Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

How Community Participation In Water And Sanitation Interventions Impacts Human Health, Wash Infrastructure And Service Longevity In Low-Income And Middle-Income Countries: A Realist Review, Sarah Nelson, Dorothy Drabarek, Aaron Jenkins, Joel Negin, Seye Abimbola

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Objective:

To understand how, and under what circumstances community participation in water and sanitation interventions impacts the availability of safe water and sanitation, a change in health status or behaviour and the longevity of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) resources and services.

Design:

Realist review.

Data sources:

PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus databases were used to identify papers from low-income and middle-income countries from 2010 to 2020.

Eligibility criteria for selecting studies:

Criteria were developed for papers to be included. The contribution of each paper was assessed based on its relevance and rigour (eg, can it contribute to context, …

Study Protocol For A Prospective Process Evaluation Of A Culturally Secure Rehabilitation Programme For Aboriginal Australians After Brain Injury: The Healing Right Way Project, Rachel Skoss, Jane White, Mandy J. Stanley, Melanie Robinson, Sandra Thompson, Elizabeth Armstrong, Judith M. Katzenellenbogen

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

INTRODUCTION: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (hereafter respectfully referred to as Aboriginal) people are Australia's First Peoples, having the longest continuous culture in the world and deep spiritual connections with ancestral land. Improvements in their health and well-being is a major policy goal of Australian governments, as the legacy of colonisation and disruption of cultural practices contribute to major health challenges. Lack of culturally secure services impacts participation of Aboriginal people in health services. Aboriginal people with a brain injury typically experience poor access to rehabilitation and support following hospital discharge. 'Healing Right Way' (HRW) is a randomised control trial …

Overview Of Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Health Status, 2020, Australian Indigenous Healthinfonet

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The Overview of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health status (the Overview) aims to provide a comprehensive outline of the most recent indicators of the health and current health status of Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The initial sections of the Overview provide information about the context of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, social determinants, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population and measures of population health status including births, mortality and hospitalisation...

Summary Of Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Health Status - Selected Topics 2020, Australian Indigenous Healthinfonet

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

The Summary of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health status - selected topics 2020 is a useful source of the most recent national information for health workers and those studying in the field. It provides general information regarding the health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the following topics:

• social and cultural determinants
• births and deaths
• hospitalisations
• chronic conditions (including CVD, cancer, diabetes and kidney health)
• sexually transmitted infections
• environmental health
• social and emotional wellbeing
• alcohol and other drug use.

The Summary is based on the Overview of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health status 2020 and …

Prevention Of Dementia Using Mobile Phone Applications (Prodemos): Protocol For An International Randomised Controlled Trial, Esmé Eggink, Melanie Hafdi, Marieke P. Hoevenaar-Blom, Manshu Song, Sandrine Andrieu, Linda E. Barnes, Cindy Birck, Rachael L. Brooks, Nicola Coley, Elizabeth Ford, Jean Georges, Abraham Van Der Groep, Willem A. Van Gool, Ron Handels, Haifeng Hou, Dong Li, Hongmei Liu, Jihui Lyu, Harm Van Marwijk, Mark Van Der Meijden, Yixuan Niu, Shanu Sadhwani, Wenzhi Wang, Youxin Wang, Anders Wimo, Xiaoyan Ye, Yueyi Yu, Qiang Zeng, Wei Wang, Carol Brayne, Eric P. Moll Van Charante, Edo Richard

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Introduction Profiles of high risk for future dementia are well understood and are likely to concern mostly those in low-income and middle-income countries and people at greater disadvantage in high-income countries. Approximately 30%-40% of dementia cases have been estimated to be attributed to modifiable risk factors, including hypertension, smoking and sedentary lifestyle. Tailored interventions targeting these risk factors can potentially prevent or delay the onset of dementia. Mobile health (mHealth) improves accessibility of such prevention strategies in hard-to-reach populations while at the same time tailoring such approaches. In the current study, we will investigate the effectiveness and implementation of a …

Risk Factors For Covid-19 Infection, Disease Severity And Related Deaths In Africa: A Systematic Review, Hailay Abrha Gesesew, Digsu Negese Koye, Dagnachew Muluye Fetene, Mulu Woldegiorgis, Yohannes Kinfu, Ayele Bali Geleto, Yohannes Adama Melaku, Hassen Mohammed, Kefyalew Addis Alene, Mamaru Ayenew Awoke, Mulugeta Molla Birhanu, Amanuel Tesfay Gebremedhin, Yalemzewod Assefa Gelaw, Desalegn Markos Shifti, Muluken Dessalegn Muluneh, Teketo Kassaw Tegegne, Solomon Abrha, Atsede Fantahun Aregay, Mohammed Biset Ayalew, Abadi Kahsu Gebre, Kidane Tadesse Gebremariam, Tesfaye Gebremedhin, Lemlem Gebremichael, Cheru Tesema Leshargie, Getiye Dejenu Kibret, Maereg Wagnew Meazaw, Alemayehu Berhane Mekonnen, Dejen Y. Tekle, Azeb G. Tesema, Fisaha H. Tesfay, Wubshet Tesfaye, Befikadu L. Wubishet, Berihun A. Dachew, Akilew A. Adane

