ORCID Profile
0000-0002-1677-2991
Current Organisation
James Cook University
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Medical Parasitology | Medical Virology | Public Health and Health Services not elsewhere classified | Medical Microbiology |
Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) not elsewhere classified | Specific Population Health (excl. Indigenous Health) not elsewhere classified | Expanding Knowledge in the Medical and Health Sciences
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 02-06-2016
DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2016.1182216
Abstract: Sexual violence against women and girls is commonplace in Papua New Guinea (PNG). While the experiences of women are rightly given central place in institutional responses to sexual violence, the men who perpetrate violence are often overlooked, an oversight that undermines the effectiveness of prevention efforts. This paper draws on interviews conducted with young men as part of a qualitative longitudinal study of masculinity and male sexuality in a rural highland area of PNG. It explores one aspect of male sexuality: men's narratives of sexual violence. Most striking from the data is that the collective enactment of sexual violence against women and girls is reported as an everyday and accepted practice amongst young men. However, not all women and girls were described as equally at risk, with those who transgress gender roles and roles inscribed and reinforced by patriarchal structures, at greater risk. To address this situation, efforts to reduce sexual violence against women and girls require an increased focus on male-centred intervention to critically engage with the forms of patriarchal authority that give license to sexual violence. Understanding the perceptions and experiences of men as perpetrators of sexual violence is a critical first step in the process of changing normative perceptions of gender, a task crucial to reducing sexual violence in countries such as PNG.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 09-02-2018
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 30-11-2017
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 22-09-2014
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 20-05-2016
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 20-08-2020
Abstract: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major, global public health concern with significant impacts, particularly for women, worldwide. There is an immediate need to develop comprehensive understandings of the complex drivers of this multifaceted issue in erse cultural and social contexts. This scoping review used a systematic approach to gather a broad scope of peer-reviewed, publisher-controlled, and gray literature investigating IPV in Polynesia, a region of the Pacific experiencing high rates of IPV. A total of 181 articles were identified through a comprehensive search that included five cross-disciplinary databases government, intergovernmental, and nongovernment websites and consultation with community organizations. Thirty-three articles met the inclusion criteria related to IPV in a Polynesian country or community abroad and were included in this review. Narrative synthesis, which included summarizing and sorting key findings into common themes, was conducted to provide an overview of what is currently known about IPV in Polynesia and Polynesian communities living aboard. Key themes, which arose from the data analysis included: high prevalence of IPV, attitudes supporting IPV, urbanization and migration, traditional protective factors, and formal leadership and laws. The paucity of rigorous literature highlights an immediate need for IPV prevention research and intervention within Polynesian communities. This review includes a discussion of the limitations of this small body of literature and makes recommendations for future research, policy, and program development to include intersectionality in order to deepen understandings and enhance inclusive and meaningful intervention and policy implementation.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 10-2012
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 11-08-2011
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 10-03-2020
DOI: 10.1101/2020.03.10.985432
Abstract: The impact of a range of different threats has resulted in the listing of six out of seven sea turtle species on the IUCN Red List of endangered species. Disease risk analysis (DRA) tools are designed to provide objective, repeatable and documented assessment of the disease risks for a population and measures to reduce these risks through management options. To the best of our knowledge, DRAs have not previously been published for sea turtles, although disease is reported to contribute to sea turtle population decline. Here, a comprehensive list of health hazards is provided for all seven species of sea turtles. The possible risk these hazards pose to the health of sea turtles were assessed and “One Health” aspects of interacting with sea turtles were also investigated. The risk assessment was undertaken in collaboration with more than 30 experts in the field including veterinarians, microbiologists, social scientists, epidemiologists and stakeholders, in the form of two international workshops and one local workshop. The general finding of the DRA was the distinct lack of knowledge regarding a link between the presence of pathogens and diseases manifestation in sea turtles. A higher rate of disease in immunocompromised in iduals was repeatedly reported and a possible link between immunosuppression and environmental contaminants as a result of anthropogenic influences was suggested. Society based conservation initiatives and as a result the cultural and social aspect of interacting with sea turtles appeared to need more attention and research. A risk management workshop was carried out to acquire the insights of local policy makers about management options for the risks relevant to Queensland and the options were evaluated considering their feasibility and effectiveness. The sea turtle DRA presented here, is a structured guide for future risk assessments to be used in specific scenarios such as translocation and head-starting programs.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 20-06-2015
