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Articles 4741 - 4770 of 4977

Full-Text Articles in Medicine and Health Sciences

Validating The Use Of The Shuttle Walking Test In Healthy Adult Women, Micheal C.M. Lim Jan 2002

Validating The Use Of The Shuttle Walking Test In Healthy Adult Women, Micheal C.M. Lim

Theses : Honours

The Shuttle Walking Test (SWT), with its externally paced characteristics, is commonly used as an objective measure of functional capacity. The reliability and validity of the SWT has been previously shown but only in patient populations. No studies have been carried out to investigate the validity of the SWT in healthy adult women. Therefore, the primary aim of this test was to determine if the SWT is a valid field measure of cardiorespiratory fitness in healthy adult women. A secondary aim was to identify if variables, such as age, body composition and habitual physical activity influence performance on the SWT. …

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Placental Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma And Leptin Receptor In Human Pregnancy, Gwyneth H. Gladstones Jan 2002

Placental Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma And Leptin Receptor In Human Pregnancy, Gwyneth H. Gladstones

Theses : Honours

Leptin is a 16kDa peptide hormone that has recently been implicated in human reproductive processes. Like other hormones, leptin exerts its influence through its receptor. Of the three major isoforms of the receptor (OB-Ra, OB-Rb, and 0B-Re), OB-Ra (the dominant short form) has been implicated in transport processes within rat and human placentas, suggesting a role for it in implantation and pregnancy maintenance. The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are ligand-dependent transcription factors that are a subfamily of nuclear hormone receptors. PPARs form heterodimers with another nuclear hormone receptor, RXRα, before binding to PPAR response elements (PPREs). Recently PPARϒ/RXRα heterodimers have …

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Predictors Of Young Women's Attitudes Toward Sexual Health Practices, Alison G. Dougall Jan 2002

Predictors Of Young Women's Attitudes Toward Sexual Health Practices, Alison G. Dougall

Theses : Honours

The present study examined whether cognitive (beliefs), affective (emotions) and I or behavioural processes predicted young women's attitudes towards their sexual health practices. For pragmatic reasons, safer sex promotion has largely relied on the provision of factual information to promote behaviour change. Although the importance of emotional and behavioural influences has been indicated, these elements have not traditionally been included in sexual health interventions. In order to examine this issue, Zanna and Rempel's (1988) tripartite model of attitude formation was used. A convenience sample of female participants (N=98) aged 18 to 29 years was asked to rate their attitudes towards …

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An Analysis Of Presentation Rates To A Paediatric Emergency Department, Andrew Hiskins Jan 2002

An Analysis Of Presentation Rates To A Paediatric Emergency Department, Andrew Hiskins

Theses : Honours

The health care industry b a very expensive one, constituting a significant proportion of the government budgets. Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) for children is the only tertiary paediatric centre in Western Australia. PMH has over 40,000 children aged 0-16 years of age who present to the emergency department each year. PMH is one of many hospitals funded from government sources. The emergency department is a high cost area and an area with limited ability to curtail services due to financial constraints. A busy hospital will over a period of time have a constantly changing number of people presenting to the …

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Examination Of The Transtheoretical Model Of Behaviour Change To Increase Physical Activity Within An Organisational Setting, Justine L. Goldspink Jan 2002

Examination Of The Transtheoretical Model Of Behaviour Change To Increase Physical Activity Within An Organisational Setting, Justine L. Goldspink

Theses : Honours

This study explored the application of Prochaska and DiClemente's (1982) transtheoretical model of behaviour change (TIM) to the area of physical activity adoption and maintenance within an organisational setting. One hundred and nine employees of the Bunbury Centrelink Call Centre participated in a six-week physical activity intervention modelled on the Take Charge Challenge (TCC) (Leonard, 2000). Based on the TIM, this program attempts to increase individual physical activity through organisational change in order to counterbalance the sedentary nature of roles undertaken by staff and to maximise physical and psychological health benefits for employees. Time (in minutes/ week) engaging in physical …

