Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Investment By Maternal Grandmother Buffers Children Against The Impacts Of Adverse Early Life Experiences, Samuli Helle, Antti O. Tanskanen, David A. Coall, Gretchen Perry, Martin Daly, Mirkka Danielsbacka

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Exogenous shocks during sensitive periods of development can have long-lasting effects on adult phenotypes including behavior, survival and reproduction. Cooperative breeding, such as grandparental care in humans and some other mammal species, is believed to have evolved partly in order to cope with challenging environments. Nevertheless, studies addressing whether grandparental investment can buffer the development of grandchildren from multiple adversities early in life are few and have provided mixed results, perhaps owing to difficulties drawing causal inferences from non-experimental data. Using population-based data of English and Welsh adolescents (sample size ranging from 817 to 1197), we examined whether grandparental investment …

The Report Of Access And Engagement With Digital Health Interventions Among Children And Young People: Systematic Review, Lisa Whitehead, Suzanne Robinson, Diana Arabiat, Mark Jenkins, Evalotte Morelius

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Digital health interventions are increasingly used to deliver health-related interventions for children and young people to change health behaviors and improve health outcomes. Digital health interventions have the potential to enhance access to and engagement with children and young people; however, they may also increase the divide between those who can access technology and are supported to engage and those who are not. This review included studies that reported on the access to or engagement with digital health interventions among children and young people. Objective: This review aims to identify and report on access and engagement in studies involving …

Hospital And Emergency Department Discharge Against Medical Advice In Western Australian Aboriginal Children Aged 0–4 Years From 2002 To 2018: A Cohort Study, Daniel Christensen, Alison Gibberd, Bridgette Mcnamara, Sandra Eades, Carrington Shepherd, David B. Preen, Daniel Mcaullay, Natalie Strobel

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Discharge against medical advice (DAMA) is a priority issue for the health system. Little is known about the factors associated with DAMA for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (Aboriginal) children in Australia. Objectives: Investigate the associations between DAMA for hospital admissions and emergency department (ED) presentations and: (i) child, family and episode of service characteristics and (ii) 30-day readmission/ re-presentation. Methods: We conducted a cohort study of Aboriginal children born in Western Australia (2002–2013) who had ≥ 1 hospital admissions (n = 16,931) or ED presentations (n = 26,546) within the first 5 years of life. The outcome of …

Would You Like Fries With That? Investigating Fast-Food Outlet Availability Near Schools In Perth, Western Australia, Gina S. A. Trapp, Paula Hooper, Wesley Billingham, Lukar Thornton, Ainslie Sartori, Kelly Kennington, Amanda Devine, Stephanie Godrich, Ros Sambell, Justine Howard, Alexia Bivoltsis

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Issue addressed: Locating fast-food outlets near schools is a potential public health risk to schoolchildren, given the easy access and repeated exposure to energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods they provide. Fast-food outlet availability near schools has not been previously investigated in Perth, Western Australia. This study aimed to quantify fast-food outlet availability near Perth schools and determine whether differences in area-level disadvantage and school type exist. Methods: Fast-food outlet locations were sourced from Perth Local Governments in 2018/2019. All Perth Primary (n = 454), Secondary (n = 107) and K-12 (n = 94) schools were assigned an area-level disadvantage decile ranking based …

Covid-19 In Western Australia: ‘The Last Straw’ And Hopes For A ‘New Normal’ For Parents Of Children With Long-Term Conditions, Stephanie Smith, Mary Tallon, James Smith, Lauren Jones, Evalotte Mörelius

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Children with long-term conditions are vulnerable due to the treatments required for their conditions. Since the start of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Western Australians experienced restrictions that changed daily life activities but were able to return to some of their previous routines due to the restrictions. Aim: The study explored the stress experiences of parents caring for children with long-term conditions during COVID-19 in Western Australia. Design and Participants: The study was codesigned with a parent representative caring for children with long-term conditions to ensure essential questions were targeted. Twelve parents of children with various long-term conditions …

The Natural History Of Symptomatic Fractures In Children And Adolescents With Osteogenesis Imperfecta Type 1: A Cohort Study From Western Australia, Kiranjit K. Joshi, Aris Siafarikas, Richard Prince

