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Research Topics
In Research Link Australia (RLA), "Research Topics" refer to ANZSRC FOR and SEO codes. These topics are either sourced from ANZSRC FOR and SEO codes listed in researchers' related grants or generated by a large language model (LLM) based on their publications.
Top 5 Research Topics
ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)
Health Economics | Public Health and Health Services | Applied Economics | Neurology And Neuromuscular Diseases | Public Health And Health Services Not Elsewhere Classified | Epidemiology | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health |
ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)
Cultural Understanding not elsewhere classified | Road Safety | Work not elsewhere classified | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health - Determinants of Health | Health and support services not elsewhere classified | Nervous system and disorders | Road Passenger Movements (excl. Public Transport) | Rural Health
Related Links
Publications
Prevalence and patterns of alcohol use in pregnancy in remote W estern A ustralian communities: The L ililwanP roject
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 19-02-2015
DOI: 10.1111/DAR.12232
Abstract: Alcohol use in pregnancy is thought to be common in remote Australian communities, but no population-based data are available. Aboriginal leaders in remote Western Australia invited researchers to determine the prevalence and patterns of alcohol use in pregnancy within their communities. A population-based survey of caregivers of all children born in 2002/2003 and living in the Fitzroy Valley in 2010/2011 (n = 134). Alcohol use risk was categorised using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test consumption subset (AUDIT-C) tool. Birth and child outcomes were determined by interview, medical record review and physical examination. 127/134 (95%) eligible caregivers participated: 78% were birth mothers, 95% were Aboriginal and 55% reported alcohol use in index pregnancies 88% reported first trimester drinking and 53% drinking in all trimesters. AUDIT-C scores were calculated for 115/127 women, of whom 60 (52%) reported alcohol use in pregnancy. Of the 60 women who drank (AUDIT-C score ≥ 1), 12% drank daily/almost daily, 33% drank 2-3 times per week 71% drank ≥ 10 standard drinks on a typical occasion 95% drank at risky or high-risk levels (AUDIT-C score ≥ 4). Mean AUDIT-C score was 8.5 ± 2.3 (range 2-12). The most common drinking pattern was consumption of ≥ 10 standard drinks either 2-4 times per month (27%) or 2-3 times per week (27%). High-risk alcohol use in pregnancy is common in remote, predominantly Aboriginal communities in north western Australia. Prevention strategies to reduce prenatal alcohol use are urgently needed.
Sydney epilepsy incidence study to measure illness consequences: The SESIMIC observational epilepsy study protocol
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 09-01-2011
Sleep-deprived young drivers and the risk for crash the drive prospective cohort study
Publisher: American Medical Association (AMA)
Date: 07-2013
DOI: 10.1001/JAMAPEDIATRICS.2013.1429
Abstract: Short sleep duration is common in adolescents and young adults, and short sleep duration is a risk factor for motor vehicle crash. To assess the association between hours of sleep and the risk for motor vehicle crash, including the time of day of crash and types of crash (single, multiple vehicle, run off road, and intersection). Prospective cohort study. New South Wales, Australia. Questionnaire responses were obtained from 20,822 newly licensed drivers aged 17 to 24 years. Participants held a first-stage provisional license between June 2003 and December 2004 prospectively linked to licensing and police-reported crash data, with an average of 2 years of follow-up. Analyses were conducted on a subs le of 19,327 participants for which there was full information. Sleeping 6 or fewer hours per night. The main outcome variable was police-reported crash. Multivariable Poisson regression models were used to investigate the role of sleep duration on the risk for crash. On average, those who reported sleeping 6 or fewer hours per night had an increased risk for crash compared with those who reported sleeping more than 6 hours (relative risk [RR], 1.21 95% CI, 1.04-1.41). Less weekend sleep was significantly associated with an increased risk for run-off-road crashes (RR, 1.55 95% CI, 1.21-2.00). Crashes for in iduals who had less sleep per night (on average and on weekends) were significantly more likely to occur between 8 pm and 6 am (RR, 1.86 95% CI, 1.11-3.13, for midnight to 5:59 am and RR, 1.66 95% CI, 1.15-2.39, for 8:00 pm to 11:59 pm). Less sleep per night significantly increased the risk for crash for young drivers. Less sleep on weekend nights increased the risk for run-off-road crashes and crashes occurring in the late-night hours. This provides rationale for governments and health care providers to address sleep-related crashes among young drivers.