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Changes In Muscle Function And Motorneuron Excitability Of The Triceps Surae Following A Bout Of Fatiguing Eccentric Exercise, Mikala Pougnault Jan 2002

Changes In Muscle Function And Motorneuron Excitability Of The Triceps Surae Following A Bout Of Fatiguing Eccentric Exercise, Mikala Pougnault

Theses : Honours

A reduction in capacity of the neuromuscular system associated with exercise can occur from a wide range of physiological and psychological factors. Many researchers have investigated neural activation during exercise, or the effects of muscle damage associated with eccentric exercise, but few have studied the prolonged effects of a bout of eccentric exercise on strength and motorneuron excitability. Eleven male and female subjects (aged 20-43 years) were tested to determine the effects of a fatiguing bout of eccentric exercise upon maximal isometric plantarflexion strength, motorneuron excitability, and neural activation of the soleus (SOL) and medial gastrocnemius (MG). The exercise consisted …

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General Practitioners' Attitudes To Palliative Care : A Regional Perspective, Richelle Lee-Steere Jan 2002

General Practitioners' Attitudes To Palliative Care : A Regional Perspective, Richelle Lee-Steere

Theses : Honours

The study explores regional general practitioners' attitudes to palliative care through semi- structured interviewing using a qualitative methodology. Attitudes to palliative care were examined using the general practitioners' accounts of their experiences and perceptions of caring for terminally ill patients. The participants were ten registered general practitioners located within the Greater Sunbury Division of General Practice in the South West of Western Australia. A semi-structured interview schedule containing ten open-ended questions was used to assess regional general practitioners' attitudes to palliative care. Examples of the research questions included: What are regional general practitioners' attitudes to palliative care? What supports are …

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'Bringing You Up To Speed' Challenges Of A Mother Using Amphetamines : A Case Study, Derek Bilton Jan 2002

'Bringing You Up To Speed' Challenges Of A Mother Using Amphetamines : A Case Study, Derek Bilton

Theses : Honours

The purpose of the current study was to explore the challenges of parenting from the perspective of a woman who uses amphetamines. The types of parenting challenge that arise as a direct result of both intoxication and a drug using lifestyle were examined. The study also investigated the types of coping strategies that the participant adopted in meeting her parenting challenges in conjunction with the factors that aided and impeded her preferred method of responding. The study extends onto the existing literature by drawing a participant from a non-clinical setting. The participant was recruited from word of mouth field recruitment. …

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A Study Of The Cultural Appropriateness Of Service Delivery Models In The Australian Mental Health System, Mong L. Connell Jan 2002

A Study Of The Cultural Appropriateness Of Service Delivery Models In The Australian Mental Health System, Mong L. Connell

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This study is an attempt to examine the cultural appropriateness of the mental health system in relation to the Vietnamese refugee community in Australia. Culture and mental health, as widely acknowledged in the field of transcultural psychiatry, are closely linked. No aspect of the diagnosis or treatment methods can be justified without reference to the cultural traditions of the mental health system and the client. In a country like Australia, where multiculturalism is a dominant feature of the society, the need is even greater in incorporating culture into every aspect of the mental health system, if it desires to provide …

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Developing And Testing A Pain Management Program For Family Caregivers Of Advanced Cancer Patients, Lynn Oldham Jan 2002

Developing And Testing A Pain Management Program For Family Caregivers Of Advanced Cancer Patients, Lynn Oldham

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Increasingly, advanced cancer patients are receiving care in the community supported by families and hospice home care services. However, little or no preparation is provided to family caregivers who assume this supportive role, often 24 hours per day. Pain management is consistently identified by family caregivers as their primary concern related to care and support of a relative with cancer. This project involved a three-phase program of research to develop and test a pain management program (PMP) that would provide family caregivers of advanced cancer patients with information and skills to manage the patient's pain.

