Public Health Commons^™

Interdisciplinary Research Among Tourism, Public Health, And Global Health: A Promising Stream Focusing On Populations With Suboptimal Health Status, Jun Wen, Fangli Hu, Danni Zheng, Haifeng Hou, Wei Wang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Research suggests that approximately 75% of the world's population suffers from suboptimal health status, meaning these individuals often feel unwell but have no clearly diagnosable conditions. Suboptimal health status, originating from traditional Chinese medicine, signifies an intermediate state between health and disease. Tourism has been deemed beneficial for personal health and general well-being. More recently, it has been proposed as a non-pharmacological intervention for individuals with dementia, given its potential contributions to health promotion and disease prevention/treatment. Yet, the tourism literature has paid scarce attention to populations with suboptimal health status, even as an aging society becomes inevitable. This paper …

Exposures Of Western Australian Wildland Firefighters: Insights From Real-Time Monitoring, Kiam Padamsey, Adelle Liebenberg, Ruth Wallace, Jacques Oosthuizen

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Inhalation of bushfire smoke is a risk to the health of firefighters, particularly across Australia where bushfires are becoming more frequent and intense. This study aimed to use real-time monitoring devices to assess the particle and chemical exposures of Western Australian firefighters during prescribed burns and bushfires. Methods: Participants included volunteer bushfire firefighters and forestry firefighters. Real-time gas and particulate monitors were used across nine unique fire events to evaluate the occupational exposures of firefighters. Findings: Firefighters (n = 40) were exposed to high concentrations of particulate matter (PM), particularly PM10, with concentrations varying widely between individuals and events. …

Musculoskeletal Injury In Australian Infantry Personnel: A Cross-Sectional Study To Understand Prevention Priorities, Joanne Stannard, Caroline Finch, Paula Dabovich, Lauren Fortington

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Musculoskeletal injury patterns are under-investigated in the Royal Australian Infantry Corps. Subsequently, more evidence is needed to support injury prevention processes in this population. One difficulty in collecting injury information to monitor injury patterns within combat populations accurately is known injury concealment behaviors in such populations. This study aims to examine musculoskeletal injury epidemiology within Australian infantry battalions using a tailored approach to mitigate reporting avoidance. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study using an anonymous online survey captured musculoskeletal injury information directly from personnel serving within 2 Australian infantry battalions. The survey requested information on participants’ injury frequency in …

Thorium Bioassay Of Miners Revisited, Gregory Hewson, Martin Ralph, Marcus Cattani

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study aimed to revisit previous in-vitro thorium studies on workers and reevaluate their significance against the current International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) models for thorium intake. Thorium concentrations in the urine and blood serum of Western Australian mineral sands workers had previously been interpreted using biokinetic models recommended by the ICRP. These findings revealed significant inconsistencies with those of other monitoring methods, including in-vivo lung counting and personal air sampling. Data on thorium concentrations in the urine and blood serum of workers and their exposure records were extracted from the previously published research and assessed using the Taurus …

Automated Abdominal Aortic Calcification And Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events In People Undergoing Osteoporosis Screening: The Manitoba Bone Mineral Density Registry, Cassandra Smith, Marc Sim, Zaid Ilyas, Syed Zulqarnain Gilani, David Suter, Siobhan Reid, Barret A. Monchka, Mohammed Jafari Jozani, Gemma Figtree, John T. Schousboe, Joshua R. Lewis, William D. Leslie

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) images from bone density machines enable the automated machine learning assessment of abdominal aortic calcification (ML-AAC), a marker of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. The objective of this study was to describe the risk of a major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE, from linked health records) in patients attending routine bone mineral density (BMD) testing and meeting specific criteria based on age, BMD, height loss, or glucocorticoid use have a VFA in the Manitoba BMD Registry. The cohort included 10 250 individuals (mean age 75.5 yr, 94% women without CVD) with VFA (February 2010 to March 2017). ML-AAC24 …

A Child-Centred Research Checklist To Improve The Design And Reporting Of Paediatric Research Studies: A Descriptive Mixed Methods Study, Mandie Foster, Lisa Whitehead, Therese A. O'Sullivan, Julie Hill, Evalotte Mörelius