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The fracture experience of children and adolescents with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) type 1 is not well described in the literature. We present data on symptomatic long bones and axial skeleton fractures of all patients aged 0 to 18 years with OI type 1 seen at a specialized bone clinic in Western Australia in the period 2008 to 2020 using a retrospective chart review method. The cohort consisted of 44 patients (21 males, 23 females). Median (interquartile range [IQR]) age was 11.3 (6.2 to 17) years, giving a total of 520 patient-years in the study during which 197 fractures were experienced. …

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). …

Changes In Parental Anxiety And Intention To Demand Antibiotics: A Longitudinal Study Among Parents During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Aaron L. Alejandro, Mieghan Bruce, Wei W. C. Leo

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aims: Assessing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on parental anxiety and preferences for antibiotic treatment can help inform antibiotic stewardship strategies. Therefore, this study aimed to examine COVID-19 pandemic-related changes in parental anxiety levels, their intentions to demand antibiotics and frequencies of practising preventative behaviours. Design: This longitudinal quantitative study compared two groups of parents, those from Victoria and Western Australia, who experienced high and low COVID-19 risk, respectively. Methods: Participants were recruited through an online panel to complete three waves of surveys between October 2020 and August 2021. Anxiety scores and frequency of preventative behaviours were analysed using …

Functional Links Between Thermoregulation And Sleep In Children With Neurodevelopmental And Chronic Health Conditions, Susan M. Mccabe, Chris R. Abbiss, Jean Pierre Libert, Véronique Bach

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The bi-directional relationship between sleep and wake is recognized as important for all children. It is particularly consequential for children who have neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) or health conditions which challenge their sleep and biological rhythms, and their ability to maintain rhythms of participation in everyday activities. There are many studies which report the diverse reasons for disruption to sleep in these populations. Predominantly, there is focus on respiratory, pharmaceutical, and behavioral approaches to management. There is, however, little exploration and explanation of the important effects of body thermoregulation on children’s sleep-wake patterns, and associated behaviors. Circadian patterns of sleep-wake are …

Everyday Life With Childhood Functional Constipation: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study Of Parents' Experiences, Gunilla Flankegård, Evalotte Mörelius, Patrik Rytterström

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Childhood functional constipation (FC) is a worldwide problem with treatment regiments affecting everyday life. Aim: To explore parents´ experiences of living with a child with FC and its impact on everyday family life. Method: A qualitative phenomenological interview study using a reflective lifeworld research approach. Interviews with 15 parents of otherwise healthy children aged 1–14 years affected by FC. Findings: Shame is the driving force making parents put everyday life on hold. The quest for control, self-imposed loneliness, guilt, inadequacy, and frustrating battles become essential parts of everyday life to protect it from FC-related shame. Conclusion: FC has as great …

Development Of Thai Sensory Patterns Assessment Tool For Children Aged 3–12 Years: Caregiver-Version, Revadee Sutthachai, Anuchart Kaunnil, Supaluck Phadsri, Ilada Pomngen, Mandy Stanley, Tiam Srikhamjak

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Most existing tools for measuring sensory patterns of children have been developed in Western countries. These tools are complex and may not be culturally appropriate for other contexts that require specific knowledge in the clinical perspective. The aim of this study was to develop a simplified tool called the Thai Sensory Patterns Assessment (TSPA) tool for children. It is designed for children ages 3–12 years old to be completed by their caregiver. The process of creating the tool consisted of drafting a questionnaire and interpreting the result. Partial psychometrics were completed during item development, content validity of items was assessed …

Developing Culturally Appropriate Food Literacy Resources For Aboriginal Children With Foodbank Wa’S Superhero Foods®, Jennifer Tartaglia, Roslyn Giglia, Jill Darby

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Issue addressed

In Australia, food sovereignty of traditional landowners has been marginalised by the globalisation of food systems and resulted in limited opportunities for children to experience familiar bush tucker foods as healthy choices, particularly in a school environment. Superhero Foods^® themed teaching resources focus on the development of nutrition education materials that included traditional Aboriginal foods together with contemporary foods readily available in regional/remote communities.