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A Retrospective Cohort Study Of Workers' Compensation Indicators From An Occupational Safety And Health Perspective, Alan D. Verdonk Jan 2002

A Retrospective Cohort Study Of Workers' Compensation Indicators From An Occupational Safety And Health Perspective, Alan D. Verdonk

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Since 1984 the role of the government in Western Australia, has changed in relation to occupational safety and health. This study considers the effect of the occupational safety and health legislation using workers' compensation accident data. Academic and general staff accident data from a Western Australian University were researched. The time period is 20 years- 1979 through 1998 inclusive. 2,773 worker's compensation claims were analysed using Mann Whitney -U tests and cross-tabulations of safety prevention expenditure against the claims. The work environment provides the full spectrum of workplace activities ranging from domicile duties (student housing services) to heavy machinery work …

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The Effect Of Cycling On Muscle Activation In The Running Leg Of An Olympic Distance Triathlon, Tamika Heiden Jan 2001

The Effect Of Cycling On Muscle Activation In The Running Leg Of An Olympic Distance Triathlon, Tamika Heiden

Theses : Honours

Anecdotal reports from triathletes highlight the transition from cycling to running as the most difficult due to the change from non-weight carrying cycling activity to weight hearing running activity. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of prior cycling on activation of lower limb muscles in running during an Olympic distance triathlon. Ten elite level triathletes underwent two conditions; a 40krn ride followed by a 2km run and a 10km run followed by a 2km run, at their Olympic distance race pace. Testing was carried out in the field with at least one week between tests. EMG …

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What Is The Relationship Between Activity, Social Support And Health-Related Quality Of Life In People Who Are Sixty Years Of Age And Older?, Jaqueline Ebbott Jan 2001

What Is The Relationship Between Activity, Social Support And Health-Related Quality Of Life In People Who Are Sixty Years Of Age And Older?, Jaqueline Ebbott

Theses : Honours

Over one third of individuals aged sixty years and older have health conditions which limit their ability to live an independent and active life. With the older Australian population increasing, the prevention of functional decline and preservation of wellbeing in this age group has become a major clinical focus in gerontology research. Therefore an important goal of health professionals is to identify behavioural factors which encourage wellbeing and quality of life in this age group. The purpose of the present study was to explore the importance of physical activity passive activity (activities such as craft, reading and board games) and …

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High School Students' Food Choices: A Nutrient Analysis Of Students' Canteen Purchases At Four High Schools, Jenny Kora Jan 2001

High School Students' Food Choices: A Nutrient Analysis Of Students' Canteen Purchases At Four High Schools, Jenny Kora

Theses : Honours

Links exist between poor eating habits established during childhood and adolescence and the development of dental decay, obesity and anaemia early in life (Ruxton, Kirk, Belton & Holmes, 1993; Douglas, 1999), as well as a number of diseases of affluence, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and some cancers later in life (Baranowski et al., 1993; Birch, 1993; National Health and Medical Research Council, 1995; Antine, 1997; Harris et al., 1997; Douglas, 1998; Melnik, Rhoades, Wales, Cowel & Wolfe, 1998; Cholin, 1999; Huon, Wardle & Szabo, 1999). Adolescence has been identified as a unique stage in the life cycle when increased amounts …

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Nursing Students' And Clinical Teachers' Perceptions Of Effective Teacher Characteristics, Shirley Chow Jan 2001

Nursing Students' And Clinical Teachers' Perceptions Of Effective Teacher Characteristics, Shirley Chow

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Instructional and organisational strategies can improve students' transfer of knowledge and skill to the workplace. Constraints on transfer include: 1. a shortage of teachers who can build transfer inlo programmes; and 2. time span (interval) between teaching of the task and transfer of learning. Fifteen nursing students and five clinical teachers from a university in Western Australia participated in the initial qualitative component of the study. These students and teachers were asked to list effective clinical teachers' behaviours which were then compared with beaviours listed in the Rauen's Clinical Instructor Characteristics Rating Scale (1974). Using a modified Rauen's Scale, 200 …