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: No internationally developed child-centred research checklist is currently available to enhance the quality and transparency of the development, reporting and evaluation of research undertaken with children. Objective: To develop an internationally relevant, expert informed child-centred research checklist. Design: A descriptive mixed methods study was undertaken in five sequential phases, including a Delphi component. Setting(s): Academic/international context. Methods: This study involved five sequential stages: 1. Literature review using four databases (CINAHL, MEDLINE, Scopus, PsycINFO) and analysis to identify key themes in child-centred research (January 2020). 2. Generate a questionnaire based on the key themes for international experts in child research …

Ethical Issues In Conducting Health Research With People In Prison: Results Of A Deliberative Research Project Conducted With People In Australian Prisons, Paul Leslie Simpson, Jill Guthrie, Jocelyn Jones, Bridget Haire, Tony Butler

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Planning research involving people in prison raises concerns based on past abuses of incarcerated people amongst other factors. Despite the development of guidelines for the ethical conduct of research in prisons, researchers and advocates have questioned whether current approaches aimed at protecting incarcerated persons from unethical research unfairly exclude this group from participating in and benefitting from research. Discussion of these issues comes mostly from expert opinion. An absent voice is that of people in prison. This study identifies the key ethical issues according to people in prison for health research involving people in prison. Using a deliberative approach, citizens' …

Protocol For A Field Trial Of A Hearing And Vision Support Intervention For People Living In Long-Term Care In Australia, Carly Meyer, Najwan El-Saifi, Naomi Rose, Kasia Bail, Colette Browning, Dayna Cenin, Antonio Ahumada-Canale, Megan Campbell, Tim England, Melanie Ferguson, Yuanyuan Gu, Reema Harrison, Chyrisse Heine, Lisa Keay, Sheela Kumaran, Iracema Leroi, Gerald Liew, Angelita Martini, Ralph Martins, John Newall, Smriti Raichand, Emma Scanlan, Hamid R. Sohrabi, Melinda Toomey, Johanna Westbrook, Piers Dawes

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Hearing and vision impairments are prevalent among residents in long-term care settings. Hearing and vision impairments frequently go unsupported, affecting residents' quality of life and healthcare costs. This paper describes the protocol for a pre−post evaluation and process evaluation of a pragmatic sensory support intervention (SSI) that was developed with residents, informal caregivers and long-term care workers. Methods and Analysis: A prospective pre−post-intervention trial within long-term care will be conducted, including three groups: residents (n = 87), informal caregivers (n = 87) and long-term care workers (n = 40). Outcome measures include health-related quality of life and well-being measures …

Consolidating The Evidence On The Effectiveness Of Strategies To Promote Vegetable Intake In Priority Settings: An Overview Of Systematic Reviews, Paige G. Brooker, Astrid A.M. Poelman, Katherine M. Livingstone, Clare E. Collins, Seema Mihrshahi, Ros Sambell, Jason H.Y. Wu, Gilly A. Hendrie

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Effective interventions to increase vegetable intake are urgently needed. This systematic rapid review aimed to summarise the effectiveness of interventions targeting increased vegetable intakes across diverse settings. Methodology: The review was guided by the conduct of rapid reviews from the Cochrane Handbook. The literature was searched in February 2024 across PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane Central for systematic review articles published since 2014. The Risk of Bias In Systematic Reviews tool was used and characteristics of reviews synthesised narratively with intervention effectiveness results were summarised. Results: A total of 20 systematic reviews met the eligibility criteria. Most targeted …

Association Between Joint Exposure To Ambient Air Pollutants And Carotid Plaque: The Mediating Role Of Cardiometabolic Risk Factors, Yunfei Li, Ze Han, Xiaoyu Zhao, Yueruijing Liu, Zhiyuan Wu, Jinqi Wang, Xia Li, Xiuhua Guo, Lixin Tao

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Research has shown that exposure to joint air pollution is related to atherosclerosis, but little evidence has been found for carotid plaques. Our objective is to assess the association between exposure to joint air pollutants and carotid plaque and explore the mediating role of cardiometabolic factors in this relationship. Methods: The Beijing Health Management Cohort (BMHC) study followed participants recruited from 2013 to 2014 until December 31, 2020. All participants underwent carotid ultrasound and were free of carotid plaque at baseline. A satellite-based land-use regression (LUR) model was applied to estimate air pollution exposure. The joint exposure to air …

