incurring 80.5% of accidents, and 64% of accidents involving men. Such findings are of importance to the Commonwealth so that prevention strategies targeted at these areas can be developed. Additional research utilising national data is recommended.
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Villarreal, Cesar. "Marital Status and Racial/Ethnic Differences in Health Outcomes." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2015. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc801949/.
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Substantial evidence demonstrates that marriage is associated with better health outcomes and lower mortality risk. Some evidence suggests that there are gender and race/ethnicity differences between the marriage-health benefits association. However, previous studies on marriage and health have mainly focused on non-Hispanic White-Black differences. Limited information is available regarding the roles of Hispanics. The present study examined marital status, gender, and the differences between non-Hispanic Whites, non-Hispanic Blacks, and Hispanics, in health outcomes. A retrospective cohort analysis of 24,119 Hispanic, NH White, and NH Black adults admitted to a large hospital was conducted. A total of 16,661 patients identified as either married or single was included in the final analyses. Consistent with the broader literature, marriage was associated with beneficial hospital utilization outcomes. With respect to differences in these benefits, results suggest that married patients, Hispanic patients, and women, were less likely to experience in-hospital mortality. Similar effects were observed in aggregated length of stay with married Hispanic women hospitalized nearly 2 days less than their single counterparts (6.83 days and 8.66 days, respectively). These findings support existing literature that marriage is associated with health benefits, add to the emerging research of a Hispanic survival advantage, and broaden the understanding of marriage and health in terms of differences by racial/ethnicity.
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Harding, Seeromanie. "Mortality and morbidity patterns in ethnic minorities in England and Wales evidence from the Office for National Statistics Longitudinal Study /." Thesis, Connect to e-thesis record to view abstract. Move to record for print version, 2007. http://theses.gla.ac.uk/94/.
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Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Glasgow, 2007.Ph.D. thesis submitted by published work to the MRC Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow, 2007. Includes bibliographical references. Print version also available.
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Loh, Poh Kooi. "Innovations in health for older people in Western Australia." University of Western Australia. School of Medicine and Pharmacology, 2009. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2010.0051.
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Australia and many other developed communities are ageing rapidly, placing a strain on the delivery of health services. This thesis examines the use of innovative health services management coupled with information and communication technology (ICT) to more efficiently deliver services to disabled older people in the hospital, community and residential care. The hypothesis explored is that ICT can provide clinical services to older people in poorly serviced communities and groups, thus extending the influence and capabilities of specialist health care professionals. The relevance of these studies is predominantly for those people who live outside the metropolitan regions, particularly in remote and rural communities, and also for those frail older people, who because of disability, are unable to travel to specialist health services. There are a series of studies presented in this thesis which have all been published. They have demonstrated that in a community and rural setting, ICT use in the assessment and management of geriatric syndromes such as dementia is valid and practical. This included the validation of commonly used assessment tools via Telehealth. A Telehealth protocol for assessment of Alzheimer's Dementia (AD) was developed and published. The use of ICT to link health services clinical and administrative data for determining stroke outcomes and disability has been evaluated and a resource utilization prediction model developed. Finally, in residential care a survey and a qualitative study of poor uptake of ICT services in hostels and nursing homes revealed insights into ICT perception by the older people in care facilities and their professional staff. The implications and future development of these studies have been discussed, especially barriers to increased uptake of ICT, cost comparisons and the potential of future technologies such as video conferencing mobile phones.
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Duff, Mhairi C. "Binge eating and potentially dangerous purgation in an Australian student population." Thesis, Canberra, ACT : The Australian National University, 1985. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/141361.
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Mosher, David Keith. "Cultural Humility, Religion, and Health in Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual (LGB) Populations." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2017. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1011765/.
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The purpose of this study was to explore the religion – health link in a sample of adults and undergraduate students (N = 555) that identified as lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB), and to explore how perceptions of cultural humility of religious individuals and groups toward LGB individuals affect the relationship between religion and health. First, I found religious commitment among LGB individuals was positively correlated with satisfaction in life, but it was negatively correlated with physical health. Second, I found that cultural humility moderated the relationship between religious commitment and satisfaction in life for LGB individuals involved in a religious community. The lowest levels of satisfaction with life were found for individuals with low religious commitment and perceived the cultural humility of their religious community to be low. However, cultural humility did not moderate the relationship between religious commitment and mental and physical health outcomes. Third, I found cultural humility did not moderate the relationship between religious commitment and minority stress (i.e., internalized homophobia). Fourth, I found that cultural humility was a significant positive predictor of motivations to forgive a hurt caused by a religious individual. I conclude by discussing limitations, areas for future research, and implications for counseling.
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Verdonk, Alan D. "A retrospective cohort study of workers' compensation indicators from an occupational safety and health perspective." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2002. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1604.
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Since 1984 the role of the government in Western Australia, has changed in relation to occupational safety and health. This study considers the effect of the occupational safety and health legislation using workers' compensation accident data. Academic and general staff accident data from a Western Australian University were researched. The time period is 20 years- 1979 through 1998 inclusive. 2,773 worker's compensation claims were analysed using Mann Whitney -U tests and cross-tabulations of safety prevention expenditure against the claims. The work environment provides the full spectrum of workplace activities ranging from domicile duties (student housing services) to heavy machinery work (mechanical maintenance) through to construction activity (building and operations), along with exposures to hazardous substances through research programs, and different types of office work activities. The staff numbers were 2949 staff in 1979 increasing to 6938 staff in 1998. The ages of the staff population were from school leavers to staff retirement age (in the latter years this being beyond the age of 65 years). The demographics indicated an aging workforce population with the predisposition to remain in the employ of the University for extended periods of their working lives. There were more female staff members than male staff members and a greater number of male staff hold more senior positions. This tendency was changing in the latter years. The study is unique in that it studies the topic of occupational health and safety from a 'micro' perspective of safety performance on a tertiary education work environment.
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Wang, Wei Chun, and wwang@swin edu au. "A comparison of alternative estimation methods in confirmatory factor analyses of the general health questionnaire across four groups of Australian immigrants." Swinburne University of Technology, 2005. http://adt.lib.swin.edu.au./public/adt-VSWT20051025.122616.
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This thesis examines the implications of using different correlation input matrices and estimation techniques in confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) when analyzing ordinal, nonnormal data derived from responses of recently arrived Australian immigrants to the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). The GHQ-12 is one of the most widely used instruments for determining wellbeing in populations. The response format of the GHQ-12 comprises four ordinal categories and underlying distributions of data obtained invariably do not approximate univariate or multivariate normality. Owing to these data properties, consideration should be given to the application of appropriate statistical approaches for analyzing this type of data sets. This study also investigates the extent to which the GHQ-12 is invariant across gender and cultural groups.
A three-dimensional measurement model for the GHQ-12 was initially examined for four groups of Australian immigrants who originated from Hong Kong (n = 201), Mainland China (n =213), former Yugoslavia (n = 259), and the United Kingdom (n = 428). A series of CFAs using either a Pearson�s product-moment or a polychoric correlation input matrix and employing either maximum likelihood (ML), weighted least squares (WLS) or diagonally weighted least squares (DWLS) estimation methods was conducted on the data. A comparison of the parameter estimates and goodness-of-fit statistics obtained for the different analyses provided support for using polychoric correlation input matrices and DWLS estimation in CFAs when analyzing ordinal, nonnormal data with smaller sample sizes.
