Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

A Novel Skin Cancer Prevention Strategy: Preservice Teachers' Perceptions Of A Sun Safety Intervention And Experiences In Schools, Joseph J. Scott, Robyn S. Johnston, Jill Darby, Sally Blane, Mark Strickland, Bronwen M. Mcnoe

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Issue addressed:

Teachers play a vital role in developing children's sun protection routines however upskilling preservice teachers (PSTs) while at university has not yet been trialled as a targeted skin cancer prevention strategy. Hence, this study investigated PSTs perceptions and experiences of sun safety following a brief pilot intervention and placement in primary schools in Western Australia.

Methods:

This study used a triangulation mixed methods design. Participants (n = 161) completed a post intervention survey which was analysed quantitatively. A random sub-sample was invited to participate in focus groups (three groups, n = 21) and one-on-one interviews (n = 4). …

Cardiorespiratory Fitness Is A Risk Factor For Lower-Limb And Back Injury In Law Enforcement Officers Commencing Their Basic Training: A Prospective Cohort Study, Myles C. Murphy, Nicole Merrick, Andrea B. Mosler, Garth Allen, Paola Chivers, Nicolas H. Hart

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

We aimed to report the epidemiology of lower-limb and lumbosacral injuries in Police Force recruits. We performed a cohort study of Police Force recruits undergoing a six-month training program with prospective injury data collected between 2018 and 2021. Cardiorespiratory fitness was quantified by the beep-test and police-specific-functional-capacity was quantified using a specifically designed physical performance evaluation (PPE) tool. Injury frequency and prevalence were reported. Fifteen percent (n = 180) of study Police Force recruits (n = 1,181) sustained a lower-limb or lumbosacral injury. The six-month training program significantly improved cardiorespiratory fitness (p < 0.001) and functional capacity (p < 0.001). Increased cardiorespiratory fitness at baseline decreased injury risk (OR = 0.8, 95%CI: 0.66–0.97, p = 0.019). Injury rates decreased over time and females were injured significantly earlier than males (HR = 0.70, 95%CI: 0.52 to 0.95, p = 0.021). Interventions that can pre-condition Police Force recruits prior to the commencement of their basic physical training may reduce the number of lower-limb and lumbosacral injuries.

Heat And Sun Related Medical Concerns In Australian Led Outdoor Activities: A Three-Year Prospective Study, Lauren V. Fortington, Natassia Goode, Caroline F. Finch, Paul M. Salmon

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Active participation in the outdoors is beneficial for health and wellbeing. However, the impact of extreme weather, particularly heat, on safe participation is causing concern for organisations who lead these activities. Local mitigation strategies and acute management of heat- and sun-related illness (HSRI) are generally well understood by researchers and medical practitioners, however, cases continue to occur so further understanding of why this happens is required. This study aimed to identify the number, nature and contributory factors of HSRI in Australian led outdoor activities in order to seek opportunities for their prevention. This study presents a descriptive analysis of contributory …

Alzheimer's Disease Research Progress In Australia: The Alzheimer's Association International Conference Satellite Symposium In Sydney, Claire E. Sexton, Kaarin J. Anstey, Filippo Baldacci, C. J. Barnum, Anna M. Barron, Kaj Blennow, Henry Brodaty, Samantha Burnham, Fanny M. Elahi, Jürgen Götz, Yun-Hee Jeon, Maya Koronyo-Hamaoui, Susan M. Landau, Nicola T. Lautenschlager, Simon M. Laws, Darren M. Lipnicki, Hanzhang Lu, Colin L. Masters, Wendy Moyle, Akinori Nakamura, Giulio Maria Pasinetti, Naren Rao, Christopher Rowe, Perminder S. Sachdev, Peter R. Schofield, Einar M. Sigurdsson

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The Alzheimer's Association International Conference held its sixth Satellite Symposium in Sydney, Australia in 2019, highlighting the leadership of Australian researchers in advancing the understanding of and treatment developments for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias. This leadership includes the Australian Imaging, Biomarker, and Lifestyle Flagship Study of Ageing (AIBL), which has fueled the identification and development of many biomarkers and novel therapeutics. Two multimodal lifestyle intervention studies have been launched in Australia; and Australian researchers have played leadership roles in other global studies in diverse populations. Australian researchers have also played an instrumental role in efforts to understand mechanisms …

Critical Role Of General Practitioners In Preventing Readmission Following Emergency Department Alcohol Screening And Brief Intervention Management Of Alcohol-Related Problems, Simon Hazeldine, Imogen Davies, Robert J. Tait, John K. Olynyk