Faecal Excretion Of Thorium By Norm Workers, Gregory S. Hewson, Martin Ralph, Marcus Cattani

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Exposure to thorium-bearing dust in industries handling and processing monazite and other minerals can pose radiological risks to workers. This study aimed to reassess historical faecal bioassay data collected over 10 d from two monazite plant workers using updated biokinetic and dosimetric models. Another objective was to evaluate the feasibility of faecal thorium bioassay for contemporary operations involving naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM). The retrospective analysis found that the bioassay-derived thorium intakes were significantly higher than those estimated via personal air sampling. The effective dose estimates for the two workers were similar and ranged from 0.95 to 2.40 mSv over …

Are We Underestimating Exposures From Norm Dust?, Gregory S. Hewson, Martin Ian Ralph, Marcus Cattani

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The inhalation of dust containing naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) associated with mining and mineral processing operations may lead to potential long-term health impacts, including cancer and chronic lung disease, due to alpha particle-emitting radionuclides. This study evaluates the effectiveness of air sampling strategies used to estimate radiation doses from NORM exposure, with a focus on the Western Australian minerals industry. The objectives were to review current sampling and analysis protocols, identify factors contributing to over- or underestimation of dose, and propose adjustments to improve intake assessments. A review of research and guidelines applicable to NORM dust exposure was conducted, …

Enhancing Nutrition Information Utilisation, Confidence, And Role Legitimacy And Adequacy Among Early Childhood Education Professionals Through Evidence-Based Online Training, Ruth Wallace, Ros Sambell, Shih Ching Fu, Johnny Lo, Elizabeth J. Cook, Amanda Devine

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study evaluated the effectiveness of an online short course based on the Health Promoting Schools Framework and specifically designed for Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) professionals. The short course aimed to enhance ECEC professionals’ nutrition knowledge, confidence, role legitimacy and adequacy to model healthy behaviours, teach healthy food habits and create health-promoting environments. Participants (n = 116) working at Australian ECEC services were assigned to control (n = 62) or intervention (n = 54) groups. Both groups completed a pre-intervention survey. The intervention group accessed the four-week course and completed the post-intervention survey. The control group completed a …

Impact Of Rurality On Health Care Utilization Among Australian Residents From 2009 To 2021, Engida Yisma, Martin Jones, Lee San Pauh, Sandra Walsh, Sara Jones, Esther May, Marianne Gillam

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: In Australia, there is limited research regarding the effect of rurality on health care utilization using longitudinal data.

Methods: We analyzed data from four annual waves (2009, 2013, 2017, and 2021) of the longitudinal Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey to examine changes in the health care utilization over time among urban and rural residents. Poisson regression models estimated adjusted incidence rate ratios (aIRR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for rural versus urban residents, accounting for a range of health-related and sociodemographic characteristics. Health care utilization was measured using four key indicators: visits to family doctor …

Assessment Of The Psychometric Properties Of The Mask Usability Scale: A Measure Of The Perceived Usability Of N95 Respirators Among Healthcare Students And Staff, Lorna Kwai Ping Suen, Wai Hang Kwok, Ignatius Tak Sun Yu, Sony Nai Yeung So, Kin Cheung, Paul Hong Lee, Lily Yuen Wah Ho, Ka Yan Ko, Sukki Ho, Simon Ching Lam

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Aim: To test the reliability and construct validity of the Mask Usability Scale in healthcare students and staff. Design: A methodological study involving repeated measures. Methods: The study included two batches of participants: (1) 283 university nursing students and (2) 1753 participants composed of students (61%) and clinical staff (39%). All participants underwent N95 respirator fit tests and user seal checks. They also responded to the Mask Usability Scale, which comprises 11 items evaluated using Likert scales. The internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha and item–total correlation test. Test–retest reliability was evaluated by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The …

Evaluating The Efficacy Of A Serious Game To Deliver Health Education About Invasive Meningococcal Disease: Clustered Randomized Controlled Equivalence Trial, Lauren Bloomfield, Julie Boston, Martin Masek, Lesley Andrew, Donna Barwood, Amanda Devine