Methods

Consultation with an Aboriginal expert and Aboriginal artist; local, regional/remote teachers and stakeholders informed the development of tailored resources including food cartoon characters, school lesson plans and a storybook. The latter was …

The Nutritional Quality Of Kids’ Menus From Cafés And Restaurants: An Australian Cross‐Sectional Study, Gina S. A. Trapp, Claire E. Pulker, Miriam Hurworth, Kristy K. Law, Sally Brinkman, Christina M. Pollard, Amelia J. Harray, Ros Sambell, Joelie Mandzufas, Stephanie Anzman‐Frasca, Siobhan Hickling

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Australian families increasingly rely on eating foods from outside the home, which in-creases intake of energy‐dense nutrient‐poor foods. ‘Kids’ Menus’ are designed to appeal to families and typically lack healthy options. However, the nutritional quality of Kids’ Menus from cafes and full‐service restaurants (as opposed to fast‐food outlets) has not been investigated in Australia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional quality of Kids’ Menus in restaurants and cafés in metropolitan Perth, Western Australia. All 787 cafes and restaurants located within the East Metropolitan Health Service area were contacted and 33% had a separate Kids’ Menu. The …

“You Never Exhale Fully Because You're Not Sure What's Next”: Parents' Experiences Of Stress Caring For Children With Chronic Conditions, Stephanie Smith, Mary Tallon, Carrie Clark, Lauren Jones, Evalotte Mörelius

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Children with chronic conditions are experiencing improved survival worldwide, and it is well-known that their parents are stressed. Yet, despite this knowledge, parents continue to experience stress. Our study explored the lived experience of parental stress when caring for children with various chronic conditions to identify opportunities to potentially reduce stress for these parents. This was an exploratory qualitative study using semi-structured interviews. To ensure appropriate research priorities were addressed, the study was co-designed with consumer and stakeholder involvement. Twenty parents were interviewed. Parents were recruited through a recognized family support organization for children with various care needs in Western …

Bullied Because Of Their Teeth: Evidence From A Longitudinal Study On The Impact Of Oral Health On Bullying Victimization Among Australian Indigenous Children, Md Irteja Islam, Verity Chadwick, Tuguy Esgin, Alexandra Martiniuk

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Making life better for Indigenous peoples is a global priority. Although bullying and oral health have always been a topic of concern, there is limited information regarding the impact of this problem on the general population, with no evidence in this regard among the Australian Indigenous population. Thus, we aimed to quantify the relationship between bullying victimization and oral health problems by remoteness among 766 Australian Indigenous children aged between 10–15-years using data from the LSIC study. Bivariate and multilevel mixed-effect logistic regression analyses were employed. Findings indicated children self-reported bullying more than parents reported their children were being bullied …

Parents' Experiences Of Children With A Rare Disease Attending A Mainstream School: Australia, Mandie Foster, Esther Adama, Diana Arabiat, Kevin Runions, Rena Vithiatharan, Maggie Zgambo, Ashleigh Lin

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose:

To explore the perceptions of parents who had a child or adolescent (6-18 years) diagnosed with a rare disease who attended a mainstream school in Western Australia.

Design and methods:

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with 41 parents of children with a rare disease. Here we report the findings of 14 open-ended questions on their experience of illness-related factors and impact on school-related social activities, such as sports, school camps and leadership roles whilst their child with a rare disease attended a mainstream school in Australia. Responses were analysed using an inductive thematic content approach.

Results:

We identified …

Saliva Cortisol In Girls With Functional Abdominal Pain Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Dance And Yoga Intervention, Elin Areskog Sandberg, Anna Duberg, Ulrika Lorenzon Fagerberg, Evalotte Morelius, Stefan Särnblad

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPDs) are common among girls and has been associated with stress. Cortisol is one of the major stress hormones. Dance and yoga have been shown to reduce abdominal pain among girls with FAPDs. Aim: To investigate the effect of an 8-month intervention with dance and yoga on cortisol levels in saliva among girls with FAPDs. Methods: A total of 121 girls aged 9–13 years with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or functional abdominal pain were included in the study. Participants were randomized into an intervention group and a control group. The intervention group attended a combined …