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 10-10-2016
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 10-1999
DOI: 10.1177/097206349900100203
Abstract: This paper briefly explores the history of quality management principles and their application to health care. Defining some of the principles that have evolved in quality management, especially in health care management, the paper discusses the analysis of and means used to improve quality using structure, process and outcome variables, with special focus on ex les of the use of these in developing countries' health care systems. Finally, the paper describes some of the measurement and implementation challenges for those interested in quality management in health care.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 04-2015
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2010
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 09-07-2002
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 24-06-2014
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 27-07-2014
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-06-2012
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 07-2013
DOI: 10.1080/03670244.2012.707438
Abstract: This study aims to explore the feeding practices in families of working and nonworking mothers with children (aged 12-36 months) of different nutritional status and types of domestic caregiver in Indonesian urban middle class families. It was designed as a qualitative multiple case study. Mothers and caregivers from 26 families were interviewed in depth, and caregivers were categorized as family and domestic-paid caregivers. The result suggested that offering formula milk to young children was a common practice, and there was a high recognition and familiarity toward a range of formula milk brands. Mothers reported challenges in encouraging their children to eat, and in some cases they appeared to lack knowledge on overcoming their child's feeding problem. The findings suggested the need to address the child feeding problems experienced by mothers in order to overcome the double burden of child nutrition in Indonesia.
Publisher: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Date: 24-10-2016
Abstract: Large-scale corporate projects, particularly those in extractive industries or hydropower development, have a history from early in the twentieth century of creating negative environmental, social, and health impacts on communities proximal to their operations. In many instances, especially for hydropower projects, the forced resettlement of entire communities was a feature in which local cultures and core human rights were severely impacted. These projects triggered an activist opposition that progressively expanded and became influential at both the host community level and with multilateral financial institutions. In parallel to, and spurred by, this activism, a shift occurred in 1969 with the passage of the National Environmental Policy Act in the United States, which required Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for certain types of industrial and infrastructure projects. Over the last four decades, there has been a global movement to develop a formal legal/regulatory EIA process for large industrial and infrastructure projects. In addition, social, health, and human rights impact assessments, with associated mitigation plans, were sequentially initiated and have increasingly influenced project design and relations among companies, host governments, and locally impacted communities. Often, beneficial community-level social, economic, and health programs have voluntarily been put in place by companies. These flagship programs can serve as benchmarks for community–corporate–government partnerships in the future. Here, we present ex les of such positive phenomena and also focus attention on a myriad of challenges that still lie ahead.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 22-08-2016
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 04-08-2011
Publisher: JSTOR
Date: 12-1997
DOI: 10.2307/2137859
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 16-02-2013
DOI: 10.1007/S10393-013-0821-Y
Abstract: The parasitic zoonoses human cysticercosis (Taenia solium), taeniasis (other Taenia species) and trichinellosis (Trichinella species) are endemic in the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). This study was designed to quantify the economic burden pig-associated zoonotic disease pose in Lao PDR. In particular, the analysis included estimation of the losses in the pork industry as well as losses due to human illness and lost productivity. A Markov-probability based decision-tree model was chosen to form the basis of the calculations to estimate the economic and public health impacts of taeniasis, trichinellosis and cysticercosis. Two different decision trees were run simultaneously on the model's human cohort. A third decision tree simulated the potential impacts on pig production. The human capital method was used to estimate productivity loss. The results found varied significantly depending on the rate of hospitalisation due to neurocysticerosis. This study is the first systematic estimate of the economic impact of pig-associated zoonotic diseases in Lao PDR that demonstrates the significance of the diseases in that country.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 06-10-2015
