julie Byles

Measuring cumulative anticholinergic medicines burden in older Australian women

Publisher: Swansea University

Date: 18-04-2017

DOI: 10.23889/IJPDS.V1I1.167

Abstract: ABSTRACT ObjectivesAnticholinergic medicines burden is common, can have negative impacts, and is problematic to identify. Many medicines used by older women have anticholinergic effects. Importantly for older women, where multimorbidity and use of multiple medicines is common, even when anticholinergic effect of an in idual medicine is small, the anticholinergic effects of multiple medicines may be additive, constituting cumulative anticholinergic burden. This study describes medicines contributing to and predictors of anticholinergic burden among community-dwelling older Australian women. ApproachRetrospective longitudinal analysis of data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health linked to Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme medicines data from 1 January 2008 to 30 December 2010 for 3694 women born in 1921–1926.Anticholinergic medicines were assigned anticholinergic potency levels 0 to 3, according to the Anticholinergic Drug Scale. Anticholinergic Drug Scale ratings for all medicines used by each woman were summed across each six months to give an Anticholinergic Drug Scale score. Commonly used medicines were identified for women with high ADS scores (defined as 75th percentile of scores). Predictors of high ADS scores were analysed using generalised estimating equations. ResultsDuring 2008-2010, 1126 (59.9%) of women used at least one anticholinergic medicine. Median Anticholinergic Drug Scale score was 4. Most anticholinergic medicines used by women who had a high anticholinergic burden (Anticholinergic Drug Scale score 9) had a low anticholinergic potency (Anticholinergic Drug Scale level 1). Increasing age, cardiovascular disease, and number of other medicines used were predictive of a higher anticholinergic burden. ConclusionHigh anticholinergic medicines burden in this group was driven by use of multiple lower anticholinergic potency medicines rather than use of higher potency medicines. While we might expect that doctors would readily identify anticholinergic burden risk for those using high potency medicines, they may be less likely to identify this risk for users of multiple low potency anticholinergic medicines. The paper will also discuss how GPs view these findings, and how to translate them into the prescribing setting.

Communication and dissemination of longitudinal study findings

Publisher: Dialectical Publishing

Date: 12-2007

DOI: 10.5172/MRA.455.1.2.199

Alcohol use and mortality in older men and women

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 09-07-2010

DOI: 10.1111/J.1360-0443.2010.02972.X

Abstract: To compare the effect of alcohol intake on 10-year mortality for men and women over the age of 65 years. Two prospective cohorts of community-dwelling men aged 65-79 years at baseline in 1996 (n = 11 727) and women aged 70-75 years in 1996 (n = 12 432). Alcohol was assessed according to frequency of use (number of days alcohol was consumed per week) and quantity consumed per day. Cox proportional hazards models were compared for men and women for all-cause and cause-specific mortality. Compared with older adults who did not consume alcohol every week, the risk of all-cause mortality was reduced in men reporting up to four standard drinks per day and in women who consumed one or two drinks per day. One or two alcohol-free days per week reduced this risk further in men, but not in women. Similar results were observed for deaths due to cardiovascular disease. In people over the age of 65 years, alcohol intake of four standard drinks per day for men and two standard drinks per day for women was associated with lower mortality risk. For men, the risk was reduced further if accompanied with 1 or 2 alcohol-free days per week.

A six-year trend of the healthcare cost of arthritis in a population-based cohort of older women

Publisher: Swansea University

Date: 18-04-2017

DOI: 10.23889/IJPDS.V1I1.166

Abstract: ABSTRACT ObjectivesTo examine the trend of the healthcare cost of arthritis in a population-based cohort of older women and to estimate the mean adjusted incremental healthcare costs, and selected percentiles. ApproachThis is a healthcare cost study based on in idual-level data. Data included health survey and linked administrative data, from 2003 to 2009, from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health. The Medicare Australia datasets include the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (unit record data on claims for government-subsidized prescription medicines) and the Medicare Benefits Schedule (listing of health services subsidized by the Australian Government) datasets they were the source for all healthcare utilization and cost data in this study. The main outcome measure was the incremental healthcare cost of arthritis (estimated from the Australian Government’s cost perspective) expressed as dollars per person per year. All costs were expressed in 2012 Australian dollars. Regression models were used to estimate the adjusted incremental costs of arthritis. The mean adjusted incremental healthcare cost of arthritis was computed using GLMs with a logarithmic-link function and a gamma distribution for costs. The adjusted incremental costs at the 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th and 95th percentiles were computed using Quantile Regression. These percentiles were chosen because cost data are skewed to the right and it was expected that there would be smaller differences between the lower percentiles but bigger differences between upper adjacent percentiles. ResultsData from 4287 women were included in the analysis. Adjusted incremental healthcare cost of arthritis did not increase significantly from 2003 to 2009. However, there were indications that costs at the lower percentiles decreased slightly over the study period while costs at higher (above 50th) percentiles increased. The estimated median cost was $480 (95% CI: $498 - $759) per person per year in 2009. However, ten percent of women had more than 300% higher cost than the “average person” with arthritis. ConclusionHealthcare cost of arthritis represents a substantial burden. However, considering only overall cost does not provide a detailed picture of expenditure. Our results suggest that higher cost patients had different experiences in arthritis cost over time, compared to patients with lower costs, although overall cost has not increased over time. As healthcare spending is concentrated in the high-cost patients, characterising these patients and formulating initiatives that target them could have a considerable impact on improving care and lowering health expenditure due to arthritis.

Scoring the home falls and accidents screening tool for health professionals (HOME FAST‐HP): Evidence from one epidemiological study

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 30-03-2018

DOI: 10.1111/1440-1630.12467

Abstract: Falls in older people are a major public health concern. To target falls prevention interventions, screening tools need to be able to identify older people at greater risk of falling. This study aimed to investigate the screening capacity of the Home Falls and Accidents Screening Tool for health professionals (HOME FAST-HP), and to identify the best cut-off score to identify older people at higher risk of falls using the HOME FAST-HP. The study used cross-sectional data from a random s le of 650 women from the 1921 to 1926 cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study of Women's Health (ALSWH). Selected women were sent a postal survey including the HOME FAST-HP, falls history, and other health factors. Scores on the home fast were calculated and the cut-point for optimal sensitivity and specificity of the HOME FAST-HP in relation to falls was assessed using a Receiver Operating Characteristic curve. A total of 567 older women participated (response rate 87%). The mean age of participants was 77.5 yrs (95% CI 77.31-77.70). A total of 153 participants (27%) reported a fall in the previous six months. The mean number of hazards using the HOME FAST-HP was 9.74 (95% CI 9.48-10.01), range 2-22. Non-fallers had a mean of 9.6 hazards (95% CI 9.32-9.91) and fallers had a mean of 10.63 hazards (95% CI 10.08-11.19) which was a significant difference (t = 3.41, P = 0.001). The area under the receiver operator curve (AUC) was 0.58 (95% CI 0.53-0.64). A HOME FAST-HP cut-off score of 9 was associated with the optimal sensitivity for falls (73.9%), with specificity (37.9%), and positive predictive value was 30.6% and negative predictive value was 79.7%. The HOME FAST-HP can be used as a screening tool to identify fallers with a cut-off score of nine indicating a higher risk of falling.

Body Mass Index and Survival in Men and Women Aged 70 to 75

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 27-01-2010

DOI: 10.1111/J.1532-5415.2009.02677.X

Abstract: To examine in an older population all-cause and cause-specific mortality associated with underweight (body mass index (BMI) or =30.0). Cohort study. The Health in Men Study and the Australian Longitudinal Study of Women's Health. Adults aged 70 to 75, 4,677 men and 4,563 women recruited in 1996 and followed for up to 10 years. Relative risk of all-cause mortality and cause-specific (cardiovascular disease, cancer, and chronic respiratory disease) mortality. Mortality risk was lowest for overweight participants. The risk of death for overweight participants was 13% less than for normal-weight participants (hazard ratio (HR)=0.87, 95% CI=0.78-0.94). The risk of death was similar for obese and normal-weight participants (HR=0.98, 95% CI=0.85-1.11). Being sedentary doubled the mortality risk for women across all levels of BMI (HR=2.08, 95% CI=1.79-2.41) but resulted in only a 28% greater risk for men (HR=1.28 (95% CI=1.14-1.44). These results lend further credence to claims that the BMI thresholds for overweight and obese are overly restrictive for older people. Overweight older people are not at greater mortality risk than those who are normal weight. Being sedentary was associated with a greater risk of mortality in women than in men.

Strong Negative Association between Intake of Tofu and Anemia among Chinese Adults in Jiangsu, China

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 07-2008

DOI: 10.1016/J.JADA.2008.04.036

Abstract: Anemia is prevalent in China. Tofu made from soybean is a popular food. Soybean is shown to have an affect on iron status. No study has examined the relation between tofu and iron status. To investigate the association between tofu intake and anemia among Chinese adults. A cross-sectional household survey of 2,849 men and women aged 20 years and older (mean age 47.0+/-14.5 years), from a nationally representative random s le in Jiangsu province undertaken in 2002 (response rate 89%). Tofu intake was assessed by food frequency questionnaire. Nutrient intake was measured by 3-day weighed food records. Serum ferritin and hemoglobin were measured. The prevalence of anemia was 18.3% in men and 31.5% in women. Mean hemoglobin values increased by quartiles of tofu intake (men: 14.1, 14.0, 14.5, and 14.8 mg/dL [141, 140, 145, and 148 g/L] women: 12.4, 12.5, 12.6 and 13.3 g/dL [124, 125,126, and 133 g/L]), and the prevalence of anemia decreased concomitantly. Comparing first and fourth quartiles of tofu intake, the prevalence of anemia was 23.9% vs 10.7% in men, and 38.1% vs 16.8% in women. Tofu intake was inversely associated with serum ferritin levels in women. In multivariate analyses, the odds ratio of anemia for men in fourth compared to first quartile of tofu intake was 0.30 (95% confidence interval 0.17 to 0.50), and the corresponding odds ratio for women was 0.31 (95% confidence interval 0.20 to 0.47). The association between tofu intake and anemia was independent of iron intake. Tofu intake was associated with lower risk of anemia among Chinese adults in both sexes.

Retirement, age, gender and mental health: findings from the 45 and Up Study

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Date: 10-2014

DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2014.962002

Abstract: To examine the relationships of retirement and reasons for retirement with psychological distress in men and women at the age of 45-79 years. Data from 202,584 Australians participating in the large-scale 45 and Up Study was used. Psychological distress was measured by the Kessler psychological distress scale. Associations between different work status and reasons for retirement with psychological distress were assessed for men and women at different ages using logistic regression. Being fully retired or unemployed was associated with the high levels of psychological distress compared to being in paid work for men and women aged 45-64 (p < 0.0001), and for men aged 65-74 years (p ≤ 0.0014). At the age of 75-79 years, there was no difference in psychological distress between different work statuses. Among retirees, retirement due to ill health, being made redundant or caring duty was associated with the high level of psychological distress. The association between work and mental health underscores the importance of policies and strategies to encourage and enable people to continue in the workforce after age 55, particularly for men. Important reasons for retirement with worse mental health outcomes include redundancy, ill health and needing to care for family or a friend. These circumstances will affect whether a person can continue working and their risk of poor mental health, and both considerations should be addressed in developing approaches for maintaining older workers or assisting them with their retirement transition.

Validation of self-reported fall events in intervention studies

Publisher: SAGE Publications

Date: 04-2006

DOI: 10.1191/0269215506CR947OA

Abstract: Objective: To determine if self-reported data recalling at least one fall over a sixmonth recall period could be used as a reliable measure of falls by comparing retrospective self-report with a ‘gold standard' method of reporting these events using a prospective calendar-reported method. Design: Prospective study. Setting: Community-dwelling older people living in New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland in Australia. Subjects: A stratified s le of 264 randomly selected participants from a concurrent randomized controlled trial (RCT) of preventive health assessment for people over the age of 70 years. Interventions: Intervention and control group participants in the RCT kept a calendar of fall events for a six-month validation substudy. At the end of six months, participants were asked to retrospectively report their falls over the six-month period. Main results: Results indicated that percentage agreement between retrospective self-report and the calendar report of falls was 84%, however, sensitivity was 56% (95% confidence interval (CI) 44.1−67.5). Ten participants (4%) gave false positive self-reports of falls, and 33 (13%) participants gave false negative self-reports of falls. Therefore, retrospective self-reported fall rates were likely to involve under-reporting of falls. Significant differences were found in the sensitivity of retrospectively selfreported falls reported by the intervention group participants (sensitivity=71% 95% CI 56.6−85.5) compared with the control group (sensitivity=40.5% 95% CI 24.7−56.4, P =0.008). Validity of self-reported injuries as a result of a fall was less accurate (71% agreement sensitivity 24% (95% CI 16.0−33.6). Conclusions: As recall of falls was more accurate in the intervention group than in the control group, it could appear that the intervention had the effect of increasing falls compared to the control group. Using these results, a method was devised to weight self-reported retrospective data to compensate for the poorer recall demonstrated in the control group, so that a more accurate estimate of falls could be derived from the self-reported data.

Risk factors for maternal mortality in a Tertiary Hospital in Kenya: a case control study

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 22-01-2014

DOI: 10.1186/1471-2393-14-38

Older Women’s Expectations of Care, Reciprocity, and Government Support in Australia. ‘Am I Not Worthy?’

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Date: 03-07-2018

DOI: 10.1080/17496535.2018.1505928

Evaluation of a revised instrument to assess the needs of men diagnosed with prostate cancer

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 16-07-2005

DOI: 10.1007/S00520-005-0808-5

Abstract: This study was conducted to assess the face, content and construct validity and the internal validity of the revised version of an instrument to measure the perceived needs of men diagnosed with prostate cancer [Prostate Cancer Needs Questionnaire version 2 (PCNQv2)]. The PCNQ was constructed in two parts with Part 1 measuring needs at diagnosis and initial treatment and Part 2 measuring current needs. A random s le of 650 men diagnosed with prostate cancer attending a Urologist of the Hunter Urology Group in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, were invited to participate in the study and sent by post the self-administered PCNQ. Information was provided on 145 men who were considered ineligible to participate. Completed questionnaires were received from 300 men. The principal components method of factor analysis with varimax orthogonal rotation identified eight factors with eigenvalues greater than 1, which together accounted for 68% of the variance in Part 1 of the PCNQ. Likewise, six factors were identified in Part 2 which accounted for 68% of the variance. Internal reliability coefficients (Cronbach's alpha) were adequate for identified factors with values ranging from 0.71 to 0.90 for Part 1, and from 0.80 to 0.92 for Part 2. These results support the validity and reliability of the PCNQv2 to assess the perceived needs experienced by men diagnosed with prostate cancer.

Making innovative use of cohort data

Publisher: The Sax Institute

Date: 2016

DOI: 10.17061/PHRP2631627

Diet Quality and Cancer Outcomes in Adults: A Systematic Review of Epidemiological Studies

Publisher: MDPI AG

Date: 05-07-2016

DOI: 10.3390/IJMS17071052

Factors Influencing Web-Based Survey Response for a Longitudinal Cohort of Young Women Born Between 1989 and 1995

Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.

Date: 25-03-2019

DOI: 10.2196/11286

Determinants of general practitioner use among women in Australia

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 12-2001

DOI: 10.1016/S0277-9536(00)00449-4

Abstract: This study investigates the use of general practitioner services by women in Australia. Although there is a universal health insurance system (Medicare) in Australia, there are variations in access to services and out of pocket costs for services. Survey data from 2350 mid-age (45-50 years) and 2102 older (70-75 years) women participating in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health were linked with Medicare data to provide a range of in idual and contextual variables hypothesised to explain general practitioner use. Structural equation modelling showed that physical health was the most powerful explanatory factor of general practitioner use. However, after adjusting for self-reported health, out of pocket cost per consultation was inversely associated with use of services. The out of pocket cost was generally lower for women with low socioeconomic status but cost was also directly related to geographical remoteness. Women living in more remote areas had higher out of pocket costs and poorer access to services. Women who reported better access to care were more likely to be satisfied with their most recent general practice consultation and less likely to be sceptical of the value of medical care. These results show the need for health policies that improve the equitable use of general practitioner services in Australia.

Expert perceptions of the popular baby boomer image

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 19-07-2013

DOI: 10.1111/AJAG.12087

Abstract: This paper explored how gerontology experts described baby boomers, whether they challenged the popular image, and if they provided alternatives to the popularly reported baby boomer behaviours and characteristics. Qualitative interviews were conducted with ten experts from different areas across Australia. The interviews were semi-structured and guided by a 'sense-making' approach to explore the baby boomer construct and identify expert narratives that differed from the popularly tendered image. The majority of experts were identified as baby boomers and made use of phrases associated with the popular baby boomer image, such as 'cashed up', 'reinventing retirement' and 'sea change'. Lifestyle and wealth were recognised as staple features of the popular image. To a lesser degree, the experts also recognised alternative characteristics and behaviours, including people with disabilities and those who struggle financially. Experts appeared to identify with the popular baby boomer label, but not necessarily the accompanying stereotypes.

Improving Irrigation Water Use Efficiency: A Review of Advances, Challenges and Opportunities in the Australian Context

Publisher: MDPI AG

Date: 02-12-2018

DOI: 10.3390/W10121771

Abstract: The demand for fresh water is on the increase, and the irrigation industry in Australia is looking to a future with less water. Irrigation consumes the bulk of the water extracted from various sources, and hence the efficiency of its use is of outmost importance. This paper reviewed the advancements made towards improving irrigation water use efficiency (WUE), with a focus on irrigation in Australia but with some ex les from other countries. The challenges encountered, as well as the opportunities available, are also discussed. The review showed that improvements in irrigation infrastructure through modernisation and automation have led to water savings. The concept of real-time control and optimisation in irrigation is in its developmental stages but has already demonstrated potential for water savings. The future is likely to see increased use of remote sensing techniques as well as wireless communication systems and more versatile sensors to improve WUE. In many cases, water saved as a result of using efficient technologies ends up being reused to expand the area of land under irrigation, sometimes resulting in a net increase in the total water consumption at the basin scale. Hence, to achieve net water savings, water-efficient technologies and practices need to be used in combination with other measures such as incentives for conservation and appropriate regulations that limit water allocation and use. Factors that affect the trends in the irrigation WUE include engineering and technological innovations, advancements in plant and pasture science, environmental factors, and socio-economic considerations. Challenges that might be encountered include lack of public support, especially when the methods used are not cost-effective, and reluctance of irrigations to adopt new technologies.

