Journal articles on the topic 'South Australia Quality of life'
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Nitschke, Monika, Graeme Tucker, DavidL Simon, DinoL Pisaniello, and AlanaL Hansen. "The link between noise perception and quality of life in South Australia." Noise and Health 16, no. 70 (2014): 137. http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/1463-1741.134913.
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Goldney, Robert D., Laura J. Fisher, Eleonora Dal Grande, Anne W. Taylor, and Graeme Hawthorne. "Bipolar I and II Disorders in a Random and Representative Australian Population." Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 39, no. 8 (August 2005): 726–29. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/j.1440-1614.2005.01657.x.
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Objective: To assess the prevalence of bipolar I and II disorders in an Australian population. Method: The Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) was administered to 3015 respondents in a random and representative sample in South Australia. Health status, quality of life and demographic data were also collected. Results: There was a 2.5% lifetime prevalence of bipolar I and II disorders delineated by the MDQ. Those people had a significantly greater use of services and a poorer health status and quality of life than those who were MDQ-negative. Conclusions: These results in an Australian population are consistent with other international studies showing a greater prevalence of bipolar disorders than hitherto appreciated.
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Hosseini, M. Reza, Nicholas Chileshe, and George Zillante. "Investigating the Factors Associated with Job Satisfaction of Construction Workers in South Australia." Construction Economics and Building 14, no. 3 (September 13, 2014): 1–17. http://dx.doi.org/10.5130/ajceb.v14i3.4154.
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The purpose of this paper is twofold. Firstly, its aim is to ascertain the major aspects of job satisfaction for South Australian construction workers including the main ramifications of job satisfaction in the working environment. Secondly, it investigates the influence of key age-related factors i.e. chronological age, organisational age and length of service on major aspects of job satisfaction. The collected data for this study comprised 72 questionnaires completed by construction practitioners working at operational levels in the South Australian construction industry. Based on the responses from the target group, this study deduced that job dissatisfaction was predominantly related to the adverse impact on personal health and quality of life. In addition, indifference and the perception of dejection in the workplace are the main consequences of low levels of job satisfaction. Inferential analyses revealed that none of the age-related factors could significantly affect the major aspects of job satisfaction of construction workers in the South Australian context. The study concludes with providing practical suggestions for redesigning human resources practices for increasing the level of job satisfaction within the South Australian construction industry.Keywords: Job satisfaction, workers, age, construction industry, South Australia
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Goldstein, David, Ming Sze, Melanie Bell, Madeleine King, Michael Jefford, Maurice Eisenbruch, Afaf Girgis, Lisa Vaccaro, and Phyllis Noemi Butow. "Disparities in quality-of-life outcomes in immigrant cancer patients." Journal of Clinical Oncology 30, no. 15_suppl (May 20, 2012): e16507-e16507. http://dx.doi.org/10.1200/jco.2012.30.15_suppl.e16507.
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e16507 Background: Immigration is increasing world-wide. We explored disparities in quality of life outcomes for immigrant (IM) versus Anglo-Australian (AA) cancer patients having anti-cancer treatment. Methods: In a cross-sectional design, cancer patients were recruited through outpatient Oncology clinics in New South Wales, Victoria, and the Northern Territory in Australia. IM participants, their parents and grand parents were born in a country where Chinese, Greek, or Arabic is spoken and spoke one of those languages. AAs were born in Australia and spoke English. All were diagnosed with cancer < 1 year previously. Questionnaires (completed in preferred language) included the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (anxiety/depression), FACT-G (quality of life) and the Supportive Care Needs Survey (unmet needs). Adjusted regression models comparing AA and IM groups included age, gender, socio-economic status, education, marital status, religion, time since diagnosis, and cancer type (colorectal, breast, lung, other). Results: There were 910 participants (response rate 57%). IM were similar to AA, except that IM were more likely to be married (76 vs 67 %, p = 0.01) and in the low and the highly educated groups (p < 0.0001). In adjusted analyses, IMs had clinically significant higher anxiety, greater unmet information and physical needs and lower quality of life than AAs (see table). The possible ranges are 0-21 for anxiety and depression, and 0-100 otherwise. Conclusions: In this hospital-based study with a high rate of advanced disease, immigrants with cancer experienced poorer quality of life outcomes, even after adjusting for socio-economic, demographic, and disease variables. Interventions are required to improve their experience of cancer care. Results highlight areas of unmet need that might be better addressed by the health system (particularly with regards to provision of information and meeting support and physical needs). [Table: see text]
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Russell, E. M., the late R. J. Brown, and M. N. Brown. "Life history of the white-breasted robin, Eopsaltria georgiana (Petroicidae), in south-western Australia." Australian Journal of Zoology 52, no. 2 (2004): 111. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/zo03049.
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The white-breasted robin, Eopsaltria georgiana, is endemic to south-western Australia. We studied breeding, dispersal and survival in known groups from 1978 until 1987, with some groups followed until 1992, in Eucalyptus diversicolor (karri) forest near Manjimup, Western Australia. E. georgiana bred cooperatively, with 66% of groups including one or more birds in addition to the breeding pair (mean group size 3.1); these helpers were predominantly males and assisted the senior male in feeding the female on the nest and the young and defending the territory. The survival of adults was high (males 86%; females 79%). Breeding territories and groups persisted from year to year, although in the non-breeding season, males ranged more widely. Dispersal was female-biased; most females and some males dispersed in their first year. Divorce was rare; breeding males that disappeared were replaced by a helper from within the group if one was present, and females were replaced from outside the group. Eggs were laid between July and December. Clutch size was almost always 2, incubation lasted 16–17 days and nestlings fledged 13–14 days later. Juveniles were dependent on adult provisioning for 6–8 weeks. We found no parasitism by cuckoos. Of 429 nests found, 74% fledged at least one young, and overall nesting success calculated by the Mayfield method was 63%. The median time between initiation of two successive clutches was 54 days, and 52% of females renested after fledging one brood; at least two broods per year were fledged by 44% of females. Groups produced a mean of 2.8 fledglings, 1.3 independent young and 0.7 yearlings per year. The most productive groups were those with two or more helpers on high-quality territories, but we could not separate the effects of helpers and territory quality. E. georgiana has the 'slow' life history typical of many Australian passerines – cooperative breeding, sedentary, resident all year round in an equable habitat that promotes high survival of breeding adults. Their low reproductive rate produces a small crop of yearlings, some of which may stay in the parental home range.
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Atlantis, E., R. Goldney, K. Eckert, A. Taylor, and P. Phillips. "FC21-07 - Trends in health-related quality of life and health service use associated with comorbid diabetes and major depression in South Australia, 1998–2008." European Psychiatry 26, S2 (March 2011): 1933. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/s0924-9338(11)73637-9.
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PurposeTo investigate trends in health-related quality of life and health service use associated with diabetes and/or major depression in South Australia from 1998 to 2008.MethodsData analyzed were from 9,059 persons aged ≥15 years who participated in representative surveys of the South Australian population in 1998, 2004 and 2008. Major depression was determined using the mood module of the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders (PRIME-MD). Diagnosed diabetes and health service use was determined by self-report. Health-related quality of life was assessed using the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the 15-item Assessment of Quality of Life (AQoL) instruments. Weighted age-standardized and multiple-adjusted means of dependent measures were computed.ResultsThe prevalence of diabetes only, major depression only, and comorbid diabetes and major depression increased by 74%, 36% and 53% from 1998 to 2008. Mean health-related quality of life scores were 9% to 41% lower (worse), and health service use was 49% higher for persons with comorbid diabetes and major depression than for those with diabetes only (all P-values < 0.05), consistently over the 10-year period.ConclusionsIf past trends continue, our results suggest that the population health and economic burden of comorbid diabetes and major depression will grow similarly over the next decade or so. These trends have important implications for making health policy and resource allocation decisions.
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Kimhi, Shaul, and Yarden Oliel. "National resilience, country corruption and quality of life: An international study." International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Invention 6, no. 5 (May 20, 2019): 5430–36. http://dx.doi.org/10.18535/ijsshi/v6i5.05.
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The present study examines levels of corruption and quality of life as predictors of national resilience among six samples of students from Australia, Germany, Britain, South Korea, Israel and Greece (N=1199). Results indicated that the level of corruption and quality of life index significantly predicted national resilience: the lower the level of corruption and the higher the level of quality of life, the higher the national resilience reported. Comparing the two predictors indicated that the level of corruption is a better predictor of national resilience compared with the quality of life index. This study points to the significant link between national resilience and corruption among low-level countries in the world's corruption hierarchy.
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Smith, Jodie, Rhylee Sulek, Ifrah Abdullahi, Cherie C. Green, Catherine A. Bent, Cheryl Dissanayake, and Kristelle Hudry. "Comparison of mental health, well-being and parenting sense of competency among Australian and South-East Asian parents of autistic children accessing early intervention in Australia." Autism 25, no. 6 (April 25, 2021): 1784–96. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/13623613211010006.