Does Psychological Distress Increase the Risk for Motor Vehicle Crashes in Young People? Findings From the DRIVE Study
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2010
DOI: 10.1016/J.JADOHEALTH.2010.03.010
Abstract: Earlier research demonstrates increased and decreased risk of crash related to psychological distress however, previous literature has almost entirely used retrospective study designs and has not been able to adequately control for important confounders such as exposure to driving, alcohol and drug use, or having had a previous crash. This study aimed to assess the relationship between psychological distress and risk of motor vehicle crashes. The DRIVE study is a prospective cohort study of 20,822 novice drivers aged 17-24 years in Australia. Information on risk factors for motor vehicle crash was collected through online questionnaire and subsequently linked to police-reported crashes. Poisson regression was used to analyze risk of various crash types by low, moderate, high, and very high levels of psychological distress, taking into account other known risk factors for crash. Compared to the referent group with low or no distress, a protective effect against crash was observed for young people who reported a moderate amount of psychological distress in unadjusted (RR = .87 95% CI = .76-1.00) and multivariable analyses (RR = .85 95% CI = .74-.97). Severe psychological distress was not significantly associated with an increase or decrease in the risk of crash. Psychological distress was not significantly associated with an increased risk of single vehicle crash. Earlier studies may have overestimated risk for motor vehicle crashes associated with psychological distress. This study found little convincing evidence to support a strong risk relationship for higher levels of distress and indeed found a modest protective association for low levels of distress.
Interventions for Young Children’s Mental Health: A Review of Reviews
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 24-07-2023
DOI: 10.1007/S10567-023-00443-6
Abstract: To determine the efficacy of intervention programs for young children (4–9 years) with emerging mental health needs, we conducted a review of meta-analytic and systematic reviews of the intervention literature. Of 41,061 abstracts identified and 15,076 screened, 152 review articles met the inclusion criteria. We reviewed interventions across multiple disciplines targeting: (1) general mental health concerns (2) internalizing symptoms (3) externalizing symptoms (4) anxiety (5) depression (6) trauma (7) symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and (8) mental health concerns associated with autism spectrum disorder. Substantial evidence was found for the efficacy of behavioral and cognitive behavioral interventions for general mental health concerns, externalizing symptoms (generally, as well as ADHD, conduct, and other behavioral symptoms) and internalizing symptoms (generally, as well as anxiety) aged 4–9 years. Emerging evidence was identified for interventions targeting trauma symptoms, depression symptoms, and social, emotional and behavioral symptoms in autism spectrum disorder in children aged 4–9 years. Currently there is only limited emerging evidence regarding non-behavioral or non-cognitive behavioral interventions for programs targeting children ages 4–9 years where the aim is to deliver an evidence-based program to improve child social, emotional and/or behavioral functioning. Given the recent rises in mental health needs reported in children, targeted behavioral-and/or cognitive behavior therapy-based interventions should be made widely available to children (and their families) who experience elevated symptoms.
Elevated total cholesterol: Its prevalence and population attributable fraction for mortality from coronary heart disease and ischaemic stroke in the Asia-Pacific region
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 08-2008
Does a mandibular overdenture improve nutrient intake and markers of nutritional status better than conventional complete denture? A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 08-2016
Prevalence of HIV and chronic comorbidities among older adults
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 31-07-2012
Towards people-centred health systems: a multi-level framework for analysing primary health care governance in low- and middle-income countries
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 09-2014
Cohort profile: the Asia Pacific Cohort Studies Collaboration
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 22-10-2006
DOI: 10.1093/IJE/DYL222
Variations in car crash-related hospitalization costs amongst young adults in New South Wales, Australia
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2012
DOI: 10.1016/J.INJURY.2011.06.016
Abstract: This study aims to examine factors associated with variation in crash-related hospitalization costs for young adults in New South Wales (NSW), Australia with a particular focus on types of vehicle occupant, rurality of residence and socioeconomic status (SES). Data on patients aged 17-25 years, admitted to public hospitals due to a crash during July 2000-June 2007 were extracted from the NSW Health Admission Collection database. The hospitalization cost of each admission was calculated based on published charges for specific Australian Refined-Diagnosis Related Groups (AR-DRG). Multivariable analyses using generalized estimating equations were used to estimate costs by vehicle occupant type (driver, passenger and other occupants), rurality of residence (urban, regional and rural areas) and SES (low, moderate and high SES areas). During 2000-2007, there were 11,892 crash-related hospitalizations involving young adults, aged 17-25 years, in NSW. These cost the health sector about A$87.6 million or on average, A$7363 per hospitalization (mean length of stay (LOS) 5.3 days). Compared to drivers, passengers had significantly longer LOS (<0.01) as well as higher hospitalization costs (p = 0.04). Regional and rural young adults had significantly longer LOS and higher hospitalization costs compared to urban young adults (p<0.05). Compared with young adults from high SES areas, young adults from moderate SES areas had significantly higher costs (p = 0.02), whilst the higher costs for young adults of low SES areas was borderline significant (p = 0.06), although differences in LOS by SES were not significant. Annually, young adults' crashes in NSW were estimated to cost the health sector at least A$14.6 million between 2001 and 2007. The higher hospitalization costs and LOS for young adults living in regional and rural vs. urban areas, and those living in moderate and low SES vs. high SES areas partly reflects the severity of these crashes and challenges for treatment. Based on these findings, a strong economic argument can be made for targeting prevention strategies to young people living in rural and low SES areas. The area variations in costs also suggest some scope for policy makers to consider potentially more efficient ways of targeting both treatment and preventative programmes.