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 03-10-2019
DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2018.1492021
Abstract: This study explores conceptualisations and understandings of intimate relationships with young people in Samoa - an at-risk group experiencing high rates of intimate partner violence and alienation from sexual and relationship health promotion. Insights contribute to the immediate need to advance knowledge and practice around prevention with this group. An arts-based approach, which included a two-day interactive drama workshop coupled with follow-up, peer-led focus groups, was used to explore perceptions and understandings related to intimate relationships with 15 tertiary educated young people (nine female and six male) from across Samoa. Intersectionality informed the data collection and thematic analysis, examining participants' lived experiences and the ways multiple and intersecting identities interact within social and cultural systems to influence and inform these experiences. Outcomes highlight important tensions for young people, including the way in which age, gender, religion and sexuality interact with social hierarchies and power structures, socially prescribed gender norms, family structures and globalisation. This research provides insights that can inform the development of prevention strategies to address the root causes of intimate partner violence, building the knowledge and skills required for establishing intimate relationships free from violence with young people.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 22-02-2012
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 30-03-2012
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 16-08-2023
DOI: 10.2196/51884
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 18-10-2012
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 22-03-2023
DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PGPH.0001694
Abstract: The research question was what studies are available that have assessed community engagement in the health services research on soil-transmitted helminths? We aimed to synthesise evidence on how communities were engaged in health services research on soil-transmitted helminths in low-and-middle-income countries of the Asia-Pacific Region. We focused on this region because soil-transmitted helminths are endemic, and their burden is significant in this region. This review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) checklist. Relevant studies were searched in health-related databases including PubMed, Ovid, and Google Scholar. We selected studies based on the selection criteria set for this review. We collected textual information about the type of health services research, the degree of community engagement, the research phases involved, and the barriers/enablers affecting community engagement in research since they are pertinent to our review question and objective. Ten studies from seven countries in the Asia Pacific region were identified for this review. Albeit with variation in the extent of their involvement, various forms of communities/groups within communities were included such as Aboriginal communities, local communities, school children and their parents, school teachers and headmasters of schools, heads of villages, religious leaders, and so on. Overall, community engagement in health services research focused on of soil-transmitted helminths was limited. Six studies (60%) had collaboration at ‘developing methodology’, mainly through an explanation of the objectives of the study or study process to be conducted. Seven studies (70%) revealed community participation in soil-transmitted helminths at the “data collection” stage. Only one study (10%) documented that a community leader was involved as a co-author, reflecting an involvement in ‘report writing’ and further ‘dissemination’. Findings suggest that there were various forms of community engagement in various aspects of the health services research context. Overall, there was moderate level of participation, but there was insufficient information on the partnership between various stakeholders, which prevented in-depth analysis of the engagement. Future health services research on soil-transmitted helminth interventions needs to be carefully planned, well designed, grounded in principles of community engagement, and designed methodologically to allow in-depth participation by communities in all stages of the research.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2010
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 26-08-2016
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2012
DOI: 10.1016/J.SOCSCIMED.2012.04.013
Abstract: Despite rural health services being situated and integrated within communities in which people work and live, the complex interaction of the social environment on health worker motivation and performance in Low Middle Income Countries has been neglected in research. In this article we investigate how social factors impact on health worker motivation and performance in rural health services in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Face-to-face in-depth interviews were conducted with 33 health workers from three provinces (Central, Madang, and Milne Bay) in PNG between August and November 2009. They included health extension officers, community health workers and nursing officers, some of whom were in charge of the health centres. The health centres were a selection across church based, government and private enterprise health facilities. Qualitative analysis identified the key social factors impacting on health worker motivation and performance to be the local community context, gender roles and family related issues, safety and security and health beliefs and attitudes of patients and community members. Our study identified the importance of strong supportive communities on health worker motivation. These findings have implications for developing sustainable strategies for motivation and performance enhancement of rural health workers in resource poor settings.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2014