Invariance tests across gender and cultural groups were conducted on a second-order measurement model for the GHQ-12, culminating in significant differences between the two Asian and two European cohorts. The GHQ-12 was invariant for immigrants from Hong Kong and Mainland China, as well as for males and females from the United Kingdom. Partial invariance of the GHQ-12 was found for immigrants from Asia, the United Kingdom, and former Yugoslavia and for Asian males and females.
Findings from the present study suggest that estimating models based on nonnormal ordinal responses using polychoric correlations with DWLS is more likely to result in a solution with higher parameter estimates and better indices of fit than other approaches. Further research should be conducted on real and simulated data to investigate the efficacy of WLS and DWLS estimation in CFAs when using polychoric correlations as the input data for varying categorical response formats, with a range of model and sample sizes.
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Wallace, Matthew. "A pilot study of an employee developed observational tool as a valid and reliable measure of organisational safety." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2001. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1066.
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Given the increasing high social and economic costs of occupational injury and illness to the Australian community, identification of initiatives to reduce the burden is urgently required. Paramount to reversing this trend is the need to identify and address the causes of the injury and illness. Employee involvement in occupational health and safety has for some time been espoused as an essential element in any occupational health and safety program, but its relationship with safety performance still remains unexplored. Although various theories suggest that the involvement of employees will increase their sense of ownership, there is little research to suggest that employees have the ability to develop a valid and reliable tool to measure safe practices in the workplace. The primary purpose of this study was to provide preliminary evidence of content and construct validity of an employee developed checklist in measuring compliance with safe behaviours. The second objective was to compare behaviours at two workplaces, one with an incentive scheme to promote safe behaviour and one without. The third objective was to determine the relationships between demographic characteristics of participants and compliance with safe behaviour. The study was conducted in two distinct phases. The first phase was an instrument development phase while the second was an implementation phase. Phase I involved the design of an employee developed checklist (EDC) and a theoretically developed checklist (TDC). Content validity testing was conducted by a panel of five experts in the field of instrument design and occupational health and safety. Phase II involved the observation of a sample of 44 ride on lift truck operators from two large manufacturing and logistics companies based in Victoria, over a three month period to measure compliance with safe work practices. Data was analysed to establish whether the EDC is a valid and reliable tool when compared against the TDC. The results provide preliminary evidence to suggest that employees possess the necessary skill and knowledge to develop a valid observational checklist. A Wilcoxon signed-ranks test for dependent samples indicates that there was no significant difference between the compliance scores recorded on the EDC and the scores recorded on the TDC. Further analysis of scores obtained for three items on the EDC were analysed against similar items on the TDC with no significant deficiencies found. Additionally, analysis of the correlation between the scores obtained on the TDC and EDC revealed a moderately strong positive relationship between the two checklists (r, = 0.414, p=.032). Inter rater reliability testing by intra class correlation and percentage agreement revealed problems with both the EDC and TDC, which may be partially explained by the relatively high level of compliance with safe behaviour at both sites and the method of testing. In this sample, age, gender and the presence of safety incentive schemes had no significant effect on the level of compliance. The level of experience did, however, show a positive relationship with compliance levels (r, = 0.32, p=.048). The results of this study present a number of potential benefits for workplaces including the justification of employee involvement in occupational health and safety measurement, employee involvement in goal setting and the feasibility of developing a proactive, inexpensive and flexible measure of occupational health and safety performance.
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Munns, Ailsa M. "Young families' utilisation, self-perceived requirements, and satisfaction with child health services in the City of Belmont, Western Australia." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 1998. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1426.
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The expectations of young families regarding care they would like to receive from community nurses working in the child health area is affected by the relationship between those expectations, utilisation and sociocultural factors such as family type, family composition and ethnicity. These factors influence family dynamics, needs, functioning and interactions with the wider community. A descriptive study with both quantitative and qualitative components was used to identify and analyse the self-identified requirements of young families utilising Child Health Services in the Belmont area, Western Australia, and their patterns of utilisation. Twenty five women who had a child or children under 5 years of age were interviewed. The study was guided by a conceptual framework provided by the Ottawa Charter (World Health Organisation-Health and Welfare Canada-Canadian Public Health Organisation, 1996). The three main themes that emerged from the data showed that the young families identified knowledge acquisition, reassurance of normal growth and development and accessibility as their key self-perceived requirements of Child Health Services. Family type, family composition and ethnicity were examined within the contexts of these themes, resulting in a greater understanding of the child health issues relating to all types of family groups. The challenge for the providers of Child Health Services is to provide culturally appropriate Child Health Services based on the principles of primary health care within an environment experiencing fiscal restraint The long term benefits to the families and the health care system are not easily evaluated but have important and wide ranging positive effects on the health and wellbeing of the community.
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Stocks, Nigel. "Trachoma and visual impairment in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara of South Australia /." Title page, contents and abstract only, 1992. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09MD/09mds865.pdf.
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Polimeni, Anne-Maree, and Anne-Maree Polimeni@dhs vic gov au. "Narrative of women's hospital experiences the impact of powerlessness on personal identity." Swinburne University of Technology, 2004. http://adt.lib.swin.edu.au./public/adt-VSWT20050309.143640.
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Since women dominate the health care system as consumers, it is important to understand how women want to be treated by medical staff, and the factors that contribute to satisfactory hospital experiences. The present research comprised two separate but integrated studies exploring these issues. The first study adopted an
atheoretical approach. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to examine the
importance of hospital experiences in the lives of women, and the role of power within those experiences. Closed answer items about hospital experiences were completed by 124 women who had had a hospital stay of at least one night. In addition, ten of the women provided open-ended oral and written comments about their hospital
experiences, which were used as the basis of the qualitative data. The majority of the women were satisfied with their hospital stay, but a small group recalled experiences of powerlessness associated with the non-medical aspects of their treatment, such as behaviours on the part of health professionals that influenced participants� sense of control as hospital inpatients. The qualitative data reflected similar issues to the quantitative data and provided �process� information by demonstrating how health professionals� behaviour could contribute to patients� feelings of powerlessness. The results suggested that hospital experiences were a salient part of these women�s lives. The richness of the qualitative data suggested that qualitative methodology would be a productive way to further study this area.
The second study was an extension of the first via in-depth interviews with 19 women who perceived their hospital experiences as life-altering. The interview content and the analysis were based on a narrative approach that used the theoretical framework of McAdams� (1993) Life Story Model of Identity. Using McAdams� methodology enabled the researcher to evaluate how women constructed meaning from their hospital
experiences, and the main issues they faced. The life story interview also proved a useful way to explore issues of loss and self-growth in the face of traumatic hospital experiences. Transcripts of descriptions of positive and negative experiences were analysed according to McAdams� themes of agency (sense of power and control) and communion (relationships with others), and sequences of redemption and
contamination. Redemption sequences involve the storyline moving from a bad, affectively negative life scene, to a good, affectively positive life scene. In a contamination sequence, the narrator describes a change from a good, affectively
positive life scene, to a subsequently bad, affectively negative life scene (McAdams & Bowman, 2001). Participants also rated their experiences according to Hermans� (Hermans & Oles, 1999) list of affects. There was strong agreement between McAdams� coding of agency and
communion and Hermans� agentic and communal indices: the women�s hospital stories strongly emphasised the negative or opposite of McAdams� agentic theme �Self Mastery through Control�, which indicated powerlessness, and Hermans� affects, which involved low self-enhancement. It may be useful for future studies to conceptualise
McAdams� themes as bipolar by incorporating currently coded themes and their reverse; in particular, by expanding ideas of agency to incorporate powerlessness, as this theme was pervasive in women�s hospital experiences. The rating of affects added to the findings as this showed a latent dimension of communion manifested as isolation. The common agency and communion themes were apparent in the two distinct but related aspects of hospitalisation that affect patients� sense of control: the medical condition and the manner in which patients are treated by medical staff. The findings of the main study built on the pilot study by showing how ideas of control and powerlessness can inform better practice. For example, respectful, dignified and fair treatment by health professionals played a part in determining redemption sequences; women also indicated this was how they wanted to be treated. Due to the vulnerability of the �sick role�, disrespectful or offhand treatment by health professionals had particularly distressing effects evident in contamination sequences, such as negative changes to sense of self and attitudes toward the health care system. In some cases, such treatment led to participants� avoiding subsequent interactions with doctors and to sustained feelings of helplessness. The present thesis demonstrates that doctors, nurses
and other health professionals need to allow time to attend to the affective as well as the medical aspects of the encounter. Health professionals need a good bedside manner, compassion, and communication skills, as these characteristics play a part in maintaining female patients� sense of self and their faith in and satisfaction with the health care system.