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Molecular Genetic Investigation Of Autosomal Dominant Muscular Dystrophy, Christopher Meredith Jan 2001

Molecular Genetic Investigation Of Autosomal Dominant Muscular Dystrophy, Christopher Meredith

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This thesis contributes to the Human Genome Project by adding detail to the physical and genetic maps of the human genome, and by identifying a strong candidate gene for a form of distal myopathy. Genomic clones for the human skeletal muscle genes slow troponin (TNN/1), alpha actin (ACTA1), and (3-tropomyosin (TPM2) were isolated for use in the fluorescent in situ hybridisation localisation of these genes on the cytogenetic map of the human genome. The localisation of these genes made them potential candidates for inherited skeletal muscle diseases, including the muscular dystrophies investigated here. Microsatellite, VNTR and RFLP markers were used …

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Genetic Variation And Disease In The Roma (Gypsies), David J. Gresham Jan 2001

Genetic Variation And Disease In The Roma (Gypsies), David J. Gresham

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

The Roma (Gypsies) are a European people composed of a mosaic of culturally heterogeneous populations. Linguistic analyses point to their origins in the Indian subcontinent. Cultural diversity in extant Romani populations suggests that they are descended from a mixture of Indian populations. Previous population genetic studies of the Roma have supported this claim by demonstrating the genetic heterogeneity of Romani populations. More recently, medical genetic research has detected identical founder mutations in separated Romani populations, which provides evidence of their relatedness. In this thesis, the genetic heritage of the Roma and its significance for genetic disease and research is investigated. …

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Paediatric Intensive Care Nursing Behaviours To Reduce Parental Stress, Fenella Gill Jan 2001

Paediatric Intensive Care Nursing Behaviours To Reduce Parental Stress, Fenella Gill

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

A child's admission to a paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) is stressful for the family. Parental presence and involvement with their child in hospital have been recognised as important in reducing their stress. Several studies have identified parental needs in the PICU. Nurses have reported that they felt inadequately prepared to meet those needs. Although principles to guide nursing strategies have been identified, contextual behaviours of PICU nurses to reduce parental stress have not A qualitative study, using an ethnographic approach, was designed to describe contextual behaviours of experienced PICU nurses. Participants self identified their level of clinical practice to …

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A Report On Nurses' Response To Occupational Injuries And Exposures To Hazards In A Californian Community Hospital, Sandra Kilminster-Binder Jan 2001

A Report On Nurses' Response To Occupational Injuries And Exposures To Hazards In A Californian Community Hospital, Sandra Kilminster-Binder

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This study set out to determine the reasons for underreporting of occupational injuries and exposures in the American health care environment. A cross sectional survey was used to report the responses and opinions of nurses who failed to report all occupational injuries and exposures, and the type of injuries that are least likely to be reported. The participants were a random sample of Registered Nurses employed in a California Health Care Center, who responded to a simple self-reporting questionnaire. The study revealed that the majority of occupational injuries, accidents and exposures by this group in the previous twelve month period …

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Depressed Men Angry Women: Non-Stereotypical Gender Responses To Anti-Smoking Messages In Older Smokers, Debora Brown Jan 2001

Depressed Men Angry Women: Non-Stereotypical Gender Responses To Anti-Smoking Messages In Older Smokers, Debora Brown

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This qualitative study into the effective use of fear arousal in social marketing advertising, focused on exploring gender differences in smokers' attitudes towards threats in anti-smoking messages in the 40 to 50 year old age group. This age group of smokers has received relatively little attention in the fear arousal literature to date, presumably because their 'hard core' attitudes are perceived as difficult to change by social marketing and medical practitioners. The key purpose of this study was to explore the attitudinal responses of male and female smokers in the 40 to 50 year old age group to anti-smoking messages …

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History, Culture And Alcohol: Drinking Patterns In Poland And Australia, Barbara Wolska Jan 2001