DOI: 10.1016/J.SOCSCIMED.2014.09.038
Abstract: There is limited understanding of Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in Vietnam. This ethnographic study aimed to explore how ASD is represented and managed in the cultural, social and economic contexts of Vietnam, and describe the experiences of families with children with ASD in Hanoi, Vietnam. This study was conducted from 2011 to 2012 in Hanoi and employed a range of methods, including participant observation, in-depth interviews with 27 parents of children with ASD and 17 key informants, and online survey. This study found that within Hanoi, Vietnam, ASD has been culturally and socially constructed as a 'disease', 'karmic demerit' and 'family problem' rather than a life-long developmental disorder that needs support from government. Children with ASD and their families experience various forms of stigma and discrimination. There are limitations in assessment and diagnosis of ASD. Parents of children with ASD have little access to services for their children, and the limited political and economic supports exacerbate their difficulties. This study highlights some of the ways in which the understandings and management of ASD vary cross culturally. It also suggests further attention is required to the provision of appropriate public education, low cost interventions and support for family advocacy groups.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 13-09-2016
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 10-10-2018
Publisher: WHO Press
Date: 03-02-2016
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 15-11-2019
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Date: 12-11-2014
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 07-05-2021
DOI: 10.1186/S12913-021-06422-3
Abstract: The significant contribution of community-based distribution (CBD) of family planning services and contraceptives to the uptake of contraceptives in hard-to-reach communities has resulted in the scaling-up of this approach in many Sub-Saharan countries. However, contextual factors need to be taken into consideration. For ex le, social network influence (e.g. spouse artner, in-laws, and parents) on fertility decisions in many African and Asian societies is inevitable because of the social organisational structures. Hence the need to adapt CBD strategies to the social network context of a given society. Data collection involved structured interviews from August 2018 to March 2019. Randomly selected respondents ( n = 149) were recruited from four purposively selected health facilities in Lusaka district, Zambia. Respondents were screened for age ( 15 yrs.) and marital status. A mix of categorical and qualitative data was generated. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS® 24 ) was used to carry out descriptive analysis and tests of association (Fisher’s exact) while Nvivo® 12 was used to analyse the qualitative data using a deductive thematic approach. The results indicate that pre-marriage counselling (pre-MC) influences key elements of the husband-wife relationship ( p 0.005), namely sexual relationship, inter-personal communication, assignation of roles and responsibilities, leadership and authority. These elements of the husband-wife relationship also affect how spouses artners interact when making fertility decisions. More importantly, the majority (86%) of the respondents indicated having a continuing relationship with their marriage counsellors because of the need to consult them on marital issues. Marriage counsellors, though hardly reported in fertility studies, are important ‘constituents’ of the social network in the Zambian society. This is because marriage counsellors are trusted sources of information about marital issues and often consulted about family planning but perceived not to have the correct information about modern contraceptives. In this context, pre-MC offers a readily available, sustainable and culturally appropriate platform for disseminating accurate information about modern contraceptives provided in a private and personal manner. Therefore, the CBD strategy in Zambia can harness marriage counsellors by recruiting and training them as community agents.
Publisher: Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date: 07-2015
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 18-05-2011
Abstract: Quantitative data are lacking on published malaria research. The purpose of the study is to characterize trends in malaria-related literature from 1990 to 2009 in 11 Asian-Pacific countries that are committed to malaria elimination as a national goal. A systematic search was conducted for articles published from January 1990 to December 2009 in PubMed/MEDLINE using terms for malaria and 11 target countries (Bhutan, China, North Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vanuatu). The references were collated and categorized according to subject, Plasmodium species, and whether they contained original or derivative data. 2,700 articles published between 1990 and 2009 related to malaria in the target countries. The annual output of malaria-related papers increased linearly whereas the overall biomedical output from these countries grew exponentially. The percentage of malaria-related publications was nearly 3% (111/3741) of all biomedical publications in 1992 and decreased to less than 1% (118/12171 p 0.001) in 2009. Thailand had the highest absolute output of malaria-related papers (n = 1211), followed by China (n = 609) and Indonesia (n = 346). Solomon Islands and Vanuatu had lower absolute numbers of publications, but both countries had the highest number of publications per capita (1.3 and 2.5 papers/1,000 population). The largest percentage of papers concerned the epidemiology and control of malaria (53%) followed by studies of drugs and drug resistance (47%). There was an increase in the proportion of articles relating to epidemiology, entomology, biology, molecular biology, pathophysiology and diagnostics from the first to the second decade, whereas the percentage of papers on drugs, clinical aspects of malaria, immunology, and social sciences decreased. The proportion of malaria-related publications out of the overall biomedical output from the 11 target Asian-Pacific countries is decreasing. The discovery and evaluation of new, safe and effective drugs and vaccines is paramount. In addition the elimination of malaria will require operational research to implement and scale up interventions.