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Bell, Keisha. "The Role of Spirituality in Ethnic Minority Patients with COPD." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2015. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc822782/.
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COPD is the third leading cause of death in the United States and is the sixth leading cause of death for low-to middle income countries (Downs & Appel, 2006; GOLD, 2011). COPD is a largely preventable disease due to the lifestyle factors that heavily contribute to disease onset and severity. Although traditionally COPD research has focused on health outcomes related to risk factors, compliance, comorbid psychological and physical conditions, and treatment interventions, a growing body of research suggests religious and spiritual factors may play an equally important role in health outcomes for several medical conditions, including pulmonary disease. However, studies of this kind have not specifically examined COPD nor have they examined the role of religious and spiritual beliefs in COPD management among ethnic minority patients. As such, the current study aimed to examine whether spiritual ethnic minority patients with COPD hold religious fatalistic attitudes and less active religious problem solving . A sample of 35 ethnic minority patients from the Louis. B. Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center (LSCVAMC) Outpatient Pulmonary Clinic in Cleveland, OH. were recruited to participate in the study. Due to the acknowledgeable limitations of the present study, results are preliminary but convey associations between religious health fatalistic beliefs and religious problem solving approaches. Implications and areas of future study are discussed.
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Lynn, Tristan. "An investigation into dust, gases and vapours expulsed during the oxidation of pyritic black shale, and their potential for impacting on employee health." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2014. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1197.
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Pyritic black shale (PBS) is occasionally extracted as a waste product of iron ore mining in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Mineralogical studies such as Brocks, Summons, Buick, and Logan (2003) of the PBS located at Mount Tom Price Operations have established that PBS can contain elevated concentrations of pyrite, carbon, bitumens, polyaromatic hydrocarbons and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The natural oxidative weathering of PBS can cause exothermic reactions leading to the shale reaching temperatures that cause the expulsion of toxic gases such as hydrogen sulphide, sulphur dioxide, methane and carbon monoxide.
Current management of the potential hazards of PBS is based on limiting employees’ working time in PBS areas, using gas detection equipment and wearing respiratory protection for particulates and acid gases. This research investigates the potential risk of adverse health effects for employees working within PBS areas.
Three similar exposure groups (SEGs) have work activities located within pits that contain PBS. These groups are classified as: drill and blast; geologists/samplers; and heavy-mobile equipment operators. Historical exposure data for inhalable dust, respirable dust, respirable crystalline silica and toxic gases were obtained for each of the SEGs and analysed using the IHSTAT program. In order to identify what VOCs could potentially be released during the oxidation of PBS, thermal desorption tubes were used to collect positional air samples from burning PBS, and a laboratory trial was conducted where several PBS samples were taken from two waste dumps, crushed, milled and inserted into quartz tubes for thermal desorption. All thermal desorption tubes were heated to 340 °C and 500 °C and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS) was conducted on the resultant gas samples (WIENV 31).
Particulate results show that the only non-conformance with the Safe Work Australia occupational exposure limits (OELs) occurred among heavy mobile equipment operators and their exposure to respirable crystalline silica. The estimated arithmetic mean exposure for the SEG was 0.043 mg/m³ and the estimated 95th percentile was 0.164 mg/m³ compared to the OEL of 0.1 mg/m³. The toxic gas data demonstrate that of the 64 days sampled, hydrogen sulphide exceeded the OEL on 1 day and the short-term exposure limit (STEL) was not exceeded. Sulphur dioxide levels exceeded the OEL on 8 days and on 4 of those days the STEL was also exceeded. All carbon dioxide results were within acceptable ranges. Thermal desorption data showed that benzene, toluene, heptane, cyclohexene, phenol, acetic acid, carbon disulfide and hexane could potentially be produced.
The identification of organic vapours indicates the possibility for adverse health impacts not previously considered. Sustained exposure to large quantities of these substances has the potential to produce chronic health effects in the form of cancers and nervous system damage. As a result, recommendations for mining operations in PBS pits are: to provide respiratory protection cartridges that protect against VOCs as well as toxic gases; to carry out sampling for these organic vapours to assess worker exposure; and to maintain existing control measures that limit employees’ exposure to PBS.
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Wilks, Kathryn. "Canine zoonoses in Aboriginal communities : the effects of a canine breeding program in the Kimberley Region, Western Australia." Murdoch University, 1999. http://wwwlib.murdoch.edu.au/adt/browse/view/adt-MU20060829.145909.
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The hypothesis central to this study is that the implementation of a canine breeding and parasite
control program in Aboriginal communities results in a reduction in the reservoir of zoonotic
parasites within communities. The effect of the parasite and breeding control program on the
health status of dogs as well as the population characteristics of dogs in communities was also
investigated.
The study was conducted in 17 Aboriginal communities of the Kimberley region of Western
Australia, divided into three regions according to cultural and geographical attributes. All dogs
from each community were permanently identified using a microchip system. Owners of dogs
were asked the usual location of their animals, the origins of their dogs and the whereabouts of
any missing animals at subsequent visits. Every three months dogs were treated with 200ygikg
iverrnectin (a potent endo- and ecto-parasiticide) subcutaneously and adult female dogs were
treated with an injectable contraceptive (10-30mgkg proligestone) at the request of their
owners. At the time of treatment, dogs were assessed for ecto-parasites and photographs taken
for later comparison and diagnosis of alopecic skin conditions. Faecal and blood samples were
collected every three to six months and skin scrapings were collected from dogs that were
refractory to treatment. The samples were used to determine internal parasite prevalence (using
formal ethyl acetate sedimentation), blood parameters (for anaemia status) and evidence of
scabies or Demodex infestation.
A pilot study at one group of communities, involving weekly assessment of dogs after one
iverrnectin treatment, showed that the treatment was effective in reducing the prevalence of
scabies (as determined by clinical evaluation), hookworm and ticks. The treatment resulted in
improvement in animal health as evidenced by a reduction in the number of dogs with anaemia.
The long-term use of the ivermectin treatments at the other communities showed that over a
period of three years, the prevalence of scabies and hookworm had reduced at most areas. The
initial scabies prevalence varied from 17 to 52% and reduced to below 10% for all communities.
The hookworm infection rates were affected by seasonal factors, as was evidenced by a seasonal
variance in prevalence. Animals that were treated with ivermectin, though, had lower
prevalences of hookworm than those that were not.
