Public Health Commons^™

The Best Practice Guide For Early Childhood Education And Care Food Environment: Module 3: Food Education (Version 1.0), Ros Sambell, Connie N. Ihlein, Audrey Elford, Lochie Clark, Amanda Devine, Helen Alexiou, Lennie Barblett, Fiona Champion, Penelope Clark, Kathy Cologon, Wendy Cook, Katie Dix, Leanne Elliston, Amanda Ferguson, Ricky Gelman, Jodie Gray, Natalie Gulberti, Debbie Jordan, Karen Krist, Deana Leahy, Stacey Mckenzie, Sandra Murphy, Merryn Netting, Ciara O’Flaherty, Asha Rojahn, Blake Stewart, Aimee Sullivan, Suzanne Tamone, Henry Tan, Sandra Vale, Danielle Waterson, Jill Whelan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Food education (FE) in early learning settings is more than cooking – it is an opportunity to experience food in ways that include cooking but go far beyond. Food education gives children the opportunity for exploration, experimentation, learning, teamwork, skill building and much more. At the same time, services must balance safety, regulatory requirements, diverse developmental and cultural needs, family expectations and practical constraints such as time and staffing.

The FE module has been developed to support Early Childhood Education and Care settings (ECEC), for children from birth to 5 years, to create food experiences that are safe, engaging, inclusive …

Governing Professional Mobility: An Llm-Assisted Framework And Empirical Taxonomy Of Health-Professional Mobility Agreements, David C. Benton, Andrew D. Benton

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Health-professional mobility agreements (eg, compacts, mutual recognition arrangements, memoranda of understanding) are increasingly used to address workforce shortages, support crossborder practice, and enable new technology-mediated modes of service delivery. Regulators need rapid, reproducible ways to assess whether such instruments protect the public while facilitating proportionate professional mobility.

Purpose: To develop and internally test a 10-dimension, 41-subdimension assessment framework for health-professional mobility agreements; examine whether large language model (LLM)–assisted coding can approximate expert legal regulatory assessment; and derive an empirical taxonomy of mobility and other similar instruments.

Methods: A focused documentary synthesis of legal instruments, academic literature, and intergovernmental guidance …

Machine Learning Prediction Of Incident Hypertension In Australian Men: Integrating Survey, Pharmaceutical And Healthcare Utilisation Data From The Ten To Men Cohort, Ebenezer Afrifa-Yamoah, Emmanuel Peprah-Yamoah, Victor Opoku-Yamoah, Eric Adua

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Hypertension is a leading modifiable contributor to cardiovascular disease. We developed and evaluated machine learning models to predict incident hypertension in Australian men using baseline survey data linked to pharmaceutical (PBS) and healthcare utilisation (MBS) administrative records from the Ten to Men cohort.

Methods: Among 13,519 men free of hypertension at baseline (2014), incident hypertension over 10 years was ascertained from PBS antihypertensive dispensing. Twenty-five baseline features spanning sociodemographic, anthropometric, lifestyle, clinical and administrative domains were used to train logistic regression, random forest, gradient boosting and XGBoost models, evaluated by five-fold cross-validation with out-of-fold prediction. Discrimination, calibration and threshold-based …

Pharmacist-Led Educational Intervention To Improve Knowledge, Medication Adherence, And Asthma Control Among Asthma Patients At Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital: A Protocol For Randomized Controlled Trial, Mekuriaw Dereje Tekele, Goitom Belay Kassa, Yainu Welegerima Welekidane, Derbew Fikadu Berhe, Abadi Kahsu Gebre, Afewerki Gebremeskel Tsadik

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective: To evaluate the effect of a pharmacist-led educational intervention on medication knowledge, adherence, and asthma control among adult asthma patients at Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia.

Methods: A single-blind, parallel-group randomized controlled trial will be conducted. All eligible adult asthma patients on active follow-up at the chest clinic of Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital will be included. Participants will be randomly assigned via a computer-generated sequence to an intervention group (structured pharmacist-led education using teach-back, illustrated pamphlets, a follow-up phone call and SMS) or a control group (routine care). Outcome assessors will be blinded to group allocation. Outcomes will be …