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is a serious, vaccine-preventable infectious disease that can be life-threatening. Teaching adolescents about the early detection and prevention of IMD can be challenging in a school environment, with educators reporting they lack confidence or expertise to cover this in the classroom environment. Professional guest educators are an alternative to cover specialist topics such as IMD; however, time and resourcing constraints can mean that these educators are not always available. Serious games may be an alternative to face-to-face education, where complex health information may be delivered via self-directed gameplay. Objective: This study aims to develop a …

The Changes In Health-Related Quality Of Life After Attending Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Qualitative Systematic Review Of The Perspective Of Patients Living With Heart Disease, Amineh Rashidi, Lisa Whitehead, Helena Halton, Lisa Munro, Ian Jones, Lisa Newson

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background Although the benefits of engaging in cardiac rehabilitation are well established, patient perceptions of the changes in their health-related quality of life are poorly documented. This systematic review synthesized qualitative studies on patients’ perspectives of change in their health-related quality of life after attending cardiac rehabilitation. Objective To identify and synthesize the best available evidence on the perspective of patients living with heart disease about the changes in their health-related quality of life after attending cardiac rehabilitation. Methods Eight databases were used to identify relevant papers published in English and peer-reviewed, and no date restrictions were considered for the …

Undergraduates’ Lifestyle And Suboptimal Health Status (Shs): A Cross-Sectional Study In The Ha’Il Region Of Saudi Arabia, Bandar Alsaif, Collins Otieno Asweto, Sehar Un Nisa Hassan, Mohamed Ali Alzain, Mohammed Elshiekh Saeed, Ahmed Kassar, Kamal Elbssir Mohammed Ali, Mouna Ghorbel, Rafat Zrieq, Wei Wang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background University students in Saudi Arabia are embracing some of the negative traits of the fast-paced modern lifestyle, typified by unhealthy eating, low physical activity, and poor sleep habits that may increase their risk for poor health. Health and holistic well-being at the population level are among the priorities of the 2030 vision of a vibrant society in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The current study thus aims at determining the prevalence and predictive factors of Suboptimal Health Status (SHS) among university students. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 9,026 undergraduate students between 31st May and 15th June 2023. …

Web-Based Application For Reducing Methamphetamine Use Among Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander People: Randomized Waitlist Controlled Trial, Rachel Reilly, Rebecca Mcketin, Federica Barzi, Tayla Degan, Nadine Ezard, Katherine Conigrave, Julia Butt, Yvette Roe, Handan Wand, Brendan Quinn, Wade Longbottom, Carla Treloar, Adrian Dunlop, James Ward

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Digital interventions can help to overcome barriers to care, including stigma, geographical distance, and a lack of culturally appropriate treatment options. “We Can Do This” is a web-based app that was designed with input from cultural advisors and end users to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people seeking to stop or reduce their use of methamphetamine and increase psychosocial well-being.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the “We Can Do This” web-based app as a psychosocial treatment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who use methamphetamine.

Methods: The web app was evaluated using a …

Effectiveness, Acceptability, And Cost-Effectiveness Of Digital Health Interventions For Diabetes Self-Management In Adults With Or Without Hypertension: An Umbrella Review Protocol, Min Zhang, Jiahui Ge, Xinrong Yu, Tian Wang, Fenglan Wang, Madalo Gloria Kalero Kuchawo, Li Ge

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective: This review will synthesize evidence on the effectiveness, acceptability, and cost-effectiveness of digital health interventions in implementing and maintaining effective self-management among adults (≥ 18 years) with diabetes, with or without comorbid hypertension. Introduction: Diabetes and hypertension are becoming the most challenging global health burdens. Growing evidence underscores the effectiveness of digital health interventions for diabetes and hypertension. However, it is unclear whether these strategies can be recommended to improve diabetes self-management among adults with or without hypertension in primary health care. Inclusion criteria: We will include systematic reviews (with or without meta-analysis) examining the effectiveness, acceptability, and cost-effectiveness …

Facilitators, Barriers, And Strategies For Supporting Shared Decision-Making With People With Intellectual Disability: A West Australian Primary Healthcare Professional Perspective, Kathryn Teale, Abigail Lewis, Rachel Skoss