Our Ageing World

Publisher: Springer Singapore

Date: 19-09-2017

DOI: 10.1007/978-981-10-3253-0_1

Asthma presentations to emergency departments in western Sydney during the January 1994 bushfires

Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)

Date: 12-1996

DOI: 10.1093/IJE/25.6.1227

Abstract: From 5 to 12 January 1994, the state of New South Wales suffered from the worst bushfires seen this century. High levels of particulate air pollution were recorded in western Sydney from 7 to 14 January 1994, with nephelometry readings reaching 10.24 beta scat (10(-4)/m) and particulate matter < 10 mu readings peaking at 250.00 micrograms/m3. The aim of this study was to determine whether there was an increase in the proportion of asthma presentations to emergency departments (ED) in western Sydney as a result of the bushfire-generated particulate air pollution. We retrospectively analysed the emergency room attendance books for asthma presentations from seven public hospitals serving the Western Sydney and Wentworth Health Areas over two 6-7 week periods, 17 December 1992 to 31 January 1993, and 17 December 1993 to 31 January 1994. Air pollution and meteorological data were obtained from local monitoring stations. The difference in the proportion of all ED presentations that were due to asthma during the week of the bushfire-generated air pollution, compared with the same week 12 months before, after adjusting for baseline changes over the 12-month period, was 0.0067 (95% CI: -0.0007, 0.0141). The maximum daily nephelometry reading was not a significant predictor of the daily number of asthma presentations to ED in any of the Poisson regression models. The bushfire-generated particulate air pollution in January 1994 did not result in an increase in asthma presentations to ED in western Sydney.

Factors associated with hysterectomy among women in Australia

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 12-2000

DOI: 10.1016/S1353-8292(00)00011-3

Abstract: This study was to identify hysterectomy prevalence across urban, rural and remote areas of Australia and across states, to separate geographic variation from the effect of sociodemographic influences, and also to compare the quality of life of women who have and have not had hysterectomy. Data were collected from 14,072 women aged 45-50 years participating in the baseline survey of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. The estimated prevalence of hysterectomy was 22%. Factors significantly associated with hysterectomy included living in a rural or remote area, state of residence, having private health insurance, lower levels of education, being married and having more than two children, having had other gynaecological and non-gynaecological surgical procedures, and more visits to general practitioners. Compared with women who had not had hysterectomy, women who had had hysterectomy had significantly poorer physical and mental health as measured by the SF-36 quality of life profile (adjusted mean PCS=45.7 vs 49.3, p<0.0001 adjusted mean MCS=46.9 vs 48.2, p<0.0001).

A self-report home environment screening tool identified older women at risk of falls

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 02-2011

DOI: 10.1016/J.JCLINEPI.2010.02.013

Abstract: To evaluate a self-report version of the Home Falls and Accidents Screening Tool (HOME FAST-SR). The HOME FAST-SR was designed using expert review, pretesting and piloting. Agreement of self-reported home hazard ratings and ratings by health professionals was evaluated using the kappa statistic. The HOME FAST-SR was validated in a cross-sectional survey of 568 older community-living Australian women using endorsement rates for HOME FAST-SR items and the association of scores with self-reported falls. The 87-item HOME FAST-SR was constructed, and a scoring system was devised to calculate equivalent scores for the health professional version of the HOME FAST (HOME FAST-HP). Endorsement rates demonstrated that no items needed to be removed. Agreement between self-reported and professional ratings was moderate with therapists under-reporting hazards compared with older people. The mean HOME FAST score for the 568 cross-sectional participants was 9.39 (95% confidence interval: 9.1, 9.7) with a range from 2 to 23 out of a possible 25. Fallers had a significantly higher HOME FAST score (P=0.02). The HOME FAST-SR is a viable alternative to the HOME FAST-HP, and scores were associated with falls experienced by older women in a cross-sectional study.

Older women and arthritis: Tracking impact over time

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 12-2010

DOI: 10.1111/J.1741-6612.2010.00422.X

Abstract: To explore the ongoing impact of arthritis on older community-dwelling women over 9 years of Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health data. National longitudinal surveys (1996-2005) were conducted with a random s le of 12432 Australian women, aged 70-75 years in 1996. Self-report of doctor diagnosis of arthritis was the factor of interest. The main outcome measure was SF-36 health-related quality of life. A total of 7088 women completed the 2005 survey (58% of original cohort): 63% of women aged 77-85 years in 2005 reported doctor diagnosis of arthritis. Women with arthritis were more likely to report comorbid conditions, have poorer health and score as depressed and anxious. Arthritis was associated with decreasing scores for physical function, pain and social function over time. Arthritis was associated with an increasing negative impact on health and quality of life for older women over time.

Does systematically organized care improve outcomes for women with diabetes?

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 21-07-2010

DOI: 10.1111/J.1365-2753.2009.01208.X

Abstract: To investigate whether financial reimbursement for a bundle of diabetes care items self-reported by general practitioners (GPs) leads to improved outcomes for women with diabetes. Longitudinal cohort study of women in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health aged 45-50 and 70-75 years when recruited in 1996. Short Form 36-item (SF-36), Medicare and pharmaceutical benefits costs 2002-2005, uptake of annual cycle of care for diabetes (ACC). Annual cycle of care claims were identified for 23% of 388 mid-age, and 40% of 616 older women with diabetes. ACC was not associated with statistically significantly higher costs in either group. Women for whom the GP had received an ACC fee were more likely to have been overweight, had more GP visits, more medications, and more 'no cost' visits. Unlike older women, mid-age women for whom the GP had received an ACC fee were more likely to have difficulty managing on their income and tended to have worse physical and social function scores prior to the time the ACC was introduced and compared with other women with diabetes continued to have poorer scores at subsequent surveys. There was no association between ACC, co-morbidities or country of birth. Women who developed diabetes after the first survey (incident cases) tended to have better SF-36 health profile scores and lower costs than those who reported diabetes on the first survey (prevalent cases). General practitioners of women with diabetes, who have more health care encounters and poorer health-related quality of life, have adopted ACC with little impact on the decline in quality of life of the women nor on health care costs.

Impact of medication reviews on potentially inappropriate medications and associated costs among older women in aged care

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 10-2022

DOI: 10.1016/J.SAPHARM.2022.05.003

Abstract: The Residential Medication Management Review (RMMR) service is a large investment by the Australian government and involves considerable time commitment. This study determined the impact of RMMRs on the use of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs), benzodiazepines and antidepressants, described patterns of PIM use, and examined costs. The study included 5576 participants from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health from 2005 to 2017. Three generalised estimating equation (GEE) models were specified to separately analyse the impact of RMMRs on the use of PIMs, benzodiazepines and antidepressants. Descriptive statistics were used to present, at each year, the proportions of participants with PIMs, patterns of PIMs and costs of PIMs. There was no evidence for an association between the use of RMMRs and the use of PIMs (OR = 0.99 95% CI = 0.88, 1.11), benzodiazepines (OR = 1.02 95% CI = 0.95, 1.08) or antidepressants (OR = 0.99 95% CI = 0.90, 1.10) in the following year. There were few differences in the use of particular classes of PIMs, nor any differences in the median benefits paid by government or out-of-pocket costs, between participants who did and did not receive RMMRs. There was a slight increase in median OOP costs and a decrease in government benefits over time. There was a lack of long-term changes on use of PIMs, however, its appropriate use must be considered during RMMRs. Healthcare professionals have an obligation to optimise the service to reduce medication costs whilst improving health outcomes among in iduals residing in RACF.

Fit and well at eighty - Defying the stereotypes of age and illness

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 10-2007

DOI: 10.1196/ANNALS.1396.027

Abstract: While aging is associated with physical decline and increased risk of illness, older age is not inevitably a time of ill-being. Data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health challenge negative stereotypes of aging and illness. While an accelerating decline in average physical health was observed over the first 6 years of the study, an important and large proportion of the women experienced minimal change in their physical health during this period. Also, while chronic disease was a strong risk factor for declining health, many women aged well in spite of longstanding medical conditions. This paper presents trends in health and illness as women age and explores some of the many physical, social, and healthcare factors that mark out those women who remain "fit and well."

Reliability of naevus counts in identifying individuals at high risk of malignant melanoma

Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)

Date: 1994

DOI: 10.1111/J.1365-2133.1994.TB06882.X

Abstract: The majority of deaths from malignant melanoma could be prevented by regular screening of at-risk in iduals. However, the feasibility of introducing active screening programmes depends on the reliability of criteria for identifying those in iduals who are at increased risk. Several case-control studies indicate that one of the most important risk factors is the number of benign pigmented naevi. This criterion might constitute a practical means of identifying in iduals suitable for inclusion in an active screening programme. The aim of this study was to assess the reliability of using naevus counts as an indicator of risk. Two possible methods of assessment were compared: assessment by trained interviewers, and assessment by experienced dermatologists. The results suggest that this criterion may not be as practical or reliable as originally anticipated. Interviewer naevus counts correlated poorly with dermatologists' assessments (kappa = 0.19). Counts by dermatologists of the number of naevi on the left arm differed by up to nine naevi, although most counts were within four naevi of each other. There was reasonable correlation between naevus counts on the left arm and those on the whole body (r = 0.71). However, the relationship was not perfect. Selection of in iduals for screening solely based on the number of naevi on the left arm may exclude many people with high total body counts but relatively low left arm counts.

Assessment of the abbreviated Duke Social Support Index in a cohort of older Australian women

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 06-2004

DOI: 10.1111/J.1741-6612.2004.00008.X

Just Get on with It: Qualitative Insights of Coming to Terms with a Deteriorating Body for Older Women with Osteoarthritis

Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)

Date: 17-03-2015

DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0120507

Gender, mental health, physical health and retirement: A prospective study of 21,608 Australians aged 55–69 years

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 05-2016

DOI: 10.1016/J.MATURITAS.2016.02.011

Abstract: We examined retirement transitions by gender, and different associations between retirement, physical function and mental health. Data for 21,608 participants aged 55-69 from the 45 and Up Study were used. Generalised estimating equations were used to investigate longitudinal associations between retirement with psychological distress (Kessler score, K10) and physical dysfunction across two time points, by gender separately. Retirement in men was associated with a 25% relative increase in mean physical dysfunction score (p<0.001) and a 2% relative increase in mean K10 score (p=0.004), although men with high physical dysfunction score had a 6% increase in mean K10 score (p=0.005) if retired. For women, retirement was associated with a 17% increase in mean physical dysfunction score (p<0.001), with no association observed with the K10 score. Results were adjusted for demographic and health covariates. Retirement is associated with physical dysfunction over time. Retirement is not associated with psychological distress among women, but retirement is associated with psychological distress among men who have a high level of physical dysfunction. The findings point to the importance of attending to the physical and mental health needs, around the retirement period, particularly for men with poor physical health.

Effectiveness of Three Community Based Strategies to Promote Screening for Cervical Cancer

Publisher: SAGE Publications

Date: 07-1994

DOI: 10.1177/096914139400100304

Abstract: Evaluation of three potential methods for increasing Pap smear use: television media, television media combined with letter based recruitment, and television media combined with general practitioner based (GP based) recruitment. A trial of each intervention was carried out in three postal regions in New South Wales, Australia — a rural locality (containing about 1000 women), a country town (about 3000 women), and a major rural centre (about 10000 women). Three control regions were selected to be demographically similar to the corresponding intervention regions. Outcome data on regional Pap smear rates were obtained from government health insurance claims for cervical screening, and from pathology service records. Expected Pap smear rates for the three months after the intervention were predicted from 45 pre-intervention months and were compared with observed rates for this period. Television media alone was associated with a significant increase in attendances for screening in one of the three regions where a trial was carried out: 13.3% in the rural centre. The media/ letter based c aign was associated with a significant increase in attendances in two out of three regions: 52.7% in the rural locality, 43.2% in the rural centre. The media/GP based c aign was associated with significant increases in attendances in all three regions: 50.2% in the rural locality, 80.8% in the country town, 15.7% in the rural centre. All three interventions were associated with significant increases in the number of women attending for cervical screening above those observed in the control regions. Furthermore, these increases were not restricted to women at low risk. They were also found for older women (aged 50–69 years) and women who had not had a Pap smear within the past three years.

Women's Health Australia: On the Progress of the Main Cohort Studies

Publisher: Mary Ann Liebert Inc

Date: 06-1999

DOI: 10.1089/JWH.1.1999.8.681

Abstract: More than 41,000 women aged 18-23, 45-50, and 70-75 years in 1996 are participating in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (Women's Health Australia). Baseline surveys were conducted for all three cohorts in 1996, and the first follow-up survey of the mid-age group in 1998 has achieved a response rate exceeding 90%. The main findings so far reflect the large differences in the life experiences of the three cohorts. The young women report high levels of stress. The physical and mental health of those with young children is worse than for those without children, but confounding by sociodemographic characteristics may account for the differences. Two thirds of young women in the healthy weight or underweight range would like to weigh less, and early onset of dieting is associated with poorer physical and mental health. Most of the women in the mid-age group have multiple roles--in paid work, home duties, and caring for children and other dependents. The potential of the study to investigate the long-term impact of such busy lives on health outcomes is considerable. At this stage, the main health issues for these women relate to tiredness, weight gain, and menopause. The older cohort presents a picture of positive aging. These women are heavier users of health services than the mid-age and younger women, and they are also more satisfied with these services. Although their physical health is poorer, their mental health is better, and they report less stress than women in the other two cohorts. The follow-up survey of this group, planned for 1999, will focus on the coping strategies used by these women. An overall goal of the project is to understand the interactions among social roles, life events, and women's health in order to provide a basis for improved health policies and services. Analysis of these interactions, which relies on both quantitative and qualitative data, poses many challenges that will be addressed as the longitudinal data become available.

Factors relating to cervical screening in New South Wales, Australia

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 09-1999

DOI: 10.1016/S1353-8292(99)00011-8

Abstract: The aims of this paper were to describe the geographical variation in Pap smear screening rates, standardised for age and adjusted for rates of hysterectomies and to assess the sociodemographic and health care factors associated with the variation. The data used in the study were the percentage of women who had had Pap smears between the years 1990 and 1992 based on the records of the Australian Health Insurance Commission (HIC). The best predictors of screening extracted from the model were the Index of Economic Resources and the proportion of women within each region who were born in non-English speaking countries.

Effects of parenteral nutrition support and chemotherapy on the phasic composition of tumor cells in gastrointestinal cancer

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 07-1999

DOI: 10.1177/0148607199023004237

Abstract: Some clinical studies report the effects of parenteral nutrition in malnourished cancer patients, but few discuss the tumor response to parenteral nutrition plus chemotherapy. If used in combination, the antitumor activity of chemotherapeutic agents may compensate for the tumor stimulation of parenteral nutrition. Ninety-two patients with operable gastrointestinal cancer and malnutrition were randomly assigned to four interventions that were administered for 7 days preoperatively: parenteral nutrition alone, parenteral nutrition plus chemotherapy, chemotherapy alone, or no treatment (control). The preintervention and postintervention DNA content, DNA index, percentage of cells in S phase, and tumor cell sensitivity to chemotherapy were measured using image cytometry. Parenteral nutrition resulted in a significant proliferation of tumor cells and a significant increase in the sensitivity of tumor cells to chemotherapy these effects were not seen in tumors of patients receiving parenteral nutrition plus chemotherapy. There was, however, a nonsignificant increase in tumor cell proliferation and sensitivity to chemotherapy in the tumors of subjects receiving combined therapy compared with those of subjects who received chemotherapy alone. The postintervention nutritional status of both the parenteral nutrition group and the parenteral nutrition plus chemotherapy group were significantly better than that of the control group and the chemotherapy group. The short-term, postoperative clinical outcomes in the chemotherapy group were significantly worse than those in the other three groups. These results indicate that combining chemotherapy and nutrition support preoperatively for malnourished patients with gastrointestinal cancer improves short-term nutritional status without increasing the proliferation of tumor cells and prevents the postoperative complications that occur when such patients are given chemotherapy without nutrition support. The results also suggest--but do not prove--that parenteral nutrition may increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy in malnourished patients.

Determinants of Antenatal Care Utilization in Three Rural Areas of Vietnam

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 06-06-2007

DOI: 10.1111/J.1525-1446.2007.00638.X

Abstract: To identify factors associated with any use of antenatal care (ANC), gestational age at entry to ANC, number of visits, and overall ANC utilization in the three provinces of Long an, Ben tre, and Quang ngai. The Vietnam-Australia Primary Health Care Project conducted cross-sectional surveys in 1998-1999. Data from 1,335 eligible women were available for analysis. Explanatory variables were selected using the Andersen Health Seeking Behavior Model and analyzed using multivariate regression techniques. External environment, predisposing characteristics, and need, which existed before contact with ANC providers, were most related to using any ANC and gestational age at entry to ANC. However, ANC services provided to women and personal health care during pregnancy, which could have resulted from initial contact with ANC providers, were most related to continuation of ANC visits and overall ANC utilization. Significant variability in the use of ANC existed between provinces and between subsets of women in each province. To have more women who attend ANC and attend early, promotion should be targeted at high-risk groups of women. However, to improve the number of ANC visits and overall utilization, the quality of ANC services should be improved.

Falls, injuries from falls, health related quality of life and mortality in older adults with vision and hearing impairment-Is there a gender difference?

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 08-2011

DOI: 10.1016/J.MATURITAS.2011.05.006

Abstract: Vision and hearing decline with age. Loss of these senses is associated with increased risk of falls, injuries from falls, mortality and decreased health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Our objective was to determine if there are gender differences in the associations between visual and hearing impairment and these outcomes. 2340 men and 3014 women aged 76-81 years from the Health in Men Study and the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health were followed for an average of 6.36 years. Dependent variables were self-reported vision and hearing impairment. Outcome variables were falls, injuries from falls, physical and mental components of HRQOL (SF-36 PCS and MCS) and all-cause mortality. Vision impairment was more common in women and hearing impairment was more common in men. Vision impairment was associated with increased falls risk (odds ratio (OR)=1.77, 95% CI=1.35-2.32 in men OR=1.82, 95% CI=1.44-2.30 in women), injuries from falls (OR=1.69, 95% CI=1.23-2.34 in men, OR=1.79, 95% CI=1.38-2.33 in women), and mortality (hazard ratio (HR)=1.44 95% CI=1.17-1.77 in men HR=1.50, 95% CI=1.24-1.82 in women) and declines in SF-36 PCS and MCS. Hearing impairment was associated with increased falls risk (OR=1.38, 95% CI=1.08-1.78 in men OR=1.45, 95% CI=1.08-1.93 in women) and declines in SF-36 PCS and MCS. Overall there were no gender differences in the association between vision and hearing impairment and the outcomes. In men and women aged 76-81 years, there were no gender differences in the association between self-reported vision and hearing impairment and the outcomes of falls, mortality and HRQOL.

Back to my old self and life restarting: Biographies of ageing in Beck’s risk society

Publisher: SAGE Publications

Date: 04-04-2018

DOI: 10.1177/1440783318766150

Abstract: Drawing on free-text survey comments from the Australian Longitudinal Study of Women’s Health (ALSWH), this article explores themes of transition and change in the lives of 150 women baby boomers (born between 1946 and 1951) in relation to Beck’s theories of the risk society, reflexive modernisation and in idualisation. Few studies have explicitly explored ageing through Beck’s theoretical lenses. However, Beck’s emphasis on interactional processes of social, in idual and structural change has much to offer for sociological studies of ageing. A key premise is that of complex adaptation and change as people age, with focus on the socio-political contexts in which the post-Second World War baby boomer generation will live out their later years.