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2020. Objective The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive evidence on risk factors for transmission, disease severity and COVID-19 related deaths in Africa. Design A systematic review has been conducted to synthesise existing evidence on risk factors affecting COVID-19 outcomes across Africa. Data sources Data were systematically searched from MEDLINE, Scopus, MedRxiv and BioRxiv. Eligibility criteria Studies for review were included if they were published in English and reported at least one risk factor and/or one health outcome. We included all relevant literature published up until 11 August 2020. Data extraction and …

Public Health Lessons From Crisis-Related Travel: The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jun Wen, Zhaohui Su

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

No abstract provided.

Problems, Policy And Politics – Perspectives Of Public Health Leaders On Food Insecurity And Human Rights In Australia, Stephanie L. Godrich, Liza Barbour, Rebecca Lindberg

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background:

To achieve zero hunger targets set within the United Nations’ Agenda 2030, high-income countries such as Australia must reconsider current efforts to improve food security. This study aimed to; explore perspectives from public health nutrition experts on the usefulness of drawing on the international human right to food, and associated mechanisms, to address food insecurity; identify potential roles of key stakeholders in Australia to implement a rights-based approach; and examine barriers and enablers to achieving the right to food in Australia.

Methods:

Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with key informants ( > 10 years professional experience). Braun and Clarke’s (2006) …

Factors Associated With Stunting And Wasting In Children Under 2 Years In Bangladesh, Tuhinur Rahman Chowdhury, Sayan Chakrabarty, Muntaha Rakib, Sabiha Afrin, Sue Saltmarsh, Stephen Winn

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

© 2020 Child undernutrition has been a major concern for Bangladesh as it is amongst the highest stunting and wasting prevalent countries in the world. The objective of our study was to explore the socioeconomic determinants of stunting and wasting in children under two years. This study explored nationally representative sample of 7,230 children ranging in age from 0 to < 24 months using two separate binary logistic regression models to determine the risk factors associated with child stunting and wasting. Our study estimated approximately 33 percent children to be stunted and 11 percent to be wasted. Our analysis found that, 12 to < 24 months old children's height-for-age-z-score and weight-for-height-z-score deteriorated in comparison to those of below 6 months. Female children had significantly lower odds of stunting and wasting compared with male children. Study revealed that children from wealthier families were at lower risk of being stunted and wasted compared to children from poorer households. Parental education was determined as a significant predictor of stunting. Children who lived in Sylhet division were 1.26 times more likely to be stunted than the children of Dhaka division [OR = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.02–1.55]. Our study revealed age, gender, geographic distribution, and household's position in wealth index as common determinants of child stunting and wasting in Bangladesh. While parental education was significant predictor for child stunting, type of toilet facility was found as statistically significant determinant of child wasting in children of less than two years age.

Evaluation Of Red Blood Cell Count As An Ancillary Index To Hemoglobin Level In Defining The Severe Falciparum Malarial Anemia Among Ghanaian Children In Low-Resource Communities, Kwabena Nsiah, Bernard Bahaah, Bright Oppong Afranie, Emmanuel Acheampong

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

© 2020 The Author(s) Our study evaluated red blood cell count as supporting hematological index to hematocrit level in predicting severe malarial anemia instead of the hemoglobin levels among malaria-infected children in Ghana. This case-control study was conducted at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi, Ghana. The study recruited 139 children, of which 45 were Controls (C), 43 with severe malaria (SM), and 51 with mild malaria (MM). Validated questionnaires were administered to obtain the socio-demographic data from each respondent. Venous blood was obtained for parasitemia count and to determine the hematological profile of each participant. With point …

Sars-Cov-2 Updates In A West African Population And Precautionary Measures For Sustaining Quality Antenatal Care Delivery, Emmanuel Komla Senanu Morhe, Enoch Odame Anto, David Anthony Coall, Eric Adua, Alexander Yaw Debrah, Otchere Addai-Mensah, Michael Owusu, William K.B.A. Owiredu, Christian Obirikorang, Emmanuel Akomanin Asiamah, Emmanuel Acheampong, Evan Adu Asamoah, Lydia Abradu, Agartha Odame Anto, Youxin Wang, Haifeng Hou, Wei Wang

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

No abstract provided.