The impact of alcohol intoxication in patients admitted due to assault at an Australian major trauma centre: a trauma registry study from 1999 to 2009
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 16-02-2013
How decentralisation influences the retention of primary health care workers in rural Nigeria
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 03-03-2015
DOI: 10.3402/GHA.V8.26616
Abstract: In Nigeria, the shortage of health workers is worst at the primary health care (PHC) level, especially in rural communities. And the responsibility for PHC - usually the only form of formal health service available in rural communities - is shared among the three tiers of government (federal, state, and local governments). In addition, the responsibility for community engagement in PHC is delegated to community health committees. This study examines how the decentralisation of health system governance influences retention of health workers in rural communities in Nigeria from the perspective of health managers, health workers, and people living in rural communities. The study adopted a qualitative approach, and data were collected using semi-structured in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The multi-stakeholder data were analysed for themes related to health system decentralisation. The results showed that decentralisation influences the retention of rural health workers in two ways: 1) The salary of PHC workers is often delayed and irregular as a result of delays in transfer of funds from the national to sub-national governments and because one tier of government can blame failure on another tier of government. Further, the primary responsibility for PHC is often left to the weakest tier of government (local governments). And the result is that rural PHC workers are attracted to working at levels of care where salaries are higher and more regular - in secondary care (run by state governments) and tertiary care (run by the federal government), which are also usually in urban areas. 2) Through community health committees, rural communities influence the retention of health workers by working to increase the uptake of PHC services. Community efforts to retain health workers also include providing social, financial, and accommodation support to health workers. To encourage health workers to stay, communities also take the initiative to co-finance and co-manage PHC services in order to ensure that PHC facilities are functional. In Nigeria and other low- and middle-income countries with decentralised health systems, intervention to increase the retention of health workers in rural communities should seek to reform and strengthen governance mechanisms, using both top-down and bottom-up strategies to improve the remuneration and support for health workers in rural communities.
Media discourse regarding COVID-19 vaccinations for children aged 5 to 11 in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States of America: a comparative analysis using the Narrative Policy F
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 14-04-2022
DOI: 10.2196/38761
Abstract: Media narratives can shape public opinion and action, influencing people's perceptions and action regarding uptake of paediatric COVID-19 vaccines. COVID-19 has occurred at a time where 'infodemics', 'misinformation', and 'disinformation' are present, and as a result the COVID-19 response has suffered. To investigate how narratives about paediatric COVID-19 vaccines have unfolded in the media of four English-speaking countries USA, Australia, Canada and the UK. The Narrative Policy Framework (NPF) was used to guide the comparative analyses of the major print and online news agencies' media regarding COVID-19 vaccines for the 5 to 11 year old age group. Data were sought using systematic searching on Factiva of four key phases of the paediatric vaccine approval and roll-out. 400 articles (287 for USA, 40 for Australia, 60 for Canada, and 13 for the United Kingdom) fit the search criteria and were included. Using the NPF, the following were identified in each of the articles: hero, villain, victim, plot. The USA was the earliest to vaccinate children, and other countries' media often lauded the USA for this. Australian and Canadian media narratives about 5-11 year old vaccines were commonly about protecting vulnerable people in society, whereas the USA and the UK narratives focused more on the vaccine helping children get back to school. All four countries focused on the 5-11 year old vaccine as being key to 'ending' the pandemic. Australian and Canadian narratives frequently compared vaccine roll-outs across states rovinces, and bemoaned local progress in vaccine delivery in comparison to other countries globally. Canadian and USA narratives highlighted the 'infodemic' about COVID-19 and disinformation regarding child vaccines as impeding uptake. All four of USA, Australia, UK, and Canada used war imagery in reporting about COVID-19 vaccines for children. The advent of the Omicron variant demonstrated that populations were fatigued by COVID-19 and the media reporting increasingly blamed those who were not vaccinated. The UK media narrative was unique in that it frequently described vaccinating children as a distraction from adult COVID-19 vaccination efforts. The USA and Canada had narratives expressing anger about potential vaccine passports for children. In Australia, general practitioners (GPs) were enveloped in the language of heroism. And lastly, the Canadian narrative was unique in expressing the desire to forgo adult COVID-19 vaccine 'boosters', as well as paediatric COVID-19 vaccines in order to ensure other adults globally could receive their initial vaccines. Public health emergencies require clear, compelling and above all, accurate communication. The stories told in this pandemic are compelling because they contain the classic elements of a narrative, however they can be reductive and inaccurate.