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Parents from individualist cultures (those focused on autonomy of individuals; that is, Australian) may view their autistic children differently compared to parents from collectivist cultures (where community needs are valued over an individual’s, that is, South-East Asian cultures). As most research on autism and parenting has been undertaken in Western individualist cultures, knowledge of parenting beliefs and mental health within collectivist cultures is lacking. We compared the mental health, quality of life, well-being and parenting sense of competency between families raising an autistic child from two groups: 97 Australian parents and 58 parents from South-East Asian backgrounds. Children from both groups were receiving the same community-based early intervention. No group differences were found on the measures of mental health but, when compared to Australian parents, parents from South-East Asian backgrounds reported higher well-being and less impact on their quality of life resulting from their child’s autism-specific difficulties. Furthermore, a positive association between well-being and quality of life was only observed for South-East Asian parents. Hence, the views of, and responses to, disability for South-East Asian parents may act as a protective factor promoting well-being. This novel research indicates that culture plays a role in parenting autistic children and highlights the need to accurately capture cultural background information in research. Lay abstract We know that parents of autistic children experience poorer mental health and lower well-being than parents of non-autistic children. We also know that poorer mental health among parents of autistic children has been observed across different cultures. Most research focuses on Western cultures, so we know little about parental mental health and well-being of parents from different cultural backgrounds; yet, it is likely that cultural background contributes to how parents view their child’s condition and respond to the diagnosis. Here, we compared mental health, quality of life and well-being between families raising an autistic child from Australian backgrounds to families from South-East Asian backgrounds. All children in the current study were receiving the same community-based early intervention. When compared to the general population, parents had poorer mental health overall, but there were no differences between the two groups of parents. However, parents from South-East Asian backgrounds reported higher well-being and fewer difficulties associated with their child’s autism. These findings suggest that cultural background likely influences not only parent’s view of, and response to, their child’s autism, but also their own sense of well-being. As researchers and clinicians working with families of autistic children, we should more explicitly consider family’s cultural background within our work.
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Green, Janet, Philip Darbyshire, Anne Adams, and Debra Jackson. "Quality versus quantity: The complexities of quality of life determinations for neonatal nurses." Nursing Ethics 24, no. 7 (January 24, 2016): 802–20. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0969733015625367.
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Background: The ability to save the life of an extremely premature baby has increased substantially over the last decade. This survival, however, can be associated with unfavourable outcomes for both baby and family. Questions are now being asked about quality of life for survivors of extreme prematurity. Quality of life is rightly deemed to be an important consideration in high technology neonatal care; yet, it is notoriously difficult to determine or predict. How does one define and operationalise what is considered to be in the best interest of a surviving extremely premature baby, especially when the full extent of the outcomes might not be known for several years? Research question: The research investigates the caregiving dilemmas often faced by neonatal nurses when caring for extremely premature babies. This article explores the issues arising for neonatal nurses when they considered the philosophical and ethical questions about quality of life in babies ≤24 weeks gestation. Participants: Data were collected via a questionnaire to Australian neonatal nurses and semi-structured interviews with 24 neonatal nurses in New South Wales, Australia. Ethical considerations: Ethical processes and procedures have been adhered to by the researchers. Findings: A qualitative approach was used to analyse the data. The theme ‘difficult choices’ was generated which comprised three sub-themes: ‘damaged through survival’, ‘the importance of the brain’ and ‘families are important’. The results show that neonatal nurses believed that quality of life was an important consideration; yet they experienced significant inner conflict and uncertainty when asked to define or suggest specific elements of quality of life, or to suggest how it might be determined. It was even more difficult for the nurses to say when an extremely premature baby’s life possessed quality. Their previous clinical and personal experiences led the nurses to believe that the quality of the family’s life was important, and possibly more so than the quality of life of the surviving baby. This finding contrasts markedly with much of the existing literature in this field. Conclusion: Quality of life for extremely premature babies was an important consideration for neonatal nurses; however, they experienced difficulty deciding how to operationalise such considerations in their everyday clinical practice.
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Hawthorne, Graeme, Frida Cheok, Robert Goldney, and Laura Fisher. "The Excess Cost of Depression in South Australia: A Population-Based Study." Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 37, no. 3 (June 2003): 362–73. http://dx.doi.org/10.1046/j.1440-1614.2003.01189.x.
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Objective: To establish excess costs associated with depression in South Australia, based on the prevalence of depression (from the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders (PRIME-MD)) and associated excess burden of depression (BoD) costs. Method: Using data from the 1988 South Australian (SA) Health Omnibus Survey, a properly weighted cross-sectional survey of SA adults, we calculated excess costs using two methods. First, we estimated the excess cost based on health service provision and loss of productivity. Second, we estimated it from loss of utility. Results: We found symptoms of major depression in 7% of the SA population, and 11% for other depression. Those with major depression reported worse health status, took more time off work, reported more work performance limitations, made greater use of health services and reported poorer health-related quality-of-life. Using the service provision perspective excess BoD costs were AUD$1921 million per annum. Importantly, this excluded non-health service and other social costs (e.g. family breakdown, legal costs). With the utility approach, using the Assessment of Quality of Life (AQoL) instrument and a very modest life-value (AUD$50 000), the estimate was AUD$2800 million. This reflects a societal perspective of the value of illness, hence there is no particular reason the two different methods should agree as they provide different kinds of information. Both methods suggest estimating the excess BoD from the direct service provision perspective is too restrictive, and that indirect and societal costs ought be taken into account. Conclusions: Despite the high ranking of depression as a major health problem, it is often unrecognized and undertreated. The findings mandate action to explore ways of reducing the BoD borne by individuals, those affected by their illness, the health system and society generally. Given the limited information on the cost-effectiveness of different treatments, it would seem important that resources be allocated to evaluating alternative depression treatments.
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Braune, M. J., and A. Wood. "Best management practices applied to urban runoff quantity and quality control." Water Science and Technology 39, no. 12 (June 1, 1999): 117–21. http://dx.doi.org/10.2166/wst.1999.0537.
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South Africa currently has one of the highest rates of urbanisation in the world causing a significant increase in surface water runoff. This, in turn, causes increased flooding and a significant decrease in water quality due primarily to the accumulation of pollutants. The need exists to manage urban stormwater runoff on an integrated catchment basis, thereby reducing the negative impact of urbanisation on the environment and quality of life. In this paper, details on how existing problem areas can be identified and ranked, the use of Best Management Practices (BMPs) to reduce the impacts of urbanisation on the environment and the effectiveness of BMP's are discussed and illustrated, based on expertise gained from studies in South Africa as well as visits to the USA and Australia.
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Santiago, Pedro Henrique Ribeiro, Marko Milosevic, Xiangqun Ju, Wendy Cheung, Dandara Haag, and Lisa Jamieson. "A network psychometric validation of the Children Oral Health-Related Quality of Life (COHQoL) questionnaire among Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children." PLOS ONE 17, no. 8 (August 18, 2022): e0273373. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0273373.
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In Australia, research evidence has shown that Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children experience a higher burden of oral health diseases compared to other non-Indigenous children. The impact of oral health diseases on children’s functional and psychosocial outcomes led to the development of several instruments to evaluate child oral health-related quality of life (COHQoL), such as the Parental-Caregiver Perception Questionnaire (P-CPQ) and the Family Impact Scale (FIS). However, the psychometric properties of these instruments have been evaluated only in Western cultures and have not been investigated for Aboriginal children in Australia. The current study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the short-forms P-CPQ and FIS for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children aged 2–3 years. Data were collected from the South Australian Aboriginal Birth Cohort (SAABC), including 270 Aboriginal children aged 2–3 years. Network psychometric models were used to investigate dimensionality, item redundancy, structural consistency and item stability, model fit, internal consistency reliability and criterion validity. We propose an instrument named Aboriginal Children’s Oral Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire (A-COHQoL). Our findings indicated that, after the exclusion of four problematic items, the A-COHQoL showed a three-dimensional structure (“Parent/Family Activities”, “COHQoL” and “Family Conflict”) with good model fit and reliability. The A-COHQoL is a psychometrically robust and sensitive instrument that is readily available for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander children aged 2–3 years in Australia and can be adapted in the future for Indigenous child groups in other countries.
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Ratcliffe, Julie, Ian Cameron, Emily Lancsar, Ruth Walker, Rachel Milte, Claire Louise Hutchinson, Kate Swaffer, and Stuart Parker. "Developing a new quality of life instrument with older people for economic evaluation in aged care: study protocol." BMJ Open 9, no. 5 (May 2019): e028647. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-028647.