Comparing Web-Based Mindfulness With Loving-Kindness And Compassion Training For Promoting Well-Being In Pregnancy: Protocol For A Three-Arm Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial, Amy Louise Finlay-Jones, Jacqueline Ann Davis, Amanda O'Donovan, Keerthi Kottampally, Rebecca Anne Ashley, Desiree Silva, Jeneva Lee Ohan, Susan L. Prescott, Jenny Downs

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

© Amy Louise Finlay-Jones, Jacqueline Ann Davis, Amanda O'Donovan, Keerthi Kottampally, Rebecca Anne Ashley, Desiree Silva, Jeneva Lee Ohan, Susan L Prescott, Jenny Downs. Originally published in JMIR Research Protocols (http://www.researchprotocols.org), 14.10.2020. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work, first published in JMIR Research Protocols, is properly cited. The complete bibliographic information, a link to the original publication on http://www.researchprotocols.org, as well as this copyright and license information must be included. Background: Promoting psychological well-being and preventing …

Definitions, Sources And Self-Reported Consumption Of Regionally Grown Fruits And Vegetables In Two Regions Of Australia, Katherine Kent, Stephanie Godrich, Sandra Murray, Stuart Auckland, Lauren Blekkenhorst, Beth Penrose, Johnny Lo, Amanda Devine

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Regional food systems are complex networks, with numerous retail sources that underpin a local economy. However, evidence is limited regarding how consumers define, identify, and source regionally grown fresh fruits and vegetables (RGFFV). A cross-sectional study was conducted in Tasmania (TAS) and South Western Australia (SWA) to compare how RGFFV are defined, identified and sourced by consumers, including self-reported consumption of selected RGFFV. Survey data were analyzed using the Chi-square test and t-tests. Results (TAS n = 120, SWA n = 123) identified that consumers had mixed perceptions of how RGFFV are defined, including produce sold at farmers markets, or …

Geographical Disparities In Screening And Cancer- Related Health Behaviour, Belinda Goodwin, Arlen K. Rowe, Fiona Crawford-Williams, Peter Baade, Suzanne K. Chambers, Nicholas Ralph, Joanne F. Aitken

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

This study aimed to identify whether cancer-related health behaviours including participation in cancer screening vary by geographic location in Australia. Data were obtained from the 2014–2015 Australian National Health Survey, a computer-assisted telephone interview that measured a range of health-related issues in a sample of randomly selected households. Chi-square tests and adjusted odds ratios from logistic regression models were computed to assess the association between residential location and cancer-related health behaviours including cancer screening participation, alcohol consumption, smoking, exercise, and fruit and vegetable intake, controlling for age, socio-economic status (SES), education, and place of birth. The findings show insufficient exercise, …

South West Food Community: How Government And Community Initiatives Are Supporting Systemic Change Towards Enhanced Food Security, Stephanie Louise Godrich, Melissa Stoneham, Melinda Edmunds, Amanda Devine

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Objective: Food security refers to adequate physical, social and economic access to food and is regarded as a complex, ‘wicked’ issue. This research aimed to understand the perspectives of initiative leaders (stakeholders), regarding their project relating to food security and its possession of characteristics associated with system change to enhance food security. Methods: Stakeholders (n=51) participated in semi-structured interviews that evaluated initiatives (n=52) against 36 desirable characteristics for system change. Transcripts were analysed using QSR NVivo and Wicked Lab’s Tool for Systemic Change. Results: Community-based initiatives often harnessed the passion of local communities to enhance food security through awareness-raising activities …

A Brief History Of Nutritional Rickets, Benjamin J. Wheeler, Anne Marie E. Snoddy, Craig Munns, Peter Simm, Aris Siafarikas, Craig Jefferies

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Since first described almost a century ago, vitamin D preparations have been successfully used as a public health intervention to prevent nutritional rickets. In this manuscript, we document the periods in history when nutritional rickets was described, examine early efforts to understand its etiology and the steps taken to treat and prevent it. We will also highlight that despite the wealth of historical data and multiple preventative strategies, nutritional rickets remains a significant public health disorder. Nutritional rickets has both skeletal and extraskeletal manifestations. While the skeletal manifestations are the most recognized features, it is the extraskeletal complications, hypocalcaemic seizure …

Protocol For A Gender-Sensitised Weight Loss And Healthy Living Programme For Overweight And Obese Men Delivered In Australian Football League Settings (Aussie-Fit): A Feasibility And Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial, Eleanor Quested, Dominika Kwasnicka, Cecilie Thøgersen-Ntoumani, Daniel F. Gucciardi, Deborah A. Kerr, Kate Hunt, Suzanne Robinson, Philip J. Morgan, Robert U. Newton, Cindy Gray, Sally Wyke, Joanne Mcveigh, Eva Malacova, Nikos Ntoumanis