Protective Factors against Self-Harm and Suicidality among Australian Indigenous Adolescents: A Strengths-Based Analysis of the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 26-07-2022
Abstract: Background: Understanding and encouraging social and emotional well-being (SEWB) among Indigenous adolescents is vital in countering the impacts of colonisation and intergenerational trauma. As self-harm and suicidality are considered markers of poor SEWB among Indigenous communities, we aimed to identify the in idual-level and community-level factors protecting Indigenous adolescents from self-harm and suicidality. Methods: Data came from Footprints in Time—The Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children (waves 10 and 11), conducted among Indigenous families across Australia. A strengths-based analysis fitted multilevel logistic regression to explore associations with factors proposed as protective against self-reported self-harm and suicidality among Indigenous adolescents. Results: Our study cohort included 365 adolescents with complete data for the variables of interest. Adolescents had a mean (SD) age of 14.04 (0.45) years and a sex ratio of almost 1:1, and most were attending school (96.2%). Previous self-harm was reported by 8.2% (n = 30) previous suicidality was reported by 4.1% (n = 15). In idual-level factors protecting against self-harm and suicidality were being male, living in a cohesive family, and having low total Strengths and Difficulty Questionnaire scores (p 0.05 for all). Residing in major cities compared with regional/remote areas was protective against self-harm (OR 5.94, 95% CI 1.31–26.81). Strong cultural identity was not found to be a protective factor against self-harm and/or suicidality in the s le. Conclusions: This study identified key in idual- and community-level factors that can protect Australian Indigenous adolescents against self-harm and suicidality, particularly family cohesion. Identifying strengths for this at-risk population can inform prevention strategies, particularly for rural living adolescents with high distress.
Fatal crash trends for Australian young drivers 1997-2007: Geographic and socioeconomic differentials
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2010
DOI: 10.1016/J.JSR.2009.12.006
Abstract: Little has been published on changes in young driver fatality rates over time. This paper examines differences in Australian young driver fatality rates over the last decade, examining important risk factors including place of residence and socioeconomic status (SES). Young driver (17-25years) police-recorded passenger vehicle crashes were extracted from New South Wales State records from 1997-2007. Rurality of residence and SES were classified into three levels based on drivers' residential postcode: urban, regional, or rural and high, moderate, or low SES areas. Geographic and SES disparities in trends of fatality rates were examined by the generalized linear model. Chi-square trend test was used to examine the distributions of posted speed limits, drinking driving, fatigue, seatbelt use, vehicle age, night-time driving, and the time from crash to death across rurality and socioeconomic status. Young driver fatality rate significantly decreased 5% per year (p<0.05) however, stratified analyses (by rurality and by SES) showed that only the reduction among urban drivers was significant (average 5% decrease per year, p<0.01). The higher relative risk of fatality for rural versus urban drivers, and for drivers of low versus high SES remained unchanged over the last decade. High posted speed limits, fatigue, drink driving and seatbelt non-use were significantly associated with rural fatalities, whereas high posted speed limit, fatigue, and driving an older vehicle were significantly related to low SES fatality. The constant geographic and SES disparities in young driver fatality rates highlight safety inequities for those living in rural areas and those of low SES. Better targeted interventions are needed, including attention to behavioral risk factors and vehicle age.
Associations of diabetes mellitus with site-specific cancer mortality in the Asia-Pacific region
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2011
Information, regulation and coordination: realist analysis of the efforts of community health committees to limit informal health care providers in Nigeria
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 14-11-2016
Development of a reliable questionnaire to assist in the diagnosis of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD)
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 07-03-2013
I do what I have to do to survive: An investigation into the perceptions, experiences and economic considerations of women engaged in sex work in Northern Namibia
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 03-08-2011
Abstract: There is little published research investigating sex work in Namibia, particularly in rural areas. Therefore, the aim of this paper was to determine the views of women engaged in sex work in the Oshakati area of Namibia concerning the main factors influencing their use, or non-use, of male condoms during transactional sexual exchanges. Qualitative interviews were used to better understand the perceptions, experiences and economic considerations of female sex workers in Namibia who were involved in a Behavior Change Communication Program encouraging safer sex practices among high-risk populations in 2006 and 2007. While the Behavior Change Communication Program has made significant strides in educating and empowering young women to negotiate more consistent condom use with sexual partners, the gendered economic inequalities and power imbalances within rural and semi-urban Namibian society that favor men hinder further advancement towards positive behavioral change for HIV prevention and also hinder the development of the loving relationships sought by some sex workers. This study found that sex workers and transactional sex encounters are heterogeneous entities dependent upon the characteristics of the man (known, stranger, wealthy, attractive to the woman) and the woman (in financial need, desiring love). These features all influence condom use. The 3 E's 'education, empowerment and economic independence' are critical factors needed to encourage and facilitate consistent condom use to prevent HIV transmission. Without financial independence and occupational alternatives building on their health education and empowerment, women who engage in sex work-and transactional sex more generally-will remain largely marginalized from Namibian society, and will continue engaging in risky sexual practices that facilitate HIV acquisition and transmission throughout the community.