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IntroductionThe ageing of the population represents a significant challenge for aged care in Australia and in many other countries internationally. In an environment of increasing resource constraints, new methods, techniques and evaluative frameworks are needed to support resource allocation decisions that maximise the quality of life and well-being of older people. Economic evaluation offers a rigorous, systematical and transparent framework for measuring quality and efficiency, but there is currently no composite mechanism for incorporating older people’s values into the measurement and valuation of quality of life for quality assessment and economic evaluation. In addition, to date relatively few economic evaluations have been conducted in aged care despite the large potential benefits associated with their application in this sector. This study will generate a new preference based older person-specific quality of life instrument designed for application in economic evaluation and co-created from its inception with older people.Methods and analysisA candidate descriptive system for the new instrument will be developed by synthesising the findings from a series of in-depth qualitative interviews with 40 older people currently in receipt of aged care services about the salient factors which make up their quality of life. The candidate descriptive system will be tested for construct validity, practicality and reliability with a new independent sample of older people (n=100). Quality of life state valuation tasks using best worst scaling (a form of discrete choice experiment) will then be undertaken with a representative sample of older people currently receiving aged care services across five Australian states (n=500). A multinomial (conditional) logistical framework will be used to analyse responses and generate a scoring algorithm for the new preference-based instrument.Ethics and disseminationThe new quality of life instrument will have wide potential applicability in assessing the cost effectiveness of new service innovations and for quality assessment across the spectrum of ageing and aged care. Results will be disseminated in ageing, quality of life research and health economics journals and through professional conferences and policy forums. This study has been reviewed by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the University of South Australia and has ethics approval (Application ID: 201644).
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Goldney, Robert D., Robert D. Goldney, Laura J. Fisher, Eleonora Dal Grande, Anne W. Taylor, and Graeme Hawthorne. "Have Education and Publicity about Depression Made a Difference? Comparison of Prevalence, Service use and Excess Costs in South Australia: 1998 and 2004." Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 41, no. 1 (January 2007): 38–53. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00048670601050465.
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Objective: To identify changes in depression, its management and associated excess costs, between 1998 and 2004 in South Australia. Methods: A face-to-face Health Omnibus Survey was conducted in 2004 among 3015 randomly selected participants aged 15 years and over, who were a random and representative sample of the South Australian population, and this was compared with a survey conducted in 1998 that used the same methodology. The main outcome measures were prevalence of depression detected by the Mood Module of the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders (PRIME-MD); use of health services; health-related quality of life assessed by the Assessment of Quality of Life; estimates of excess costs and demographic data. Results: There was no significant change in the overall prevalence of depression, although there was a significant decrease in respondents with other depressions, and a non-significant increase in those with major depression. No significant differences in the mean number of PRIME-MD depression symptoms were reported. Greater use of predominantly non-medical treatment services and antidepressants were reported by both those with depression and those without depression. There was a marked increase in the associated excess costs of depression. Conclusions: There has been no significant improvement in the prevalence of depression and its associated morbidity and financial burden in the South Australian community between 1998 and 2004, despite a number of professional and community education programmes. It is possible that without these efforts and the increased treatment reported on in this survey, there may have been an increase in the prevalence of depression and an even greater financial burden. However, it is also possible that community services for the provision of treatment for depression have not been able to implement research strategies that have been demonstrated to be effective.
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Ziaian, Tahereh, Helena de Anstiss, Georgia Antoniou, Teresa Puvimanasinghe, and Peter Baghurst. "Sociodemographic Predictors of Health-Related Quality of Life and Healthcare Service Utilisation among Young Refugees in South Australia." Open Journal of Psychiatry 06, no. 01 (2016): 8–19. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ojpsych.2016.61002.
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Murgo, Margherita, Kwendy Cavanagh, and Simon Latham. "Health Related Quality of Life and support needs for sub-arachnoid haemorrhage survivors in New South Wales Australia." Australian Critical Care 29, no. 3 (August 2016): 146–50. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aucc.2015.07.005.
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Bezdenezhnykh, T. P., N. Z. Musina, V. K. Fedyaeva, T. S. Tepcova, V. A. Lemeshko, and V. V. Omelyanovsky. "International experience in determining the cost-effectiveness thresholds." PHARMACOECONOMICS. Modern pharmacoeconomics and pharmacoepidemiology 11, no. 4 (January 22, 2019): 73–80. http://dx.doi.org/10.17749/2070-4909.2018.11.4.073-080.
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The article reviews international methodological guidelines, regulatory documents and existing approaches to the determination of the costeffectiveness threshold (CeT), also known as the willingness-to-pay threshold (WTP), the threshold value of the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICeR), in europe (england and Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France, Belgium, Denmark, the netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Finland, norway, Poland), America (the USA, Canada, Brazil), Asia (Japan, South korea, Taiwan, Thailand), in Australia and new Zealand. The CeT is commonly used to rationalize decision-making in health cost reimbursement. The present review demonstrates that just a few countries (englandandWales,Thailand,Poland,USA) have introduced the explicit value of CeT into their decision making. Some countries (Australia,Canada,new Zealand, thenetherlands,Sweden, andBrazil) use CeT in an implicit manner implying that no specific CeT value is defined by law. In other countries (Finland,Sweden,norway,France,Germany,Denmark,Japan,South korea,Taiwan), the role of the threshold in health reimbursement remains uncertain despite the presence of HTA systems. The CeT is expressed as additional cost per unit of incremental health benefit, which is represented by quality-adjusted life year (QALY) in most counties. However,PolandandBrazilallow using life years gained (LYG) as a measure of additional benefit neglecting the quality of life. In thenetherlandsandengland, different CeT values are applied to the health technology under assessment depending on the severity or rareness of the disease and some other factors.
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Jamieson, Lisa, Xiangqun Ju, Dandara Haag, Pedro Ribeiro, Gustavo Soares, and Joanne Hedges. "An intersectionality approach to Indigenous oral health inequities; the super-additive impacts of racism and negative life events." PLOS ONE 18, no. 1 (January 23, 2023): e0279614. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0279614.
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Objectives Indigenous Australians experience cumulative forms of oppression. Using intersectionality as the underlying analytical framework, and with oral health as an outcome, we demonstrate how oppressions are interlinked and cannot be treated in isolation. The study aimed to quantify the cumulative effect of two forms of oppression on Indigenous Australian oral health inequities. Methods This observational study was conducted Feb 2018—Jan 2020. Recruitment occurred through Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations in South Australia, Australia. Eligibility included identifying as Indigenous, residing in South Australia and aged 18+ years. Socio-demographic factors, health-related characteristics, experience of racism, negative life events and self-reported oral health outcomes were collected. The main outcomes were fair/poor self-rated oral health and oral health related quality of life, measured by OHIP-14. Effect-measure modification was used to verify differences on effect sizes per strata of negative life events and racism. The presence of modification was indicated by Relative Excess Risk due to Interactions (RERIs). Results Data were obtained for 1,011 participants, median age 37 years, 66% female and 63% residing in non-metropolitan locations. Over half (52%) had experienced racism in the past 12 months and 85% had experienced one or more negative life events. Around one-third (34%) rated their oral health as fair/poor and the mean OHIP-14 score was 17. A higher proportion of participants who had experienced both racism and negative life events (46%) were male (52%), aged 37+ years (47%), resided in metropolitan locations (57%), reported difficulty paying a $100 dental bill (47%), had fair/poor self-rated oral health (54%) and higher mean OHIP-14 scores (20). The RERIs observed were 0.31 for fair/poor self-rated oral health and 0.23 for mean OHIP-14. The positive RERIs indicated a super-additive effect between racism, negative life events (effect modifier) and self-reported oral health outcomes. Conclusion The more oppressions participants experienced, in the form of racism and negative life events, the greater the burden of poor self-reported oral health. The study is one of the first to use intersectionality as a theory to explain oral health inequities as experienced by Indigenous Australians.
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Rai, Sumeet, Rhonda Brown, Frank van Haren, Teresa Neeman, Arvind Rajamani, Krishnaswamy Sundararajan, and Imogen Mitchell. "Long-term follow-up for Psychological stRess in Intensive CarE (PRICE) survivors: study protocol for a multicentre, prospective observational cohort study in Australian intensive care units." BMJ Open 9, no. 1 (January 2019): e023310. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-023310.
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IntroductionThere are little published data on the long-term psychological outcomes in intensive care unit (ICU) survivors and their family members in Australian ICUs. In addition, there is scant literature evaluating the effects of psychological morbidity in intensive care survivors on their family members. The aims of this study are to describe and compare the long-term psychological outcomes of intubated and non-intubated ICU survivors and their family members in an Australian ICU setting.Methods and analysisThis will be a prospective observational cohort study across four ICUs in Australia. The study aims to recruit 150 (75 intubated and 75 non-intubated) adult ICU survivors and 150 family members of the survivors from 2015 to 2018. Long-term psychological outcomes and effects on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) will be evaluated at 3 and 12 months follow-up using validated and published screening tools. The primary objective is to compare the prevalence of affective symptoms in intubated and non-intubated survivors of intensive care and their families and its effects on HRQoL. The secondary objective is to explore dyadic relations of psychological outcomes in patients and their family members.Ethics and disseminationThe study has been approved by the relevant human research ethics committees (HREC) of Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Health (ETH.11.14.315), New South Wales (HREC/16/HNE/64), South Australia (HREC/15/RAH/346). The results of this study will be published in a peer-reviewed medical journal and presented to the local intensive care community and other stakeholders.Trial registration numberACTRN12615000880549; Pre-results.