There was a reasonable compliance rate for contraceptive treatments for female dogs (greater
than 60% at each visit) and fewer puppies were born within communities when compared with
rates before and after the establishment of the treatment program. High rates of acquisition of
puppies from other communities continued to maintain the dog population numbers despite the
reduction in breeding within communities.
The dog population was young, biased towards male dogs, and very unstable (almost 50% of
dogs died or went missing in a one year period). The rate of dog ownership across the
Kimberley varied according to the region investigated and always remained higher or equal to
ownership rates at the town centres of the Kimberley Region (as determined by a survey
conducted during the study).
Overall the canine parasite and breeding control program resulted in a reduction in scabies and
hookworm prevalence in dogs (and hence a reduction in the potential zoonotic transmission), a
reduction in dog breeding within communities, an improvement in dog health, and an
understanding in the dynamics and health status of dogs within communities.
23
Nelson, Mark 1957. "Aspects of pharmacological management of hypertension in general practice." Monash University, Dept. of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, 2002. http://arrow.monash.edu.au/hdl/1959.1/7923.
Full text
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Ellis, Zina. "An analysis of the antecedents of unexplained stillbirths in Western Australia (1980-1993)." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2008. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/199.
Full textAbstract:
Aim: To determine whether antecedents or combinations of antecedents are associated with stillbirths that are currently considered to be unexplained. Background: Between 1980 -1993 in Western Australia. 2569 babies were delivered stillborn. No sufficient cause of death could be identified for 1291 of these babies. This is a significant health issue that warranted further investigation. The objective of such a review was to provide baseline evidence that could be used to recommend the development of preventative strategies such as health promotion programs that could be implemented to potentially reduce or prevent the number of unexplained stillborn babies. The development of such strategies required a detailed analysis of the antecedents to currently unexplained stillbirth.
25
Leon, de la Barra Sophia. "Building research capacity for indigenous health : a case study of the National Health and Medical Research Council : the evolution and impact of policy and capacity building strategies for indigenous health research over a decade from 1996 to 2006." University of Sydney, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/2123/3538.
Full textAbstract:
Master of PhilosophyAs Australia’s leading agency for funding health research (expending over $400 million in 2006), the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has a major responsibility to improve the evidence base for health policy and practice. There is an urgent need for better evidence to guide policy and programs that improve the health of Indigenous peoples. In 2002, NHMRC endorsed a series of landmark policy changes to acknowledge its ongoing role and responsibilities in Indigenous health research—adopting a strategic Road Map for research, improving Indigenous representation across NHMRC Council and Principal Committees, and committing 5% of its annual budget to Indigenous health research. This thesis examines how these policies evolved, the extent to which they have been implemented, and their impact on agency expenditure in relation to People Support. Additionally, this thesis describes the impact of NHMRC policies in reshaping research practices among Indigenous populations.
26
Bottrell, John R. "Accident denominators relative to age groups in heavy industries of the Port Hedland region of Western Australia." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2007. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/8.
Full textAbstract:
The aim of this research is to investigate characteristics of accident denominators across age groups in mining and associated process industries in the Port Hedland region of Western Australia. Emphasis has been focussed on comparing young, inexperienced groups with older, more experienced groups. A literature review revealed some key contributors to accidents among younger workers, in particular, those who had only recently entered the workforce. The review also revealed contributors impacting accidents regarding other age groups over a wide range of industry types. From these findings an accident construct model and questionnaire were designed to identify contributing and mitigating denominators which input to accidents occurring across the defined age groups.
27
Paul, Suzanna. "Comparative assessment of the effectiveness of online vs paper based post graduate courses in occupational and environmental safety and health at Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia." Connect to thesis, 2006. http://portal.ecu.edu.au/adt-public/adt-ECU2007.0030.html.
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Owen, Julie. "Development of a culturally sensitive program delivering cardiovascular health education to indigenous Australians, in South-West towns of Western Australia with lay educators as community role models." University of Western Australia. School of Population Health, 2006. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2006.0061.
Full textAbstract:
[Truncated abstract] Indigenous Australians suffer cardiovascular disease (CVD) at a rate six times greater than the general population in Australia and while the incidence of CVD has been reduced dramatically amongst the majority of non-indigenous Australians and amongst Indigenous populations in other countries in the last 30 years, there has been little change in the figures for Aboriginal Australians, showing that heart health campaigns have little impact, for this group of people. Aims : The principal aims of this study were firstly, to determine and record the barriers to the development and delivery of CVD prevention programs amongst Indigenous Australians and secondly, to develop an alternative, effective and culturally sensitive method of delivering heart health messages. Methods and results : The study was qualitative research undertaken in three South-West towns of Western Australia where the incidence of CVD was high amongst the Aboriginal community members. The use of semi-formal interviews, informal individual consultation, observation, and focus groups were methods implemented to obtain information. The first phase of the research was to identify the barriers which affected the Aboriginal Health Workers’ ability to deliver specialist educational programs. Questionnaires and interviews with the Aboriginal Health Workers and other health professionals in the towns, and community focus groups were undertaken in this phase of the study. The second phase of the research was aimed at developing an alternative strategy for delivering heart health messages. The focus changed to adopt more traditional ways of passing on information in Indigenous communities. The idea of small gatherings of friends or family with a trusted community member presenting the health message was developed. The third phase of the research was to implement this new approach. Lay educators who had been identified within focus groups and by Aboriginal Health Workers were trained in each of the towns and a protocol involving discussions of health issues, viewing a video on CVD, produced by the National Heart Foundation, sharing in a ‘heart healthy’ lunch and partaking in a ‘heart health’ knowledge game which was developed specifically for the gatherings. Several of these gatherings were held in each of the towns and they became known as ‘HeartAware parties’.
29
Menon, Desmond D. "An Evaluation of exposures to respirable particulates, environmental PM2.5, PAHs and metal compounds in Western Australia." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2016. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1913.
Full textAbstract:
It has been well established that air pollution is associated with health impacts. This study investigated the relationship between exposure to air pollutants and potential biomarkers of health effects. The research project was conducted in 2 separate study locations and cohorts.
Study 1: An Evaluation of Children’s Exposures to Respirable Particulates, Environmental PM2.5, PAHs and Metal Compounds in The South West of Western Australia. A cross sectional study to evaluate the exposures of children (n=18), and controls (n=15) to respirable particulates PAHs and metal compounds in the South West of Australia during 2011. Ambient particulate matter (PM2.5) samples were found to be significantly higher in Collie as compared to Dalyellup. However, personal PM2.5 concentrations between locations were not significantly different and both PAH and heavy metals were below the levels of detection. Urinary levels of 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHpy) were below the level of detection. Copper, selenium and nickel were present in urine samples and these were not significantly different between locations, nor was there any correlation with residential areas within study locations. Urinary nickel concentrations were higher than expected for nonoccupational cohorts and although statistically insignificant, mean values of urinary nickel were highest for homes using gas as a fuel source.
These data endorse current views that the reconstruction of PM2.5 exposures and related respiratory health effects based simply on the mass of airborne particulate matter alone is not sufficient in providing an insight to the respiratory health of susceptible subgroups such as children. The presence of certain urinary heavy metals suggests possible accumulation in participants via alternative routes of entry, probably a dietary source. Studies that rely purely on data accrued from ambient PM2.5 mass, and/or general health data might not detect or underestimate significant relationships between certain components of PM2.5.