Prevalence and association of continuous polypharmacy and frailty among older women: A longitudinal analysis over 15 years

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 04-2021

DOI: 10.1016/J.MATURITAS.2021.01.005

Do women grow out of risky drinking? A prospective study of three cohorts of Australian women

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 19-02-2015

DOI: 10.1111/DAR.12246

Abstract: To examine women's drinking behaviour relative to Australian guidelines and identify associated factors over the lifespan. Data came from three prospective cohorts of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health aged 18-23 (n = 14,247), 45-50 (n = 13,715) and 70-75 years (n = 12,432) when first surveyed in 1996. The same women were re-surveyed at roughly 3-year intervals until 2012. At each survey, four drinking behaviours were based on two guidelines: long-term drinking (no more than two standard drinks per day) and episodic drinking (no more than four standard drinks on an occasion): (i) no risk (within both guidelines) (ii) low episodic risk (less than once a month) high episodic risk (at least once a month) long-term risk (more than two drinks per day regardless of episodic drinking). No risk drinking increased with age, low episodic risk drinking remained almost constant between ages 18 and 39, and high episodic risk drinking declined rapidly. Few women drank at long-term risk. Factors associated with risky drinking varied with age however, being a past or current smoker consistently increased the risk, and risks for smokers increased with age. Risky drinking was less likely to be practised by women providing care and needing help with daily tasks, or by pregnant women and those living with children. Risky drinking behaviour should be addressed in younger women and in those who smoke. Interventions to reduce risky drinking, possibly in combination with reducing smoking, could be offered through general practice centres.

It's okay to ask. Inclusion of sexual orientation questions is feasible in population health surveys

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 08-2013

DOI: 10.1111/1753-6405.12090

A thorough going over: evidence for health assessments for older persons

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 04-2000

DOI: 10.1111/J.1467-842X.2000.TB00131.X

Abstract: To review published randomised controlled trials of health assessments for older people consider the effects of assessments in maintaining health and quality of life for older people and identify those factors associated with more successful health assessment programs. A systematic literature search and methodological review of published studies of health assessments for people aged 65 years and over, living in the community. Twenty-one trials were identified. They were widely heterogeneous in terms of methodological quality, assessment content and outcome variables. While the studies' results are inconsistent, the majority of the more methodologically sound studies report improvements in health. The studies reporting positive health outcomes were not specifically targeted to particular groups at high need, but were applied to all people in the source population who had reached a set age, usually 75 plus. In the majority of studies reviewed, the assessments were conducted by non-medical personnel (nurse, lay interviewer/volunteer or office staff). Health assessments have been associated with improved health outcomes for older people. An evidence base for specific components to be included in the assessments is yet to be derived. In November 1999, new Medicare items to provide for health assessments for persons in Australia aged 75 years and over were introduced. The acceptability, adoption and effectiveness of these items needs careful monitoring.

Validity and Reliability of Stillbirth Data Using Linked Self-Reported and Administrative Datasets

Publisher: Japan Epidemiological Association

Date: 2015

DOI: 10.2188/JEA.JE20140032

Characterisation of channel morphological pattern changes and flood corridor dynamics of the tropical Tana River fluvial systems, Kenya

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 03-2020

DOI: 10.1016/J.JAFREARSCI.2019.103748

Do socioeconomic gradients in women's health widen over time and with age?

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 05-2004

DOI: 10.1016/S0277-9536(03)00368-X

'Is anybody listening?' The experiences of widowhood for older Australian women

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Date: 09-2000

DOI: 10.1300/J074V12N03_10

Older Australian women's use of dentists: A longitudinal analysis over 6 years

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 03-2010

DOI: 10.1111/J.1741-6612.2010.00396.X

Abstract: To identify factors associated with dentist consultation by older Australian women. Participants from the older cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health which originally involved 12 432 older women. The percentage of women who consulted a dentist in the years 1999, 2002 and 2005 were 35%, 36% and 37%, respectively. Women were more likely to consult with a dentist if they lived in urban areas (RR = 1.26 95% CI: 1.21, 1.32), were non-smokers (RR = 1.38 95% CI: 1.21, 157), did not have diabetes (RR = 1.16 95% CI: 1.08, 1.25), had better physical health (RR = 1.02 (95% CI: 1.01, 1.02). Women were less likely to consult with a dentist if they found it difficult to live on their income (RR = 0.90 95% CI: 085, 0.95). Access to dentists, cost of consultations and poor health appear to be significant factors influencing visits to a dentist by older Australian women.

A general practice-based recruitment strategy for colorectal cancer screening

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 08-2000

DOI: 10.1111/J.1467-842X.2000.TB01609.X

Abstract: To determine whether a screening recruitment strategy for first degree relatives of people with colorectal cancer is effective in enabling eligible relatives to request screening from their general practitioner (GP) and to assess acceptability to GPs and patients. Thirty GPs, from 26 practices, and 303 of their patients aged over 50 who were first degree relatives of a person with colorectal cancer, participated in a randomised controlled trial of a GP-based recruitment strategy, in the Newcastle Area of New South Wales, Australia. The proportion of relatives requesting screening was statistically significantly higher in the intervention group than in the control group (18% compared to 4%, respectively p = 0.01). Interest in the study by GPs was low, however for GPs who were involved, the recruitment strategy did prompt first degree relatives to discuss screening. The strategy may be even more effective when combined with other interventions such as a media c aign. The results may be generalizable to feasibility studies of general population screening for colorectal cancer in Australia. The results of this work are potentially informative to public health practice in Australia given the ensuing pilot programs of colorectal cancer screening.

Factors associated with decline in physical functional health in a cohort of older women

Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)

Date: 07-2007

DOI: 10.1093/AGEING/AFM017

Abstract: To identify minimum criteria to assist the prediction of decline in physical health-related quality of life in the elderly. Participants were women from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health, who responded to three separate Surveys conducted in 1996 (when they were aged 70-75 years), 1999 and 2002. Using data from these Surveys, three categories were generated which described current physical health-related quality of life and future physical decline as measured by the physical component summary score (PCS) of the MOS SF-36 quality of life survey. Bivariate analyses reported a large number of variables significantly associated with physical decline (P < 0.001), including age, falls, number of diagnoses, symptoms, doctor visits and medications, days spent in hospital, body mass index, living arrangements and social support. Multivariate analyses, using decision tree analysis, identified three items which accurately predicted 76% of the women who would exhibit physical decline according to our definition. This study identified a number of variables that may be useful in clinical screening for vulnerability to physical decline.

Understanding water and land use within Tana and Athi River Basins in Kenya: opportunities for improvement

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 04-09-2019

DOI: 10.1007/S40899-018-0274-0

Incident osteoarthritis associated with increased allied health services use in ‘baby boomer’ Australian women

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 08-2016

DOI: 10.1111/1753-6405.12533

Abstract: To explore impact of incident osteoarthritis (OA) on health services use by Australian women born 1946-51. Secondary analysis of Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health survey data linked to Medicare Australia databases (2002 to 2011). Medicare services use was compared for two groups: OA group (n=761) - reported incident OA in 2007 Never group (n=4346) - did not report arthritis in time frame. Interrupted time series regression compared health services use over time. The OA group had higher health services use than the Never group. Rate of services use increased over time for both groups. Rate of increase in quarterly doctor attendances was significantly lower for the OA group after onset of OA, with no corresponding change for the Never group. A pre-existing higher use of health services is associated with reporting incident OA, compared to those who never report arthritis. After onset of OA, rate of doctor use reduced and allied health use increased, consistent with recommended Australian treatment guidelines. This study provides a rare insight into change in healthcare use for people reporting incident OA, against an appropriate comparison group, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis of OA to optimise effective use of health services.

Prospective Study of Dietary Zinc Intake and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in Women

Publisher: MDPI AG

Date: 04-01-2018

DOI: 10.3390/NU10010038

Abstract: Several animal and human studies have shown that zinc is associated with cellular damage and cardiac dysfunction. This study aims to investigate dietary zinc and the zinc-iron ratio, as predictors of incident cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a large longitudinal study of mid-age Australian women (aged 50–61 years). Data was self-reported and validated food frequency questionnaires were used to assess dietary intake. Energy-adjusted zinc was ranked using quintiles and predictors of incident CVD were examined using stepwise logistic regression. After six years of follow-up, 320 incident CVD cases were established. A positive association between dietary zinc intake, zinc-iron ratio and risk of CVD was observed even after adjusting for potential dietary and non-dietary confounders. Compared to those with the lowest quintile of zinc, those in the highest quintile (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.67, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.08–2.62) and zinc-iron ratio (OR = 1.72, 95% CI = 1.05–2.81) had almost twice the odds of developing CVD (p trend = 0.007). This study shows that high dietary zinc intake and zinc-iron ratio is associated with a greater incidence of CVD in women. Further studies are required detailing the source of zinc and iron in diet and their precise roles when compared to other essential nutrients.

Poor Adherence to National and International Breastfeeding Duration Targets in an Australian Longitudinal Cohort

Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)

Date: 30-01-2013

DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0054409

What are Women Told about Pap Smears That Lack Endocervical Cells?

Publisher: SAGE Publications

Date: 06-1995

DOI: 10.1177/096914139500200211

Abstract: Debate exists about the definition of what constitutes an adequate Pap smear and about the recommended rescreening interval for Pap smears lacking an endocervical component. This study aimed at determining whether women are currently informed about the endocervical status of their Pap smears and what rescreening recommendations are made to women whose smears lack endocervical cells. Consecutive Pap smears lacking an endocervical component were identified from pathology records. After obtaining consent from the referring doctor, 165 women were interviewed by telephone. Only 110 (67%) of 165 women received active notification of their Pap test result and only six (4%) were aware that their smear lacked endocervical cells. Thirteen (8%) had been advised to have a repeat smear within three months. Nearly half the women reported that they would like more information about their result. It seems that current Pap smear notification patterns for women in New South Wales could be improved. One third are not actively informed at all about their results, and few are given detailed information about their Pap test results. Methods of enhancing the level of information women are given about their medical and screening tests need to be improved.

Which aspects of socio-economic status are related to health in mid-aged and older women?

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 09-2002

DOI: 10.1207/S15327558IJBM0903_07

Abstract: A population-based study was conducted to validate gender- and age-specific indexes of socio-economic status (SES) and to investigate the associations between these indexes and a range of health outcomes in 2 age cohorts of women. Data from 11,637 women aged 45 to 50 and 9,510 women aged 70 to 75 were analyzed. Confirmatory factor analysis produced four domains of SES among the mid-aged cohort (employment, family unit, education, and migration) and four domains among the older cohort (family unit, income, education, and migration). Overall, the results supported the factor structures derived from another population-based study (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 1995), reinforcing the argument that SES domains differ across age groups. In general, the findings also supported the hypotheses that women with low SES would have poorer health outcomes than higher SES women, and that the magnitude of these effects would differ according to the specific SES domain and by age group, with fewer and smaller differences observed among older women. The main exception was that in the older cohort, the education domain was significantly associated with specific health conditions. Results suggest that relations between SES and health are highly complex and vary by age, SES domain, and the health outcome under study.

The value of comparing health outcomes in cohort studies: An example of self-rated health in seven studies including 79 653 participants

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 22-11-2007

DOI: 10.1111/J.1741-6612.2007.00261.X

Health services research using linked records: who consents and what is the gain?

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 10-2001

DOI: 10.1111/J.1467-842X.2001.TB00284.X

Work and Other Activities in Retirement

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 07-2015

DOI: 10.1111/JGS.13548

UTILITY AND ACCEPTABILITY OF THE MODIFIED TELEPHONE INTERVIEW FOR COGNITIVE STATUS IN A LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF AUSTRALIAN WOMEN AGED 85 TO 90

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 07-2013

DOI: 10.1111/JGS.12333

Unplanned Readmission within 28 Days of Hospital Discharge in a Longitudinal Population-Based Cohort of Older Australian Women

Publisher: MDPI AG

Date: 30-04-2020

DOI: 10.3390/IJERPH17093136

Abstract: This study aimed to estimate the incidence of 28-day unplanned readmission among older women, and associated factors. Data were used from the 1921–1926 birth cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health. Linkage of self-reported survey data with the Admitted Patient Data Collection allowed the identification of hospital admissions for each woman and the corresponding baseline characteristics. The Cox proportional-hazards model was used to identify factors associated with time to unplanned readmission, using SAS software V 9.4. (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). Of 2056 women with index unplanned admission, 363 (17.5%) were readmitted within 28 days of discharge, and of these 229 (11.14%) had unplanned readmission. Among women with unplanned readmission, 24% were for the same condition as for the index hospitalisation. Cardiovascular diseases were the main diagnoses for the index admission and readmission. Unplanned readmission risk was higher if not partnered (hazard ratio (HR) = 1.43, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05–1.95), of non-English speaking background (HR = 1.62%, 95% CI: 1.07–2.47), more than three days length of stay on index admission (HR = 1.41%, 95% CI: 1.04–1.90) and one or two of the assessed chronic diseases (HR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.19–2.36). At least one in ten women had unplanned readmission at some time between ages 75–95 years. Women who are not partnered, not of English-speaking background, with longer hospital stay and those with multi-morbidity, may need further efforts during their stay and on discharge to mitigate unplanned readmission.

Development of a depression scale for veterans and war widows

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 09-2000

DOI: 10.1207/S15327558IJBM0703_05

Alcohol, hospital admissions, and falls in older adults: a longitudinal evaluation

Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)

Date: 22-02-2013

DOI: 10.1017/S1041610213000173

Abstract: Background: There are limited data on the impacts of alcohol use in older adults. We aimed to evaluate self-reported hospital admissions and falls against current Australian alcohol consumption guidelines. Methods: We conducted a longitudinal analysis of data from five Australian cohort studies. The study comprised 16,785 people aged 65 years or older at baseline. Alcohol consumption was categorized using Australian guidelines in standard (10 g) drinks per day as “abstinent,” “low-risk” ( ≤2), “long-term risk” ( ≤4), or “short-term risk” ( ). Separate generalized estimating equations for men and women, controlling for key demographic, and health variables (depression, diabetes, circulatory and musculoskeletal conditions) were used to examine the relationship of alcohol consumption with hospitalization and falls against a reference category of low-risk consumption. Results: Most participants were in the low (10,369, 62%) or abstinent (5,488, 33%) categories. Among women, all alcohol groups had greater odds of admission than low-risk users among men, only the abstinent group had increased odds. For both genders, depression, diabetes, circulatory and musculoskeletal conditions all increased the odds of admission. For both genders, the unadjusted model showed that abstainers had increased odds of falling, with depression, diabetes, and for women, musculoskeletal conditions also associated with falls in the adjusted model. Conclusion: These outcomes suggest that older women in particular could benefit from targeted alcohol consumption messages or interventions. In relation to falls, other health conditions appear better targets for intervention than alcohol use.

The experiences of non-medical health professionals undertaking community-based health assessments for people aged 75 years and over

Publisher: Hindawi Limited

Date: 03-2002

DOI: 10.1046/J.1365-2524.2002.00343.X

Abstract: Our objective was to explore the perceptions of allied health professionals who conducted over 3000 home-based health assessments within the general-practice-dominated Australian primary healthcare system. A series of semistructured qualitative interviews were carried out within the Department of Veterans' Affairs 'Preventive Care Trial', where health assessments are undertaken by health professionals in the homes of participating veterans and war widows. Health professionals were employed within the Preventive Care Trial to conduct assessments in 10 areas of New South Wales and Queensland. Subjects were mainly registered nurses, but also included a social worker, an occupational therapist, a physiotherapist and a psychologist. The health professionals described positive attitudes towards the health assessments, and showed that they have the broad range of necessary personal and professional skills to undertake them. Home visits were seen as an essential component and the most useful aspects included direct observation of home safety and medications. This study demonstrates that health assessments for older people can be acceptably and competently undertaken by suitably qualified allied health professionals, and that an effective collaborative approach to patient care can be achieved through such a system.

The Influence of Perceived Stress on the Onset of Arthritis in Women: Findings from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health

Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)

Date: 23-02-2013

DOI: 10.1007/S12160-013-9478-6

Abstract: Psychosocial factors are considered as risk factors for some chronic diseases. A paucity of research exists surrounding the role of perceived stress in arthritis onset. Perceived stress as a risk factor for arthritis development was explored in an ageing cohort of Australian women. This study focused on 12,202 women from the 1946-1951 cohort who completed the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health surveys in 2001, 2004 and 2007. Longitudinal associations were modelled, with and without a time lag. Findings from the multivariate time lag modelling, excluding women with persistent joint pain, revealed that perceived stress predicted the onset of arthritis, with women experiencing minimal and moderate/high stress levels having a 1.7 and 2.4 times greater odds of developing arthritis 3 years later, respectively (p's < 0.001). Chronically perceiving life as stressful is detrimental to future health. The findings provide support for perceived stress to be considered alongside other modifiable risk factors.

Selection, adaptation and advantage. Later-life health and wellbeing of English migrants to Australia

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Date: 29-03-2018

DOI: 10.1080/1369183X.2018.1446823

Vegetable-rich food pattern is related to obesity in China

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 04-03-2008

DOI: 10.1038/IJO.2008.21

Abstract: To investigate the association between a vegetable-rich food pattern and obesity among Chinese adults. A food pattern rich in vegetables is associated with lower risk of obesity and non-communicable chronic disease in Western countries. A similar food pattern is found in the Chinese population but the cooking method is different. A cross-sectional household survey of 2849 men and women aged 20 years and over was undertaken in 2002 in Jiangsu Province (response rate, 89.0%). Food intake was assessed by food frequency questionnaire. Factor analysis was used to identify food patterns. Nutrient intake was measured by food weighing plus consecutive in idual 3-day food records. Height, weight and waist circumference were measured. The prevalence of general obesity (BMI > or =28 kg m(-2)) was 8.0% in men and 12.7% in women, central obesity was 19.5% (> or =90 cm) and 38.2% (> or =80 cm), respectively. A four-factor solution explained 28.5% of the total variance in food frequency intake. The vegetable-rich food pattern (whole grains, fruits and vegetables) was positively associated with vegetable oil and energy intake. Prevalence of obesity/central obesity increased across the quartiles of vegetable-rich food pattern. After adjusting for sociodemographic factors and four distinct food patterns, the vegetable-rich pattern was independently associated with obesity. Compared with the lowest quartile of vegetable-rich pattern, the highest quartile had higher risk of general obesity (men, prevalence ratio (PR): 1.82, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05-3.14 women, PR: 2.25, 95% CI: 1.45-3.49). The vegetable-rich food pattern was associated with higher risk of obesity/central obesity in Chinese adults in both genders. This association can be linked to the high intake of energy due to generous use of oil for stir-frying the vegetables.