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 11-2013
Abstract: This study aimed to synthesize available evidence on the extent of malaria and soil-transmitted intestinal helminth (STH) co-infections in people living in endemic countries and to explore the effect of interactions between malaria and STHs on anemia. We searched relevant studies in electronic databases up to March 2013. Studies comparing malaria and STH co-infected patients with those not co-infected were included and the effect estimates were pooled using a random-effects model. We identified 30 studies for meta-analyses of which 17 were cross-sectional design. The majority of included studies (80%) were carried out in African countries. Among pregnant women, those infected with hookworm were found to have higher association with malaria infection compared with those without (summary OR: 1.36 95% CI: 1.17-1.59 I(2): 0%). Among non-pregnant adults, the summary OR of the association between anemia and the combined malaria and STH was 2.91 (1.38-6.14). The summary OR of the association between anemia and malaria alone was 1.53 (0.97-2.42), while the association between anemia and STH alone was 0.28 (0.04-1.95). There is no good evidence to support a different effect of malaria and STH on anemia. A subgroup analysis showed a higher risk of malaria infection in the primigravidae (summary OR: 1.61 95% CI: 1.3-1.99 I(2): 0%). In conclusion, the malaria-STH co-infection was variable with complex outcomes on anemia.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 08-04-2021
DOI: 10.1186/S12905-021-01229-0
Abstract: Menarche, the first menstruation, is a significant developmental milestone for females. In Papua New Guinea (PNG), menarche is an important socio-cultural event marking transition from girlhood to womanhood. PNG is a culturally and linguistically erse nation, with wide-ranging socio-cultural beliefs and practices around menarche. This study explored post-menarcheal women’s understanding about body changes and menarche, preparation for menarche, and related cultural beliefs and practices at menarche. A constructivist grounded theory study was conducted with 98 female participants who originated from four PNG provinces: Eastern Highlands Province East Sepik Province Milne Bay Province and National Capital District. The participants were purposively and theoretically s led, with 10 focus group discussions and six in idual interviews conducted using a semi-structured interview guide for data collection. Focus group discussions and interviews were voice recorded and transcribed. Data were inductively analyzed using initial, intermediate and advanced coding, memos and constant comparative methods to develop a theoretical model that explains women’s experiences at menarche. Interview participants also identified actions required to improve future experiences of girls at menarche in PNG. A grounded theory comprising the core category of ‘Making of a Strong Woman’ and four interconnecting categories (‘Having Baby Sense’ ‘Beginning of Learning’ ‘Intensifying Learning’ and ‘Achieving Womanhood’) was constructed. ‘Urban’ and ‘Rural’ represented both geographical and socio-cultural intervening conditions that influence the experiences of girls at menarche. Experiences of young women at menarche were rooted in socio-cultural beliefs and practices. Women reported being physically and emotionally distressed and unprepared at onset of menarche. Mothers were considered important support, however, their ability to adequately prepare their daughters is limited by shame and secrecy. Despite these limitations, cultural practices at menarche provided an opportunity for intensive preparation of girls for womanhood. Limited pre-menarcheal awareness of the meaning of body changes and menarche of girls was linked to culture of shame and secrecy about open discussion on sexuality. However, traditional cultural practices provide an opportunity for collective support and focused learning for girls. Findings from this study have implications for broader sexual and reproductive health education programs in addressing menstrual health and hygiene in PNG, and the Pacific.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 21-09-2013
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 11-09-2017
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 12-04-2010
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 02-06-2023
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 16-10-2015
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 04-01-2016
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 20-06-2017
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 30-04-2016
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 05-06-2014
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 10-05-2016
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 14-08-2014
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 10-01-2011
Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.