Study 2: Urinary levels of malondialdehyde and 8-deoxyguanosine as biomarkers of oxidative DNA damage induced by exposure to nickel and cobalt in metal refinery workers. Metal mining and refinery workers in Australia have the potential to be occupationally exposed to quantities of heavy metals that may be associated with health impacts affecting major organ and immune systems. Current regulatory and internal company policies and guidelines require regular monitoring of occupational exposures of employees through a combination of air borne sampling as well as biological monitoring for heavy metals.
Toxic levels of heavy metals accumulated in the body have been shown to elicit inflammatory responses linked to exacerbated health effects impacting the respiratory, cardiovascular and nervous systems. There are many studies that have established a significant link between heavy metal exposure and increased oxidative stress. In light of these observations, this study investigated urinary levels of nickel (Ni) and cobalt (Co) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-hydroxy-2’deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) which are oxidative stress markers indicative of cellular and DNA damage.
A positive correlation between urinary Ni and Co exposure and oxidative stress markers among refinery workers was established. This finding has implications for occupational health management as individual responses to exposures can now be identified. In addition to implementing a global mean air borne exposure standard, individual variation and sensitivity can be accommodated through the use of urinary oxidative stress markers
30
Jesmin, Syeda Sarah. "Income Inequality and Racial/Ethnic Infant Mortality in the United States." Thesis, University of North Texas, 2008. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc9770/.
Full textAbstract:
The objective of this study was to examine if intra-racial income inequality contributes to higher infant mortality rates (IMRs) for African-Americans. The conceptual framework for this study is derived from Richard Wilkinson's psychosocial environment interpretation of the income inequality and health link. The hypotheses examined were that race/ethnicity-specific IMRs are influenced by intra-race/ethnicity income inequality, and that these effects of income inequality on health are mediated by level of social mistrust and/or risk profile of the mother. Using state-level data from several sources, the 2000 National Center for Health Statistics Linked Birth Infant Death database, 2000 U.S. Census, and 2000 General Social Survey, a number of regression equations were estimated. Results indicated that the level of intra-racial/ethnic income inequality is a significant predictor of non-Hispanic Black IMRs, but not the IMRs of non-Hispanic Whites or Hispanics. Additionally, among Blacks, the effect of their intra-racial income inequality on their IMRs was found to be mediated by the risk profile of the mother, namely, the increased likelihood of smoking and/or drinking and/or less prenatal care by Black women during pregnancy. Implications of the findings are discussed.
31
Smith, Kathryn Elizabeth. "Assessment and prevalence of dementia in indigenous Australians." University of Western Australia. School of Primary, Aboriginal and Rural Health Care, 2009. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2009.0062.
Full textAbstract:
Until recently, there was no dementia screening tool for Indigenous Australians and a paucity of information on the extent of dementia in Indigenous Australians. This thesis describes the development and validation of a tool to assess cognitive impairment in remote Indigenous Australians with the primary purpose of determining the prevalence of dementia and other associated conditions in this population. The tool was reevaluated with the larger prevalence sample and a short version of the tool was developed and evaluated. The Kimberley Indigenous Cognitive Assessment (KICA) tool was validated with Indigenous Australians aged over 45 years from the Kimberley region of Western Australia (n=70). The results were later confirmed in a larger sample from the remote Kimberley (n=363), and an additional sample in rural and remote areas of the Northern Territory (n=47). The KICA results were compared to independent consensus diagnoses using DSM-IV and ICD-10. Interpreters were used whenever participants were not proficient in English. These data led to the determination of a cut-off score of 33/34 out of a possible total score of 39 for the cognitive component of the KICA (KICA-Cog), with a sensitivity of 0.93 and specificity of 0.95 and AUC of 0.98. The tool is now widely used within remote areas of Australia. A short version of the KICACog (sKICA-Cog) was developed and found to be a valid brief screening tool for dementia in the Kimberley population, and had a cut-off score of 20/21 out of a possible 25, with a sensitivity of 0.89, specificity of 0.95 and AUC of 0.98. The sKICA-Cog should be used in combination with the KICA cognitive informant questionnaire (KICA-IQ). The KICA-IQ cut-off score of 2/3 out of a possible 16 was determined, with a sensitivity of 0.76 and specificity of 0.84 and AUC of 0.91. Using the validated KICA, the prevalence of dementia and cognitive impairment not dementia (CIND) was determined in a semi-purposive sample consisting of 363 Indigenous Australians aged over 45 years from 6 Aboriginal communities and one town in the Kimberley region. Participants were screened with the full KICA and 165 participants had an independent specialist review with consensus diagnoses. The prevalence of dementia was 12.4%, 5.2 times greater than the Australian prevalence of 2.4%, after age adjustment. The prevalence of CIND was 8.0%. Characteristics associated with dementia included older age, male gender (OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.4, 6.8), no formal education (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.1, 6.7), smoking (OR 4.5, 95% CI 1.1, 18.6), previous stroke (OR 17.9, 95% CI 5.9, 49.7), epilepsy (OR 33.5, 95% CI 4.8, 232.3) and head injury (OR 4.0, 95% CI 1.7, 9.4). Other factors associated with dementia included incontinence, falls and poor mobility. The KICA is a valid assessment tool for rural and remote Indigenous Australians. The prevalence of dementia amongst Indigenous Australians is substantially higher than generally found in non - Indigenous Australians and other populations in the developed and developing world.
32
Garcia, Maud Danitza. "Cultural factors affecting Latino diabetics." CSUSB ScholarWorks, 2005. https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd-project/2816.
Full textAbstract:
This study addressed cultural factors that prevent Hispanic diabetics from getting diagnosed early, controlling their glycemic levels, and obtaining appropriate transportation, health insurance, and better education on nutrition.
33
King, Carolyn. "The relationship between transportation mode choice and well-being: An ecological perspective." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 1999. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1211.
Full textAbstract:
The present study is based on an ecological analysis of transport and wellbeing as devised by Stokols and Novaco (1981). This study seeks to examine the link between transport mode and well-being. One hundred and eight Participants (N= 1 08) filled out a questionnaire that contained the psychological well-being scales of self-efficacy, general health and perceived stress; and the organizational scales of job satisfaction and absenteeism. The participants were divided into groups of 18 according to which transport mode they used. The transport mode groups were drive alone, train, bus, car pool, walk or cycle. It was hypothesized that there would be a significant difference in well-being between transport modes, that alternative modes of transport would score better than the drive alone category and that transport mode had an effect on psychological and organizational well-being. Findings supported that there was a difference in well-being between transport modes with the cycle and drive alone categories being significantly different to the bus, car pool and walk categories. Only the alternative mode of cycle performed better on the well-being scales than the drive alone category which did not support our second hypothesis. Transport mode did have an effect across both the psychological and organizational categories. Research and practical implications are discussed and directions for future research are highlighted.
34
Paul, Suzanna. "Comparative assessment of the effectiveness of online vs paper based post graduate courses in occupational and environmental safety and health at Edith Cowan University, Perth, Western Australia." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2006. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/88.
Full textAbstract:
Although online / e-learning is shifting the teaching paradigm at tertiary institutions, there are limited studies that assess the effectiveness of online courses, particularly in the occupational and environmental health field and among mature aged students. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of online "Blackboard" units as compared to traditional "paper based" units taught as part of the Professional Masters in Occupational and Environmental Health at the Edith Cowan University. Unit commencement and completion questionnaires were designed and distributed over two academic semesters (in 2004 and 2005) to evaluate students' perceptions of the effectiveness of the modes of delivery. Some questions about characteristics of the students, their knowledge of technology and their expected learning outcomes were included. To obtain more detailed information, a focus group meeting was conducted. In addition lecturers were interviewed prior to and after teaching in the courses. The interview questions from lecturers provided information about their expectations from the unit content, rationale for selecting online as opposed to traditional paper based methods and their experience in teaching in traditional paper based mode versus virtual teaching methods.