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Butow, Phyllis Noemi, Lynley Aldridge, Melanie Bell, Ming Sze, Maurice Eisenbruch, Madeleine King, Michael Jefford, Penelope Schofield, Priya Duggal-Beri, and David Goldstein. "Cancer survivorship outcomes in immigrants." Journal of Clinical Oncology 30, no. 15_suppl (May 20, 2012): 6111. http://dx.doi.org/10.1200/jco.2012.30.15_suppl.6111.
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6111 Background: Immigration is increasing world-wide. Cancer survivorship is now recognised as a period of difficult adjustment for all patients, and possibly more so for immigrants. We explored disparities in quality of life outcomes for immigrant (IM) versus Anglo-Australian (AA) cancer survivors. Methods: In a cross-sectional design, cancer survivors were recruited through the New South Wales, Queensland and Victorian Cancer Registries in Australia. IM participants, their parents and grandparents were born in a country where Chinese, Greek, or Arabic is spoken and spoke one of those languages. AAs were born in Australia and spoke English. All were diagnosed with cancer 1-3 years previously. Questionnaires (completed in preferred language) included the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (anxiety/ depression), FACT-G (quality of life) and Supportive Care Needs Survey (unmet needs). Outcomes were compared between AA and IM groups in adjusted regression models that included age, gender, socio-economic status, education, marital status, religion, time since diagnosis and cancer type (prostate, colorectal, breast and other). Results: There were 599 participants (response rate 41%). Consent was unrelated to demographic and disease variables. AA and IM groups were similar except that immigrants had higher proportions in the low and highly educated groups (p < 0.0001), and higher socioeconomic status (p = 0.0003). In adjusted analyses (see table), IMs had clinically significant higher depression (possible range 0-21), greater unmet information and physical needs, and lower quality of life than AAs. The possible range for the latter three is 0-100. Conclusions: Immigrants experience poorer outcomes in cancer survivorship, even after adjusting for socio-economic, demographic and disease differences. Interventions are required to improve their adjustment after cancer. Results highlight areas of unmet need that might be better addressed by the health system (particularly with regard to provision of information and support. [Table: see text]
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Mitchell, M. L., H. C. Norman, and R. D. B. Whalley. "Use of functional traits to identify Australian forage grasses, legumes and shrubs for domestication and use in pastoral areas under a changing climate." Crop and Pasture Science 66, no. 1 (2015): 71. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/cp13406.
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Considerable uncertainty exists about future climatic predictions but there is little doubt among experts that the future will be warmer. Climate change and the associated elevation in atmospheric CO2 level and temperatures will provide novel challenges and potential opportunities for cultivated plant species. Plant breeding and domestication can contribute to improvements in both yield and quality of native grasses, legumes and forage shrubs. This review explores the use of functional traits to identify native Australian grasses, legumes and forage shrubs suitable for domestication, to meet the challenges and opportunities under a changing climate in pastoral areas in Australia. The potential of these species in terms of life history, regenerative traits, forage quality and quantity, drought tolerance and invasiveness is examined. The paper focuses on three Australian pastoral regions (high-rainfall temperate south, tropical and subtropical grasslands, low-rainfall semi-arid shrublands), in terms of future climate predictions and potential of selected native species to meet these requirements. Selection for adaptation to new climatic environments is challenging but many native species already possess the traits required to cope with the environment under future climate scenarios.
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Edmiston, Natalie, Erin Passmore, David J. Smith, and Kathy Petoumenos. "Multimorbidity among people with HIV in regional New South Wales, Australia." Sexual Health 12, no. 5 (2015): 425. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/sh14070.
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Background Multimorbidity is the co-occurrence of more than one chronic health condition in addition to HIV. Higher multimorbidity increases mortality, complexity of care and healthcare costs while decreasing quality of life. The prevalence of and factors associated with multimorbidity among HIV positive patients attending a regional sexual health service are described. Methods: A record review of all HIV positive patients attending the service between 1 July 2011 and 30 June 2012 was conducted. Two medical officers reviewed records for chronic health conditions and to rate multimorbidity using the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS). Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses were used to determine factors associated with a higher CIRS score. Results: One hundred and eighty-nine individuals were included in the study; the mean age was 51.8 years and 92.6% were men. One-quarter (25.4%) had ever been diagnosed with AIDS. Multimorbidity was extremely common, with 54.5% of individuals having two or more chronic health conditions in addition to HIV; the most common being a mental health diagnosis, followed by vascular disease. In multivariate analysis, older age, having ever been diagnosed with AIDS and being on an antiretroviral regimen other than two nucleosides and a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor or protease inhibitor were associated with a higher CIRS score. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study looking at associations with multimorbidity in the Australian setting. Care models for HIV positive patients should include assessing and managing multimorbidity, particularly in older people and those that have ever been diagnosed with AIDS.
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Martin, M. G., D. C. Currow, and A. P. Abernethy. "Predictors of fatigue and quality of life in a prospective palliative care cohort." Journal of Clinical Oncology 24, no. 18_suppl (June 20, 2006): 8571. http://dx.doi.org/10.1200/jco.2006.24.18_suppl.8571.
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8571 Background: Palliative care seeks to minimize distress at the end of life. Fatigue significantly diminishes quality of life (QOL) in this population. Are there potentially modifiable factors that influence fatigue and QOL? Methods: This analysis focuses on a subset of 198 patients from a larger 2×2×2 factorial randomized trial of pain education and care coordination conducted in South Australia. Selected participants were adults referred to a community palliative care service with pain in the preceding 3 months and a hemoglobin assessment within 14 days of enrollment. Pain, other symptoms, and Australia-modified Karnofsky Performance Status (AKPS) were recorded at enrollment. Predictors considered were anxiety, depression, dyspnea, constipation, pain, AKPS, hemoglobin, age, and gender. Dependent variables were global QOL from the McGill QOL Questionnaire and fatigue. Using forward stepwise linear regression, multivariate models predicting fatigue and QOL were constructed from significant univariate variables. Results: Mean age was 69 (standard deviation (SD) 13); 97% had cancer. Most frequent diagnoses were lung (18%), hematological (15%), and colorectal (15%) malignancies. Mean hemoglobin was 11.4 gm/dL (SD 1.9); median AKPS 60%; mean worst pain 4.0 (SD 3.4; 0–10 scale). Distressing symptoms (3–4 on 0–4 scales) included dyspnea (22%), constipation (13%), anxiety (11%), and depression (6%). Mean QOL was 5.9 (SD 2.0) on a 0–10 scale; mean fatigue was 2.3 (SD 1.0) on a 0–4 scale. The final multivariate model predicting fatigue included AKPS (p<0.01), constipation (p=0.02), and dyspnea (p=0.06). Hemoglobin was not predictive of fatigue (univariate p=0.7069). QOL was significantly influenced by fatigue (p=0.03), anxiety (p< 0.01), and AKPS (p= 0.01). Conclusions: Fatigue was driven by performance status, constipation, and dyspnea. In contrast to an oncology population, hemoglobin was not a significant contributor to fatigue in this population, consistent with other palliative care cohorts. QOL was driven by fatigue, anxiety, and performance status. This analysis of a prospectively collected population suggests that performance status, constipation, dyspnea, and anxiety are potentially modifiable variables impacting fatigue and QOL in the palliative care setting. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
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Bannerman, Elaine, Michelle D. Miller, Lynne A. Daniels, Lynne Cobiac, Lynne C. Giles, Craig Whitehead, Gary R. Andrews, and Maria Crotty. "Anthropometric indices predict physical function and mobility in older Australians: the Australian Longitudinal Study of Ageing." Public Health Nutrition 5, no. 5 (December 2002): 655–62. http://dx.doi.org/10.1079/phn2002336.