Prevalence and characteristics of older Australian women who consult dentists

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 24-10-2007

DOI: 10.1111/J.1440-1584.2007.00935.X

Home and community care services: a major opportunity for preventive health care

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 22-05-2010

DOI: 10.1186/1471-2318-10-26

An observational study of the discrediting of COX-2 NSAIDs in Australia: Vioxx or class effect?

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 24-11-2011

DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-11-892

Life space and mental health: a study of older community-dwelling persons in Australia

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Date: 06-06-2014

DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2014.917607

Abstract: The ability of older people to mobilise within and outside their community is dependent on a number of factors. This study explored the relationship between spatial mobility and psychological health among older adults living in Australia. The survey s le consisted of 260 community-dwelling men and women aged 75-80 years, who returned a postal survey measuring spatial mobility (using the Life Space Questionnaire) and psychological health (using the SF36 Health Related Quality of Life Profile). From the Life Space Questionnaire, participants were given a life-space score and multinomial regression was used to explore the potential effect of mental health on life-space score. The study found a significant association between mental health and life space. However, gender, physical functioning, and ability to drive were most strongly associated with the extent of life space and spatial mobility. Compared to men, older women are more likely to experience less spatial mobility and restricted life space, and hence are more vulnerable to social isolation. Mental health and life space were associated for the older people in this study. These findings have important implications for health policy and highlight the need to support older persons to maintain independence and social networks, and to successfully age in place within their community. This study also highlights the utility of the Life Space Questionnaire in terms of identifying older persons at risk of poorer mental health.

Living Off Wetlands: A Case Study of Mara Bay and Masirori Wetlands, Tanzania

Publisher: Scientific Research Publishing, Inc.

Date: 2018

DOI: 10.4236/GEP.2018.612003

Medication use among older Australian veterans and war widows

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 08-2003

DOI: 10.1046/J.1445-5994.2003.00399.X

Abstract: This study aimed to review the medications used by a group of Australian war veterans and widows, to identify type and number of medications used and potential inappropriate prescribing. Label details of 4304 medications used by 887 participants were recorded and classified according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical code. The median number of regular medications being used was four (interquartile range 2-7), with a median of one other medication (interquartile range 1-2) being taken as needed. Over half (53%) the participants were taking four or more regular medications. There were 26 potential interactions among 25 people. Polypharmacy was a considerable problem for this group of older Australians.

For Richer, for Poorer, in Sickness and in Health: Older Widowed Women's Health, Relationships and Financial Security

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Date: 22-06-1999

DOI: 10.1300/J013V29N01_02

The value of time in longitudinal studies of ageing. Lessons from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 10-2011

DOI: 10.1111/J.1741-6612.2011.00531.X

Abstract: The Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (ALSWH) involves three cohorts of women born in 1921-1926, 1946-1951 and 1973-1978, who have been surveyed every 3 years since 1996. We describe how the 1921-1926 cohort have changed over time. We also describe trends in health risks among the younger cohorts, providing an indication of future health threats. By Survey 5, 28.4% of the 1921-1926 cohort had died. Among those who survived and remained in the study, 61% maintained high physical function scores over time. Chronic conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, heart disease and stroke were associated with lower physical function scores and decline in scores over time. ALSWH will continue to provide information on changes in health and health service use as we follow the oldest cohort through their 90 s, and as younger cohorts accumulate increasing burden of disease and disability as they age.

Older drivers in australia: Trends in driving status and cognitive and visual impairment

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 10-2009

DOI: 10.1111/J.1532-5415.2009.02439.X

Abstract: To investigate self-reported driving status within three Australian states associations between demographic, health, and functional factors and driving status and the extent to which remaining a driver in spite of cognitive and visual impairments varies as a function of sex. Secondary data analysis of a pooled data set. Australian communities. Adults aged 65 to 103 (N=5,206) from the Dynamic Analyses to Optimise Ageing (DYNOPTA) project. DYNOPTA is a unique data set created through the harmonization and pooling of data across nine separate Australian longitudinal studies of aging conducted between 1990 and 2007 (N=50,652). Driving status, demographic characteristics, Mini-Mental State Examination score, visual acuity, physical activity, and occupation. Men and participants with higher-level occupations had greater odds of driving. Older age, more medical conditions, and poorer vision increased the odds of not driving. Persons who were orced, widowed, or never married were at a greater risk than married adults of not driving. Descriptive analyses revealed a large proportion of men with probable visual or cognitive impairments who reported driving. Subsequent comparative analyses between the DYNOPTA s le and other published U.S. and Canadian data revealed lower proportions of current drivers among Australian women and those at older ages, although there were consistently lower proportions of drivers within Australia and Canada than in the United States. The rate of men with probable dementia or visual impairments who reported driving is of particular concern. Research and policy need to focus on evidence-based assessment of older drivers and development of appropriate interventions and programs to maintain the mobility and independence of older adults.

Trends in health service use for women in Australia with diabetes

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 10-2005

DOI: 10.1111/J.1467-842X.2005.TB00221.X

Abstract: To describe the health, health service use and use of recommended guidelines for care for women in Australia with diabetes. Analysis of survey data 1996-99 from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health, linked with Medicare data for 1997-2001. Participants were 12,338 mid-age women aged 45-50 years in 1996 (1.9% with diabetes) and 10,421 older women aged 70-75 years at Survey 1 in 1996 (8.1% with diabetes). The outcome measures were number of general practice and specialist visits and use of glycosylated haemoglobin (HbAlc), lipids and microalbuminuria tests. Women with diabetes at Survey 1, and those diagnosed by Survey 2, were more likely to have hypertension, heart disease and eyesight problems, have high rates of polypharmacy (four or more medications: mid age 32%, older 64%) and more consultations with general practitioners and specialists than women without diabetes. During 1997-2001, there was a trend for a greater percentage of women with diabetes to have an HbA1c test at least annually (mid age 44%-52%, older age 46%-58%). Rates of testing microalbuminuria and lipids also increased but were far from conforming to guidelines. Having more frequent consultations with a general practitioner was significantly associated with having all three recommended tests. There is an increasing use of services by women with diabetes, in part due to an increase in compliance with guidelines for the management of diabetes. Linked health and administrative data provide a means to monitor health service utilisation, adherence to principles for best practice care and issues of equity in care.

Contextualizing urban living as a determinant of women’s health in Jakarta, Indonesia

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Date: 23-11-2017

DOI: 10.1080/03630242.2016.1263271

Abstract: Big cities can offer great opportunities for women to have a better life. At the same time, however, the physical and social environment in cities can negatively affect their health. We conducted focus groups with 24 women (aged 18-72 years) living in Jakarta, Indonesia from October to November 2014. Our aim was to elicit women's experiences of living in Jakarta, including their health and accessing health care. The most frequent health problems reported by women in this study were hypertension and arthritis. Women often gave priority to their family, particularly their children, over themselves and their own health. Discussants also thought that the city's physical and social conditions could affect their health, and that women were more prone to feel stress than men. The results of this study highlight the importance of addressing social determinants of health across the life course, including gender, to improve women's health status. Moreover, multi-sectoral collaboration at the municipal and national level is needed for urban planning to create better living conditions for women in the cities.

GIS Multi-Criteria Analysis by Ordered Weighted Averaging (OWA): Toward an Integrated Citrus Management Strategy

Publisher: MDPI AG

Date: 15-02-2019

DOI: 10.3390/SU11041009

Abstract: This study proposes a site location assessment model for citrus cropland using multi-criteria evaluation (MCE) and the combination of a set of factors for suitability mapping and delineating the suitable areas for citrus production in Ramsar, Iran. It defines an incorporated method for the suitability mapping of the most appropriate sites for citrus cultivars with an emphasis on the multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) process. The combination of geographic information system (GIS) and a modified version of the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) based on the ordered weighted averaging (OWA) technique is also emphasized. The OWA is based on two principles, namely: the weights of relative criterion significance and the order weights. Therefore, the participatory technique was employed to outline the set of standards and the important criterion. The results derived from the GIS–OWA technique indicate that the cultivation of citrus is feasible only in limited areas, which make up 6.7% of the total area near the Caspian Sea. This investigation has shown that the GIS–OWA model can be integrated into MCDA to select the optimal site for citrus production. The present research highlights how multi-criteria in GIS can play a considerable role in decision making for evaluating the suitability of selected sites for citrus production.

Discordance between self-reported arthritis and musculoskeletal signs and symptoms in older women

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 12-2016

DOI: 10.1186/S12891-016-1349-4

Geospatial modelling of the inundation levels in the Sundarbans mangrove forests due to the impact of sea level rise and identification of affected species and regions

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Date: 2019

DOI: 10.1080/19475705.2018.1564373

The problems of sleep for older women: changes in health outcomes

Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)

Date: 03-2003

DOI: 10.1093/AGEING/32.2.154

Abstract: to identify the continuance of sleeping difficulty and medication use in a cohort of older Australian women from baseline to 3-year follow-up and to explore the relationship between these factors and health-related quality of life scores, falls and other health care use. a 3-year longitudinal survey of 10,430 Australian women aged 70-75 years at baseline. These women were participants in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health randomly selected from the Australian Medicare database. a majority of women (63%) endorsed one or more items related to sleeping difficulty at 3-year follow-up: 33% reported one item only, 16% reported two or three items, and 14% reported more than three items 4,194 (42.4%) reporting "waking in the early hours", 2,592 (26.0%) "taking a long time to get to sleep", 2,078 (21.0%) "sleeping badly at night", 1,072 (10.8%) "lying awake most of the night" and 1,087 (11.0%) "worry keeping you awake". Total scores on the Nottingham Health Profile sleep sub-scale ranged from 0-100 and were skewed to the right. The median score was 12.57. There was a strong statistical association between reporting sleeping difficulty at baseline and at follow-up. A total of 1,532 (15%) women reported use of sleeping medication at follow-up and women were 6.5 times more likely to report use if they also reported any item of sleep difficulty. There was a moderate level of agreement (88%, kappa=0.56) between taking sleeping medication within 4 weeks before the baseline survey and within 4 weeks before follow-up. On multivariate analysis, sleeping difficulty at baseline was negatively associated with general health perceptions, emotional role limitations and general mental health sub-scales of the Short-Form-36 Health Survey at follow-up the use of sleep medication at baseline was negatively associated with physical functioning, bodily pain, vitality, social functioning and general mental health Short-Form-36 sub-scale scores. The use of sleep medication was also significantly associated with falls, accidents, and health care utilisation. sleeping difficulty is a common and persistent complaint among older women and is strongly associated with use of sleeping medications. Both behaviours are negatively associated with health status.

11.7 Health of older people

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Date: 2009

DOI: 10.1093/MED/9780199218707.003.0089

Getting Started: ‘Preparing the ground’ and ‘planting the vines’ for longitudinal research

Publisher: Dialectical Publishing

Date: 12-2007

DOI: 10.5172/MRA.455.1.2.80

Associations Between Medication Use and Mental Health in Older Women: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of 5,502 Women Aged 76 to 81

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 06-2015

DOI: 10.1111/JGS.13497

Evaluation of older Chinese people's macronutrient intake status: results from the China Health and Nutrition Survey

Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)

Date: 13-11-2014

DOI: 10.1017/S0007114514003444

Abstract: Little is known about the macronutrient intake status of older Chinese people. The present study evaluated the macronutrient intake status of older Chinese people (aged ≥ 60 years), investigated whether they had intake levels that met the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI), and explored the associations between macronutrient intakes and age groups, sex, education levels, work status, BMI groups, urbanicity levels and four socio-economic regions of China (Northeast, East Coast, Central and Western). Dietary intake data of 2746 older Chinese with complete dietary intake data in the Longitudinal China Health and Nutrition Survey (2009 wave) carried out across four erse regions were analysed. Dietary intake data were obtained by interviews using 24 h recalls over three consecutive days. The MUFA:SFA ratios were calculated based on the Chinese Food Composition Table. Less than one-third of the older Chinese people included in the present study had intake levels meeting the adequate intake for carbohydrate-energy and fat-energy less than one-fifth had intake levels meeting the recommended nutrient intake for protein-energy and more than half of the older people had fat-energy intakes higher than the DRI. There were strong associations between the proportions of energy from the three macronutrients and education levels, urbanicity levels and the four socio-economic regions of China, with older people living in the East Coast region having different patterns of macronutrient-energy intakes when compared with those living in the other three regions. Macronutrient intakes across different urbanicity levels in the four regions revealed considerable geographical variations in dietary patterns, which will affect the risk factors for non-communicable diseases. Clinical interventions and public health policies should recognise these regional differences in dietary patterns.

Mental health service use: Is there a difference between rural and non-rural women in service uptake?

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 06-2014

DOI: 10.1111/AJR.12109

Abstract: This study examines differences in uptake of the Medicare items rolled out in 2006 under the 'Better Access Scheme' (BAS) between rural and non-rural Australian women. It compares differences in women's uptake of the BAS services by area of residence (ARIA+) across time using the Australian Longitudinal Study of Women's Health (ALSWH) survey data linked to Medicare data. Women aged 28-33 years at the time the BAS was introduced that responded to the self-reported question on depression/anxiety and consented to linkage of their survey data with Medicare data (n=4,316). Participants were grouped by ARIA+ according to BAS use, diagnoses of anxiety/depression but no BAS use and other eligible women. Across all areas, women born 1973-1978 with a self-reported diagnosis of depression/anxiety or having treatment under the BAS had a significantly lower mean mental health score compared to other women. Significantly more women living in non-rural areas had used at least one service provided under the BAS initiative compared to women in outer regional, inner regional or remotes areas (21% versus 18% versus 13% versus 7%, respectively), and across all areas, 12% of women reported having a diagnosis of depression/anxiety but not been treated under the BAS. While there is a gradual uptake of the new BAS services, a large percentage of women who have a diagnosis of depression/anxiety have not been treated under the BAS. The data suggest that women in urban areas have been better able to take up the services compared to non-urban women.

Optimized Design of a Hybrid Biological Sewage Treatment System for Domestic Wastewater Supply

Publisher: Scientific Research Publishing, Inc.

Date: 2017

DOI: 10.4236/GEP.2017.55002

Multisite joint pain in older Australian women is associated with poorer psychosocial health and greater medication use

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 12-02-2019

DOI: 10.1186/S12998-018-0224-9

Supporting housing and neighbourhoods for healthy ageing: Findings from the Housing and Independent Living Study (HAIL)

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 25-10-2012

DOI: 10.1111/J.1741-6612.2012.00646.X

Abstract: To identify the extent to which homes and neighbourhoods of older community-dwelling people are 'supportive'. Cross-sectional survey, in-home observation and interviews involving 202 participants (75-79 years). Measures included SF-36 health-related quality of life and Late Life Function and Disability Instrument (LLFDI) scores, and self-reported home usability, access, safety and neighbourhood. Associations between home and neighbourhood characteristics were assessed using χ(2) -tests, t-tests and Pearson correlations. Older people rated neighbourhood satisfaction highly (3.0 men, 3.2 women 4 being the highest score). Many homes failed objective adaptability and safety ratings, particularly bathrooms (80% did not have a shower grab rail, 77% did not have non-slip floors) 27% of homes scored ≥8 of 25 possible hazards. There were significant correlations between perceptions of housing and neighbourhood and SF-36 and disability scores. Many homes and neighbourhoods may not accommodate increased frailty or disability of older people into the future.

900 million and counting

Publisher: Walter de Gruyter GmbH

Date: 12-2015

DOI: 10.1515/POPHZN-2015-0011

Abstract: This paper will highlight current evidence about health and well-being that could encourage investment in health for older populations. The paper uses the ex le of hypertension throughout to illustrate how data collection efforts are translating research to policy. Hypertension, is a global scourge for poor and wealthy, younger and older adults, increasing the risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease. Although it is easily diagnosed and can be effectively treated the burden of hypertension continues to grow as awareness, prevention and treatment lags, particularly for the poor and old. The focus is brought back to how current research can inform policy for ageing populations in the final section, using Ireland’s experience to demonstrate how to legislate the good life for older adults.

Advances in gerontology research and education: Perspectives from the Australian Association of Gerontology

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 10-2013

DOI: 10.1111/AJAG.12095

Hydro-Morphological Characteristics Using Flow Duration Curve, Historical Data and Remote Sensing: Effects of Land Use and Climate

Publisher: MDPI AG

Date: 12-02-2019

DOI: 10.3390/W11020309

Abstract: Ecohydrological changes in large rivers of the world result from a long history of humandimensions and climate. The increasing human population, intensified land use, and climate change haveled to a decline in the most critical aspect of achieving sustainable development, namely, that of waterresources. This study assessed recent hydromorphological characteristics of the tropical Tana River inKenya using flow duration curve, and geospatial techniques to gain a better understanding of humanimpacts over the last two decades and their consequences for new development projects. The results showthat all extremal peak, low, and mean discharges exhibited significant increasing trends over a period of17 years. Dam construction represents a 13% reduction of the maximum discharge and a 30% decrease inlow flows, while post-regulation hydrological changes indicated an increase of 56 and 40% of high flowsand low flows respectively. Dominant flow was observed to be higher for the current decade than theprevious decade, representing a rise of the dominant streamflow by 33%. The assessment of fourmorphologically active sites at the downstream reach showed channel adjustments which support thechanges in the flow regimes observed. The channel width increased by 8.7 and 1.9% at two sites butdecreased by 31.5 and 16.2% for the other two sites under study during the time period. The resultsunderscore the contribution of other main human modifications, apart from regulation, such as increasedwater abstraction and inter basin transfer, up-stream land use and anthropogenic climate change to assessthe ecohydrological status in this river basin. Such streamflow regime dynamics may have implicationson water resource management, riverine environments, and development of new water projects.

Miscarriage, Preterm Delivery, and Stillbirth: Large Variations in Rates within a Cohort of Australian Women

Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)

Date: 21-05-2012

DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0037109

Perceptions of coping with non-disease-related life stress for women with osteoarthritis: a qualitative analysis: Table 1

Publisher: BMJ

Date: 05-2016

DOI: 10.1136/BMJOPEN-2015-010630

Cost of arthritis: a systematic review of methodologies used for direct costs

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Date: 22-12-2015

DOI: 10.1586/14737167.2016.1126513

Abstract: A substantial amount of healthcare and costs are attributable to arthritis, which is a very common chronic disease. This paper presents the results of a systematic review of arthritis cost studies published from 2008 to 2013. MEDLINE, Embase, EconLit databases were searched, as well as governmental and nongovernmental organization websites. Seventy-one reports met the inclusion/exclusion criteria, and 24 studies were included in the review. Among these studies, common methods included the use of in idual-level data, bottom-up costing approach, use of both an arthritis group and a control group to enable incremental cost computation of the disease, and use of regression methods such as generalized linear models and ordinary least squares regression to control for confounding variables. Estimates of the healthcare cost of arthritis varied considerably across the studies depending on the study methods, the form of arthritis and the population studied. In the USA, for ex le, the estimated healthcare cost of arthritis ranged from $1862 to $14,021 per person, per year. The reviewed study methods have strengths, weaknesses and potential improvements in relation to estimating the cost of disease, which are outlined in this paper. Caution must be exercised when these methods are applied to cost estimation and monitoring of the economic burden of arthritis.