35
Jaross, Nandor. "Diabetic retinopathy in the Katherine region of the Northern Territory." Title page, contents and abstract only, 2003. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PH/09phj376.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
"January 2003." Bibliography: 10.1-10.11 leaves. This thesis presents results from the Katherine Region Diabetic Retinopathy Study (1993-1996). These results provide the first detailed information on the basic epidemiology of diabetic retinopathy and impaired vision in an Aboriginal diabetic population.
36
Martinovich, Tony. "Factors influencing the incidence rates of injuries and accidents among seafarers and rig workers providing support to the WA offshore oil and gas industry." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2013. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1084.
Full textAbstract:
The aim of this study was to identify, discuss and make recommendations regarding causal factors associated with injuries and accidents among seafarers and rig workers providing support to the WA offshore oil and gas industry. These incidents cause significant personal and economic burdens for employees, employers and the community in general.
A sample of 484 participants were recruited from a workforce of 9800 employees (approximately 5%). Participants were stratified into 2 cohorts; those who had suffered injury (286 – study group) and those who had not (198 - controls).
Data from the study group were stratified into oilrig workers and vessel seafarers. A one-way analysis of variance revealed that the injury incidence rate for the seafarers in the study group was significantly higher (mean 14.4 injuries) in the first quarter of each multi week work period ( "swing") (P=0.001), compared to means of 4.125 and 2.44 and 4 for the subsequent quarters. For the oil rig workers, the mean injury incidence rates across the four quarters remained similar.
It was recommended that a safety officer be assigned to each vessel to support workers for the 1st quarter of each swing. Implementation of this practice has been trialled in another study leading to a reduction in the number of incidents over a 12 month period (Brown, 2009). Other factors that influenced injury incidence rates were age and level of experience, with younger and less experienced workers being more injury prone. Encouraging older, experienced workers to mentor younger employees and to manage their workload according to their physical capabilities will be a useful intervention. The implementation of these recommendations will reduce the injury incidence rate of this unique cohort of employees thus reducing the economic burden of injuries and accidents to the employee, the employer and the community in general.
37
Loff, Beatrice. "Health and human rights : case studies in the potential contribution of a human rights framework to the analysis of health questions." Monash University, Dept. of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, 2004. http://arrow.monash.edu.au/hdl/1959.1/5291.
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Folks, Jordan Douglas. "Assessing Environmental Inequality in Portland, Oregon: An Exploration of Local Environmental Justice Struggles." PDXScholar, 2012. https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/open_access_etds/450.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis explores patterns of environmental inequality in Portland, Oregon; both the existence of spatial environmental inequalities and the structural and local forces which contribute to them. Research on environmental inequality, or inequitable exposure to toxins, has shown that minority and low-income populations experience the bulk of the exposure to environmental hazards. Although Portland is often cited as the archetype of a sustainable city, environmental inequality is a pervasive issue. This thesis examines the health inequalities that characterize underserved communities in Portland. Utilizing a mixed methods approach, the researcher uses 1) logistic regression to statistically assess the relationship between race, poverty, and Superfund site locations, and 2) in-depth interviews with members of Oregon's environmental justice movement to help understand the historical, social, political, and economic conditions of Portland and their subsequent influence on environmental inequalities. Quantitative data is pooled from 2000 census and 2011 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sources. The quantitative findings demonstrate that environmental inequality is present in Portland, with African Americans being particularly overrepresented in tracts with Superfund sites. The quantitative analyses ultimately suggest that minimally populated, highly impoverished tracts with approximately 11% African American residents are most likely to house a Superfund site. The qualitative findings show that a variety of structural and local forces play prominent roles in the formation of Portland's environmental inequalities. The qualitative analyses reveal this to be a multifaceted and complex process that is indicative of Portland's history of racial inequality, contemporary free market and business forces, and governmental interests which culminate in trends of inequitable development.
39
Hawkins, Misty Anne. "Affective traits and adiposity : a prospective, bidirectional analysis of the African American Health study data." Thesis, Proquest, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/1805/4840.
Full textAbstract:
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)Research indicates that negative affective traits (e.g., depression) are predictors and consequences of excess adiposity. Given that racial minorities and positive affective traits have been underrepresented in past investigations, more prospective studies are needed which examine multiple affective traits in relation to obesity in these populations. The objective of the current study was to investigate the prospective, bidirectional associations between multiple affective traits and multiple adiposity indicators in African Americans using data from the African American Health (AAH) study. The AAH study is a prospective cohort study of African Americans aged 49-65 years at baseline (N = 998). The longest follow-up period in the current study was 9 years (N = 579). Self-reported and measured body mass index (BMI; kg/m2) and body fat percent (BF%) were used as adiposity indicators. Depressive symptoms were assessed with the 11-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D), and anxiety was assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2 (GAD-2) scale. Positive affective traits were assessed with the Vitality subscale of the Short Form-36 and Positive Affect subscale from the CES-D. Latent variable path analysis, a structural equation modeling technique, was conducted. Although fit statistics indicated that the models fit the data (RMSEA < .06), examination of the structural paths revealed that the CES-D and GAD-2 were not predictors or consequences of self-reported BMI, measured BMI, or BF% (ps > .05). Likewise, Vitality and CES-D Positive Affect were not related to any adiposity indicator (ps > .05). The results of this prospective cohort study suggest that affective traits are not predictors or consequences of adiposity in middle-aged African Americans and that this group may require obesity prevention or intervention programs with little to no emphasis on affective traits. Possible explanations for the current results include ethnic differences in the mechanistic pathways between affective traits and adiposity.
40
Murtagh, Madeleine Josephine. "Intersections of feminist and medical constructions of menopause in primary medical care and mass media: risk, choice and agency." Title page, table of contents and abstract only, 2001. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09PH/09phm9851.pdf.
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Includes bibliographical references (leaves 254-288). Examines language used by general practitioners and in mass media to ask 'what are the implications of constructions of menopause for health care practice and public health for women at menopause?'. Presents the findings of qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews with nine general practitioners working in rural South Australia and qualitative and quantitative analyses of 345 south Australian newspaper articles from 1986 to 1998.
41
Austin, Nicole. "Vitamin D, neuromuscular control and falling episodes in Australian postmenopausal women." University of Western Australia. School of Medicine and Pharmacology, 2009. http://theses.library.uwa.edu.au/adt-WU2010.0009.
Full textAbstract:
Falls in the older population have devastating consequences on the psychological and physiological health of the individual. Due to the complexity of interacting factors associated with ageing, pathology and falling episodes, determination of a primary cause or set of causes has been difficult to establish. Deficits in components of neuromuscular control have been widely studied with the coordinated interaction of sensory and motor system components being presented as a fundamental factor in the reduction of falling episodes. A causal relationship between deficits in vitamin D status and falling episodes has also been suggested. Furthermore, a relationship between poor vitamin D status, falling episodes and poor neuromuscular performance has been reported. The aims of the current study were designed to advance understanding in three aspects of the problem of falls prevention. Firstly an examination of the reliability of testing procedures commonly used in assessment of falls risk was undertaken. The Physiological Profile Assessment (PPA) testing procedure was selected as a commonly used tool and the reliability of its various components (sensory, motor and balance) was undertaken as an independent assessment of this approach to assessing falls propensity. Secondly, a case control study of fallers and non fallers was undertaken in which the neuromuscular tests evaluated in the reliability study were used to assess differences in neuromuscular control. The influence of vitamin D status on these measures was also considered. Thirdly, a 12-month randomised controlled trial of vitamin D/calcium supplementation or placebo/calcium was undertaken to identify the effect on falls outcome and individual measures of neuromuscular control.