A Qualitative Analysis To Identify Implementation Strategies For A Deprescribing Clinical Practice Guideline Using The Cfir-Eric Matching Tool: Perspectives From Consumers And Professional Stakeholders, Hui Wen Quek, Xisco Reus, Kenneth Lee, Veronika Seda, Leon Adams, Osvaldo P. Almeida, Gillian E. Caughey, Jennifer Gowan, Kerryn Hart, Andrew Heredia, Anne Marie Hill, Lisa Kalisch Ellett, Dina Logiudice, Arduino A. Mangoni, Anthony Marinucci, Treasure Mcguire, Nilufeur Mckay, Vasi Naganathan, Christopher Ng, Maz Osborne, Kevan R. Polkinghorne, Constance D. Pond, Sepehr Shakib, Angela Shiu, Andrew Stafford, Tim Whitmore, Christopher Etherton-Beer, Amy Page

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Deprescribing is the planned withdrawal or dose reduction of medicines when harms outweigh benefits or when they are no longer required. Following publication of the Clinical Practice Guideline for Deprescribing in Older People in September 2025, supporting its uptake into routine practice is a critical next step.

Aim: This study aimed to identify implementation strategies, informed by stakeholder-perceived barriers, to support the implementation of deprescribing guidelines.

Method: A qualitative analysis was undertaken of open-text responses collected during the guideline public consultation (24 April–31 May 2025). Inductive thematic analysis identified implementation barriers, which were then deductively mapped to the Consolidated …

Precision Prevention For Health: The Global Alliance Framework For The Promotion Of Physical Activity, Jürgen M. Steinacker, Willem Van Mechelen, Lars Engebretsen, Evert Verhagen, Mats Börjesson, Marcela González-Gross, Mark R. Hutchinson, Petra Zupet, Herbert Löllgen, Dina C. Janse Van Rensburg, Norbert Bachl, Sergio Migliorini, Pieter D‘Hooghe, Christian Schneider, Jiao Jiao, Ka Ki Wong, Jeroen Swart, Leigh Gordon, Victoria Badtieva, Borja Muniz-Pardos, Tony Lei Shi, Li Xiangchen, Feng Qiang, Guoping Li, Minhao Xie, Xia Zhang, Uğur Erdener, Federica Fagnani, Fabio Pigozzi, Chiara Fossati, Luigi Di Luigi, Francisco Arroyo, Jean-François Kaux, Camille Tooth, Shulin Cheng, Xiuqiang Wang, Emin Ergen, Bülent Ülkar, Frederic Dutheil, Ruediger Reer, Theodora Papadopoulou, Clea Papaellina, Demitri Constantinou, Jason Constantinou, Merling Phaswana, Mamosilo Lichaba, Philippe Gradidge, Mandisa Simamane, Georgia Torres, Natalia Neophytou, Elelwani D. Nevhufumba, Bernhard Schwaab, José Antonio Casajús Mallen, Martin Halle, Martine Duclos, Daniel Neunhaeuserer, Andrea Ermolao, Francesca Battista, Federica Duregon, Julio Motta-Pensabene, Yiannis Koutedakis, Wilhelm Bloch, Nicolaas P. Pronk, Anastasia Fischer, Lisset Pantoja-Arévalo, Ana V. Cintrón, Adewale S. Adebero, Jill Borresen, Johannes Zwerver, Diana M. Ramos-Caballero, Erica M. Mancera-Soto, Pedro Manonelles, Benedict Tan, Ingrid Burrowes, Carl Ward, Kim R. Quimby, Christina Howitt, Robert Clive Landis, Hans Hauner, Mikio Hiura, Luz Divina De La Cruz Lastre, Gunnar Treff, Fotini Tsofliou, José Kawazoe Lazzoli, Umutcan Kayıkçı, Mourad Ghrairi, Vincent Onywera, Robert Ojiambo, Robert Sallis, Sophia Papamichalopoulos, Maher Zahar, Christine Joisten, Bernd Wolfarth, Sandra Rozenstoka, Hashel Al Tunaiji, Kiera Wason, Felix Drummond, Wolfgang Schobersberger, Vahur Ööpik, Eve Unt, Anna Jegier, Stéphane Doutreleau, Seung Hoon Han, Jörg F. Debatin, Nils Schumacher, Luís B. Sardinha, Lenka Dienstbach-Wech, Tuba Melekoğlu, Sheng Zeng, Maurizio Casasco, Kristy Howells, Eva-Maria Klinkisch, James Bilzon, Gregory Heath, Thomas Horstmann, Eduardo H. De Rose, Nick Webborn, Klaus-Michael Braumann, Li Jing, Xiao Xu, Elizabeth Moxley, Yi Zheng, Alison V. September, Malcolm Collins, Olena Andrieieva, Svitlana Drozdovska, Andreas Michael Nieß, Rikke Helene Moe, Carolin Knoke, Silvano Zanuso, Francesco Zanatta, Veronika Všetíčková, Spyridon Zormpas, Christoforos D. Giannaki, Brian P. Carson, Matthew P. Herring, Ciara Mccormack, Marco Vecchiato, Thomas Yvert, Makro Korenjak, Benjamin Billet, Andréia Lópes Azevedo, Naama Constantini, Sigmund Loland, Aaron Leigh Baggish, Luis Monteiro, Nuray Yazihan, Yannis P. Pitsiladis