Differences in Use of Government Subsidised Mental Health Services by Men and Women with Psychological Distress: A Study of 229,628 Australians Aged 45 Years and Over

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 17-04-2018

DOI: 10.1007/S10597-018-0262-8

Abstract: This study examined factors associated with use of government subsidised mental health services by 229,628 men and women from the Sax Institute's 45 and Up Study. Logistical regression models assessed use of mental health services by gender and according to level of psychological distress. Approximately equal proportion of men and women had high psychological distress scores (approximately 7%) but only 7% of these men and 11% of these women used services. Use was associated with predisposing (younger age and higher education), enabling (private health insurance) and need factors (higher psychological distress scores). Associations were similar for men and women except urban area of residence, separated/ orced marital status, and smoking were associated with service use for women but not men. Results suggest some inequity in the use of services by those with higher levels of need and further efforts may be required to reach people with higher need but lower service use.

An occupational focus on falls with serious injury among older women in Australia

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 17-06-2004

DOI: 10.1111/J.1440-1630.2004.00424.X

A positive view of older women

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 12-1998

DOI: 10.1111/J.1467-842X.1998.TB01485.X

A checklist for comprehensive health assessment for the over 70's

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 03-2002

DOI: 10.1111/J.1741-6612.2002.TB00409.X

DELAY IN CONSULTING A MEDICAL PRACTITIONER ABOUT RECTAL BLEEDING

Publisher: BMJ

Date: 06-1992

DOI: 10.1136/JECH.46.3.241

Abstract: The aims were to estimate the incidence of rectal bleeding in the community, and to determine the proportion of in iduals who delay or fail to seek medical advice after a first episode of rectal bleeding. The data were collected as part of a large scale general population survey of the health practices and attitudes of in iduals in a randomly selected s le of 2121 households. The survey was conducted in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie areas of New South Wales, Australia, during 1987-88. Information about rectal bleeding was collected from 1213 in iduals aged 40 years and over. Of the 1213 people aged 40 years and over, 239 (20%) reported noticing rectal bleeding at some time in their life. However, since an estimated 4.5% had noticed rectal bleeding for the first time in the past year the true lifetime incidence of rectal bleeding is likely to be much higher. Of the 77 in iduals who had noticed a first occurrence of rectal bleeding more than three months but less than five years prior to the interview, 23 (30%) had either not sought medical advice or had only done so after a period of delay. The most commonly reported reason for delay or failure to consult was thinking that the bleeding was not serious and would clear up by itself. The data suggest that prompt investigation of rectal bleeding is not occurring in a relatively large proportion of cases. However, in the absence of firm evidence that early detection improves prognosis, and considering the costs of screening, it would be premature to initiate programmes which encourage people to seek care promptly for this symptom.

Whose assessment is it anyway?

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 09-2016

DOI: 10.1111/AJAG.12327

Social isolation, social support and loneliness as independent concepts, and their relationship with health-related quality of life among older women

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Date: 05-07-2021

DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2021.1940097

Changes in housing among older women: Latent class analysis of housing patterns in older Australian women

Publisher: SAGE Publications

Date: 15-08-2016

DOI: 10.1177/0042098016661309

Abstract: Scant research exists on the patterns of changes in older women’s housing, and whether and when women transition into residential aged care (RAC). This study aimed to identify groups of women with different housing patterns (latent classes) over time, with a secondary aim to describe socio-demographic and health characteristics of women in each class. We analysed linked data for 9575 women born 1921–1926 from the Australian Longitudinal Study of Women’s Health (ALSWH), Australian National Death Index, and Residential Aged Care (RAC) administrative records for the years 1999 through to 2011. Seven distinct housing patterns (classes) were identified over time. Four classes showed a stable pattern: living in a house for most surveys (47.0%), living in a house but with earlier death (13.7%), living in an apartment (12.8%), living in a retirement village (5.8%). One class showed a pattern of downsizing: moving from a house to retirement village (6.6%). Two patterns showed transition: from an apartment or retirement village, to RAC and death (7.8%), and from house to RAC (6.4%). This study provides new evidence about socio-demographic and health influences on housing patterns and entry into residential care in later life. These findings can inform policy and aged care planning for women in later life, by identifying patterns of transition into residential aged care, or alternatively, remaining in the community.

Socio-demographic differences of disability prevalence among the population aged 60 years and over in Bangladesh

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Date: 09-11-2018

DOI: 10.1080/17441730.2017.1396038

Using ethics of care as the theoretical lens to understand lived experiences of caregivers of older adults experiencing functional difficulties

Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)

Date: 05-05-2022

DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0267658

Abstract: The lived experiences of caregivers of older adults in Ghana are not well understood. The purpose of this study was to explore and discuss the lived experiences of these caregivers using the Ethics of Care as a theoretical lens and Interpretative phenomenological analysis as the methodological approach. Ten caregivers in receipt of social welfare services on behalf of older adults were recruited from the Social Welfare Unit at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in southern Ghana. The analysis identified five interrelated themes: 1) committing the Self to caregiving 2) caregiving impacting the Self 3) motivating factors to caregiving 4) caregiving burdens, and 5) thinking about personal affairs. Their experiences demonstrate that caregivers value the caregiving relationship, as posited by Ethics of Care, and tend to care for their health and well-being. Caregivers’ expression of commitment to caring for older adults is mainly influenced by reciprocity, despite internal and external stressors, and desire to fulfil unmet personal needs. Ethics of care offers an understanding of the lived experiences of caregivers of older adults in Ghana. The findings draw attention to the state to develop specific programs to ensure the health, social and financial well-being of older adults’ caregivers.

Urinary Incontinence and Social Function in Older Australian Women

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 28-06-2016

DOI: 10.1111/JGS.14250

Abstract: To investigate the relationship between urinary incontinence (UI) and subsequent development of social dysfunction, using longitudinal data collected over 15 years from women aged 70 and older. Longitudinal data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. Australia. Women born between 1921 and 1926 (aged 70-75 in 1996, 85-90 in 2011) (N = 12,432). UI, social dysfunction, other health and demographic factors. Generalized estimating equations were used to examine the association between social dysfunction and UI over time, adjusted for time, health, and social covariates. Social dysfunction and UI increased over time in older women. UI was associated with 30% greater odds of social dysfunction (P < .001), adjusted for time, health, and social covariates in the model with no time lag. UI was also associated with social dysfunction measured one survey period later (forward time lag) (odds ratio (OR) = 1.23, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.13-1.34) and one survey period earlier (reverse time lag) (OR = 1.30, 95% CI = 1.19-1.43), indicating an absence of causality. Social dysfunction was associated with living in urban areas, more health conditions, poor mental health, providing care for other people, and poor physical function. UI was associated with social dysfunction in older women, although the association did not appear to be causal but reflective of the women's overall level of function and general health. UI is not necessarily socially debilitating, unless a woman has other health problems.

Determinants of driving among oldest-old Australian women

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Date: 26-06-2021

DOI: 10.1080/08952841.2021.1937012

Abstract: This study examined predictors of driving among oldest-old Australian women in their late 80s in accordance with the World Health Organization's healthy aging framework. The study used data from the 1921-26 cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health, wave-6 (n = 4025). The result of the multivariable logistic regression showed providing care, living alone, volunteering, living in rural/outer regional Australia, having higher educational attainment, and social interactions were associated with driving. The findings indicate driving should not be dismissed based on age alone. Policymakers need to also consider social roles, driving environment and context with the goals of healthy aging.

Subjective memory complaints and difficulty performing activities of daily living among older women in Australia

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 21-12-2018

DOI: 10.1111/1440-1630.12548

Abstract: Increased age and cognitive decline have been linked to difficulties with activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL). Cognitive decline can often be signalled by complaints about one's cognition, such as memory. With older Australians living longer, there is an increasing proportion of the population at risk of declined performance in daily tasks. The aim of this study was to identify if subjective memory complaints in later life among older women predict changes in independence in performing ADL and IADL. Data were from 3721 women born 1921-1926, who completed Surveys 4-6 of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. Memory complaints and difficulties on ADL were measured at each survey, using the Memory Complaint Questionnaire and 16 questions regarding specific ADL. Latent growth modelling examined correlations between initial scores on each measure, changes in measures, and the association between memory complaints and changes in ADL and IADL. There was a significant association between baseline scores for subjective memory difficulty and baseline ADL and IADL scores. Initial memory difficulty was also associated with increase in ADL and IADL difficulty. Subjective memory complaints may be a risk factor for decline in performance on ADL. Attention to these concerns may be important in identifying functional decline in older age.

Narratives of home and place: findings from the Housing and Independent Living Study

Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)

Date: 19-06-2014

DOI: 10.1017/S0144686X14000476

Abstract: As populations age, increased focus is given to the importance of enabling older people to age in place. The study reported in this paper explored the extent to which older people considered their homes and neighbourhoods to be ‘supportive’, and sought to increase understanding of the needs and experiences of older people and their expectations of future housing needs. This paper reports qualitative data from the Housing and Independent Living (HAIL) study carried out in Australia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 202 community-dwelling people aged 75–79 years. Interviews were transcribed, coded and analysed using computer-assisted qualitative analysis and a narrative approach to identify broad themes. Thematic analysis was used to examine and understand how occupants subjectively viewed their homes, and how they planned to adapt/modify either their activities or homes to accommodate changing needs. Six key themes emerged, namely housing choice, attachment to place, financial issues, changes to the home over time, transport, and anticipating the future. In this study, people who most strongly identified with and felt connected to their neighbours/communities had more positive perceptions of their homes and communities, and may be better able to remain in their home despite increasing disability or frailty. Housing policies and home and urban design should ensure home and neighbourhood environments are safe, accessible, promote positive associations, and are adaptable to facilitate independence and accommodate change as people age.

Hysterectomy status and all-cause mortality in a 21-year Australian population-based cohort study

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 2019

DOI: 10.1016/J.AJOG.2018.10.002

Abstract: Hysterectomy is a common surgical procedure, predominantly performed when women are between 30 and 50 years old. One in 3 women in Australia has had a hysterectomy by the time they are 60 years old, and 30% have both ovaries removed at the time of surgery. Given this high prevalence, it is important to understand the long-term effects of hysterectomy. In particular, women who have a hysterectomy/oophorectomy at younger ages are likely to be premenopausal or perimenopausal and may experience greater changes in hormone levels and a shortened reproductive lifespan than women who have a hysterectomy when they are older and postmenopausal. Use of menopausal hormone therapy after surgery may compensate for these hormonal changes. To inform clinical decisions about postsurgery management of women who have a hysterectomy prior to menopause (ie, average age at menopause 50 years), it is useful to compare women with a hysterectomy to women with no hysterectomy and to stratify the hysterectomy status by whether or not women have had a bilateral oophorectomy, or used menopausal hormone therapy. We sought to investigate whether women who had a hysterectomy with ovarian conservation or a hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy before the age of 50 years were at a higher risk of premature all-cause mortality compared to women who did not have this surgery before the age of 50 years. We also sought to explore whether use of menopausal hormone therapy modified these associations. Women from the midcohort (born 1946 through 1951) of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health were included in our study s le (n = 13,541). Women who reported a hysterectomy (with and without both ovaries removed) before the age of 50 years were considered exposure at risk and compared with women who did not report these surgeries before age 50 years. To explore effect modification by use of menopausal hormone therapy we further stratified hysterectomy status by menopausal hormone therapy use. Risk of all-cause mortality was assessed using inverse-probability weighted Cox regression models. During a median follow-up of 21.5 years, there were 901 (6.7%) deaths in our study s le. Overall, there was no difference in all-cause mortality between women who reported a hysterectomy with ovarian conservation (hazard ratio, 0.86 95% confidence interval, 0.72-1.02) or women who reported a hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy (hazard ratio, 1.02 95% confidence interval, 0.78-1.34) and women with no hysterectomy. When stratified by menopausal hormone therapy use, women with hysterectomy and ovarian conservation before the age of 50 years were not at higher risk of all-cause mortality compared to no hysterectomy, regardless of menopausal hormone therapy use status. In contrast, among nonusers of menopausal hormone therapy only, women who reported a hysterectomy-bilateral oophorectomy before the age of 50 years were at a higher risk of death compared to women with no hysterectomy (hazard ratio, 1.81 95% confidence interval, 1.01-3.25). Hysterectomy with ovarian conservation before the age of 50 years did not increase risk of all-cause mortality. Among nonmenopausal hormone therapy users only, hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy before the age of 50 years was associated with a higher risk of death.

Health, functioning, and disability in older adults—present status and future implications

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 02-2015

DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(14)61462-8

Prevalence of unmet health care need in older adults in 83 countries: measuring progressing towards universal health coverage in the context of global population ageing

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 15-09-2023

DOI: 10.1186/S12963-023-00308-8

Dietary pattern, hypertension and cognitive function in an older population: 10-year longitudinal survey

Publisher: Frontiers Media SA

Date: 20-07-2018

DOI: 10.3389/FPUBH.2018.00201

Impact of Dementia on Health Service Use in the Last 2 Years of Life for Women with Other Chronic Conditions

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 11-2020

DOI: 10.1016/J.JAMDA.2020.02.018

Combining longitudinal studies showed prevalence of disease differed throughout older adulthood

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 03-2012

DOI: 10.1016/J.JCLINEPI.2011.08.008

Abstract: Disease prevalence rates are often generalized across the older adult age range. By pooling self-reported health data from five Australian longitudinal studies of aging, we were able to present disease prevalence rates by 5-year age bands and sex. We also investigated the influence of education on prevalence at each age range and compared our observed prevalence rates with those from the 2001 National Health Survey (NHS) to see if existing data could be used to augment national estimates. We used data on 12,718 adults between 60 and 105 years of age from the Dynamic Analyses to Optimise Ageing (DYNOPTA) project. Hypertension and arthritis were the most prevalent diseases, with approximately 30% of males and 45% of females having either condition. Nearly all diseases were most prevalent amongst older adults in their 70s and lower for in iduals in their 60s, and 80s and older. The effect of education varied by disease and older age group. Prevalence rates from DYNOPTA were generally similar to those reported by the NHS. Disease prevalence is not consistent across older adulthood. Combining longitudinal studies provided a sufficient s le to estimate precise age isions and can be used to supplement national estimates for specific populations.

Effectiveness of two direct-mail strategies to encourage women to have cervical (Pap) smears

Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)

Date: 1995

DOI: 10.1093/HEAPRO/10.1.5

The relative importance of psychosocial factors in arthritis: Findings from 10,509 Australian women

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 10-2012

DOI: 10.1016/J.JPSYCHORES.2012.06.009

Abstract: To determine the relative importance of psychosocial factors in arthritis diagnosis in an ageing cohort of Australian women. This study focused on 10,509 women from the 1946-1951 cohort who responded to questions on arthritis in the fifth mailed population-based survey of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health conducted in 2007. Arthritis was characterised by widespread psychosocial concerns, particularly relating to chronic stress and poor mental health. Univariate analyses revealed that in comparison to women without stress, women with moderate/high stress levels had a 2.5-fold increase in reporting arthritis. Experiencing ongoing negative interpersonal life events concerning illness of a family member/close friend and relationship difficulties was also associated with a 1.4-fold increase in the reporting of arthritis. Likewise, significantly reduced levels of optimism and perceived social support were noted (all associations p<.001). Psychiatric diagnosis was also associated with a two-fold increase in having arthritis (p<.001). Following adjustment for behavioural, demographic and health-related characteristics, anxiety was the only psychosocial factor associated with arthritis (OR=1.4, 95% CI=1.2, 1.7 p<.001). This study examined, epidemiologically, the relative importance of psychosocial factors in arthritis in an ageing cohort of Australian women. The findings from this population-based study indicate that women with arthritis are more likely to report a range of psychosocial-related problems, particularly with regard to chronic stress perception and anxiety. Longitudinal analyses are required to examine the processes by which stress and psychosocial factors may contribute to arthritis risk and poor adaptation in terms of health-related quality of life.

Assessment of a short scale to measure social support among older people

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 06-1999

DOI: 10.1111/J.1467-842X.1999.TB01253.X

Abstract: Social support strongly influences health, but research has been limited by the paucity of brief, inexpensive, psychometrically sound scales suitable for use with older people. The validity and reliability of the 11-item Duke Social Support Index (DSSI) were tested among a random s le of 565 community dwelling people aged 70 years and over. A response rate of 76% was obtained. Participants had a mean age of 76 years. Internal consistency using Cronbachs alpha for the overall index was 0.77. Test-retest reliability (n = 117) scores ranged from 0.70 to 0.81. Concurrent validity is supported by the DSSI's moderate to strong correlations with the Interview Schedule for Social Interaction. Construct validity of the DSSI was supported by moderate correlations with health, quality of life and loneliness. To further test construct validity a multiple regression model was used and 25.6% of the variance in social support was explained using three expected variables self rated health, quality of life, and living arrangements. Strong evidence for reliability and validity of the 11-item Duke Social Support Index support its use in aged care research and health promotion strategies. The DSSI provides researchers with the opportunity to use a brief measure of social support which has been assessed specifically with older Australians instead of single-item measures or scales which have limited psychometric evidence.

Prospective association between physical activity and falls in community-dwelling older women

Publisher: BMJ

Date: 05-2008

DOI: 10.1136/JECH.2007.064147

Abstract: To explore associations between physical activity and the risk of falls and fractured bones in community-dwelling older women. A prospective observational survey with three and six-year follow-ups. The s le included 8188 healthy, community-dwelling women, aged 70-75 years in 1996, who completed surveys as participants in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. Women who reported a recent serious injury from falling were excluded. Outcomes were reports of a fall to the ground, injury from a fall, and a fractured bone in 1999 and 2002. The main predictor variable was physical activity level in 1996, categorised on the basis of weekly frequency as none/very low, low, moderate, high and very high. Covariates were demographic and health-related variables. Logistic regression models were computed separately for each outcome in 1999 and 2002. In multivariable models, very high physical activity was associated with a decreased risk of reporting a fall in 1999 (odds ratio (OR) 0.67 95% CI 0.47 to 0.95) and in 2002 (OR 0.64 95% CI 0.43 to 0.96). High/very high physical activity was associated with a decreased risk of a fractured bone in 2002 (OR 0.53 95% CI 0.34 to 0.83). No significant association was found between physical activity and injury from a fall. The results suggest that at least daily moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity is required for the primary prevention of falls to the ground and fractured bones in women aged 70-75 years.