Seeking consent for research with indigenous communities: a systematic review
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 22-10-2016
The fraction of ischaemic heart disease and stroke attributable to smoking in the WHO Western Pacific and South-East Asian regions
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 06-2006
Hypothesis: improving literacy about health workforce will improve rural health workforce recruitment, retention and capability
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-2019
DOI: 10.1186/S12960-019-0442-9
Abstract: One of the key barriers to health in rural areas is health workforce. Poor understanding and communication about health workforce across all stakeholder groups (including the broad community) is very common and can negatively affect the health workforce, recruitment, experiences and outcomes. In this paper, we propose the concept of literacy about health workforce. We propose this as a specific, actionable extension of the existing and well accepted health literacy concept. We hypothesise that improving literacy about health workforce will improve, in particular, rural health workforce recruitment, retention and capability. We propose that literacy about health workforce is important for all members of the health and broader system (e.g. local GP, mayor, workforce agency, health manager, Aboriginal health worker, carers, community health facilitators, patients, schools, local businesses, cultural and recreation groups) because we hypothesise their literacy about health workforce affects their capacity to make informed decisions and take action to manage their health workforce needs in direct synchrony with the community’s health needs. We hypothesise that improving literacy about health workforce will improve the effectiveness and efficiency of attracting, recruiting, training, and retaining a high quality, capable, health workforce, and further, will support the development and acceptance of innovative solutions to health workforce crises such as new models of care. This hypothesis is action orientated, is testable and includes the consideration of methods to engage and improve literacy of those within and external to the health workforce.
Building health systems capacity in global health graduate programs: reflections from Australian educators
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 24-08-2012
Plagiocephaly and Developmental Delay: A Systematic Review
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 2017
Brain Gains: A literature review of medical missions to low and middle-income countries
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 29-05-2012
Cost and impoverishment 1 year after hospitalisation due to injuries: a cohort study in Thái Bình, Vietnam
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 24-01-0006
DOI: 10.1136/INJURYPREV-2014-041493
Abstract: Evidence on the economic impact on in iduals and their families following an injury in Vietnam is limited. This study examines the costs and the risk of impoverishment due to hospitalised injuries at 12 months following hospital discharge and associated factors. Employing a prospective cohort design, 892 people hospitalised for injury were recruited from Thái Bình General Hospital in Vietnam in 2010 and followed up for 12 months. All out-of-pocket costs incurred and income lost by injured persons and their caregivers associated with care and treatment of their injuries were reported. To examine associated factors, we used generalised estimating equation models for costs and modified Poisson regression for the risk of impoverishment. The mean total costs by 12 months postdischarge were US$804, nearly 1.2 times the annual average income. Injuries that incurred highest costs were falls (US$950) and road traffic injuries (RTIs) (US$794). At 12-month follow-up, 181 persons (26.9%) became impoverished, with those injured in RTIs and falls at highest risk (26.1% and 35.4%, respectively). Factors associated with higher costs were also those associated with higher risk of impoverishment. These include those injured in RTIs or falls having higher severity level principal injured region as upper extremities, lower extremities or head physical nature of injuries as fracture or concussion injuries and longer hospitalisation. Injuries impose significant economic burden on injured persons and their families during and beyond hospitalisation. In addition to prevention, there is a need to reform health financing system to protect injured persons from significant out-of-pocket expense for healthcare services.
Risk and type of crash among young drivers by rurality of residence
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2009
DOI: 10.1016/J.AAP.2009.03.005
Abstract: Most previous literature on urban/rural differences in road crashes has a primary focus on severe injuries or deaths, which may be largely explained by variations of medical resources. Little has been reported on police-reported crashes by geographical location, or crash type and severity, especially among young drivers. DRIVE is a prospective cohort study of 20,822 drivers aged 17-24 in NSW, Australia. Information on risk factors was collected via online questionnaire and subsequently linked to police-reported crashes. Poisson regression was used to analyse risk of various crash types by three levels of rurality of residence: urban, regional (country towns and surrounds) and rural. Compared to urban drivers, risk of crash decreased with increasing rurality (regional adjusted RR: 0.7, 95% CI 0.6-0.9 rural adjusted RR: 0.5, 95% CI 0.3-0.7). Among those who crashed, risk of injurious crash did not differ by geographic location however, regional and rural drivers had significantly higher risk of a single versus multiple vehicle crash (regional adjusted RR 1.8, 95% CI 1.3-2.5 rural adjusted RR: 2.0, 95% CI 1.1-3.6), which was explained by speeding involvement and road alignment at the time or site of crash. Although young urban drivers have a higher crash risk overall, rural and regional residents have increased risk of a single vehicle crash. Interventions to reduce single vehicle crashes should aim to address key issues affecting such crashes, including speeding and specific aspects of road geometry.
The burden of overweight and obesity in the Asia-Pacific region
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 12-01-2007
Where there is no policy: governing the posting and transfer of primary health care workers in Nigeria
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 04-05-2016
DOI: 10.1002/HPM.2356
‘The government cannot do it all alone’: realist analysis of the minutes of community health committee meetings in Nigeria
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 25-07-2015
Higher-than-optimal body mass index and diabetes mortality in the Asia Pacific region
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2011
DOI: 10.1016/J.DIABRES.2011.10.002
Abstract: To estimate the population attributable fraction (PAF) of elevated body mass index (BMI) for diabetes mortality by country, sex and age group, for the Western Pacific and South-East Asia regions. Published data on nationally representative mean BMI (since year 2000) and age-specific hazard ratios for death due to diabetes for a unit increase in BMI were used to calculate PAFs using the methodology of the WHO Global Burden of Disease project, taking a BMI of 21 kg/m(2) as the ideal. Data were available for 15 countries in the Western Pacific and South East Asia regions. This included data from 330,374 in iduals. Age-standardized male PAFs ranged from 11% for India to 98% for American Samoa. Age-standardized female PAFs ranged from 9% in India to 95% in American Samoa. For males, several countries had PAFs at or below 30% - these were India, Indonesia and Japan whereas, India and Indonesia were the only two countries with PAFs below approximately 30% for females. Although this study is not a trial and thus not able to definitively state the proportions of diabetes deaths that could be averted by reducing mean BMI, this paper demonstrates that theoretically between 9% and 98% of deaths from diabetes could be prevented by tackling obesity in the Asia Pacific region. Preventing these deaths is likely to have an enormous positive social and economic impact, particularly in this region consisting of many low and middle-income countries.