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This conceptual, implementation-oriented paper proposes a framework for precision prevention centred on physical activity promotion and early risk mitigation, aiming to support a shift from reactive disease management toward proactive prevention. The proposed framework focuses on the early identification of risk trajectories by integrating biological, environmental, and social determinants of health through systems thinking, multi-omics technologies, digital health, and behavioural science. It aims to inform tailored, context-sensitive interventions that will help to mitigate chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), while supporting lifelong resilience. Within this framework, physical activity is positioned as the central, modifiable anchor behaviour through which personalised prevention strategies may …

The Role Of Participant–Clinician Relationality And Intervention Source In A Violence Reduction Trial: A Qualitative Study, Paul Leslie Simpson, Freya Stephenson, Patricia Morgan, Emaediong I. Akpanekpo, Jocelyn Jones, Peter William Schofield, Lee Knight, Tony Butler

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Violence and domestic violence are global public health problems with prevention programs showing limited effectiveness. The form of delivery of such programs can influence their utility yet delivery characteristics are often poorly described. We analysed interviews with clinicians (n = 5) and participants (n = 12) involved in ReINVEST, a violence reduction clinical trial, to identify key elements of delivery. Three themes were identified: (1) clinician accessibility; (2) clinicians as participant advocates; and (3) humane care, reflecting participant–clinician ‘relationality’ as a central component of program delivery. We propose that this relationality is more likely to emerge in interventions delivered independently …

Overview Of Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Health Status 2025, Australian Indigenous Healthinfonet

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This Overview provides a summary of the most recent indicators of the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (of all ages, where data are available). The topics included in the Overview cover chronic health conditions which are featured on the HealthInfoNet website. Over the years as additional funding has been obtained and in consultation with HealthInfoNet networks, more topics have been covered on the website and are now included in the Overview. The topics aim to reflect the status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health over this period and going forward.

Longitudinal Prediction Of Bmi Using Explainable Ai: Integrating Polygenic Scores, Maternal, Early-Life And Familial Factors, Fuling Chen, Phillip E. Melton, Kevin Vinsen, Trevor Mori, Lawrence Beilin, Rae Chi Huang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background/objectives: This study aimed to predict body mass index (BMI) trajectories from childhood to early adulthood using explainable artificial intelligence, integrating adult BMI polygenic scores (PGS), maternal, early-life, and familial factors to identify key predictors of obesity risk and inform prevention strategies. Subjects/methods: We analyzed longitudinal data from the Raine Study Gen2 cohort, recruiting 2868 participants. This observational study, without randomization or case-control design, collected BMI measurements at ages 8, 10, 14, 17, 20, 23, and 27 years. We applied Kolmogorov–Arnold Networks (KAN) alongside conventional machine learning models, integrating epidemiological variables (maternal and paternal anthropometrics, parental education, early-life skinfold measurements) …

Improving Communication To Enhance Health Literacy And Self-Management Of Heart Failure: Protocol For A Multimethod Study, Neda Karimi, Francesco De Toni, Walter Abhayaratna, Blake Askelin, Philip Currie, Karol Edge, Christopher Etherton-Beer, Elizabeth Fewster, Liza Goncharov, Nisha Jijo, Susy Macqueen, Nilufeur Mckay, Suzanne Raine, Amineh Rashidi, Christopher Rouen, Rosemary Saunders, Peter Schulz, Rhea Tecson, Diana Slade

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction Self-care plays a pivotal role in the management of heart failure (HF). Health literacy and empowerment are considered the prerequisites of effective self-care. This project aims to improve self-management in people with HF by describing, analysing and enhancing the communication practices of clinicians and patients to support people with HF to increase their health literacy skills and participate in shared decision-making. Methods and analysis A multimethod research design incorporating an interview component, a concurrent mixed-methods component and a pilot intervention study is used. The study is currently being conducted at two Australian hospitals in metropolitan areas (one public and …