42
Reynolds, Christopher 1950. "Plagues and prejudice : boundaries, outsiders and public health / Christopher Reynolds." 1992. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/20611.
Full textAbstract:
Bibliography : leaves 375-403.vi, 403 leaves ; 30 cm.
Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library.
Examines the response to a number of outsiders and marginal social groups, such as Jews, Chinese, and Southern and Eastern Europeans predominantly in England and Australia, and considers the role that public health played in arguments for their exclusion and control. Measures the strength of the public health case, arguing that a health threat was generally not a real issue but, more typically, a badge which labelled the outsider as dangerous to the community.
Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Community Medicine, 1993
43
Stacey, Anne F. "Enhancing the health of informal carers : implications for general practice, policy and public health in the 21st century / by A.F. Stacey." 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/21860.
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"June 2002"Bibliography: p. 347-360.
xiii, 360, [200] p. : ill. ; 30 cm.
Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library.
Thesis (M.Med.Sc.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Public Health, 2002
44
Stacey, Anne F. "Enhancing the health of informal carers : implications for general practice, policy and public health in the 21st century / by A.F. Stacey." Thesis, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/21860.
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Shadbolt, Bruce. "Health, social roles and the life course : a study of Australian women born between 1926 and 1966." Phd thesis, 1992. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/130333.
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This study investigated the relationships between Aush-alian women's social-role and
health careers. Most previous studies have used current-status measures of role
participation. It is a premise of this stiidy that these current-statiis indicators are
unsatisfactory because they poorly reflect social-role careers. As an alternative, this
study adopted a life-course approach where early-adulthood social-role structures are
thought to govern \he rest of the life course by conditioning the types of experience
that people are likely to encounter, suggesting that there is a sti-ong emphasis on
widespread patterns of maintenance and equilibrium that continuously convert
circumstances from early to later life-course phases.
The analysis primarily used Australian Family Project (AFP) data collected in 1986-87
combined with follow-up data gathered in 1990 from women who were living in
Sydney at the time of the first survey (n=291). Where possible a supporting analysis
was carried out using AFP data for metropolitan Australia (n=1678). Respondents
were aged between 20 and 59 years at the baseline. The health indicators of the study
include histories of self-reported serious chronic disease, psychological distress (GHQ)
and self-rated health. Social-role careers were reconstructed from recalled
event-history data starting at exact age 20 years. The main results indicate that early-adulthood social-role careers are significantly
related to subsequent social and health statuses. Regardless of cohort, women who
experienced varied role combinations between the ages 20 and 29 years, in particular
those spending most of this time not employed, tended to have a lower risk of chronic
disease over the subsequent course of their lives than women who followed more
uniform careers, especially those who spent most of their 20s employed while rearing
children. Variability in women's social careers after age 30 years had little effect on
chronic disease risk for the majority of early-adulthood groups, although women who
delayed marriage and a 'traditional' career (not employed, married with children) until
late in early adulthood substantially increased their risk of disease. In relation to
psychological distress and self-rated health, women bom between 1946 and 1956 who
followed a traditional career during most of their 20s tended to have higher levels of
psychological distress and to rate their health worse at the time of the Follow-up
Survey than their non-traditional counterparts. On the other hand, older women who
spent most of their 20s in a traditional career tended to have the best mental health,
while those who had three or more children rated their health the best.
It was also found that chronic disease significantly affects role participation.
Respondents who developed a long-standing chronic condition early in life were more
likely to have had fewer children, and to have been separated, divorced or widowed With regard to employment, the effects are more complex: for older women (born
1926-46), the influence of chronic disease changes over the life course. At young ages
those with a childhood chronic disease were more likely to have been continually
employed while 'healthy' women were selected out of the work force to start a family.
In contrast, middle age saw those with chronic disease more likely either to remain out
of the labour force or leave it. The younger cohort (bom 1946-66) showed a 'healthy
worker' effect much earlier than the older cohort: those who had a chronic disease
were more likely to have remained out of the work force or experienced multiple
employment-status transitions.
In conclusion, the present study has offered an innovative approach to examining the
relationships between social-role and health careers. The findings have provided
support for the notion that early-adulthood social-role careers for women are
important determinants of their subsequent health status; and that social selection
occurs at most stages of the life course and is probably influenced by social and
economic changes. Such findings have far-reaching implications in terms of
government policies, suggesting that governments look beyond the socio-economically
disadvantaged to broader indicators of women's social careers. In relation to research,
advancing technology, and larger and more comprehensive longitudinal data sets will
enable other life-course studies to bring us closer to understanding why and how
social forces are associated with the health status of people.
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Kim, Byoungjun. "Neighborhoods and Sleep Health: Mediating Roles of Psychological Distress and Physical Activity." Thesis, 2021. https://doi.org/10.7916/d8-g3xd-ww29.
Full textAbstract:
Sleep has been recognized as a major determinant of physical and mental health. Emerging studies suggested that social and built environments should be considered as important determinants of sleep health, however causal mechanisms between neighborhood factors and sleep health still remain unclear. The proposed dissertation is a connected set of papers including a systematic review and longitudinal studies investigating associations between neighborhood stressors and sleep health as well as potential causal mechanisms via psychological distress and physical activity. The longitudinal studies employed comprehensive measures of neighborhood characteristics and sleep health along with g-estimation and mediation analysis techniques. Neighborhood social and built environments may contribute to poor sleep health, particularly in low-income and racial/ethnic minority neighborhoods, and psychological distress can be a salient pathway linking these neighborhood characteristics and sleep health. Based on our findings, interventions to improve sleep should target modifiable factors and enhance neighborhood environments. These sorts of strategies have the potential to improve not only sleep health but also other health outcomes.
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Gethin, Anni, University of Western Sydney, College of Health and Science, and School of Biomedical and Health Sciences. "Poor suburbs and poor health : exploring the potential of a locational approach to reducing health disadvantage in Australian cities." 2007. http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/19088.