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AbstractObjective:To evaluate, in terms of function and mobility, the predictive value of commonly adopted anthropometric ‘definitions’ used in the nutritional assessment of older adults, in a cohort of older Australians.Design:Prospective cohort study – Australian Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ALSA).Setting:Adelaide, South Australia (1992–1994).Subjects:Data were analysed from 1272 non-institutionalised (685 males, 587 females) older adults ≥70 years old in South Australia. Seven ‘definitions’ commonly used in the anthropometric assessment of both under- and overnutrition (including four using body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio, waist circumference and percentage weight change) were evaluated at baseline, for their ability to predict functional and mobility limitation assessed (by self-report questionnaire) at two years follow-up. All questionnaires were administered and anthropometry performed by trained investigators. The associations between the definitions and decline in mobility and physical function were evaluated over two years using multiple logistic regression.Results:A BMI >85th percentile or >30 kgm−2 or a waist circumference of >102 cm in males and >88 cm in females increased risk of functional and mobility limitations. Over two years, a loss of 10% body weight significantly increased the risk of functional and mobility limitations.Conclusion:Maintaining weight within older adults, irrespective of initial body weight, may be important in preventing functional and mobility limitations. Excessive weight is associated with an increased risk of limitation in function and mobility, both key components of health-related quality of life.
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Franke, Carmen C. D., Barbara C. Paton, and Lee-Anne J. Gassner. "Implementing mental health peer support: a South Australian experience." Australian Journal of Primary Health 16, no. 2 (2010): 179. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/py09067.
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Mental illness is among the greatest causes of disability, diminished quality of life and reduced productivity. Mental health policy aims to reform services to meet consumers’ needs and one of the strategies is to increase the number of consumers working in the mental health service system. In South Australia, the Peer Work Project was established to provide a program for the training of consumers to work alongside mental health services. The project developed a flexible training pathway that consisted of an information session, the Introduction to Peer Work (IPW) course and further training pathways for peer workers. External evaluation indicated that the IPW course was a good preparation for peer workers, but a crucial factor in the implementation process of employing peer workers was commitment and leadership within the organisation in both preparing the organisation and supporting peer workers in their role. To assist organisations wanting to employ peer workers, a three step model was developed: prepare, train and support. The project has been successful in establishing employment outcomes for IPW graduates. The outcomes increased with time after graduation and there was a shift from voluntary to paid employment.
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Fradgley, Elizabeth A., Jamie Bryant, Christine L. Paul, Alix E. Hall, Robert W. Sanson-Fisher, and Christopher Oldmeadow. "Cross-Sectional Data That Explore the Relationship Between Outpatients’ Quality of Life and Preferences for Quality Improvement in Oncology Settings." Journal of Oncology Practice 12, no. 6 (June 2016): e746-e754. http://dx.doi.org/10.1200/jop.2016.011023.
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Purpose: This cross-sectional study assessed the association between oncology outpatients' quality improvement preferences and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Implementation of specific initiatives preferred by patients with lower HRQoL may be a strategic approach to enhancing care for potentially vulnerable patients. Methods: English-speaking adults were recruited from five outpatient chemotherapy clinics located in New South Wales, Australia. Using touch screen devices, participants selected up to 25 initiatives that would improve their experiences and completed the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) survey. The logistic odds of selecting an initiative according to FACT-G scores were calculated to determine whether preferences were associated with HRQoL after controlling for potential confounders. Results: Of the 411 eligible outpatients approached to participate, 263 (64%) completed surveys. Commonly selected initiatives were up-to-date information on treatment and condition progress (19.8%), access to or information on financial assistance (18.3%), and reduced clinic wait times (17.5%). For those with relatively lower FACT-G scores, the adjusted odds of selecting five initiatives illustrated an increasing trend: convenient appointment scheduling systems (+23% [P = .002]), reduced wait times (+15% [P = .01]), information on medical emergencies (+14% [P = .04]), access to or information on financial assistance (+15% [P = .009]), help to maintain daily living activities (+18% [P = .007]). Conclusion: Two areas of improvement were commonly selected: easily accessible health services and information and support for self-management. Although the results suggest an association between a few quality improvement preferences and HRQoL, a wider spectrum of patient characteristics must be considered when targeting quality improvement to patient subgroups.
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Hughes, Kate, and Steve Moore. "Quality of Life Versus Quality of Care: Elderly People and Their Experience of Care in South Australian Residential Facilities." Practice 24, no. 5 (December 2012): 275–85. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09503153.2012.740451.
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Yadav, Lalit, Tiffany K. Gill, Anita Taylor, Unyime Jasper, Jen De Young, Renuka Visvanathan, and Mellick J. Chehade. "Cocreation of a digital patient health hub to enhance education and person-centred integrated care post hip fracture: a mixed-methods study protocol." BMJ Open 9, no. 12 (December 2019): e033128. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-033128.
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IntroductionOlder people with hip fractures often require long-term care and a crucial aspect is the provision of quality health information to patients and their carers to support continuity of care. If patients are well informed about their health condition and caring needs, particularly posthospital discharge into the community setting, this may support recovery and improve quality of life. As internet and mobile access reach every household, it is possible to deliver a new model of service using a digital education platform as a personal health hub where both patients and their providers of care can establish a more efficient information integration and exchange process. This protocol details proposed research, which aims to develop a ‘model of care’ by using a digital health solution that will allow delivery of high quality and patient-centred information, integrated into the existing process delivered within the community setting.Methods and analysisThis phase of the study uses a pragmatic mixed-methods design and a participatory approach through engagement of patients, their carers and healthcare providers from multiple disciplines to inform the development of a digital health platform. Quantitative methods will explore health literacy and e-health literacy among older people with hip fractures admitted to the two public tertiary care hospitals in Adelaide, South Australia. Qualitative methods will provide an understanding of aspects of content and context required for the digital health platform to be developed in order to deliver quality health information. The study will use appropriate theoretical frameworks and constructs to guide the design, analysis and overall conduct of the research study. The scope of the study intends to ultimately empower patients and their carers to improve self-management and to better use coordinated services at the community level. This could prevent further falls including associated injuries or new fractures; reduce new hospital admissions and improve confidence and engagement by limiting the psychologically restrictive ‘fear of falls’.Ethics and disseminationThe study has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the Central Adelaide Local Health Network, South Australia (SA) Health, Government of South Australia and the University of Adelaide Human Research Ethics Committee. Findings from the study will be published in suitable peer-reviewed journals and disseminated through workshops or conferences.
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Evans, John R., and Christina Curry. "Implementing Sport, Physical Activity and Physical Education in New South Wales, Australia, primary schools." Ágora para la Educación Física y el Deporte 20, no. 1 (May 25, 2018): 27. http://dx.doi.org/10.24197/aefd.1.2018.27-45.
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A renewed focus on Physical Education in New South Wales primary schools has the potential to act as an intervention that has positive long-term implications for the whole population. The introduction of physical education (PE) as part of the National Curriculum means the role of PE in Australian primary schools is now open for renewed attention. The rise of an international obesity epidemic means that that the role of PE in primary schools has the potential to make a positive impact on public health outcomes. There could be significant long term savings from well-organized PE programs in primary schools delivered by teaching staff educated in quality physical education. In addition there is also an historical and emerging body of research which links physical activity to academic performance. However not all teachers in primary schools have the skills or life experiences to effectively teach PE. In order to achieve these outcomes we posit that the use of a Game Centered Teaching approach and the use of an underlying pedagogy have the potential to provide more meaningful experiences for students and teachers. In order to implement a Game Centered Teaching approach we advocate the use of specialist PE teachers rather than outsourcing the delivery of PE in schools.
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Gonzalez‐Chica, David Alejandro, Elizabeth Hoon, and Nigel Stocks. "Multimorbidity, health‐related quality of life and health service use among individuals with mental health problems: Urban‐rural differences in South Australia." Australian Journal of Rural Health 28, no. 2 (April 2020): 110–19. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ajr.12621.
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Strnadová, Iva, and Therese M. Cumming. "The importance of quality transition processes for students with disabilities across settings: Learning from the current situation in New South Wales." Australian Journal of Education 58, no. 3 (July 16, 2014): 318–36. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0004944114543603.
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This article examines the current state of the transition process for students with developmental disabilities in New South Wales, Australia. Teachers from 75 schools were surveyed about current practices for students with developmental disabilities transitioning from primary to secondary school and from secondary school to post-school life. Teachers' responses to the open-ended survey questions were analysed using inductive content analysis. The results of the analysis revealed that although many schools had transition processes in place, such as school visits and orientation programs, many key evidence-based practices were missing. Key themes that emerged included school-specific transition practices at each level and the importance of home–school collaboration. Overall results indicated a need for a mandated, student-centred planning and support process, guided by evidence-based practice.
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Counted, Victor, Adam Possamai, Cameron McAuliffe, and Tanya Meade. "Attachment to Australia, attachment to God, and quality of life outcomes among African Christian diasporas in New South Wales: A cross-sectional study." Journal of Spirituality in Mental Health 22, no. 1 (July 30, 2018): 65–95. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/19349637.2018.1499165.
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Atlantis, Evan, Robert D. Goldney, Kerena A. Eckert, Anne W. Taylor, and Patrick Phillips. "Trends in health-related quality of life and health service use associated with comorbid diabetes and major depression in South Australia, 1998–2008." Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 47, no. 6 (May 18, 2011): 871–77. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00127-011-0394-4.