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Shared decision-making between patients and primary healthcare professionals positively impacts health outcomes. However, people with intellectual disability face additional barriers and require supported shared decision-making (SSDM) to participate. Little is known about how healthcare professionals use SSDM with this population. This paper explores the facilitators and barriers experienced, and strategies/resources employed by healthcare professionals working with people with intellectual disability. Method: Ten purposively sampled primary healthcare professionals participated in semi-structured interviews. This descriptive qualitative study used content analysis. Findings were compared with a proposed model of factors influencing triadic (the person with intellectual disability, their caregiver and the healthcare …

Focus On Frailty: Co-Designing Digital Frailty Education With Healthcare Students, Kristiana Ludlow, Sarah Martin, Benignus Logan, Ruth E. Hubbard, Nicola Warren, Olivia Gallagher, Bonnie K. Kwok, Rosemary Saunders

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Frailty is prevalent in hospitals and is associated with adverse events and poor health outcomes. In Australia, there is a need for co-designed, multidisciplinary, and contextually relevant frailty education to improve healthcare students’ understanding and knowledge of frailty within the hospital setting. Objective: This study aimed to i) explore healthcare students’ understanding of frailty and their experiences with patients who are frail, and ii) seek healthcare students’ design ideas for the content of a new digital frailty education course.

Methods: Participants were university students enrolled in a health-related degree. Online focus groups and interviews were conducted between August and …

Improving Hpv Vaccine Rates For Aboriginal Young People Through A Social Media Campaign: An Interrupted Time Series, Natalie A. Strobel, Jocelyn Jones, Kim Gates, Simon L. Turner, Joanne E. Mckenzie, Daniel R. Mcaullay

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection that can lead to HPV-related cancers such as cervical cancer and other cancers such as anal, vaginal, and penile cancer. HPV rarely produces symptoms and cannot be cured or treated; therefore, vaccination is essential to protect against HPV and HPV-related diseases. However, young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (hereafter, respectfully, ‘Aboriginal’) people are not receiving their HPV vaccine dose, resulting in missed opportunities to be protected from HPV-related cancers. Health promotion is a critical way to empower people to take ownership over and control their health and is a core function …

The Impacts Of Covid-19 Restrictions On Care-Givers Of People With Cognitive Impairment And Their Support Needs: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review, Loretta Baldassar, Thi N. M. Nguyen, Bronte Jones, Catriona Stevens, Lukasz Krzyzowski, Silvia Lozeva, Simone Marino, Maria G. C. Du Plooy, Johanne Eldridge, Osvaldo P. Almeida, Manonita Ghosh

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing restrictions/lockdowns have caused significant physical and psychological consequences for people with cognitive impairment who are heavily dependent on their care-givers. However, little is known about the impact on care-givers, the factors that exacerbate their situation and what supports they need. The aims of this paper are threefold: (a) to examine the impact of COVID-19 physical restrictions on both formal and informal care-givers of people with cognitive impairment; (b) to identify attributing factors influencing this impact; and (c) to recognise their support needs. Further, this paper informs future research, policy and practice. Guided by the Joanna …

Support For Older People Living With Chronic Life-Limiting Illnesses In Rural Ghana, Barbara Adonteng-Kissi, Obed Adonteng-Kissi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Summary: This research aims to address formal support needs of informal caregivers (ICs) in the context of long-term care of older people (OP) living with chronic life-limiting illnesses and examine the relationships of ICs of OP with formal support in rural Ghana. We undertook ethnographic interviews with 15 OP; 15 ICs; and 10 healthcare professionals (HPs) after participatory observations during 6 months of fieldwork. This was supported with daily field notes used to collect the needed data and purposively sampled across Gomoa West District in Ghana. The average age of participants was 76 years. Interviews were recorded and transcribed, using …

Navigating Ethical Complexities In Health Education: Exploring Challenges In Teaching Food And Health, E. Oljans, M. Quennerstedt, D. Barker, A. Caldeborg, V. Varea