Impact of behavioural risk factors on death within 10 years for women and men in their 70s: absolute risk charts

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 17-08-2012

DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-12-669

Do health assessments affect time to permanent residential aged care admission for older women with and without dementia?

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 29-06-2023

DOI: 10.1111/GGI.14631

Abstract: To investigate the effect of health assessments on permanent residential aged care admission for older Australian women with and without dementia. A total of 1427 older Australian women who had a health assessment between March 2002 and December 2013 were matched with 1427 women who did not have a health assessment in the same period. Linked administrative datasets were used to identify health assessment use, admission to permanent residential aged care, and dementia status. Outcome was time to residential aged care admission from the matched date of health assessment. Women who had health assessments were less likely to be admitted to residential aged care in the short term (100 days), irrespective of dementia status (subdistribution hazard ratio [SDHR] = 0.35, 95% CI = [0.21, 0.59] for women with dementia SDHR = 0.39, 95% CI = [0.25, 0.61] for women without dementia). However, there were no significant differences at 500‐ and 1000‐days follow‐up. At 2000‐days follow‐up, women who had a health assessment were more likely to be admitted to residential aged care, regardless of dementia status (SDHR = 1.41, 95% CI = [1.12, 1.79] for women with dementia SDHR = 1.55, 95% CI = [1.32, 1.82] for women without dementia). Benefits from health assessments may depend on the recency of the assessment, with women less likely to be admitted to residential aged care in the short term after a health assessment. Our results add to a growing body of literature suggesting that health assessments may provide benefits to older people, including those with dementia. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023 23: 595–602 .

Mass mailing campaigns to promote screening for cervical cancer: Do they work, and do they continue to work?

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 06-1996

DOI: 10.1111/J.1467-842X.1996.TB01025.X

Abstract: C aigns involving sending personally addressed letters to encourage women to have Pap smears increase Pap smear rates. The aim of this study was to assess whether this effect is maintained when c aigns are repeated regularly. In October 1992, a letter reminding women of the importance of screening was mailed to all women in three New South Wales postcode regions where a similar letter had been sent three years previously. The response was compared to the response in three regions receiving no earlier letter. The number of women attending for cervical screening during the three months after distribution of the letters was assessed from Health Insurance Commission claims for cervical cytology. These attendances were compared with expected attendances based on the attendance patterns over 28 pre-intervention quarters. Significant postintervention increases in attendance were observed in all three regions receiving an initial letter. However, in one region, the increase in attendances, around 1 per cent of eligible women, was not significantly greater than the increase in the control region (z = 0.15, P = 0.88). The second letter c aign had no measurable effect on attendances. No significant increase in screenings was observed in two of the towns. A significant increase was observed in one region, but this was not significantly greater than the increase in the control region (z = -0.05, P = 0.96). These results suggest that repeated direct-mail c aigns to promote screening for cervical cancer may be of no benefit. A one-off c aign may result in an increase in screenings in the short term.

A retrospective analysis of maternal and neonatal mortality at a teaching and referral hospital in Kenya

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 19-02-2013

DOI: 10.1186/1742-4755-10-13

Use of medication reviews among older women with dementia, 2003‐2015: A longitudinal cohort study

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 20-08-2020

DOI: 10.1111/AJAG.12836

Abstract: To identify factors associated with incidence of medication reviews (MRs), particularly in women with dementia and in residential aged care (RAC). Data from 10 359 women in the 1921‐1926 cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health were linked to Medicare Benefits Schedule data to identify MRs for each year from 2003 to 2015. Incidence of MR increased from 2003 to 2013 (age 87‐92 years) when 37.1% of women with dementia had a MR compared to 19.8% of women without dementia. Adjusting for time and other factors, the odds of having a MR were higher for women with dementia (AOR = 1.18, 95% CI: 1.06‐1.32) and women in RAC (AOR = 3.61, 95% CI: 3.28‐3.98). Although higher in women with dementia and those in RAC, utilisation of MR was modest. System‐level interventions may be required to ensure the use and benefits of MRs.

Common combinations of medications used among oldest-old women: a population-based study over 15 years

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 09-09-2021

DOI: 10.1007/S40520-020-01693-Y

Geographical variations in self-rated health and functional limitations among older Chinese in eight WHO-SAGE provinces

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 11-01-2019

DOI: 10.1186/S12877-018-1005-Y

Colorectal cancer screening: discussions with first degree relatives

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 12-1998

DOI: 10.1111/J.1467-842X.1998.TB01502.X

Abstract: Screening by faecal occult blood test and colonoscopy is recommended for first degree relatives of people with colorectal cancer. While it is known that screening participation among relatives is low, relatives' beliefs and attitudes towards screening have not been explored at an in-depth level. In this study, four focus group discussions with first degree relatives of people with colorectal cancer were held. Discussions were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim and the data were independently coded and analysed by the authors. Three main themes were identified: risk, understanding, and screening. Perceived risk was determined by family history, age and gender. Of concern, there was limited understanding of the asymptomatic nature of screening with most relatives initially 'screened' after consulting a doctor with colorectal symptoms. These findings need to be considered in screening programs.

Determining priorities for research in ageing: A community survey

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 09-05-2007

DOI: 10.1111/J.1741-6612.2007.00218.X

PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AND COMORBID PHYSICAL CONDITIONS: DISEASE OR DISABILITY?

Publisher: Hindawi Limited

Date: 06-08-2013

DOI: 10.1002/DA.22162

Abstract: The relationship between comorbidity and psychological distress is well documented, however the mechanism of this association is unclear. We aim to assess the extent to which the association between common chronic conditions and high scores on the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) measure of psychological distress vary according to comorbid conditions, disability, and sociodemographic circumstances. Analysis of self-reported cross-sectional data from the New South Wales 45 and Up Study, Australia, for 236,508 participants aged 45 years and over, using logistic regression modeling. Self-reported heart attack/angina, other heart disease, stroke, and diabetes were all significantly associated with higher risk of high/very high K10 scores. These associations were attenuated, but remained statistically significant, when comorbidity, disability, and sociodemographic factors were added to the model. Men reporting needing help for daily tasks were nine times as likely to report high/very high K10 scores as those without this need, and women reporting needing help were seven times more likely to have high/very high K10 scores. Heart attack/angina, other heart disease, stroke, and diabetes are all significantly associated with psychological distress. However, these effects are partly explained by other comorbid conditions, limitations on physical functioning, and sociodemographic factors. These findings highlight the importance of developing public health policies that encompass psychological, physiological, and social domains, and provide crucial insights for clinicians in identifying and supporting those people at risk of psychological distress.

Use of Sleeping Medication and Quality of Life among Older Women who Report Sleeping Difficulty

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 03-2001

DOI: 10.1111/J.1741-6612.2001.TB00346.X

Older women in Australia: ageing in urban, rural and remote environments

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 08-2006

DOI: 10.1111/J.1741-6612.2006.00171.X

Cohort profile: The dynamic analyses to optimize ageing (DYNOPTA) project

Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)

Date: 17-01-2010

DOI: 10.1093/IJE/DYN276

Factors Influencing Web-Based Survey Response for a Longitudinal Cohort of Young Women Born Between 1989 and 1995 (Preprint)

Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.

Date: 13-06-2018

DOI: 10.2196/PREPRINTS.11286

Abstract: ith health research practices shifting toward rapid recruitment of s les through the use of online approaches, little is known about the impact of these recruitment methods on continued participation in cohort studies. his study aimed to report on the retention of a cohort of young women who were recruited using an open recruitment strategy. omen from the 1989-95 cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health, recruited in 2012 and 2013 were followed up annually via Web-based surveys in 2014, 2015, and 2016. Prevalence ratios for survey response were calculated using log-binomial models with generalized estimating equations including demographic, health-related, and recruitment method characteristics examined as explanatory factors. f the 17,012 women who completed the baseline survey (Survey 1) in 2012 to 2013, approximately two-thirds completed Survey 2 (2014), and just over half completed Surveys 3 (2015) and 4 (2016). Women demonstrated transient patterns of responding with 38.21% (6501/17,012) of women completing all 4 surveys. Although retention of young women was associated with older age, higher education, higher self-rated health status, and low engagement with adverse health behaviors, the method of recruitment was a key determinant of study participation in the multivariate model. Although women were more likely to be recruited into the cohort via social media (eg, Facebook), retention over time was higher for women recruited through traditional media and referral approaches. balance must be obtained between achieving representativeness, achieving rapid cohort recruitment, and mitigating the pitfalls of attrition based on recruitment method in the new era of cohort studies, where traditional recruitment methods are no longer exclusively viable options.

Late life changes in mental health: a longitudinal study of 9683 women

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Date: 13-07-2015

DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2015.1060943

Abstract: To identify latent subgroups of women in late life who are alike in terms of their mental health trajectories. Longitudinal data are for 9683 participants in the 1921-1926 cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health, who completed at least two surveys between 1999 (aged 73-78 years) and 2008 (aged 82-87 years). Mental health was measured using the five-item mental health inventory (MHI-5). Latent profile analysis uncovered patterns of change in MHI-5 scores. Three patterns of change were identified for women who were still alive in 2008 (n = 7061), and three similar patterns for deceased women (n = 2622): (1) 'poor mental health' representing women with low MHI-5 scores, (2) 'good mental health' and (3) 'excellent' mental health, where scores remained very high. Deceased women had lower mental health scores for each class. Remote areas of residence, higher education, single marital status, higher Body Mass Index (BMI) and falls were the covariates associated with mental health in the survivor group. For the deceased group, education, BMI and falls were significant. Arthritis, stroke, heart disease, bronchitis/emphysema, diabetes and osteoporosis were associated with worse mental health for both groups, while asthma increased these odds significantly for the survivor group only. Hypertension and cancer were not significant predictors of poor mental health. The results show associations between chronic disease and level of mental health in older age, but no evidence of a large decline in mental health in the period prior to death.

Single index of multimorbidity did not predict multiple outcomes

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 10-2005

DOI: 10.1016/J.JCLINEPI.2005.02.025

Abstract: Measurement of multimorbidity and comorbidity is important in epidemiologic and health services research. The aim of this research was to derive a generic multimorbidity index based on patient self-report, incorporating severity, for predicting a range of outcomes. The dataset was obtained from a trial including 1,541 Veterans and war widows aged 70 years and over. The survey included sociodemographics, hospital admissions, SF-36, and information on deaths was obtained. The methods of Charlson were used to derive Multimorbidity Indices. All indices predicted quality of life, with decreasing quality of life for each increase in multimorbidity category. Multimorbidity scores incorporating severity significantly contributed to the prediction of mortality, hospital admission, and follow-up quality of life, regardless of adjustment for baseline quality of life. Our results indicate that a single index cannot predict a variety of relevant outcomes. Consequently, research undertaken to assess the impact of intervention or illness on health outcomes should use an index that is valid for predicting the specific outcome of interest.

The epidemiology of communication and swallowing disorders

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Date: 03-2005

DOI: 10.1080/14417040500055037

Long-term Survival of Older Australian Women with a History of Stroke

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 2015

DOI: 10.1016/J.JSTROKECEREBROVASDIS.2014.07.040

Abstract: Although many people survive an initial stroke, little is known about long-term impacts of stroke on survival. Data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health were used to compare 12-year survival rates in older women with prevalent stroke, incident stroke, and no stroke. Cox regression models were fitted to assess the effect of lifestyle and demographic characteristics on the relationship between stroke and all-cause mortality. The "no stroke" group was used as the reference category in all statistical models. At baseline, 4% of the women reported a previous stroke (prevalent stroke). At survey 2 in 1999, a further 3% reported having a stroke between 1996 and 1999 (incident stroke). Stroke was significantly associated with reduced long-term survival. Age-adjusted hazards ratios (HRs) were: 1.64 (1.43-1.89) for the "prevalent stroke" group and 2.29 (1.97-2.66) for the "incident stroke" group. Adjusting for comorbidities reduced the HRs, but the risk of death was still significantly higher in the 2 stroke groups. Adjusting for demographic and lifestyle factors did not make any further difference to the relationship between stroke and survival. However, obesity and past smoking were also risk factors for mortality. This study highlights the long-term impacts of stroke on life expectancy and the importance of comorbidities and other lifestyle factors in affecting poststroke survival.

Longitudinal diet quality is not associated with depressive symptoms in a cohort of middle-aged Australian women

Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)

Date: 20-01-2016

DOI: 10.1017/S000711451500519X

Abstract: There is increasing evidence for the role of nutrition in the prevention of depression. This study aims to describe changes in diet quality over 12 years among participants in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health in relation to changes in depressive symptoms. Women born between 1946 and 1951 were followed-up for 12 years (2001–2013). Dietary intake was assessed using the Dietary Questionnaire for Epidemiological Studies (version 2) in 2001, 2007 and every 2–3 years after that until 2013. Diet quality was summarised using the Australian Recommended Food Score (ARFS). Depressive symptoms were measured using the ten-item Centre for Epidemiologic Depression Scale at every 2–3-year intervals during 2001–2013. Linear mixed models were used to examine trends in diet quality and its sub-components. The same model including time-varying covariates was used to examine associations between diet quality and depressive symptoms adjusting for confounders. Sensitivity analyses were carried out using the Mediterranean dietary pattern (MDP) index to assess diet quality. Minimal changes in overall diet quality and its sub-components over 12 years were observed. There was a significant association between baseline diet quality and depression ( β =−0·24, P =0·001), but this was lost when time-varying covariates were added ( β =−0·04, P =0·10). Sensitivity analyses showed similar performance for both ARFS and MDP in predicting depressive symptoms. In conclusion, initial associations seen when using baseline measures of diet quality and depressive symptoms disappear when using methods that handle time-varying covariates, suggesting that previous studies indicating a relationship between diet and depression may have been affected by residual confounding.

Assessing Patterns of Use of Cardio-Protective Polypill Component Medicines in Australian Women

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 26-01-2013

DOI: 10.1007/S40266-013-0051-6

Abstract: A low-cost 'polypill' could theoretically be one way of improving medication affordability and compliance for secondary prevention of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. The polypill has also been proposed as a primary prevention strategy. Yet many of the issues surrounding the polypill are still being debated and the underlying assumptions have not been proven. In this paper, we step back from the complexities of the debate and report upon the utilization of polypill component medicines in two population cohorts of Australian women who were aged 56-61 years and 81-86 years in 2007. The aims of this study were firstly, to describe the association between the women's characteristics (health, illness, behavioural, demographic, socioeconomic) and their use of statins and antihypertensive medicines for the treatment of heart disease, and secondly, to discuss possible health and economic benefits for women with these characteristics that may be expected to result from the introduction of a cardio-protective polypill. Survey records from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (ALSWH) were linked to 2007 Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) claims for 7,116 mid-aged women and 4,526 older-aged women. Associations between women's characteristics (self-reported in ALSWH surveys) and their use of statins and antihypertensive medicines (measured through PBS claims in 2007) were analysed using Chi-square and multivariate regression techniques. Between 2002 and 2007, the use of statins in combination with antihypertensives by mid- and older-aged Australian women increased. A moderate yet increasing proportion of mid-aged women were taking statins without antihypertensives, and a high proportion of older-aged women were using antihypertensives without statins. A high proportion of women who were prescribed both statins and antihypertensives were in lower socioeconomic groups and reported difficulty managing on their incomes. These results suggest that a polypill may provide an easy-to-take, cheaper alternative for Australian women already taking multiple cardiovascular disease medications, with particular benefits for older women and women in lower socioeconomic groups. Future research is needed to quantify the potential social and economic benefits of the polypill.

Promoting screening for cervical cancer: Realising the potential for recruitment by general practitioners

Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)

Date: 1996

DOI: 10.1093/HEAPRO/11.4.299

Response letter to DRS. O'Callaghan and O'neill

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 06-2010

DOI: 10.1111/J.1532-5415.2010.02894.X

An evaluation of three community-based projects to improve care for incontinence

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 17-08-2004

DOI: 10.1007/S00192-004-1208-Y

Abstract: The Australian National Continence Management Strategy commissioned the implementation and evaluation of three community-based projects designed to improve care for people with incontinence by improving the detection and treatment of urinary incontinence. Projects were located in demographically erse areas, overseen by co-operating professional groups with an interest in continence and aimed at facilitating a pathway of care for those with incontinence. Project activities focused on health care provider training and improving local referral networks, as well as raising public awareness. Multifaceted evaluation of each project was designed to inform principles for a national approach to continence care. The evaluation indicated that providers involved in each project became more confident in their ability to manage incontinence, had significantly increased knowledge of issues around incontinence and became more aware of local options for referral. However, there was little evidence that projects achieved an increase in seeking professional help among those with incontinence. From the evaluation, six principles were developed to guide future models of community-based continence care.

Relationship of age and gender to the prevalence and correlates of psychological distress in later life

Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)

Date: 16-01-2012

DOI: 10.1017/S1041610211002602

Abstract: Background: As populations age, psychological distress in late life will become of increasing public health and social importance. This study seeks to bridge the gap in information that exists about psychological distress in late life, by exploring the prevalence of psychological distress among a very large s le of older adults to determine the impact of age and gender, and the modifying effect of these factors on the associations between measures of psychological distress and sociodemographic and comorbid conditions. Methods: We analyzed self-reported data from 236,508 men and women in the New South Wales 45 and Up Study, to determine the impact of age and gender, and the modifying effects of these factors on associations between psychological distress and sociodemographic and comorbid conditions. Results: Higher education, married status, and higher income were associated with lower risk of psychological distress. Although overall prevalence of psychological distress is lower at older ages, this increases after age 80, and is particularly associated with physical disabilities. Some older people (such as those requiring help because of disability and those with multiple comorbid health conditions) are at increased risk of psychological distress. Conclusion: These findings have implications for both healthcare providers and policy-makers in identifying and responding to the needs of older people in our aging society.

Dietary Pattern Is Associated with Obesity in Older People in China: Data from China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS)

Publisher: MDPI AG

Date: 23-09-2015

DOI: 10.3390/NU7095386

Patterns of home and community care use among older participants in the Australian Longitudinal Study of Women’s Health

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 21-01-2019

DOI: 10.1007/S10433-018-0495-Y

Residential Medication Management Reviews and continuous polypharmacy among older Australian women

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 06-06-2021

DOI: 10.1007/S11096-021-01294-3

Abstract: Background Polypharmacy is an important consideration for the provision of Residential Medication Management Reviews (RMMRs) among older women given their enhanced risk of medication-related problems and admission to residential aged care (RAC). Objectives To determine the prevalence of the use of RMMRs among older women in RAC, and the association between RMMRs and polypharmacy, medications, and costs. Setting Older Australian women aged 79-84 years in 2005 who had at least one Medicare Benefits Schedule and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme record, received a service in aged care, and consented to data linkage. Methods Generalised estimating equations were used to determine the association between polypharmacy and RMMRs, while adjusting for confounding variables. Main outcome measures Prevalence of the use of RMMRs among older women in RAC, association between RMMRs and polypharmacy, medications, and costs. Results Most participants did not have continuous polypharmacy and did not receive RMMRs from 2005 [451 (67.4%)] until 2017 [666 (66.6%)]. Participants with continuous polypharmacy were 17% more likely to receive a RMMR (risk ratio 1.17 95% confidence interval 1.11, 1.25). Participants in their final year of life and residing in outer regional/remote/very remote Australia were less likely to receive RMMRs. Out-of-pocket medication costs increased over time, and alendronate and aspirin were common contributors to polypharmacy among participants who received RMMRs. Conclusion Polypharmacy was associated with receiving RMMRs and around two-thirds of women who are entitled to a RMMR never received one. There is potential to improve the use of medicines by increasing awareness of the service among eligible in iduals, their carers and health care professionals.