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Lim, Renly, Luke Bereznicki, Megan Corlis, Lisa M. Kalisch Ellett, Ai Choo Kang, Tracy Merlin, Gaynor Parfitt, et al. "Reducing medicine-induced deterioration and adverse reactions (ReMInDAR) trial: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial in residential aged-care facilities assessing frailty as the primary outcome." BMJ Open 10, no. 4 (April 2020): e032851. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032851.
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IntroductionMany medicines have adverse effects which are difficult to detect and frequently go unrecognised. Pharmacist monitoring of changes in signs and symptoms of these adverse effects, which we describe as medicine-induced deterioration, may reduce the risk of developing frailty. The aim of this trial is to determine the effectiveness of a 12-month pharmacist service compared with usual care in reducing medicine-induced deterioration, frailty and adverse reactions in older people living in aged-care facilities in Australia.Methods and analysisThe reducing medicine-induced deterioration and adverse reactions trial is a multicentre, open-label randomised controlled trial. Participants will be recruited from 39 facilities in South Australia and Tasmania. Residents will be included if they are using four or more medicines at the time of recruitment, or taking more than one medicine with anticholinergic or sedative properties. The intervention group will receive a pharmacist assessment which occurs every 8 weeks. The pharmacists will liaise with the participants’ general practitioners when medicine-induced deterioration is evident or adverse events are considered serious. The primary outcome is a reduction in medicine-induced deterioration from baseline to 6 and 12 months, as measured by change in frailty index. The secondary outcomes are changes in cognition scores, 24-hour movement behaviour, grip strength, weight, percentage robust, pre-frail and frail classification, rate of adverse medicine events, health-related quality of life and health resource use. The statistical analysis will use mixed-models adjusted for baseline to account for repeated outcome measures. A health economic evaluation will be conducted following trial completion using data collected during the trial.Ethics and disseminationEthics approvals have been obtained from the Human Research Ethics Committee of University of South Australia (ID:0000036440) and University of Tasmania (ID:H0017022). A copy of the final report will be provided to the Australian Government Department of Health.Trial registration numberAustralian and New Zealand Trials Registry ACTRN12618000766213.
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Burton, Elissa, Keith Hill, Kathryn A. Ellis, Anne-Marie Hill, Meggen Lowry, Rachael Moorin, Joanne A. McVeigh, et al. "Balance on the Brain: a randomised controlled trial evaluating the effect of a multimodal exercise programme on physical performance, falls, quality of life and cognition for people with mild cognitive impairment—study protocol." BMJ Open 12, no. 4 (April 2022): e054725. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054725.
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IntroductionExercise and physical activity have been shown to improve cognition for people living with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). There is strong evidence for the benefits of aerobic exercise and medium evidence for participating in regular strength training for people with MCI. However, people living with MCI fall two times as often as those without cognitive impairment and the evidence is currently unknown as to whether balance training for people with MCI is beneficial, as has been demonstrated for older people without cognitive impairment. The aim of this study is to determine whether a balance-focused multimodal exercise intervention improves balance and reduces falls for people with MCI, compared with a control group receiving usual care.Methods and analysisThis single blind randomised controlled trial (Balance on the Brain) will be offered to 396 people with MCI living in the community. The multimodal exercise intervention consists of two balance programmes and a walking programme to be delivered by physiotherapists over a 6-month intervention period. All participants will be followed up over 12 months (for the intervention group, this involves 6-month intervention and 6-month maintenance). The primary outcomes are (1) balance performance and (2) rate of falls. Physical performance, levels of physical activity and sedentary behaviour, quality of life and cognition are secondary outcomes. A health economic analysis will be undertaken to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the intervention compared with usual care.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval has been received from the South Metropolitan Health Service Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC), Curtin University HREC and the Western Australia Department of Health HREC; and approval has been received to obtain data for health costings from Services Australia. The results will be disseminated through peer-review publications, conference presentations and online platforms.Trial registration numberACTRN12620001037998; Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR).
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Parnell, Jo Annette. "Report on the Inaugural Asia-Pacific Chapter Conference." European Journal of Life Writing 5 (October 13, 2016): R26—R33. http://dx.doi.org/10.5463/ejlw.5.204.
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“Locating Lives”: The Inaugural Conference for the International Auto/Biography Association (IABA) Asia-Pacific Chapter took place at the Flinders University City Campus, Adelaide, South Australia, 1-3 December, 2015. The IABA Asia-Pacific Chapter stems from the central disciplinary association for auto-biography scholars, the International Auto/ Biography Association (IABA World), which is a multidisciplinary network that aims to foster the cross-cultural understanding of self and identity and location, and promote global dialogues about life writing/narrative. The IABA Asia-Pacific Chapter conference follows on from the successful IABA Americas and IABA European Chapters’ conferences, and aims to stimulate and promote new region-specific conversations and encourage regional participation in the IABA World conference. The goal of IABA Asia-Pacific is to develop scholarly networks between life narrative scholars and writers in the Asia-Pacific region to assist and support the practices of high-quality life narrative theory, practice, and pedagogy in the region (see IABA Asia-Pacific | International Auto/ Biography … https://iabaasiapacific.wordpress.com ).This article was submitted on May 7th 2017, and published on October 14th, 2016.
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Fleet, Graham, and Hugh Dircks. "Yeast, cocoa beans and chocolate." Microbiology Australia 28, no. 2 (2007): 48. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/ma07048.
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Yeast play a key role in the fermentation of many foods andbeverages. The best known examples are bread, beer and wine, where understanding of the ecology, biochemistry, physiology and genomics of the yeast contribution is well advanced. Yeast also have prominent roles in the production of other well-known commodities, such as cheeses, salami-style meat sausages, and soy sauce, where their activities in the fermentation and maturation processes are attracting increasing research. Still, there are many other products where yeast have a significant role in fermentation, but aspects of their contributions and how these impact on product quality remain a mystery. Such products include many indigenous fermented foods of Asia, Africa and Central and South America, and two economically important cash crops, cocoa beans and coffee. Consider life without chocolate or good quality coffee! We have been studying cocoa bean fermentations in Indonesia and now in North Queensland, Australia. In this article, we review the role of yeast in the production of cocoa beans and chocolate.
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O'Mara, K., A. Miskiewicz, and M. Y. L. Wong. "Estuarine characteristics, water quality and heavy metal contamination as determinants of fish species composition in intermittently open estuaries." Marine and Freshwater Research 68, no. 5 (2017): 941. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/mf15409.
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Estuaries are critical aquatic environments that are used by many fish during their life cycle. However, estuaries often suffer from poor water quality as a result of anthropogenic activities. Fish diversity studies in estuaries are common, although few have examined whether correlations exist between water quality, metal contamination and fish assemblages. In the present study we investigated the effect of abiotic conditions, heavy metals and estuary characteristics on the abundance, diversity and composition of fish in four intermittently open estuaries along the Illawarra coast of south-eastern Australia. The heterogeneity of environmental conditions was reflected in the fish assemblages in each estuary. Environmental variables predicted fish species composition, and estuaries in particularly poor condition contained few species (estuarine residents) in high abundance, indicating their ability to acclimatise and survive in conditions that are hostile to other species. Overall, these findings demonstrate that estuarine fish assemblages may be useful indicators of estuary condition and reveal the importance of managing anthropogenic activities in the surrounding catchment to improve water quality so that biodiversity of fish can be restored in these estuarine environments.
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Chapman, Janine, Ann M. Roche, Victoria Kostadinov, Vinita Duraisingam, and Sianne Hodge. "Lived Experience: Characteristics of Workers in Alcohol and Other Drug Nongovernment Organizations." Contemporary Drug Problems 47, no. 1 (December 20, 2019): 63–77. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0091450919894341.
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Background: Workers with lived experience of problematic alcohol and other drug (AOD) use are increasingly recognized as integral to the AOD field. However, little is known about the prevalence or characteristics of AOD workers with lived experience across the general AOD workforce, in Australia or internationally. This study aimed to (1) investigate the prevalence of lived experience in AOD workers, (2) build an initial profile of workers with lived experience, (3) identify areas where appropriate support mechanisms may be warranted, and (4) generate recommendations for future work. Method: Nongovernment organization AOD workers from New South Wales, Australia, were invited to participate in a purpose-designed, online survey. Measures included demographic and workforce characteristics, work-related psychosocial factors, and health, quality of life, and AOD use. Descriptive analyses compared responses from workers with and without lived experience on key variables. Results: Two hundred and sixty-eight workers responded. Workers with lived experience comprised 43% of the sample; were more likely to be older; male; identify as lesbian, gay, homosexual, or queer; have lower salary; report discrimination in the workplace; abstain from alcohol; report opioid use; and experience less support outside work. Conclusion: This is the first Australian study to examine the profile of AOD workers with lived experience. Workers with lived experience constituted a substantial proportion of the AOD workforce. Analogous to other countries, comprehensive, appropriately tailored workforce development and support policies are required. Future research should build on these findings by extending to a broader population base, including government workers.