History, Culture And Alcohol: Drinking Patterns In Poland And Australia, Barbara Wolska

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

It is a widely held view in Poland that for centuries those in power have promoted heavy drinking among their subjects in order to achieve their various goals and that this contributed to the development of Polish drinking patterns. There is some empirical evidence that the political economy of alcohol in Poland promoted heavy drinking among the Polish population. Drinking alcohol in Poland was an important aspect of social situations. The most popular beverage was vodka(s). Social pressure to drink in the extreme was attributed to the tradition of hospitality. Cultural norms encouraged very heavy drinking among men and imposed …

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A Pilot Study Of An Employee Developed Observational Tool As A Valid And Reliable Measure Of Organisational Safety, Matthew Wallace Jan 2001

A Pilot Study Of An Employee Developed Observational Tool As A Valid And Reliable Measure Of Organisational Safety, Matthew Wallace

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

Given the increasing high social and economic costs of occupational injury and illness to the Australian community, identification of initiatives to reduce the burden is urgently required. Paramount to reversing this trend is the need to identify and address the causes of the injury and illness. Employee involvement in occupational health and safety has for some time been espoused as an essential element in any occupational health and safety program, but its relationship with safety performance still remains unexplored. Although various theories suggest that the involvement of employees will increase their sense of ownership, there is little research to suggest …

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The Effect Of Prescribed And Preferred Intensity Exercise On The Relationship Between Self-Efficacy And Perceived Exertion In Older Adults, Keith R. Scotson Jan 2001

The Effect Of Prescribed And Preferred Intensity Exercise On The Relationship Between Self-Efficacy And Perceived Exertion In Older Adults, Keith R. Scotson

Theses: Doctorates and Masters

This study was concerned with acute responses to exercise in people over the age of 50 (N = 80). In particular the relationship between Self-efficacy and perceived exertion during exercise at workloads (a) based on a target heart rate (prescribed intensities) and (b) based on participant preference (preferred intensities) were observed. Perceptual (perceived exertion), Self-efficacy and heart rate responses of low active older participants engaged in either walking or cycle ergometer exercise at preferred and prescribed intensities were also reported. Significant inverse correlations were observed between pre and post exercise Self-efficacy and perceived exertion during acute exercise at prescribed intensities …

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The Effect Of Moderate +Gz Force On The Cervical Spine Bone Mineral Density In Raaf Pc-9 Pilots, Meghan C. Grant Jan 2001

The Effect Of Moderate +Gz Force On The Cervical Spine Bone Mineral Density In Raaf Pc-9 Pilots, Meghan C. Grant

Theses : Honours

Previous research on exercise and bone mineral density (BMD) has established that increases in BMD are site specific, responding to unusual strain and particularly to high magnitude loading. The positive Gz forces generated during high performance flying provide all three variables. Naumann, Bennell and Wark (2000) investigated the effects of moderate gravitational force on the BMD of fighter pilots. The pilots in this study had significant increases in BMD and bone mineral content (BMC) for the thoracic spine, pelvis and total body. However, it is now suspected that the cervical spine, which was unable to be analysed at that time …

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Living With Hepatitis C : A Literature Review, & The Physical, Psychological And Social Impacts Of Hepatitis C And The Effects On Quality Of Life, Narelle Cockman Jan 2001

Living With Hepatitis C : A Literature Review, & The Physical, Psychological And Social Impacts Of Hepatitis C And The Effects On Quality Of Life, Narelle Cockman

Theses : Honours

Hepatitis C (HCV) is a blood borne virus that affects the liver. It has become one of the most widespread blood borne viruses in Australia, now reaching epidemic proportions within the population. Given that HCV is a chronic long-term illness, with long term effects, a positive diagnosis potentially impacts on various aspects of' a person's life. The aim of this paper was to review HCV related research to examine what it is like for people living with the virus and the possible personal and social impacts of a positive diagnosis. The nature of HCV, including current incidence and prevalence rates, …