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Teaching food and health may be challenging, especially in classrooms where young people from different cultures, ethnicities, and religions meet. This article explores teachers’ navigation of ethical complexities when teaching food and health in classrooms with immigrant students. Five didactical strategies were identified: (1) The educare strategy, (2) The tiptoeing strategy, (3) The collegial support strategy, (4) The intercultural strategy, and (5) The pluralistic strategy. These didactical strategies are embedded in various educational settings. Our results demonstrate that a further focus on ethical and intercultural competence should be carefully supported and implemented in teacher education and continual professional development programmes …

Better Sleep Hygiene Is Associated With Better Sleep Health In Mining Shift Workers In Australia, Philipp Beranek, Ian C. Dunican, Travis Cruickshank, Mitchell Turner

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Australia's mine sites are largely situated in remote locations and operate around the clock. Many shift workers fly to site, where they work 12-hr shifts and sleep in camp accommodation before they return home for the period rostered off work. Mining shift workers experience poor sleep, yet limited research is available on contributing factors. This study investigated, for the first time, the relationship between the sleep health and sleep hygiene in this population. A survey was disseminated to shift workers in the mining industry, utilising a cross-sectional study design. The Sleep Health Index and Sleep Hygiene Index questionnaires were used …

Automated Abdominal Aortic Calcification Scoring From Vertebral Fracture Assessment Images And Fall-Associated Hospitalisations: The Manitoba Bone Mineral Density Registry, Marc Sim, Abadi K. Gebre, Jack Dalla Via, Siobhan Reid, Mohammad Jafari Jozani, Douglas Kimelman, Barret A. Monchka, Syed Zulqarnain Gilani, Zaid Ilyas, Cassandra Smith, David Suter, John T. Schousboe, Joshua R. Lewis, William D. Leslie

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Abdominal aortic calcification (AAC), a subclinical measure of cardiovascular disease (CVD) that can be assessed on vertebral fracture assessment (VFA) images during osteoporosis screening, is reported to be a falls risk factor. A limitation to incorporating AAC clinically is that its scoring requires trained experts and is time-consuming. We examined if our machine learning (ML) algorithm for AAC (ML-AAC24) is associated with a higher fall-associated hospitalisation risk in the Manitoba Bone Mineral Density (BMD) Registry. A total of 8565 individuals (94.0% female, age 75.7 ± 6.8 years) who had a BMD and VFA image from DXA between February 2010 and …

Gestational Age–Specific Prevalence Of Preeclampsia Among Pregnant Women In Ghana: A Hospital-Based Retrospective Observational Study, Wina Ivy Ofori Boadu, Enoch Odame Anto, Akua Benewaah Asamoah, Ezekiel Ansah, Godfred Yawson Scott, Emmanuel Ekow Korsah, Joseph Frimpong, Valentine Christian Kodzo Tsatsu Tamakloe, Michael Nyantakyi, Agartha Odame Anto, Emmanuel Timmy Donkoh, Kwame Ofori Boadu, Richard Vikpebah Duneeh, Frederick Ayensu, Christian Obirikorang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Preeclampsia is responsible for a significant rate of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Gestational age as a risk factor has a significant impact on fetal outcomes in pregnancies affected by preeclampsia. However, to our knowledge, no study has identified the gestational age–specific prevalence of preeclampsia in Ghana. Thus, this study ascertained the gestational age–specific prevalence of preeclampsia as well as its associated factors. Methods: A hospital-based retrospective observational study was conducted by reviewing data collected from the maternal birth register on 619 pregnant women who delivered at the facility from 1st January 2021 to 31st December 2021. Results: Out …

Investigating The Interplay Of Thermal, Lighting, And Acoustics In Intensive Care For Enhanced Patient Well-Being And Clinical Outcomes, Emil E. Jonescu, Edward Litton, Benjamin Farrell

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This research explores the interplay among noise levels, thermal conditions, and lighting intensity in an intensive care unit (ICU), focusing on preserving circadian rhythm and promoting nighttime sleep to advance patient-centric care. This investigation assesses lighting levels (Lux), natural versus artificial light ratios, ICU room temperature, and correlations with acoustic data during a field research period and examines the collective impact of patient exposure to sleep linked to delirium and health outcomes, addressing critical gaps in understanding. Findings reveal that noise levels between 60 and 90 dB(A) during patient occupancy exceed sleep disruption thresholds, with daytime averages of 53.6 dB(A) …