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Avery, Jodie C., Tiffany K. Gill, Alastair H. MacLennan, Janet F. Grant, Anne W. Taylor, and Catherine R. Chittleborough. "Physical Activity: The impact of incontinence on health-related quality of life in a South Australian population sample." Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health 28, no. 2 (April 2004): 173–79. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-842x.2004.tb00932.x.
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Atlantis, Evan, Robert D. Goldney, Kerena A. Eckert, and Anne W. Taylor. "Trends in health-related quality of life and health service use associated with body mass index and comorbid major depression in South Australia, 1998–2008." Quality of Life Research 21, no. 10 (December 29, 2011): 1695–704. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11136-011-0101-7.
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González-Chica, David Alejandro, Robert Adams, Eleonora Dal Grande, Jodie Avery, Phillipa Hay, and Nigel Stocks. "Lower educational level and unemployment increase the impact of cardiometabolic conditions on the quality of life: results of a population-based study in South Australia." Quality of Life Research 26, no. 6 (February 11, 2017): 1521–30. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11136-017-1503-y.
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Walters, Rosy, Janice M. Collier, Lillian Braighi Carvalho, Peter Langhorne, Md Ali Katijjahbe, Dawn Tan, Marj Moodie, and Julie Bernhardt. "Exploring post acute rehabilitation service use and outcomes for working age stroke survivors (≤65 years) in Australia, UK and South East Asia: data from the international AVERT trial." BMJ Open 10, no. 6 (June 2020): e035850. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-035850.
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ObjectivesInformation about younger people of working age (≤65 years), their post stroke outcomes and rehabilitation pathways can highlight areas for further research and service change. This paper describes: (1) baseline demographics; (2) post acute rehabilitation pathways; and (3) 12-month outcomes; disability, mobility, depression, quality of life, informal care and return to work of working age people across three geographic regions (Australasia (AUS), South East (SE) Asia and UK).DesignThis post hoc descriptive exploration of data from the large international very early rehabilitation trial (A Very Early Rehabilitation Trial (AVERT)) examined the four common post acute rehabilitation pathways (inpatient rehabilitation, home with community rehabilitation, inpatient rehabilitation then community rehabilitation and home with no rehabilitation) experienced by participants in the 3 months post stroke and describes their 12-month outcomes.SettingHospital stroke units in AUS, UK and SE Asia.ParticipantsPatients who had an acute stroke recruited within 24 hours who were ≤65 years.Results668 participants were ≤65 years; 99% lived independently, and 88% no disability (modified Rankin Score (mRS)=0) prior to stroke. We had complete data for 12-month outcomes for n=631 (94%). The proportion receiving inpatient rehabilitation was higher in AUS than other regions (AUS 52%; UK 25%; SE Asia 23%), whereas the UK had higher community rehabilitation (UK 65%; AUS 61%; SE Asia 39%). At 12 months, 70% had no or little disability (mRS 0–2), 44% were depressed, 28% rated quality of life as poor or worse than death. For those working prior to stroke (n=228), only 57% had returned to work. A noteworthy number of working age survivors received no rehabilitation services within 3 months post stroke.ConclusionsThere was considerable variation in rehabilitation pathways and post acute service use across the three regions. At 12 months, there were high rates of depression, poor quality of life and low rates of return to work.Trial registration numberAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12606000185561).
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Briggs, David. "In This Issue." Asia Pacific Journal of Health Management 16, no. 1 (February 28, 2021): 1. http://dx.doi.org/10.24083/apjhm.v16i1.695.
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This issue of the journal commences with an editorial that provides some discussion about the current approaches to Covid and the tensions that exists in that context..... Editorial SettingsCovid-19: A strife of interests for us all and what problem are we attempting to solve? Research Articles Gender Equity in Australian Health Leadership Research Articles Assessing Quality of Healthcare Delivery When Making Choices: National Survey on Health Consumers’ Decision Making Practices Research Articles The Case for a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement between Australia and South Korea Commentary COVID-19 and Working Within Health Care Systems: the future is flexible Review Articles Review of Public Private Partnership in the Health Care in Hong Kong Viewpoint Article Hong Kong’s Growing Need for Palliative Care Services and the Role of the Nursing Profession Commentary Vietnam’s Healthcare System Decentralization: how well does it respond to global health crises such as covid-19 pandemic? Research Articles Publicly Financed Health Insurance Schemes and Horizontal Inequity in Inpatient Service Use in India Research Articles Distress and Quality of Life among Type II Diabetic Patients: Role of physical activity Viewpoint Article Achievements and Challenges of Iran Health System after Islamic Revolution: Structural reforms at the second step Research Articles Strategic Analysis of Community Participation in Primary Health Care in Iran and Presentation of Promotion Strategies Using Internal and External Environment Assessment Techniques Research Articles Utilization of Healthcare Services & Healthcare Expenditure Patterns in the Rural Households of Nepal
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Hewawasam, Erandi, Leah Brennan, Lynne Giles, Mary Louise Hull, Asha Short, Robert Norman, and Alexia S. Peña. "Assessing Whether Meditation Improves Quality of Life for Adolescent Girls With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial." JMIR Research Protocols 9, no. 1 (January 24, 2020): e14542. http://dx.doi.org/10.2196/14542.
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Background Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine condition characterized by irregular periods, hirsutism, acne, or hyperandrogenemia. Adolescents with PCOS have impaired quality of life (QOL) and increased psychological distress. Transcendental Meditation (TM) is a well-established self-management strategy that has been used to improve stress and well-being. A meta-analysis of TM trials has shown beneficial effects on stress and blood pressure in adults. Recent data are suggesting that another self-management strategy called a mindfulness stress management program has a role in improving QOL in women with PCOS, but there are no studies in adolescents. Objective This study aims to evaluate the effect of TM on QOL and psychological distress in adolescent girls with PCOS. Methods This study is a randomized controlled trial that will be conducted over eight weeks at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Adelaide, South Australia, to determine the effect of TM on QOL and psychological distress in adolescent girls (aged 12-20 years) with PCOS. A total of 40 girls will be randomized into either the TM (n=20) or control group (n=20). The TM group will be asked to practice TM in a comfortable sitting position with the eyes closed, for 15 minutes twice daily over eight weeks. The control group will be asked to sit quietly for 15 minutes twice daily for eight weeks. The primary outcomes are any effects on improving QOL and psychological distress, and the secondary outcomes are any effects on lowering blood pressure and salivary cortisol levels. Results The recruitment of study participants began in May 2019 and is expected to be completed by June 2020. It is expected that the adolescent girls with PCOS practicing TM over eight weeks will have a significant improvement in QOL and psychological distress compared to adolescents in the control group. Also, it is expected that adolescent girls in the TM group will have lower salivary cortisol levels and lower blood pressure. Conclusions This study will be the first to evaluate the effect of TM on QOL in adolescent girls with PCOS. The study will provide valuable information on a potential self-management strategy to improve QOL and well-being in adolescent girls with PCOS. Trial Registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) ACTRN1261900019010; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=376657&isReview=true
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Harvey, Peter W., John Petkov, Inge Kowanko, Yvonne Helps, and Malcolm Battersby. "Chronic condition management and self-management in Aboriginal communities in South Australia: outcomes of a longitudinal study." Australian Health Review 37, no. 2 (2013): 246. http://dx.doi.org/10.1071/ah12165.
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Objectives. This paper describes the longitudinal component of a larger mixed methods study into the processes and outcomes of chronic condition management and self-management strategies implemented in three Aboriginal communities in South Australia. The study was designed to document the connection between the application of structured systems of care for Aboriginal people and their longer-term health status. Methods. The study concentrated on three diverse Aboriginal communities in South Australia; the Port Lincoln Aboriginal Health Service, the Riverland community, and Nunkuwarrin Yunti Aboriginal Health Service in the Adelaide metropolitan area. Repeated-measure clinical data were collected for individual participants using a range of clinical indicators for diabetes (type 1 and 2) and related chronic conditions. Clinical data were analysed using random effects modelling techniques with changes in key clinical indicators being modelled at both the individual and group levels. Results. Where care planning has been in place longer than in other sites overall improvements were noted in BMI, cholesterol (high density and low density lipids) and HbA1c. These results indicate that for Aboriginal patients with complex chronic conditions, participation in and adherence to structured care planning and self-management strategies can contribute to improved overall health status and health outcomes. Conclusions. The outcomes reported here represent an initial and important step in quantifying the health benefits that can accrue for Aboriginal people living with complex chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and respiratory disease. The study highlights the benefits of developing long-term working relationships with Aboriginal communities as a basis for conducting effective collaborative health research programs. What is known about the topic? Chronic condition management and self-management programs have been available to Aboriginal people in a range of forms for some time. We know that some groups of patients are keen to engage with care planning and self-management protocols and we have anecdotal evidence of this engagement leading to improved quality of life and health outcomes for Aboriginal people. What does this paper add? This paper provides early evidence of sustained improvement over time for a cohort of Aboriginal people who are learning to deal with a range of chronic illnesses through accessing structured systems of support and care. What are the implications for practitioners? This longitudinal evidence of improved outcomes for Aboriginal people is encouraging and should lead on to more definitive studies of outcomes accruing for people engaged in structured systems of care. Not only does this finding have implications for the overall management of chronic illness in Aboriginal communities, but it points the way to how health services might best invest their resources and efforts to improve the health status of people with chronic conditions and, in the process, close the gap between the life expectancy of Aboriginal people and that of other community groups in Australia.