Full textAbstract:
Poor urban Australians face a substantial health disadvantage: on average, they can expect to die earlier and suffer more physical disease, mental illness and injuries than wealthier Australians. This thesis examines the potential of one approach to reducing the problem of health disadvantage, namely, systematically intervening in disadvantaged locations. Such an approach is gaining support, especially in the United Kingdom and Australia; there is therefore a need to determine its possibilities and limitations. The thesis is written from the theoretical perspectives of critical social science and political economy of health. The research synthesises empirical data and critical analysis, combining findings from the health inequalities literature and analyses of contemporary political and economic contexts. It also includes two original studies: a quantitative analysis of the patterning of socio-economic disadvantage in Sydney suburbs, and a qualitative case study of a disadvantaged location: Mt Druitt, NSW. The health inequalities research shows that reducing health disadvantage is largely a question of reducing socio-economic disadvantage. A model of social exclusion is used to show how socio-economic disadvantage develops in capitalist societies. Following from this analysis, it is argued that a locational approach can have little impact on the macro political and economic antecedents of socio-economic and health disadvantage. Given these macro constraints, the thesis examines the possible ameliorative impact of a locational approach to health disadvantage here too, there are many limitations. A locational approach would have a limited population reach as most health disadvantaged people do not live in identifiably disadvantaged locations. Location itself creates only a modest independent burden on health, thus improving the amenity of disadvantaged locations will contribute little to reducing health disadvantage. In Australia, the creation of the most visibly disadvantaged urban locations is almost entirely a consequence of policies to concentrate public housing. Although it can be expected that locational interventions will be focused in these locations, there are substantial policy barriers to addressing the major socioeconomic determinants of health , low income, unemployment and sole parent poverty, in public housing estates, Location based policies to alleviate aspects of health and socio-economic disadvantage are assessed. In general locational policies and interventions have had a disappointing track record in buffering populations against issues such as poverty, unemployment and childhood disadvantage. Four specific policies are examined. There is a case to provide improved health services in disadvantaged locations. Measures to improve social capital or change the social mix of locations will have a very small, if any, impact on health. Early intervention in disadvantaged locations is rational in that the precursors of health and socioeconomic disadvantage occur in early life; however, population reach is limited and only the most expensive and intensive of these programs have produced good results. The case study of Mt Druitt shows that agencies are willing to implement a wide range of interventions to alleviate location based socio-economic and health disadvantage. Some of these interventions can be expected to have good results for some individuals. However, there is a lack of a systematic approach to problems in this location, and substantial barriers exist to creating widespread positive change. Overall, despite growing interest in a locational approach to addressing health disadvantage, and evidence of considerable energy at grass root level, a locational approach can be expected to contribute little to improving the health of socio-economically disadvantaged urban Australians.Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
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Domm, Jessica. "Minority Stress, Sexual Minorities and Psychological Wellbeing: Implications for Positive Psychology." Thesis, 2017. https://vuir.vu.edu.au/36776/.
Full textAbstract:
Lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals experience poorer mental and physical health compared with heterosexuals. Minority stress has been posited as the mechanism by which sexual minorities incur a range of detrimental experiences. This study aimed to identify which of these minority stressors would be uniquely related to psychological distress when examined concurrently within an Australian LGB population. Of a range of minority stressors, it was found that increased vigilance was positively associated with anxiety and stress, and that isolation was associated with increased depression and lowered self-esteem. Notably, gender expression concerns were positively associated with depression, anxiety, stress, and negatively with self-esteem. Despite such negative outcomes, a positive psychology framework offers that sexual minorities tend to develop a range of strengths that serve not only to buffer minority stress, but also promote personal growth for LGB individuals and communities. This study investigated whether eudaimonic wellbeing, as distinct from hedonic wellbeing, would be identified as having a psychologically protective function in line with a strengths-based approach. Evidence was found to support this hypothesis, with engagement in eudaimonic activities coinciding with less depression given a condition of isolation. Toward explaining this occurrence, it was further proposed that self-esteem mediate the relationship between eudaimonia and depression. Supporting this proposal, it was found that higher levels of eudaimonia were related to higher self-esteem, which in turn coincided with less depression. These findings should help to guide practitioners in providing interventions toward psychological wellbeing for LGB people that promote strengths alongside treatment of psychological distress. Eudaimonia is offered as an effective conceptual framework for working with LGB people to promote psychological wellbeing, in part through enhancing self-esteem.
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Dowling, Peter J. ""A great deal of sickness": Introduced diseases among the Aboriginal people of colonial Southeast Australia." Phd thesis, 1997. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/7529.
Full textAbstract:
Previous palaeopathological studies have sought to build up a picture of Australian Aboriginal health before European settlement in 1788 and epidemiological studies of Aboriginal health in the twentieth century are now legion. But, despite a growing body of literature on Aboriginal history set in the intervening colonial period, our knowledge of Aboriginal health following European colonisation remains understudied. This thesis is a contribution to filling that gap through an examination of documentary and skeletal evidence in the changing bio-chemical situation experienced by Aboriginal populations of Southeast Australia from 1788 to 1900.
This thesis examines one of the major biological components of this change – disease that were introduced unto Australian Aboriginal populations during the process of colonisation. The epidemiology, timing, diffusion of diseases are considered with specific attention given to infectious and respiratory diseases that were responsible for causing major epidemics of morbidity and mortality.
The medical model for the contact period in the late 18th and 19th centuries is proposed. This model considers three major stages in the disease environment of Aboriginal populations in Southeast Australia; a pre-contact stage with endemic pathogens causing chronic diseases and limited epidemics, an early contact stage where introduced exotic human diseases cause severe epidemics of infectious and respiratory diseases among Aboriginal populations, and a third stage where remaining Aboriginal populations were institutionalised on government and mission settlements and were subjected to a high level of morbidity and mortality form the introduced diseases.
The major epidemic diseases during the early stage were smallpox, syphilis, tuberculosis, influenza, and measles. Each of these diseases was responsible for excessive morbidity and mortality. During the period of institutionalisation infectious and respiratory diseases were responsible for over 50% of recorded deaths on 8 separate Aboriginal settlements in Southeast Australia. The major diseases recorded as causes of death were tuberculosis, bronchitis, pneumonia, diarrhoea and dysentery.
Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australian infant mortality rates are calculated to provide an indicator to compare the state of health of the two populations. Aboriginal rates were high when compared to the non-Aboriginal populations of Victoria and South Australia. The rates reveal a substantial health differential between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal populations. Aboriginal infant mortality improved into the latter quarter of the twentieth century but the corresponding improvement in non-Aboriginal infant mortality has been at a much higher rate. The gap between the health status of each has widened rather than narrowed over the last one hundred years.
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Sanghera, Rema Rajeeta. "Deterrents to participation in diabetes education : perspectives of elderly Sikh Indo-Canadians." Thesis, 1997. http://hdl.handle.net/2429/5989.
Full textAbstract:
Diabetes is a chronic disease which affects approximately 5% of all Canadians and
contributes to considerable health care costs. At present diabetes can be controlled but not cured.
Increased recognition that the provision of diabetes education is essential in diabetes management
has led to the development of education programs in many Canadian hospitals. However,
participation surveys done in the United States indicate that only 12 to 35% of individuals with
diabetes receive education through formal programs. This study seeks to identify factors
deterring participation of elderly Sikh Indo-Canadians with NIDDM in education programs.
In depth interviews were conducted with the research participants. The Adapted Chain of
Response Model was used as the framework to develop questions for the interview guide and to
collect, organize and analyze the data. Deterrents identified in previous studies and supported by
this study include: older age, low self-confidence, questioning the worth of the program, being on
oral medications versus insulin, having one's own ways of self-care, having a family doctor for
treating diabetes, financial concerns, time constraints and transportation problems, and an
underestimation of the seriousness of NIDDM by doctors. Deterrents unique to the study
include: viewing self as healthy, desiring anonymity, reliance on religion, not valuing non-doctors,
lacking familial support, perceiving health professionals as lacking cultural sensitivity, lacking
awareness of program purpose and existence, and not being referred at time of diagnosis. Family
doctors not valuing diabetes education and/or services of health professionals and not
encouraging individuals to attend were also identified as deterrents. This study makes
recommendations for practice and research which may be useful to diabetes educators, health care
organizations and researchers in assisting them to fully understand and address challenges
involved in making diabetes education a reality for a greater number of individuals with diabetes.