Prevalence And Trends Of Coexisting Forms Of Malnutrition And Its Associated Factors Among Children Aged 6–59 Months In South And Southeast Asia, 1996–2022: A Cross-Sectional Time Series Study, Wenjie Guo, Maggie Zgambo, Sanmei Chen, Yoko Shimpuku

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: South and Southeast Asia face severe malnutrition in children under five, with coexisting forms of malnutrition (CFM) exacerbating mortality risks and posing greater challenges than isolated forms of malnutrition. We aimed to assess the prevalence, trends, and factors of CFM among children aged 6–59 months in South and Southeast Asian countries and the entire region. Methods: We used anthropometric and hemoglobin data from 515,170 children aged 6–59 months in seven low- and middle-income South and Southeast Asian countries, based on Demographic and Health Surveys conducted between 1996 and 2022. Weighted multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify the sociodemographic …

Exploring And Validating Associations Between Six Systemic Inflammatory Indices And Ischemic Stroke In A Middle-Aged And Old Chinese Population, Yulu Zheng, Zheng Guo, Jingzheng Wang, Zhiyuan Wu, Xiaolin Chen, Yahong Zhu, Guangle Shan, Haifeng Hou, Xingang Li

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Inflammation and maladaptive immune mechanisms have been substantiated as integral components in the critical pathological processes of the injury cascade in ischemic stroke (IS). This study aimed to explore the associations between six systemic inflammatory indices and IS in a Chinese population. Methods: This was a case-control study based on the retrospective review of electronic medical records from two hospitals in Shandong Province, China. Systemic inflammatory indices, including the systemic inflammation response index (SIRI), systemic immune inflammation index (SII), pan-immune-inflammation value (PIV), neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and lymphocyte monocyte ratio (LMR), were calculated. Logistic regression …

A Cross-Sectional Audit Of The Australian Community Food Environment Highlights The Prominent Role Of Chain Food Outlets, Claire Elizabeth Pulker, Lucy Meredith Butcher, Frith Klug, Clare Whitton, Gina S.A. Trapp

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Food retail and food service outlets can be part of a chain, or independently operated. Chain food outlets are likely to have the most influence over community food environments but have not been routinely identified in studies which map and monitor access to food, highlighting an important knowledge gap. This study aimed to identify the food retail and food service outlets present within metropolitan Perth, including presence of chain and independent food outlets; and examine differences across local governments. Methods: A nutrition-focused classification framework was applied to all food businesses registered by 32 local governments in Perth, Western Australia, …

A National Survey Of Osteopaths’ Conceptions Of Practice In France: Structural Validity Of The Osteo-Taqfr And The Tendency Toward Technical Rationality, Oliver P. Thomson, Loïc Treffel, Agathe Wagner, Erwann Jacquot, Jerry Draper-Rodi, Chantal Morin, Brett Vaughan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Despite the growing popularity of osteopathy in France, little is known about how French osteopaths conceptualise key aspects of their practice, including skills, knowledge, and decision-making. This study aimed to adapt and validate the Osteopaths' Therapeutic Approaches Questionnaire (Osteo-TAQ) for use in a French osteopathic population (Osteo-TAQfr) and to examine the professional profile and core elements of clinical practice among French osteopaths. The first objective was to establish the psychometric properties of the Osteo-TAQfr within a French osteopathic population. The second aim was to explore French osteopaths’ conceptions of practice and their approach to patient care, thereby contributing to …

Engaging Longitudinal Cohort Participants In A Research Priority Setting Process For The Raine Study, Michaela De Paolis, Saniya Abdul, Anne Mckenzie, Rebecca Glauert, Gracie Cayley, Romola S. Bucks, Diane Wood

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: The Raine Study, one of the world’s longest-running multigenerational cohort studies, has consistently engaged participants in shaping specific research projects within the Raine Study. While participant involvement has been integral to study operations, there has not previously been an opportunity for participants to actively help shape the overall research agenda. The Participant Priority Setting Project (the Project) was developed to address this gap, providing a structured process to establish participant-led research priorities that will guide future study directions. Methods: The Project utilised a modified version of the James Lind Alliance (JLA) Priority Setting Partnerships (PSP) Framework to engage Generation …

Prevalence And Molecular Types Of Clostridioides (Clostridium) Difficile On Australian Retail Vegetables And Household Surfaces, Deirdre A. Collins, Su Chen Lim, Jessica Chisholm, Molly Lattin, Linda Selvey, Simon Reid, Thomas V. Riley