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Feio, Maria João, Robert M. Hughes, Marcos Callisto, Susan J. Nichols, Oghenekaro N. Odume, Bernardo R. Quintella, Mathias Kuemmerlen, et al. "The Biological Assessment and Rehabilitation of the World’s Rivers: An Overview." Water 13, no. 3 (January 31, 2021): 371. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/w13030371.
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The biological assessment of rivers i.e., their assessment through use of aquatic assemblages, integrates the effects of multiple-stressors on these systems over time and is essential to evaluate ecosystem condition and establish recovery measures. It has been undertaken in many countries since the 1990s, but not globally. And where national or multi-national monitoring networks have gathered large amounts of data, the poor water body classifications have not necessarily resulted in the rehabilitation of rivers. Thus, here we aimed to identify major gaps in the biological assessment and rehabilitation of rivers worldwide by focusing on the best examples in Asia, Europe, Oceania, and North, Central, and South America. Our study showed that it is not possible so far to draw a world map of the ecological quality of rivers. Biological assessment of rivers and streams is only implemented officially nation-wide and regularly in the European Union, Japan, Republic of Korea, South Africa, and the USA. In Australia, Canada, China, New Zealand, and Singapore it has been implemented officially at the state/province level (in some cases using common protocols) or in major catchments or even only once at the national level to define reference conditions (Australia). In other cases, biological monitoring is driven by a specific problem, impact assessments, water licenses, or the need to rehabilitate a river or a river section (as in Brazil, South Korea, China, Canada, Japan, Australia). In some countries monitoring programs have only been explored by research teams mostly at the catchment or local level (e.g., Brazil, Mexico, Chile, China, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam) or implemented by citizen science groups (e.g., Southern Africa, Gambia, East Africa, Australia, Brazil, Canada). The existing large-extent assessments show a striking loss of biodiversity in the last 2–3 decades in Japanese and New Zealand rivers (e.g., 42% and 70% of fish species threatened or endangered, respectively). A poor condition (below Good condition) exists in 25% of South Korean rivers, half of the European water bodies, and 44% of USA rivers, while in Australia 30% of the reaches sampled were significantly impaired in 2006. Regarding river rehabilitation, the greatest implementation has occurred in North America, Australia, Northern Europe, Japan, Singapore, and the Republic of Korea. Most rehabilitation measures have been related to improving water quality and river connectivity for fish or the improvement of riparian vegetation. The limited extent of most rehabilitation measures (i.e., not considering the entire catchment) often constrains the improvement of biological condition. Yet, many rehabilitation projects also lack pre-and/or post-monitoring of ecological condition, which prevents assessing the success and shortcomings of the recovery measures. Economic constraints are the most cited limitation for implementing monitoring programs and rehabilitation actions, followed by technical limitations, limited knowledge of the fauna and flora and their life-history traits (especially in Africa, South America and Mexico), and poor awareness by decision-makers. On the other hand, citizen involvement is recognized as key to the success and sustainability of rehabilitation projects. Thus, establishing rehabilitation needs, defining clear goals, tracking progress towards achieving them, and involving local populations and stakeholders are key recommendations for rehabilitation projects (Table 1). Large-extent and long-term monitoring programs are also essential to provide a realistic overview of the condition of rivers worldwide. Soon, the use of DNA biological samples and eDNA to investigate aquatic diversity could contribute to reducing costs and thus increase monitoring efforts and a more complete assessment of biodiversity. Finally, we propose developing transcontinental teams to elaborate and improve technical guidelines for implementing biological monitoring programs and river rehabilitation and establishing common financial and technical frameworks for managing international catchments. We also recommend providing such expert teams through the United Nations Environment Program to aid the extension of biomonitoring, bioassessment, and river rehabilitation knowledge globally.
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Lal, Anita, Lan Gao, Elise Tan, Nikki McCaffrey, David Roder, and Elizabeth Buckley. "Long-term benefits for lower socioeconomic groups by improving bowel screening participation in South Australia: A modelling study." PLOS ONE 17, no. 12 (December 21, 2022): e0279177. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0279177.
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Introduction The gap in bowel cancer screening participation rates between the lowest socioeconomic position (SEP) groups and the highest in Australia is widening. This study estimates the long-term health impacts and healthcare costs at current colorectal cancer (CRC) screening participation rates by SEP in South Australia (SA). Methods A Markov microsimulation model for each socioeconomic quintile in SA estimated health outcomes over the lifetime of a population aged 50–74 years (total n = 513,000). The model simulated the development of CRC, considering participation rates in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program and estimated numbers of cases of CRC, CRC deaths, adenomas detected, mean costs of screening and treatment, and quality adjusted life years. Screened status, stage of diagnosis and survival were obtained for patients diagnosed with CRC in 2006–2013 using data linked to the SA Cancer Registry. Results We predict 10915 cases of CRC (95%CI: 8017─13812) in the lowest quintile (Q1), 17% more than the highest quintile (Q5) and 3265 CRC deaths (95%CI: 2120─4410) in Q1, 24% more than Q5. Average costs per person, were 29% higher in Q1 at $11997 ($8754─$15240) compared to Q5 $9281 ($6555─$12007). When substituting Q1 screening and diagnostic testing rates with Q5’s, 17% more colonoscopies occur and adenomas and cancers detected increase by 102% in Q1. Conclusion Inequalities were evident in CRC cases and deaths, as well as adenomas and cancers that could be detected earlier. Implementing programs to increase screening uptake and follow-up tests for lower socioeconomic groups is critical to improve the health of these priority population groups.
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Phillipson, Lyn, Louisa Smith, James Caiels, Ann-Marie Towers, and Susan Jenkins. "A Cohesive Research Approach to Assess Care-Related Quality of Life: Lessons Learned From Adapting an Easy Read Survey With Older Service Users With Cognitive Impairment." International Journal of Qualitative Methods 18 (January 1, 2019): 160940691985496. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1609406919854961.
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New or adapted methods and tools are needed to ensure the voices of older people with cognitive impairment and dementia are included in evaluations of care services which aim to support their quality of life (QoL). In this study, cognitive interviewing practices were used with a group of 26 older service users with cognitive impairment from two service providers in New South Wales, Australia, to test and modify the Adult Social Care Outcomes Toolkit Easy Read (ER) survey to improve its suitability for this cohort. We used Antonovsky’s “sense of coherence” framework to describe our research approach and how it was adapted to provide a manageable, meaningful, and comprehensible experience for our participants. While the modified ER format made the survey more comprehensible and meaningful, it was the techniques of cognitive interviewing that made the research approach manageable. We argue that while ER does support the research process for older service users with cognitive impairment, combining ER pictorials with the qualitative interactions with the researcher, in particular cognitive interviewing strategies, is needed to support a cohesive approach to assess care-related QoL in this vulnerable group.
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Goldney, Robert D., Laura J. Fisher, David H. Wilson, and Frida Cheok. "Major Depression and its Associated Morbidity and Quality of Life in a Random, Representative Australian Community Sample." Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 34, no. 6 (December 2000): 1022–29. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/000486700279.
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Objective: The objective of this study is to describe health services utilisation and morbidity, including health-related quality of life, in those with major depression in a random and representative sample of the population. Method: Data were gathered in a Health Omnibus Survey of the South Australian population. Major depression was delineated on the basis of responses to the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders. Information about use of health services and absence from usual functioning was collated, and two measures of health-related quality of life, the Short-form Health Status Questionnaire and the Assessment of Quality of Life were also administered. Results of those with major depression were compared with those who had other depressive syndromes and those who had no depression. Results: Those with major depression reported significantly greater use of all health services and poorer functioning in terms of carrying out their normal duties. Similarly, their health-related quality of life was significantly poorer than those with other depressive syndromes, which in turn was significantly poorer than those who were not depressed. Only one-fifth of those with major depression were currently taking antidepressants. Conclusions: These results are consistent with international studies. In addition to the potential for alleviating the depressive symptomatology of individuals, it is evident that even a modest improvement in functioning with appropriate treatment would have the potential to benefit the Australian community by one billion dollars a year.