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Muscle Responses To High-Intensity Eccentric Exercise : A Comparison Between Untrained And Highly Resistance-Trained Subjects, Gregory T. Morgan Jan 2001

Muscle Responses To High-Intensity Eccentric Exercise : A Comparison Between Untrained And Highly Resistance-Trained Subjects, Gregory T. Morgan

Theses : Honours

Eccentric exercise, which is when the muscle produces force as it lengthens, has been shown to result in decrements to muscle functions. This study was designed to investigate whether there was a difference between the muscle responses of untrained (n = 8) and resistance-trained (n = 8) individuals after a bout of high-intensity eccentric exercise of the elbow flexors. All subjects were males aged 18 to 45 years and recruited based on specific training criteria. Subjects performed l0 sets of 6 maximal eccentric contractions of the elbow flexor muscles on an isokinetic dynamometer. 10 seconds rest was provided between each …

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The Effect Of Moderate +Gz On Cervical Muscle Strength Of Raaf Trainee Pilots Flying Pc-9 Aircraft, Elissa Jane Burton Jan 2001

The Effect Of Moderate +Gz On Cervical Muscle Strength Of Raaf Trainee Pilots Flying Pc-9 Aircraft, Elissa Jane Burton

Theses : Honours

External stimulus/loading initiates adaptations within skeletal muscle. Whilst performing flying manoeuvres under +Gz it has been previously found that the cervical area has the highest loading. The purpose of this study was to examine cervical muscle response to moderate +Gz force (+4-6Gz) loading generated during RAAF pilot training. Cervical muscle strength was monitored in nine RAAF pilots completing an eight-month flight training course and ten controls matched for gender, age, height and weight. Cervical muscle strength and range of movement were measured at baseline and at eight months using the Multi-Cervical Rehabilitation Unit (Hanoun, Canada). Also measured, using EMG, was …

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The Effects Of Ageing On The Myocardium, Alana J. Mason Jan 2001

The Effects Of Ageing On The Myocardium, Alana J. Mason

Theses : Honours

Investigating the causes of ageing on the myocardium is especially important for the future health of Australia's ageing population, which is increasing due to increased life expectancy (AIHW, 1999). Cardiovascular disease is currently Australia's greatest health problem ( AIHW, 1999), and since the aged population is most commonly affected by this disease (HSVD, 1999), investigating the causes of ageing of the myocardium and the predisposing factors of cardiovascular disease is important for the future health of Australia's ageing population. In this study, male and female Wistar rats [young (11 = 8, aged 12-30 weeks old), middle aged (11 = 6, …

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Back Stress And Assistance Exercises In Extreme Weightlifting, Adam J. Beard Jan 2001

Back Stress And Assistance Exercises In Extreme Weightlifting, Adam J. Beard

Theses : Honours

The purpose or this study was to test the suitability or selected assistance exercises to strengthen the low back for the Olympic lilts in elite weightlifters. Four subjects were filmed by a five-camera Motion Analysis system operating at 120Hz. The subjects completed both or the Olympic lifts (Snatch and Clean) at a near one repetition maximum and four assistance exercises (Bent-over Row, Clean Pull Deadlift, Romanian Deadlift, and Good Morning) at an intensity typically performed at a routine training session. Peak moments, compressive and shear forces about the L5/S1 intervertebral joint were calculated via a top-down inverse dynamics model. Comparisons …

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Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Health At The End Of The 20th Century, Neil Thomson (Ed.) Jan 2001

Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Health At The End Of The 20th Century, Neil Thomson (Ed.)

Research outputs pre 2011

The papers were presented originally at the 1999 Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM) of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP). Reflecting the importance that the RACP attaches to the issue, Indigenous health was a major theme of the ASM. Six sessions over two days were devoted to various aspects of Indigenous health - the general policy context, lessons from the experiences of Indigenous peoples internationally, consideration of specific health services initiatives, and detailed examination of individual health topics...

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