Cooking for One or Two: Applying Participatory Action Research to improve community‐dwelling older adults’ health and well‐being

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 28-02-2018

DOI: 10.1002/HPJA.35

Abstract: This paper describes the process of the redevelopment and expansion of Cooking for One or Two, a community-based nutrition education program for older adults. This project took place in a large regional city in NSW Australia from September 2011 to September 2013. Previous Cooking for One or Two participants and Hunter Medical Research Institute Research Register members were recruited for focus groups (n = 37), recipe testing (n = 19) and telephone interviews (n = 55) to aid in the development and expansion of the program. Participant's experiences and preferences informed the development of a supplementary cookbook and add-on education modules. Through a variety of methods, the research team sought ongoing feedback on the content and direction of the program. Content experts also reviewed the health promotion information for appropriateness. Utilising the Participatory Action Research process resulted in an expanded set of materials for Cooking for One or Two that can enable older people to engage in peer-to-peer education and to take care of their nutritional and social health. The process is a valuable ex le of the success of ongoing collaboration between researchers and program developers with the target population. SO WHAT?: While the research team developed evidence-based content for the expanded program, the key to success was the continued engagement with the target population. This engagement fostered a sense of ownership over the program by participants and has led to continued support by the target population.

A meta-synthesis of care and support for older adults in Africa

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Date: 09-03-2021

DOI: 10.1080/13229400.2021.1897031

Monitoring river channel dynamics using remote sensing and GIS techniques

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 2019

DOI: 10.1016/J.GEOMORPH.2018.10.007

'It would be good to know you're not alone': The health care needs of women with menstrual symptoms

Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)

Date: 06-1997

DOI: 10.1093/FAMPRA/14.3.249

Abstract: We aimed to explore how menstrual symptoms affect women, women's health care needs, and their expectations and experiences when seeking care to identify ways to assist women in having their needs met. Qualitative research using focus group methodology was carried out. Identification of women experiencing menstrual symptoms through a random community survey of 200 women aged 30-50 years in the Hunter region of New South Wales. Focus group discussions were recorded and transcripts were analysed. All women attending focus groups had sought medical advice for their menstrual problems. Having one doctor with whom they felt comfortable was important. Women expressed difficulties asking questions and were concerned that symptoms may not be taken seriously or may be dismissed as psychological. There was widespread acceptance of alternative 'natural' therapies. Interactions between doctors (particularly GPs) and women with menstrual symptoms are central to how women perceive the care they receive. There is a need for doctors to demonstrate empathy. For many women, what they needed most from their doctors was to be understood and 'to know they weren't alone'.

Cost of medications for older women

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 02-2008

DOI: 10.1111/J.1753-6405.2008.00174.X

Mapping tidal channel dynamics in the Sundarbans, Bangladesh, between 1974 and 2017, and implications for the sustainability of the Sundarbans mangrove forest

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 11-09-2018

DOI: 10.1007/S10661-018-6944-4

The measurement of socio-economic status: Investigation of gender-and age-specific indicators in Australia: National health survey

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 2001

DOI: 10.1023/A:1011834621663

Patterns of aged care use among older Australian women: A prospective cohort study using linked data

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 03-2019

DOI: 10.1016/J.ARCHGER.2018.11.010

Abstract: Women live longer than men and have an increased need for long-term care. The objective of this study was to identify patterns of aged care use among older Australian women and to examine how these patterns were associated with their demographic and health-related characteristics. The s le consisted of 8768 women from the 1921-1926 birth cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (ALSWH), who had survived to age 75-80 years. ALSWH survey and linked administrative aged care and death datasets from 2001 to 2011 were utilized. Patterns of aged care use were identified using a repeated measure latent class analysis. We identified four patterns of aged care use over time, differentiated by timing of service onset, types of service use and time of death. Approximately 41% of the s le were non-users or using basic home and community care (HACC), while 24% were at high risk of using moderate to high-level HACC/community aged care package (CACP). Only 11% had a greater risk of using residential aged care (RAC) over time. Being widowed, residing in remote/regional areas, having difficulty in managing income, having a chronic condition, reporting poor/fair self-rated health, and lower SF-36 quality of life scores were associated with an increased odds of being a member of the following classes: 1) moderate to high-level HACC/CACP, 2) increasing RAC, and 3) early mortality, compared with the non-user class. Distinct patterns of aged care use were identified. These results will facilitate future capacity planning for aged care systems in Australia.

Monitoring of land use/land-cover dynamics using remote sensing: a case of Tana River Basin, Kenya

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Date: 28-08-2019

DOI: 10.1080/10106049.2019.1655798

Validation of a residential aged care consumer experience survey, 2019

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 22-12-2022

DOI: 10.1111/AJAG.13034

Abstract: Residential aged care (RAC) quality is often measured as part of regulatory compliance. To inform care delivery and service improvements, we developed a consumer experience survey. Validation study incorporating 2018–2019 survey data ( n = 1504 in iduals, 25 RAC homes) and test‐retest reliability evaluation. Most of the respondents were women (67%) with 38% of the surveys completed by residents, 39% with staff support, and 23% by family members. Moderate‐to‐high correlations (0.46–0.84) between in idual items indicate the survey is a coherent measure of satisfaction good inter‐item correlation was found across all sections (0.61–0.70) with high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha 0.90–0.94) and moderate correlation for test‐retest reliability was found on the same in idual when providing an overall recommendation score (in idual ICC 0.684). The RAC Consumer Experience Survey is a validated measure of lived experience and satisfaction that aligns closely with the Australian Aged Care Quality Standards, affording providers a standardised tool for benchmarking and informing care quality across the sector.

Sleep difficulties and the development of depression and anxiety: a longitudinal study of young Australian women

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 20-03-2014

DOI: 10.1007/S00737-014-0417-8

Abstract: Previous longitudinal studies have demonstrated that poor sleep may precede depression and anxiety. The current study examined the association between self-reported sleeping difficulties and new onset depression and anxiety in young women. A nationally representative s le of 9,683 young women from the Australian Longitudinal Study of Women's Health was analyzed. Women were surveyed in 2000 (aged 22 to 25 years), 2003, 2006, and 2009. Generalized estimating equations were used to examine the association between sleeping difficulties in 2000 and new-onset depression (excluding postnatal depression) and anxiety at each subsequent survey. Significant increased risk of new onset depression (odds ratio (OR)=2.6 in 2003 OR=4.4 in 2006 OR=4.4 in 2009) and anxiety (OR=2.4 in 2006 OR=2.9 in 2009) was found at each follow-up survey in women who reported sleeping difficulties "often" in 2000. Further research is needed to uncover the mechanisms underlying the link between sleep problems and mental health.

Estimating the effect of health assessments on mortality, physical functioning and health care utilisation for women aged 75 years and older

Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)

Date: 02-04-2021

DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0249207

Abstract: Health assessments have potential to improve health of older people. This study compares long-term health care utilisation, physical functioning, and mortality for women aged 75 years or over who have had a health assessment and those who have not. Prospective data on health service use, physical functioning, and deaths among a large cohort of women born 1921–26 were analysed. Propensity score matching was used to produce comparable groups of women according to whether they had a health assessment or not. The study population included 6128 (67.3%) women who had an assessment, and 2971 (32.7%) women who had no assessment. Propensity matching produced 2101 pairs. Women who had an assessment had more use of other health services, longer survival, and were more likely to survive with high physical functioning compared to women with no assessment. Among women who had good baseline physcial functioning scores, women who had an assessment had significantly lower odds of poor outcomes at 1000 days follow-up compared to women who had no assessment (OR: 0.67, 95%CI: 0.52, 0.85). This large observational study shows the real-world potential for assessments to improve health outcomes for older women. However, they also increased health service use. This increased healthcare is likely to be an important mechanism in improving the women’s health outcomes.

Predictors of driving among older Australian women from 2002 to 2011: A longitudinal analysis of Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health based on the World Health Organization’s Healthy Ageing

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 09-2021

DOI: 10.1016/J.JTH.2021.101116

Differences in food and nutrient intakes between Australian‐ and Asian‐born women living in Australia: Results from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 27-12-2017

DOI: 10.1111/1747-0080.12397

Abstract: To determine differences in food and nutrient intakes between Australian- and Asian-born women living in Australia. Data were obtained from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health, including 6461 women born in Australia or Asia who completed food frequency questionnaires in 2001 and 2013. Diet was assessed using the Dietary Questionnaire for Epidemiological Studies version 2. Longitudinal generalised estimating-equation modelling was performed to determine the effect of country of birth and survey year on fruit and vegetable intake. Asian-born women ate more cereals, soybeans and fish but less vegetables, legumes, dairy, meat and meat products than Australian-born women both in 2001 and in 2013. Asian-born women ate less cereals, rice and noodles, meat and its products (P < 0.05) in 2013 than in 2001. The earlier people came to Australia, the less their rice and noodle intake per day. However, the reverse was demonstrated regarding vegetable intake. Asian-born women had a lower daily intake of fat, calcium, zinc, thiamin, riboflavin, folate and retinol compared with those born in Australia. Asian-born women living in Australia show different food and nutrient intakes from Australian-born women, although their diets tend to deviate from typical Asian characteristics and approach a Western diet.

High Prevalence of Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Among Male Blood Donors in a Developing Country: Urgent Need for Systematic Screening

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Date: 2002

DOI: 10.1080/00365540210147804

Transforming retirement: Re-thinking models of retirement to accommodate the experiences of women

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 11-2007

DOI: 10.1016/J.WSIF.2007.09.006

Trans‐Tasman ageing: comparisons and collaborations

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 10-2014

DOI: 10.1111/1753-6405.12267

Age, Physical Functioning, and Affect in Midlife and Older Adulthood

Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)

Date: 09-10-2013

DOI: 10.1093/GERONB/GBS088

Abstract: The aim of this study was to examine age differences in high- and low-arousal positive and negative affect, and associations of physical functioning with affect over the latter half of the life course. Participants consisted of 39,958 midlife and older adults contributing to DYNOPTA a large-scale collaborative project concerned with pooling data from Australian studies of aging. Items assessing the experience of discrete emotions were selected to represent different combinations of high- and low-arousal affect, and positive and negative valence affect. Older adults were more likely to endorse low-arousal positive affect, and less likely to endorse negative affect (both high and low arousal) relative to those in midlife. Better self-reported physical functioning was associated with younger age, higher positive, and lower negative affect, with physical functioning emerging as a suppressor of associations of age with affect in regression analyses. The results, based on a very large s le of older adults, are consistent with those of other studies demonstrating lower levels of negative emotion among older, relative to midlife adults. The findings also highlight the relevance of physical functioning to emotional well-being over the latter part of the life course.

Volunteering and older women: Psychosocial and health predictors of participation

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Date: 11-2010

DOI: 10.1080/13607861003801045

Abstract: As populations age, there will be a need for more volunteers in social welfare, and consequently a need to better understand potential effects of volunteering for older people. Whilst there is a body of international literature exploring health benefits of volunteering in later life, there are currently no longitudinal studies of Australian populations. Internationally, there is a lack of studies focusing on older women, who comprise the majority of the ageing population. The aim of this article was to explore the relationship between volunteering and psychosocial and health factors for a cohort of older Australian women over time. Data for this study were from the oldest cohort of Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health, a 20-year longitudinal survey of Australian women aged 70-75 years in 1996. Volunteering status was the factor of interest and study factors included a broad range of demographic, health and social factors. A longitudinal model was developed for mediators of volunteering over time. Of 7088 women in 2005, 24.5% reported actively volunteering, 15.5% were continuing, 7.5% were new, 15.3% were intermittent and 34.7% had never been volunteers. Volunteering was associated with increased quality of life and social support. Women were more likely to continue volunteering over time if they lived in a rural area, had higher socioeconomic indicators, and better levels of physical and mental health. This study contributes to the literature on the relationship between volunteering and health for older women. Understanding the potential health implications of volunteering is a critical issue in current policy debates.

Access and equity in the provision of general practitioner services for women in Australia

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 10-2000

DOI: 10.1111/J.1467-842X.2000.TB00496.X

Abstract: To assess geographical equity in the availability, accessibility and out-of-pocket costs of general practitioner (GP) services for women in Australia. Data on general practice consultations during 1995 and 1996 for women aged 18-23 years (n = 5,260), 45-50 years (n = 7,898) and 70-75 years (n = 6,542) in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health were obtained from the Health Insurance Commission. A sub-study of 4,577 participants provided data on access to health services. Older women were more likely to have no out-of-pocket costs for their GP consultations, but in all age groups, the proportion was lower in rural areas than in urban areas (older age: 60% rural areas, 76% capital cities mid-age: 24% rural areas, 40% capital cities young age: 35% rural areas, 52% capital cities). Among mid-aged women, the median out-of-pocket cost per consultation ranged from $2.11 in capital cities to $6.48 in remote areas. Women living in rural and remote areas gave lower ratings for the availability, accessibility and affordability of health services than women living in urban areas. This study has shown a striking gradient in financial and nonfinancial barriers to health care associated with area of residence. The geographical imbalance in the supply and distribution of GP services in Australia has long been recognised but inequities in the affordability of services must also be addressed. Longitudinal survey data and Health Insurance Commission data provide a means to evaluate policies designed to improve access to health services in rural and remote areas.

Frailty and potentially inappropriate medications using the 2019 Beers Criteria: findings from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health (ALSWH)

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 15-01-2021

DOI: 10.1007/S40520-020-01772-0

Health and Ageing

Publisher: Springer New York

Date: 19-11-2016

DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6466-6_5

Adapting data collection methods in the Australian Life Histories and Health Survey: a retrospective life course study

Publisher: BMJ

Date: 03-2014

DOI: 10.1136/BMJOPEN-2013-004476

Immunisation Rates in Older Veterans and War Widows

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 08-2000

DOI: 10.1111/J.1741-6612.2000.TB00165.X

Evaluation of an instrument to assess the needs of men diagnosed with prostate carcinoma - An assessment of the validity and reliability of a self-administered questionnaire developed to measure the needs experienced by men diagnosed with prostate carcinoma

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 03-02-2003

DOI: 10.1002/CNCR.11156

Abstract: This study was conducted to evaluate a self-administered questionnaire developed to measure the needs experienced by men diagnosed with prostate carcinoma (the Prostate Cancer Needs Questionnaire [PCNQv1.1]). The PCNQv1.1 was constructed in two parts. Part 1 measures the needs at diagnosis and initial treatment and Part 2 measures current needs. A random s le of 650 men diagnosed with prostate carcinoma who were being treated by a urologist of the Hunter Urology Group in Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, were invited to participate in the study. They were sent by post the self-administered PCNQv1.1. Completed questionnaires were received from 385 men. Information provided on 100 additional men was considered ineligible. The principal components method of factor analysis with varimax orthogonal rotation identified eight factors with eigenvalues greater than 1, which accounted for 61.7% of the variance in Part 1 of the PCNQv1.1. Likewise, six factors were identified in Part 2, which accounted for 63.5% of the variance. Internal reliability coefficients (Cronbach alpha) were adequate for identified factors with values ranging from 0.70 to 0.88 for Part 1 and from 0.71 to 0.87 for Part 2. Test-retest reliability was acceptable with intraclass correlation coefficients ranging from 0.61 to 0.78 for Part 1 and from 0.60 to 0.82 for Part 2. These results suggest that the PCNQv1.1 is a valid and reliable instrument to assess the needs experienced by men diagnosed with prostate carcinoma.

Recruiting for a longitudinal study: Who to choose, how to choose and how to enhance participation?

Publisher: Dialectical Publishing

Date: 12-2007

DOI: 10.5172/MRA.455.1.2.126

Over the Hill and Picking up Speed: Older Women of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 12-1999

DOI: 10.1111/J.1741-6612.1999.TB00891.X

Annual health assessments for older Australian women: uptake and equity

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 04-2007

DOI: 10.1111/J.1753-6405.2007.00036.X

Abstract: To measure utilisation of Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) health assessment items for women aged 75 years and over, and to describe health and socio-demographic characteristics of users and non-users. Analysis of longitudinal survey and Medicare claims data from women in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (ALSWH) aged 75 to 78 years when EPC items were introduced and who provided permission to access their Medicare records for the period 1999-2003 (n = 4,646). There was an increase in uptake of assessments over four years: from November 1999, 12% of eligible women had a health assessment during the following year by October 2003, 49% had at least one health assessment ever. Few had repeat assessments. Women who visited a GP more often and who were satisfied with the number of GPs available were more likely to have an assessment in the first 12 months, and women who visited a GP more often, those taking more medications, and those caring for another were more likely to have at least one assessment in four years. Women in smaller rural and remote areas were less likely to have an assessment than women in urban areas. Most women are not having annual assessments and there is some geographic inequity.

Urban–rural comparisons of outcomes for informal carers of elderly people in the community: A systematic review

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 10-2010

DOI: 10.1016/J.MATURITAS.2010.06.002

Abstract: As the age of the general population increases, the number of elderly people who need care is increasing. It has been suggested that rural carers may be disadvantaged compared to urban carers, but it is not clear what affect geographic location has on carers. This paper presents a systematic review of the literature on urban-rural comparisons on various outcomes for informal carers who provide care for elderly people in the community. Of 150 articles that were reviewed, eight articles were included with three themes in the outcomes for carers: service use, health promotion behaviors and psychological health (such as carer stress, burden or depressive symptoms). Overall, there were few consistent or statistically significant differences between urban and rural carers. Many of the differences observed were explained by other factors, such as carer or care recipient characteristics. The literature search was limited to papers in the English language, involving quantitative methods and published in peer-reviewed journals. There were not enough studies found to examine other outcomes or to pool data across studies. There is too little evidence comparing urban and rural carers to inform clinicians and policy makers. More good-quality research is urgently needed.