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objectives: Community-onset Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile infection (CDI) has risen to >80 % of all CDI cases in Australia. High prevalence of C. difficile contamination has been reported in many community sources including retail root vegetables. Household surfaces may become contaminated with C. difficile when storing and handling contaminated vegetables. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and molecular types of C. difficile present on retail root vegetables and household surfaces. Methods: From April 2023 to March 2024, retail potatoes (n = 255) and onions (n = 305) were sampled at 3-monthly intervals. Environmental samples were collected from homes of householders …

Imbalances In Circulating Monocyte And High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Exacerbates The Residual Risk Of Incident Myocardial Infarction Beyond Ldl-C: A Real-Life, Prospective Cohort Study, Dan Wu, Yulong Lan, Xiong Ding, Lois Balmer, Xingang Li, Wei Wang, Shouling Wu, Youren Chen

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: A sustained oversupply of monocytes and markedly decreased levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) are notable in high-risk groups with residual cardiovascular risk, despite aggressive low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lowering. This study aimed to explore whether an imbalance in circulating monocyte and HDL-C levels accounts for the residual risk of incident myocardial infarction (MI) within optimal LDL-C levels. Methods: A total of 48,522 participants free of cardiovascular diseases from a real-life, prospective cohort (Kailuan study) were included. The monocyte count, HDL-C level and monocyte-to-HDL-C ratio (MHR), calculated as time-averaged cumulative and baseline values, were used as the exposures. Time-to-event …

Culturally Responsive Recommendations For Eating Disorder Prevention And Management For First Nations Peoples In Australia: A Policy Scoping Review, Zyana Gall, Hilary Smith, Gabrielle Grant, Kanita Kunaratnam, Carissa Lee, Felicity Kerslake, Alana Gall

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Evidence suggests First Nations people in Australia may experience a higher burden of eating disorders (EDs) than the broader Australian population. EDs are among the most debilitating and lethal mental health conditions; however, little is known about the unique considerations for First Nations people experiencing EDs, especially around best practices. This policy scoping review aims to map the current recommendations for managing EDs specific to First Nations peoples and to identify further research opportunities. Methods: We conducted targeted searches of electronic databases and health websites (n = 53) for policies, reports, toolkits/guidelines, and fact sheets that contained any information …

Partners, Coordinators And High-Level Leaders’ Perspectives On A Consumer And Community Involvement Program In Australia: A Qualitative Evaluation Using Template Analysis, James Smith, Howard Lance, Susan Hayes

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

A Consumer and Community Involvement program located in Australia supports consumers, community members and researchers to work in partnership with health research priorities, policy and practice. The program is positioned to enhance Consumer and Community Involvement (CCI) at individual, organisational, and system levels. Partners are key to the program’s development, growth and sustainment. This study explored various partner perspectives on their involvement within the CCI program, including individuals (consumers, researchers) organisations (universities, medical research institutes) and the system level (funding organisations) alongside CCI program coordinators (delivering the program) and high-level leaders (decision-makers/executive leaders/directors). Data were collected via two focus groups …

The Importance Of Aged Care Policies In Assisting Older Adults Transition From Home To Permanent Residential Aged Care: A Focused Ethnographic Study, Stacey M. Scott, Annette J. Raynor, Julie S. Dare, Jennifer M. Grieve, Leesa N. Costello

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (RCAC) recommended a redesign of the Australian aged care system to ensure high quality care, respect, and dignity for residents. Responding to the RCAC recommendations, the Aged Care Quality Standards have been strengthened and continue to guide the delivery of safe, high quality care in Australia. This study investigated the experiences of new residents transitioning into an Australian residential care-facility, concentrating on how their experiences aligned with the core principles of the Aged Care Quality Standards. Methods: A focused ethnographic approach was used to address the aim of this study. …

Cutting Through The Fog: Recognising Brain Fog As A Significant Public Health Concern, Darren Haywood, Susan L. Rossell, Nicolas H. Hart

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Brain fog is a highly common condition that can have significant impacts on quality of life and functioning. Most people will experience a condition, illness, or infection that might result in the development of brain fog. We provide a call to action to minimise the impacts of brain fog.