Hypertension: Its prevalence and population-attributable fraction for mortality from cardiovascular disease in the Asia-Pacific region
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 2007
Catastrophic household costs due to injury in Vietnam
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2013
DOI: 10.1016/J.INJURY.2012.05.006
Abstract: Little is known about the costs of injury and their impact on injured persons and their families in Vietnam. This study aimed to examine the cost of injury in hospitalised patients and to identify the most costly injuries and those more likely to result in catastrophic household expenditure. A prospective cohort study was conducted, recruiting in iduals admitted to Thai Binh General Hospital due to injury in Vietnam from January to August 2010. During the hospitalisation period, data on expenditure including direct medical, direct non-medical and indirect costs were collected. Demographic and injury characteristics were also obtained. The associations between the risk of catastrophic expenditure and injury cause, severity and principal injured region were examined by modified Poisson regression approach. Payment of more than 40% of the household non-subsistence spending was considered a catastrophic expenditure. Of 918 patients approached, 892 (97%) were recruited. Total costs for all participants during the hospitalisation period were US$ 325,812. Patients admitted for road injury accounted for the largest number of injuries (n=477, 53%), and the largest percentage of the total costs (US$ 175,044, 57%). This was followed by in iduals hospitalised due to falls, representing 29% of the s le (n=261) and 31% of the total costs (US$ 103,128). In terms of cost per hospital stay, burn injuries were the most costly (US$ 427), followed by falls (US$ 395) and road crashes (US$ 367). Of all s le, 26% experienced catastrophic expenditure due to their injuries. Factors significantly associated with increased risk of catastrophic expenditure were having more severe or higher MAIS injuries (RR=2.02, 95% CI: 1.14-3.57), principal injured region to lower extremities (RR=3.34, 95% CI: 1.41-7.91) or head (RR=3.21, 95% CI: 1.37-7.52), longer hospital stay (RR=1.09, 95% CI: 1.07-1.10), older age, lower income and not having insurance (RR=1.63, 95% CI: 1.21-2.21). A high proportion of households experienced catastrophic expenditure following injury, highlighting the important need for programmes to prevent injuries, road traffic and fall-related injuries in particular. Furthermore, expansion of health insurance coverage may help in iduals cope with the financial consequences of injury.
An analysis of the media discourse regarding COVID-19 vaccinations for children aged 5 to 11 in Australia, Canada, United Kingdom and the United States of America (Preprint)
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 14-04-2022
Abstract: edia narratives can shape public opinion and action. Media can influence perceptions, and action regarding COVID-19 vaccines. COVID-19 has occurred at a time where ‘infodemics’ are present, and the COVID-19 response has suffered from this infodemic. o investigate how paediatric COVID-19 vaccine narratives have unfolded in the media of four countries USA, Australia, Canada and the UK. he Narrative Policy Framework (NPF) was used to guide the analyses of the major print and online news agencies’ media regarding COVID-19 vaccines for the 5 to 11 year old age group, in four English speaking countries. Data were sought using systematic searching on Factiva of four key phases of the paediatric vaccine approval and roll-out. 00 articles (287 for USA, 40 for Australia, 60 for Canada, and 13 for the United Kingdom) fit our search criteria and were included. Using the NPF, the following were identified in articles: hero, villain, victim, plot. The USA was the earliest to vaccinate children, and other countries’ media often lauded the USA for this. All four of USA, Australia, UK, and Canada used war imagery in reporting COVID-19 vaccines for children. The advent of the Omicron variant demonstrated that populations were fatigued by COVID-19 and the media reporting increasingly blamed those who were not vaccinated. nalysis of the hero, villain, victim, and plot of 400 media articles about COVID-19 vaccination in children shows that the media coverage of this pandemic relies on interpersonal narrative stories. Public health emergencies require clear, compelling and above all, accurate communication. The stories told in this pandemic are compelling because they contain the classic elements of a narrative, however they can be reductive and inaccurate.