Relationships between nutrition screening checklists and the health and well-being of older Australian women

Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)

Date: 02-2002

DOI: 10.1079/PHN2001205

Abstract: To examine associations between nutrition screening checklists and the health of older women. Cross-sectional postal survey including measures of health and health service utilisation, as well as the Australian Nutrition Screening Initiative (ANSI), adapted from the Nutrition Screening Initiative (NSI). Australia, 1996. In total, 12 939 women aged 70–75 years randomly selected as part of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. Responses to in idual items in the ANSI checklist, and ANSI and NSI scores, were associated with measures of health and health service utilisation. Women with high ANSI and NSI scores had poorer physical and mental health, higher health care utilisation and were less likely to be in the acceptable weight range. The performance of an unweighted score (TSI) was also examined and showed similar results. Whereas ANSI classified 30% of the women as ‘high-risk’, only 13% and 12% were classified as ‘high-risk’ by the NSI and TSI, respectively. However, for identifying women with body mass index outside the acceptable range, sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive values for all of these checklists were less than 60%. Higher scores on both the ANSI and NSI are associated with poorer health. The simpler unweighted method of scoring the ANSI (TSI) showed better discrimination for the identification of ‘at risk’ women than the weighted ANSI method. The predictive value of in idual items and the checklist scores need to be examined longitudinally.

LIVING WITH STAIRS: FUNCTIONING IN A LARGE COHORT OF OLDER AUSTRALIAN ADULTS

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 08-2011

DOI: 10.1111/J.1532-5415.2011.03530.X

Vegetable Nitrate Intakes Are Associated with Reduced Self-Reported Cardiovascular-Related Complications within a Representative Sample of Middle-Aged Australian Women, Prospectively Followed up for 1

Publisher: MDPI AG

Date: 22-01-2019

DOI: 10.3390/NU11020240

Abstract: Nitric oxide (NO) facilitates anti-atherosclerotic effects. Vegetables are a major source of dietary nitrate. Experimental data indicates that dietary nitrate can significantly reduce major risk factors for atherosclerosis and subsequent cardiovascular disease (CVD), as nitrate can be metabolized to produce NO via the nitrate-nitrite-NO pathway. The purpose of this study was to prospectively investigate the association between habitual dietary nitrate intakes and the incidence of self-reported CVD-related complications within a representative s le of middle-aged Australian women (1946–1951 cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women’s Health). Women free from disease at baseline who had completed the food frequency questionnaire data were included. Generalized estimating equations were used to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) across quartiles for nitrate intakes. Of the 5324 women included for analysis, there were 1951 new cases of CVD-related complications over 15-years of follow-up. Women reporting higher total dietary nitrate intakes (Q4 78.2 mg/day) and vegetable nitrate intakes (Q4 64.4 mg/day) were 25% and 27% reduced risk of developing CVD-related complications respectively, compared with women reporting low total (Q1 45.5 mg/day) and vegetable nitrate intakes (Q1 34.8 mg/day). Our findings were consistent with other observational data indicating that dietary nitrate may explain some of the cardiovascular benefits of vegetable consumption.

Temporal Variability and Trends of Rainfall and Streamflow in Tana River Basin, Kenya

Publisher: MDPI AG

Date: 27-10-2017

DOI: 10.3390/SU9111963

Obesity: The new global threat to healthy ageing and longevity

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Date: 12-2009

DOI: 10.5172/HESR.2009.18.4.412

Exposure to heavy metals from point pollution sources and risk of incident type 2 diabetes among women: a prospective cohort analysis

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Date: 19-09-2019

DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2019.1668545

Abstract: Heavy metal exposures may contribute to diabetes risk but prospective studies are uncommon. We analyzed the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (three cohorts aged 18-23, 45-50, or 70-75 at baseline in 1996, N = 34,191) merged with emissions data for 10 heavy metals (As, Be, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn) from the National Pollutant Inventory. Over 20-year follow-up, 2,584 women (7.6%) reported incident diabetes. Cox proportional hazards regression models showed that women aged 45-50 at baseline had higher diabetes risk in association with exposure to total air emissions, total water emissions, all in idual metals air emissions, and six in idual water emissions. After correction for false discovery rate, nine of 11 air emissions and five water emissions remained significant. Associations were not observed for land-based emissions, or for younger or older cohorts. Emissions were dominated by mining, electricity generation and other metals-related industrial processes.

Reliability of the Home Falls and Accidents Screening Tool (HOME FAST) for identifying older people at increased risk of falls

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Date: 2002

DOI: 10.1080/09638280110087089

Abstract: The Home Falls and Accidents Screening Tool (HOME FAST) was designed as part of a comprehensive health assessment instrument to measure falls risk for older people within their home environment. This paper describes the evaluation of the inter-rater reliability of the HOME FAST. Forty home visits were undertaken, in urban and rural settings of the UK, by pairs of raters, one of whom was an expert rater. Occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants and a social worker rated each home using the HOME FAST concurrently with an expert rater. The kappa statistic was used to determine the degree of agreement between pairs of raters. The overall kappa value for the checklist was 0.62, indicating a fair to good level of agreement between raters. 'Hazardous outside paths' was the only item that demonstrated poor agreement (kappa = 0.30). The expert rater consistently identified more hazards than the other raters, and the level of agreement was stable between raters irrespective of the number of hazards present in the homes visited. Definitions of non-applicable household features and improving the objectivity of the operational definitions for recognizing hazards that demand more qualitative judgements will enhance the reliability of the HOME FAST.

The Future Burden of Head and Neck Cancers Attributable to Modifiable Behaviors in Australia: A Pooled Cohort Study

Publisher: American Association for Cancer Research (AACR)

Date: 21-05-2021

DOI: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-21-0003

Abstract: Estimates of future burden of cancer attributable to current modifiable causal exposures can guide cancer prevention. We quantified future head and neck cancer burden in Australia attributable to in idual and joint causal exposures, and assessed whether these burdens differ between population subgroups. We estimated the strength of the associations between exposures and head and neck cancer using adjusted proportional hazards models from pooled data from seven Australian cohorts (N = 367,058) linked to national cancer and death registries and estimated exposure prevalence from the 2017 to 2018 Australian National Health Survey. We calculated population attributable fractions (PAF) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), accounting for competing risk of death, and compared PAFs for population subgroups. Contemporary levels of current and former smoking contribute 30.6% (95% CI, 22.7%–37.8%), alcohol consumption exceeding two standard drinks per day 12.9% (95% CI, 7.6%–17.9%), and these exposures jointly 38.5% (95% CI, 31.1%–45.0%) to the future head and neck cancer burden. Alcohol-attributable burden is triple and smoking-attributable burden is double for men compared with women. Smoking-attributable burden is also at least double for those consuming more than two alcoholic drinks daily or doing less than 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of vigorous activity weekly, and for those aged under 65 years, unmarried, with low or intermediate educational attainment or lower socioeconomic status, compared with their counterparts. Two-fifths of head and neck cancers in Australia are preventable by investment in tobacco and alcohol control. Targeting men and other identified high-burden subgroups can help to reduce head and neck cancer burden disparities.

The health and social needs of recently widowed older women in Australia

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 09-2002

DOI: 10.1111/J.1741-6612.2002.TB00434.X

Health of older people

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Date: 02-2015

DOI: 10.1093/MED/9780199661756.003.0233

A Collaborative Approach to Cervical Cancer Screening

Publisher: SAGE Publications

Date: 09-1996

DOI: 10.1177/096914139600300308

Abstract: –The main objective of this project was to evaluate a collaborative nurse and general practitioner approach to improve screening for cervical cancer. Design—Multiple group time series design. –Six postal areas in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, Australia, chosen as intervention sites because of very low Pap test rates compared with the rest of NSW (fewer than 50% of women screened). Six regions of similar size and with similar baseline screening levels were selected as comparison sites. Subjects—All women selected in the resident postal areas. –Women's health nurses worked in collaboration with general practitioners within the communities selected from within the Hunter area to prond provide screening for cervical cancer. –Qualitative information on initial expectations and impressions of the collaborative processes were collected at the start of the project period. Process data on client characteristics and Pap test results were obtained from minimum data collections client satisfaction was assessed from client surveys. Outcome data on the increase in the number of women in each community who were screened for cervical cancer were obtained from Health Insurance Commission claims for screening Pap tests (and from nurses' records where Pap tests were examined under block funding arrangements). –This project showed that nurses and general practitioners can collaborate to provide appropriate and highly acceptable cervical cancer screening services for women. Many of the women screened by the nurses were in the high risk age range for cervical cancer (40 years and older) and had only basic education levels, thus representing women who are most likely to have poor screening rates. Further, 33.1% of the women screened had not had a Pap test in the past four years or had never been screened. The number of women having a Pap test during the first six months of the project, compared with the number expected from preintervention patterns, was significantly greater in four intervention areas (P 0.01). No corresponding increase was seen in comparison areas with similar screening rates at baseline. –There is great potential for nurses to work in collaboration with general practitioners to improve the availability and coverage of community cervical cancer screening programmes.

Good agreement between self-report and centralized hospitalizations data for arthritis-related surgeries

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 10-2013

DOI: 10.1016/J.JCLINEPI.2013.04.012

Abstract: To examine the level of agreement between self-reported and hospital administration records of arthritis-related surgeries for two large s les of community-dwelling older women in Australia, born between 1921-1926 and 1946-1951. Self-report survey data from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health was linked to inpatient hospital data from the New South Wales Admitted Patient Data Collection. Levels of agreement were compared using Cohen's kappa, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values. Reasons for false positives were examined. This study found good agreement (kappa >0.70 sensitivity and specificity >0.80) between self-report and hospitalizations data for arthritis-related surgeries. This study provides new evidence for good agreement between self-reported health survey data and administrative records of arthritis-related joint procedures, and supports the use of self-report surveys in epidemiological studies of joint procedures where administrative data are either not available or not readily accessible, or where more extensive contextual information is needed. The use of health survey data in conjunction with administrative data has an important role to play in public health planning and policy.

A Large Linked Study to Evaluate the Future Burden of Cancer in Australia Attributable to Current Modifiable Behaviours

Publisher: Swansea University

Date: 28-08-2018

DOI: 10.23889/IJPDS.V3I4.729

Abstract: IntroductionThe cancer burden preventable through modifications to risk factors can be quantified by calculating their population attributable fractions (PAFs). PAF estimates require large, prospective data to inform risk estimates and contemporary population-based prevalence data to inform the current exposure distributions, including among population subgroups. Objectives and ApproachWe provide estimates of the preventable future cancer burden in Australia using large linked datasets. We pooled data from seven Australian cohort studies (N=367,058) and linked them to national registries to identify cancers and deaths. We estimated the strength of the associations between behaviours and cancer risk using a proportional hazards model, adjusting for age, sex, study and other behaviours. Exposure prevalence was estimated from contemporary National Health Surveys. We harmonised risk factor data across the data sources, and calculated PAFs and their 95% confidence intervals using a novel method accounting for competing risk of death and risk factor interdependence. ResultsDuring the first 10-years follow-up, there were 3,471 incident colorectal cancers, 640 premenopausal and 2,632 postmenopausal breast cancers, 2,025 lung cancers and 22,078 deaths. The leading preventable causes were current smoking (53.7% of lung cancers), body fatness or BMI ≥ 25kg/m2 (11.1% of colorectal cancers, 10.9% of postmenopausal breast cancers), and regular alcohol consumption (12.2% of premenopausal breast cancers). Three in five lung cancers, but only one in four colorectal cancers and one in five breast cancers, were attributable to modifiable factors, when we also considered physical inactivity, dietary and hormonal factors. The burden attributable to modifiable factors was markedly higher in certain population subgroups, including men (colorectal, lung), people with risk factor clustering (colorectal, breast, lung), and in iduals with low educational attainment (breast, lung). Conclusion/ImplicationsEstimating PAFs for modifiable risk factors across cancers using contemporary exposure prevalence data can inform timely public health action to improve health and health equity. Testing PAF effect modification may identify population subgroups with the most to gain from programs that support behaviour change and early detection.

The impact of childhood parental quality on mental health outcomes in older adults

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Date: 24-04-2017

DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2017.1317331

Abstract: Parental bonding is cited as a determinant of mental health outcomes in childhood, adolescence and early-mid adulthood. Examination of the long-term impact for older adults is limited. We therefore examine the long-term risk of perceived poor parental bonding on mental health across the lifespan and into early-old age. Participants (N = 1255) were aged 60-64 years of age and drawn from the Australian Life Histories and Health study. Quality of parental bonding was assessed with the Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI). Self-reported history of doctors' mental health diagnoses and current treatment for each participant was recorded. Current depression was assessed with the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression-8 (CESD-8). Due to known gender differences in mental health rates across the lifespan, analyses were stratified by sex. A bi-factor analysis of the PBI in a structural equation framework indicated perceived Poor Parental Quality as a risk for both ever and current depression for both sexes. For males, Over-Protective Fathers were a risk for ever and current depression, whilst overall Poor Parental Quality was a risk for reporting current depression treatment. Whilst a number of the risks associated with current depression and treatment were attenuated when controlling for current mood, parental quality remained a significant risk for having reported a lifetime diagnosis for depression and anxiety for men. Our results extend the existing literature base and demonstrate that mental health risk attributed to poor perceived parental quality continues across the life-course and into early-old age.

Age, gender, social contacts, and psychological distress: Findings from the 45 and up study

Publisher: SAGE Publications

Date: 14-08-2013

DOI: 10.1177/0898264313497510

Abstract: Objective: The study examined the relationships between social contact types and psychological distress among mid-older adults. Method: Self-completed data from 236,490 Australian adults aged 45+ years. Results: There was a consistent relationship between increased frequency in phone contacts, social visits, and social group contacts and reduced risk of psychological distress adjusted for demographic and health factors. However, stratified analyses by age showed, with one exception, that no significant associations were found between social group contact frequency and risk of psychological distress for those aged 85 years and older. Furthermore, significant interaction terms revealed that women experience a steeper reduction in risk than men at age 65 to 74 years and 75 to 84 years compared with those aged 45 to 64 years. Discussion: Social contacts have age and gender differential effects on psychological distress of mid-older Australian adults. Interventions addressing social interaction need to be sensitive to gender and age differences.

Identification of the Most Suitable Probability Distribution Models for Maximum, Minimum, and Mean Streamflow

Publisher: MDPI AG

Date: 09-04-2019

DOI: 10.3390/W11040734

Abstract: Hydrological studies are useful in designing, planning, and managing water resources, infrastructure, and ecosystems. Probability distribution models are applied in extreme flood analysis, drought investigations, reservoir volumes studies, and time-series modelling, among other various hydrological studies. However, the selection of the most suitable probability distribution and associated parameter estimation procedure, as a fundamental step in flood frequency analysis, has remained the most difficult task for many researchers and water practitioners. This paper explains the current approaches that are used to identify the probability distribution functions that are best suited for the estimation of maximum, minimum, and mean streamflows. Then, it compares the performance of six probability distributions, and illustrates four fitting tests, evaluation procedures, and selection procedures through using a river basin as a case study. An assemblage of the latest computer statistical packages in an integrated development environment for the R programming language was applied. Maximum likelihood estimation (MLE), goodness-of-fit (GoF) tests-based analysis, and information criteria-based selection procedures were used to identify the most suitable distribution models. The results showed that the gamma (Pearson type 3) and lognormal distribution models were the best-fit functions for maximum streamflows, since they had the lowest Akaike Information Criterion values of 1083 and 1081, and Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC) values corresponding to 1087 and 1086, respectively. The Weibull, GEV, and Gumbel functions were the best-fit functions for the annual minimum flows of the Tana River, while the lognormal and GEV distribution functions the best-fit functions for the annual mean flows of the Tana River. The choices of the selected distribution functions may be used for forecasting hydrologic events and detecting the inherent stochastic characteristics of the hydrologic variables for predictions in the Tana River Basin. This paper also provides a significant contribution to the current understanding of predicting extreme hydrological events for various purposes. It indicates a direction for hydro-meteorological scientists within the current debate surrounding whether to use historical data and trend estimation techniques for predicting future events with issues of non-stationarity and underlying stochastic processes.

TYRANNY OF DISTANCE? THE HEALTH OF MID‐AGE WOMEN LIVING IN FIVE GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS OF AUSTRALIA

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 08-1999

DOI: 10.1046/J.1440-1584.1999.00236.X

Abstract: Over 14,000 women aged 45-50 are participating in the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health, which is designed to track the health of Australian women for 20 years, and to understand lifestyle and healthcare factors that influence women's health. The study deliberately overrepresents women from rural and remote areas. This analysis of baseline data from the study compares the responses of women living in urban areas (capital city, other metropolitan), large rural centres, small rural centres, other rural areas and remote areas (remote centres, other remote areas) of Australia. The data show that while women in this age group who live in rural and remote areas have similar levels of self-rated health, they have significantly fewer visits to general practitioners and specialists (P < 0.001) and more visits to alternative healthcare providers than women living in urban areas. Rural and remote area women were also more likely to undergo gynaecological surgery than women living in urban areas (P < 0.001). Other results suggest that being overweight is more common among women from rural and remote areas, and that these women also report lower levels of stress than women from urban areas (P < 0.001). Further follow up will allow any ergence in health and healthcare equity to be explored as these women get older.

Examining the SF-36 in an older population: analysis of data and presentation of Australian adult reference scores from the Dynamic Analyses to Optimise Ageing (DYNOPTA) project

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 12-02-2011

DOI: 10.1007/S11136-011-9864-0

Abstract: To examine the psychometric properties of, and present reference scores for the SF-36 using data from a large community s le of older adults. Data are from the DYNOPTA project. We focus on data from five studies that included the SF-36, providing a s le of 41,338 participants aged 45-97 years. We examine the factor structure of the SF-36 and item-internal consistency. The psychometric properties of the eight scales of the SF-36 were largely consistent with previous research based on younger and/or smaller s les. However, the assumption of orthogonality between the second-order factors was not supported. In terms of age-related effects, most scales demonstrated a nonlinear effect with markedly poorer health evident for the oldest respondents. In addition, the scales measuring aspects of physical health (PH, BP, RP, GH) showed an overall linear decline in health with increasing age. There were, however, no consistent linear age-related differences in health evident for those scales most strongly associated with mental health (MH, RE, SF, VT). The results confirm the structural validity and internal consistency of the eight scales from the SF-36 with an older population and support its use to assess the health of older Australian adults.

The University Of Newcastle

Location: Australia

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Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354827

Start Date: 01-2004

End Date: 06-2004

Amount: $10,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Discovery Projects - Grant ID: DP1096778

Start Date: 08-2010

End Date: 12-2015

Amount: $565,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Discovery Projects - Grant ID: DP160103023

Start Date: 07-2016

End Date: 12-2019

Amount: $369,900.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Discovery Projects - Grant ID: DP180100452

Start Date: 03-2018

End Date: 06-2021

Amount: $236,310.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354689

Start Date: 02-2004

End Date: 06-2004

Amount: $30,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Research Networks - Grant ID: RN0460007

Start Date: 12-2004

End Date: 08-2010

Amount: $2,500,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Discovery Projects - Grant ID: DP0451767

Start Date: 2004

End Date: 06-2007

Amount: $270,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council