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

INTRODUCTION: Overweight and obesity are highly prevalent among Australian men. Professional sports settings can act as a powerful 'hook' to engage men in weight loss programmes; the Football Fans in Training programme delivered in professional UK soccer clubs was successful and cost-effective in helping men lose weight. The Australian Football League (AFL) is a potentially attractive setting to engage men in a weight loss programme. We aim to develop, pilot and evaluate the feasibility of a weight loss intervention for overweight/obese middle-aged men, delivered in AFL settings, to promote weight loss and healthier lifestyles and determine its suitability for a …

What Drives Food Insecurity In Western Australia? How The Perceptions Of People At Risk Differ To Those Of Stakeholders, Lucy M. Butcher, Maria M. Ryan, Therese A. O'Sullivan, Johnny Lo, Amanda Devine

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Food insecurity is considered a “wicked” problem due to the highly complex and at times undefined casual factors. Although many stakeholders are working to address the problem, a possible divergence exists between their views on food insecurity and those of the people who are actually experiencing the problem. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there was a difference between the opinions of those “at risk” and stakeholders. A total of seven focus groups (two stakeholder groups n = 10, five “at-risk” groups n = 34) and three interviews (stakeholders n = 3) were conducted to ascertain perceptions. …

A Study Protocol For A Randomised Controlled Trial Of An Interactive Web-Based Intervention: Cancercope, Suzanne K. Chambers, Lee Ritterband, Frances Thorndike, Lisa Nielsen, Joanne Aitken, Samantha Clutton, Paul Scuffham, Philippa Youl, Bronwyn Morris, Peter Baade, Jeffrey Dunn

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Introduction:

Approximately 35% of patients with cancer experience clinically significant distress, and unmet psychological supportive care needs are prevalent. This study describes the protocol for a randomised controlled trial (RCT) to assess the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of an internet-based psychological intervention for distressed patients with cancer.

Methods and analysis:

In phase I, the intervention was developed on an interactive web platform and pilot tested for acceptability using a qualitative methodology with 21 patients with cancer. Phase II is an RCT underway with patients with or at risk of elevated psychological distress comparing: (1) static patient education website with (2) …

“Looking Over The Backyard Fence”: Householders And Mosquito Control, Samir Mainali, Ram Sharan Lamichhane, Kim Clark, Shelley Beatty, Maria Fatouros, Peter Neville, Jacques Oosthuizen

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background:

Vector-borne diseases are a significant public health problem in Western Australia. Mosquitoes are responsible for the transmission of a number of pathogens and may pose a serious nuisance problem. Prevention efforts in the State are multi-faceted and include physical, chemical, and cultural control methods for restricting mosquito breeding. This is less complex where breeding areas are located within public open spaces. In Australia’s developed urban areas, breeding sites are, however, frequently located within private residential landholdings, where the scope of public health officials to act is constrained by law and practicality. Consequently, mosquito prevention in these locations is …

A Survey Of Knowledge, Attitudes, And Practices In Relation To Mosquitoes And Mosquito-Borne Disease In Western Australia, Abbey Potter, Andrew Jardine, Peter J. Neville

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

On average, more than 1,000 individuals will acquire a mosquito-borne disease in Western Australia (WA) each year. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) in relation to mosquitoes and mosquito-borne disease have not yet been investigated within Australia. A randomized telephone survey of 2,500 households across 12 regions in WA was undertaken between February and May 2014. The aim of the survey was to obtain baseline KAP data surrounding mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases in different regions of WA, across a range of age groups and between males and females. The results of this survey indicate that the majority of respondents are aware …

Infant Feeding Practices Of Emirati Women In The Rapidly Developing City Of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Hazel Gardner, Katherine Green, Andrew Gardner

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Rapid economic and cultural transition in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been accompanied by new challenges to public health; most notably a rapid rise in chronic disease. Breastfeeding is known to improve health outcomes in adulthood, is associated with reduced risk of developing chronic disease, and is therefore an important public health issue for this rapidly increasing population. Factors associated with infant feeding practices were examined in a cohort of 125 Emirati women and their infants, with data collected at birth and 3, 6 and 15 months postpartum by questionnaires and interviews. Participants were recruited in the Corniche Hospital, …

A Systematic Review Of Episodic Volunteering In Public Health And Other Contexts, Melissa K. Hyde, Jeff Dunn, Paul A. Scuffham, Suzanne K. Chambers

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background: Episodic volunteers are a critical resource for public health non-profit activities but are poorly understood. A systematic review was conducted to describe the empirical evidence about episodic volunteering (EV) in the public health sector and more broadly. Study location, focus and temporal trends of EV research were also examined. Methods. Twelve key bibliographic databases (1990-April week 2, 2014) were searched, including Google Scholar. Empirical studies published in English in peer-reviewed journals that identified participants as EVs who volunteered to support Not-for-Profit organisations in the health and social welfare sectors were included. EV definitions, characteristics, economic costs, antecedents and outcomes …