Socioeconomic status and risk of car crash injury, independent of place of residence and driving exposure
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 12-10-2010
Abstract: Previous studies that found increased crash risks for young drivers of low socioeconomic status (SES) have failed to adjust for factors such as driving exposure and rural residence. This aim of this study is to examine the independent effect of SES on crash risk, adjusting for such factors, and to examine the relationship between injury severity following a crash and SES. Information on risk factors for crash collected from 20,822 newly licenced drivers aged 17-24 years in New South Wales, Australia, as part of the DRIVE Study was prospectively linked to hospitalisation data. SES was classified as high, moderate or low based on the Australia 2001 Socio-Economic Index for Areas. Poisson regression was used to model risk of crash-related hospitalisation by SES, adjusting for confounders. Two measures of injury severity--urgency of treatment and length of hospital stay--were examined by SES. Results of multivariable analysis showed that drivers from low SES areas had increased relative risk (RR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1 to 3.1) of crash-related hospitalisation compared to drivers from high SES areas. This increased risk remained when adjusting for confounders including driving exposure and rurality (RR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1 to 3.2). No significant association was found between injury severity and SES. The higher risk of crash-related hospitalisation for young drivers from low SES areas is independent of driving exposure and rural-urban differences. This finding may help improve and better target interventions for youth of low SES.
Smoking and the Risk of Upper Aero Digestive Tract Cancers for Men and Women in the Asia-Pacific Region
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 03-04-2009
High alcohol use a strong and significant risk factor for repetitive self-harm in female and male youth: A prospective cohort study
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 05-08-2015
DOI: 10.3109/00952990.2015.1062023
Abstract: Deliberate self-harm (DSH) is reported by between 5 and 17% of youth aged 14-25 years. Current management measures focus on repetition prevention in high-risk groups. To examine risk factors and predictors of DSH and DSH repetition in a community s le, by gender. A prospective cohort of 20,822 young adults (aged 17-24 years) was recruited when obtaining their driving license. A random s le of 5000 was approached for follow-up 12-18 months 2991 (60%) responded and formed the cohort for this analysis. Patterns of self-harm, using a modified Beck Suicide Inventory, were investigated with logistic regression. DSH was reported by 4.1% (123/2991) at baseline. Over the following 12 months, 3.0% (90/2991) reported new instances of DSH which included 20% (25) respondents who had engaged in DSH at baseline. Psychological distress was a risk factor for engaging in DSH in the past 12 months, OR 3.55 (95% CI 2.06-6.14). Although several clinical risk factors differed between genders, high alcohol use, OR 23.6 (95% CI 3.64-153) and psychological distress, OR 4.97 (95% CI 1.08-22.9) were significant risk factors for repeat DSH in both males and females. In this community cohort, 1 in 25 youth had self-harmed in the year prior of these, 4 in 5 did not repeat DSH over the following year. High alcohol use stands out as a strong risk factor for DSH repetition. Assessing alcohol use may help clinicians identify those who are at greatest risk for repetitive self-harm.
The economic burden of road traffic injuries: evidence from a provincial general hospital in Vietnam
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 23-06-2013
DOI: 10.1136/INJURYPREV-2011-040293
Abstract: To examine the costs of road traffic injuries (RTIs) in Vietnam and factors associated with increased costs. RTI data were collected in a prospective cohort study on the impact of injuries in Vietnam. Participants were persons admitted to the Thai Binh General Hospital because of RTI. All costs incurred by participants and their family members during hospitalisation were collected, including direct medical costs, direct non-medical costs and indirect costs. Generalised linear models were employed to examine predictors of increased costs including demographic and injury context characteristics. Each RTI hospitalisation costs the patient and family on average US$363 or 6 months of average salary. Income, injury severity, principal region of injury and length of hospital stay were statistically significant predictors of increased costs age, gender, occupation and road user group were not. After controlling for injury characteristics and income, participants with principal injuries to the lower extremities had a cost 1.28 (95% CI 1.07 to 1.54) times higher than those with principal injuries to the face. Analyses of motorcycle-related RTIs with principal injury to the head also showed increased costs among those without a helmet (1.41 times higher, 95% CI 1.17 to 1.71). RTIs can cause a substantial economic burden to the patient and family. During hospitalisation on average, an RTI would cost approximately 6 months of salary. In addition to interventions to decrease the risk of RTIs, those reducing the severity, such as wearing a motorcycle helmet, should be enforced to minimise the economic and health consequences of injury.
The influence of design and definition on the proportion of general epilepsy cohorts with remission and intractability
Publisher: S. Karger AG
Date: 2011
DOI: 10.1159/000327497
Abstract: Remission while on anti-epileptic drug (AED) therapy and remission off AED are the only prognostic criteria defined by the International League against Epilepsy (ILAE), defining remission as 5 seizure-free years. Prognosis studies in epilepsy have investigated other prognostic categories using different designs and definitions. This systematic review explores factors that explain discrepancies in the proportion of patients reported with commonly studied prognostic categories in general epilepsy cohorts. Thirty publications (reporting 37 studies) were included. The outcome categories were classified as immediate remission (5 studies), remission off medication (7 studies), remission on or off medication (15 studies), intractability (9 studies) and no remission after relapse (1 study). The findings show the importance of qualifying estimates specifically by how they were defined in each study, study design, setting and patient population as these have implications for patient management and counselling. The ILAE should define the outcome measures and terminology to which researchers should be required to adhere in subsequent updates of their guidelines on research related to remission and intractability.