Date: 16-08-2023
Abstract: lobally, the healthcare system is experiencing a period of rapid and radical change. In response, innovative service models have been adopted for the delivery of high-quality care, which requires a health workforce with the required skills to support such transformation and new ways of working. he aim of this research protocol is to describe the research that will contribute to the development of capability for health service managers in managing in the digital health era, and enabling digital transformation within the Australian healthcare environment, by seeking answers to the study’s three research questions. he study has adopted a qualitative approach, guided by the empirically validated management competency identification process, employing four steps: (1) health management and digital health competency mapping (2) scoping review of literatures and policy analysis (3) focus group discussions with health service managers and (4) semi-structured interviews with digital health leaders. wo initial steps have been completed to confirm the significance of the study and study design. Step one, competency mapping, found that nearly half of the digital competencies were only partially or not addressed at all, by the health management competency framework. Step two, scoping review, articulated the competencies health service managers need to effectively work with, manage, and demonstrate digital health competence in the workplace. his study will provide insights into the health service management workforce performance and development needs for digital health, and inform credentialing and professional development requirements. This will guide health service managers in leading and managing the adoption and implementation of digital health, as a contemporary tool for healthcare delivery.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 26-01-2018
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 09-08-2014
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 26-07-2011
Publisher: BMJ
Date: 05-2023
DOI: 10.1136/BMJGH-2023-012094
Abstract: Understanding the health status of a population or community is crucial to equitable service planning. Among other uses, data on health status can help local and national planners and policy makers understand patterns and trends in current or emerging health and well-being, especially how disparities relating to geography, ethnicity, language and living with disability influence access to services. In this practice paper we draw attention to the nature of Australia’s health data challenges and call for greater ‘democratisation’ of health data to address health system inequities. Democratisation implies the need for greater quality and representativeness of health data as well as improved access and usability that enable health planners and researchers to respond to health and health service disparities efficiently and cost-effectively. We draw on learnings from two practice ex les, marred by inaccessibility, reduced interoperability and limited representativeness. We call for renewed and urgent attention to, and investment in, improved data quality and usability for all levels of health, disability and related service delivery in Australia.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 21-10-2015
DOI: 10.1002/HPM.2319
Abstract: The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities provides an opportunity to strengthen disability-related health information. This study analysed the health information system in Lao PDR and sought evidence of interventions to improve disability-related health information. The study was based on a literature review and key informant interviews (N = 17) informed by the Health Metrics Network's Framework and Standards and the Performance of Routine Information System Management framework. The Lao health information system is in an embryonic stage with health data often incomplete, inaccurate and poorly used. Indicators related to disability or functioning are not included, and capacity to diagnose the health condition of disability is limited. No studies of health information interventions were found. As a State Party to the CRPD, the Lao PDR has a legal obligation to collect health-related information on people with disabilities. Given the nascent stage of development of the health information system in the Lao PDR and diagnostic capacity, indicators related to basic functioning and access to services should be integrated into household level surveys. As the health information system further develops, small, incremental changes in the type of disability information and rehabilitation and the way it is collected can be implemented. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 21-05-2015
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 03-12-2013
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 17-10-2016
DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2016.1240821
Abstract: Health and well-being outcomes in communities living in proximity to mining activity may be influenced by a broad spectrum of factors including population growth, economic instability or land degradation. This review aims to synthesise broader outcomes associated with mining activity and in doing so, further explore possible determinants in communities of low- and middle-income countries. Four databases were systematically searched and articles were included if the study targeted adults residing in proximity to mining activity, and measured in idual or community-level health or well-being outcomes. Narrative synthesis was conducted. Twelve articles were included. Mining was perceived to influence health behaviours, employment conditions, livelihoods and socio-political factors, which were linked to poorer health outcomes. Family relationships, mental health and community cohesion were negatively associated with mining activity. High-risk health behaviours, population growth and changes in vector ecology from environmental modification were associated with increased infectious disease prevalence. This review presents the broader health and well-being outcomes and their determinants, and strengthens the evidence to improve measurement and management of the public health implications of mining. This will support the mining sector to make sustainable investments, and support governments to maximise community development and minimise negative impacts.
Start Date: 06-2014
End Date: 12-2021
Amount: $42,000,000.00
Funder: Australian Research Council
View Funded Activity