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Introduction/Objectives: Alcohol screening and brief intervention (ASBI) strategies are useful in general practice (GP) but their effectiveness in the emergency department (ED) is unclear. We evaluated the effect of ED-based ASBI on re-admissions. Methods: 453 ED subjects exceeding the threshold score on the three-item Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption (females 3+: males 4+) were randomized. We conducted telephone follow-up at 1 and 3 months and recorded hospital events 6 months pre- and post-enrolment. Results: Median weekly alcohol use was 20 standard drinks (interquartile range (IQR) 9-45) on enrolment. After 3 months, 247 (55%) were able to be re-interviewed. Median alcohol …

Promoting Abstinence From Alcohol During Pregnancy: Implications From Formative Research, Kathryn France, Robert Donovan, Nadine Henley, Carol Bower, Elizabeth Elliott, Janet Payne, Heather D'Antoine, Anne Bartu

Research outputs 2013

This research developed messages to promote abstinence from alcohol during pregnancy and identified elements that enhance message persuasiveness. An exploratory phase was conducted in 2009 that comprised four focus groups with 23 women inWestern Australia and elicited beliefs and attitudes on alcohol use during pregnancy and motivations for behavior change. Four television concepts were subsequently developed and appraised in five focus groups with 31 participants using standard advertising pretesting questions. The implications for campaigns addressing prenatal alcohol exposure and further research are noted and limitations discussed. Funding was received from Healthway and the National Health and Medical Research Council.

Drug Education In Victorian Schools (Devs): The Study Protocol For A Harm Reduction Focused School Drug Education Trial, Richard Midford, Helen Cahill, David Foxcroft, Leanne Lester, Lynne Venning, Robyn Ramsden, Michelle Pose

Research outputs 2012

Background: This study seeks to extend earlier Australian school drug education research by developing and measuring the effectiveness of a comprehensive, evidence-based, harm reduction focused school drug education program for junior secondary students aged 13 to 15 years. The intervention draws on the recent literature as to the common elements in effective school curriculum. It seeks to incorporate the social influence of parents through home activities. It also emphasises the use of appropriate pedagogy in the delivery of classroom lessons. Methods/Design. A cluster randomised school drug education trial will be conducted with 1746 junior high school students in 21 Victorian …

The Effectiveness Of Back Belts In Reducing The Incidence, Duration And Cost Of Low Back Pain Claims Associated With Manual Handling Injury In A Retail Hardware Chain, Nick Merdith, Jacques Oosthuizen, Milos Nedved

Research outputs 2011

The objective of this intervention study was to examine the effect of the mandatory introduction of back belts on the incidence, days lost and cost of occupational low back injuries resulting from manual handling in a retail hardware chain in Western Australia. The pre-intervention period extended for 21 months and included 2,265,933 work hours or 647 full-time equivalent positions, while the intervention period was 32 months for 4,411,352 hours worked or 827 full-time equivalent positions. Workers’ compensation claims for all occupational injuries occurring during the study period were analysed. During the intervention period there was a 14% reduction in the …

Promoting Healthy Weight In The Preschool Years: A Portfolio And Planning Guide To Address Barriers In Primary Care, Margaret Miller, Renee Campbell-Pope, Lydia Hearn

Research outputs pre 2011

The rapidly rising incidence of overweight and obesity in Australia, particularly among young children has led to an urgent need for effective prevention. Recent figures indicate that 15% of preschool children in Australia are overweight, and a further 6% are obese1,2, with rates rising steadily especially among children from lower socioeconomic groups.

Family, childcare, primary health care, early childhood education and the community are influential environments for young children3-7 with the potential to engage in an integrated approach to promote healthy weight and development of healthy eating and active lifestyle habits during the pre-school years5,8,9.

In 2006, the Child Health …

Engaging Primary Health Care Providers In The Promotion Of Healthy Weight Among Young Children: Barriers And Enablers For Policy And Management, Lydia A. Hearn, Margaret R. Miller, Donna S. Cross

Research outputs pre 2011

Recent national efforts to stem the alarming growth of childhood overweight and obesity in Australia have highlighted the importance of preventative strategies that focus beyond the child-on parents, families, primary health care providers (PHCPs) and child care services. But, while such efforts have to date focused on school-based interventions, once poor eating habits and sedentary lifestyles have set in, a growing body of research is indicating that PHCPs can play a more influential role in monitoring and modifying factors affecting prevention and early intervention in preschool children. This paper presents the findings of a systematic review to: (a) identify key …

Breast Self Examination: A Healthy Approach: Teaching Manual, Margaret Imeson, Molly Mccartney

Research outputs pre 2011

The theme of this health teaching package is breast care with an emphasis on step-by-step instruction f0r breast self examination. The package has been designed to guide health professionals in the facilitation of workshops and discussion groups promoting breast care for women. Materials included in the manual may be adapted to suit audience requirements...