The Picture Talk Project: Starting a Conversation with Community Leaders on Research with Remote Aboriginal Communities of Australia
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 11-05-2017
Transaction costs of access to health care: Implications of the care-seeking pathways of tuberculosis patients for health system governance in Nigeria
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 05-02-2015
Road Crash Trends for Young Drivers in New South Wales, Australia, from 1997 to 2007
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 29-01-2010
DOI: 10.1080/15389580903434207
Abstract: The objective of this article was to explore overall crash and injury trends over the past decade for young drivers residing in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, including gender and age disparities. Passenger vehicle crashes for drivers aged 17-25 occurring during 1997-2007 were extracted from the state crash database to calculate crash rates (per licensed driver). Generalized linear models were used to examine crash trends over time by severity of driver injury, adjusting for age, gender, rurality of residence, and socioeconomic status. Yearly adjusted relative risks of crash by gender and by age group were also examined over the study period. Young driver noninjury and fatality rates significantly decreased by an average of 4 percent (95% CI: 4-5) and 5 percent (95% CI: 0-9) respectively each year from 1997 to 2007. Young driver injury rates significantly increased by about 12 percent (95% CI: 9-14) to the year 2001 and then significantly decreased. The relative risk of crash (regardless of driver injury) for males compared to females significantly decreased over time. Compared to drivers aged 21-25, drivers aged 17 and particularly 18- to 20-year-olds had significantly and consistently higher crash risks across the study period. Overall, there has been a significant decline in young driver crashes in NSW over the last decade. Regardless of injury severity, males' risk of crash has reduced more than female young drivers, but drivers aged 17 continue to be at higher risk. These findings provide feedback on potential road safety successes and areas needing specific interventions for future improvements.
Impact of COVID-19 on healthcare access for Australian adolescents and young adults
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 06-12-2021
DOI: 10.1101/2021.12.01.21267121
Abstract: Access to healthcare for young people is essential to build the foundation for a healthy life. We investigated the factors associated with healthcare access by Australian young adults during and before the COVID-19 pandemic. We included 1110 youths using two recent data collection waves from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC). Data were collected during COVID-19 in 2020 for Wave 9C1 and before COVID-19 in 2018 for Wave 8. The primary outcome for this study was healthcare access. Both bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models were employed to identify the factors associated with reluctance to access healthcare services during COVID-19 and pre-COVID-19 times. Among respondents, 39.6% avoided seeking health services during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic when they needed them, which was similar to pre-COVID-19 times (41.4%). The factors most strongly impacting upon reluctance and/or barriers to healthcare access during COVID-19 were any illness or disability, and high psychological distress. In comparison, prior to the pandemic the factors which were significantly impeding healthcare access were country of birth, state of residence, presence of any pre-existing condition and psychological distress. The most common reason reported (55.9%) for avoided seeking care was that they thought the problem would go away. A significant proportion of youths did not seek care when they felt they needed to seek care, both during and before the COVID-19 pandemic. Some adolescents and young adults do not access healthcare when they need it. Healthcare access and barriers to access is best understood through a multi-system lens including policy, organisational, and in idual-level factors. For instance, policy barriers (such as cost), organisational barriers (such as transportation, or difficulty accessing a timely appointment) and in idual barriers (such as experiences, knowledge or beliefs). Barriers to care may differ for sub-groups e.g. rural During the COVID-19 pandemic, public health restrictions including the stricter “lockdowns” have reduced healthcare access. The burden of cases upon the healthcare system has further reduced healthcare access. A significant proportion of youth did not seek healthcare when they felt they needed to seek care, both before (41.4%) and during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic (39.6%) Youth with a disability or chronic condition, asthma and/or psychological distress were more likely to avoid accessing healthcare during COVID-19 times. The most common reason for not seeking healthcare when it was felt to be needed was because the youth thought the problem would go away (pre-COVID-19 35.7% of the s le versus during the first year of COVID-19 55.9%) During the coronavirus restriction period (“lockdown”) the most common reason for not seeking healthcare when it was felt to be needed was because the youth did not want to visit a doctor during lockdown (21.8%) with the next most common reason being because telehealth was the only appointment option available at the time (8.4%)
Driver licensing: descriptive epidemiology of a social determinant of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2016
Early predictors of remission in newly diagnosed epilepsy: a systematic approach to reviewing prognostic factor studies
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 23-10-2013
Self-harm and risk of motor vehicle crashes among young drivers: findings from the DRIVE Study
Publisher: CMA Joule Inc.
Date: 16-11-2009
DOI: 10.1503/CMAJ.090459
Related Organisations
No related organisations have been discovered for Alexandra Martiniuk.
Related Funding Activities
Discovery Projects - Grant ID: DP1096655
Start Date: 06-2010
End Date: 06-2014
Amount: $248,000.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded ActivityDiscovery Projects - Grant ID: DP110100992
Start Date: 06-2011
End Date: 12-2013
Amount: $374,082.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded Activity