Interventions, Programmes And Resources That Address Culturally And Linguistically Diverse Consumer And Carers’ Cancer Information Needs: A Mixed Methods Systematic Review, Lisa Whitehead, Deborah Kirk, Pelden Chejor, Weiting Liu, Minh Nguyen, Caroline Balczer, Charlene Lan, Melissa Evans

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) consumers and carers have been identified as experiencing high levels of unmet needs relating to information and support across the cancer journey. This review identified and evaluated the effectiveness of strategies to meet the cancer information needs of consumers and carers from CaLD backgrounds. Methods: This review followed Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for systematic reviews. Databases searched included MEDLINE, CINAHL Ultimate, PsycINFO and AMED, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, and GreyNet. Published and unpublished studies between 2013 - May 2024 on interventions, programmes or resources developed for adults (aged 18 years and over) from …

Feasibility Of Home-Based Urine Collection In Children Under 5 Years In The Origins Birth Cohort Study: Mixed Method Protocol And Sample Completion Results, Courtney D.A. Kidd, Najma A. Moumin, Andrea Macrae, Tim J. Green, Desiree T. Silva, Susan L. Prescott, Nina D’Vaz

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Urine is an attractive biospecimen for nutritional status and population health surveys. It is an excellent non-invasive alternative to blood for appropriate biomarkers in young children and is suitable for home-based collection, enabling representative collections across a population. However, the bulk of literature in this population is restricted to collection in primary care settings. Feasibility of home-based collection at scale has not been tested. Here, we describe a mixed method approach to collect urine samples in a large cohort study with children under 5 years. Methods: The ORIGINS Project is an ongoing birth cohort investigating early life influences on …

Trends And Determinants Of Early Neonatal Mortality In Ethiopia: Evidence From The Ethiopian Demographic And Health Survey Data, Tsion Mulat Tebeje, Beminate Lemma Seifu, Yordanos Sisay Asgedom, Kusse Urmale Mare, Zufan Alamrie Asmare, Hiwot Altaye Asebe, Abdu Hailu Shibeshi, Afework Alemu Lombebo, Kebede Gemeda Sabo, Bezawit Melak Fente, Bizunesh Fantahun Kase

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Early neonatal mortality (ENM) accounts for three-fourths of all neonatal deaths and one-third of overall child mortality. While previous studies have primarily focused on neonatal and under-five mortality, ENM has received comparatively less attention. This study aims to address this gap by analyzing trends and identifying factors associated with ENM in Ethiopia. Methods: Data from the Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey (EDHS) conducted between 2005 and 2016 were analyzed, comprising a total weighted sample of 22,310 participants. To account for the hierarchical structure of the EDHS data, a mixed-effects binary logistic regression model was applied to identify associated factors. …

Source-Specific Nitrate Intake And Incident Dementia In The Danish Diet, Cancer And Health Study, Catherine P. Bondonno, Pratik Pokharel, Dorit Wielandt Erichsen, Liezhou Zhong, Jörg Schullehner, Cecilie Kyrø, Kirsten Frederiksen, Peter Fjeldstad Hendriksen, Frederik Dalgaard, Lauren C. Blekkenhorst, Stephanie R. Rainey-Smith, Samantha L. Gardener, Torben Sigsgaard, Ole Raaschou-Nielsen, Anne Tjønneland, Jonathan M. Hodgson, Christina C. Dahm, Anja Olsen, Nicola P. Bondonno

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Dietary nitrate, through conversion to nitric oxide, which supports vascular and nervous system function, may lower dementia risk but may also form neurodegenerative N-nitrosamines, depending on the nitrate source. Methods: We investigated associations between source-specific nitrate and nitrite intake and incident and early-onset dementia (< 65 years) in 54,804 dementia-free participants from the Danish Diet, Cancer and Health Cohort Study over ∼27 years. Nitrate and nitrite intakes were derived from food frequency questionnaires and nitrate and nitrite databases. Results: Higher plant-sourced nitrate intake was non-linearly associated with lower rates of incident dementia (fifth vs first quintile hazard ratio 95% confidence interval: 0.90 [0.83, 0.98]), while increased risk was seen for higher intakes of animal-sourced, additive-permitted meat-sourced, and tap water-sourced nitrate. Similar associations were seen for source-specific nitrite intake and were more pronounced for early-onset dementia. No clear effect modification was observed. Discussion: These findings highlight the importance of nitrate source in dementia risk and warrant further investigation. Highlights: Plant nitrate is associated with a lower risk of incident and early-onset dementia. Animal and tap water nitrate are associated with an increased risk of dementia. Encouraging consumption of plant-based nitrate sources may lower risk of dementia.

Cardiac Arrest Events On Australian Beaches, David Reid, Kye Bostwick, Jasmin C. Lawes, Ogilvie Thom, Ned Douglas

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Surf Life Saving Australia (SLSA) members respond to cardiac arrests near their patrolling location and have successfully resuscitated many community members over the years. In addition, members often act as first responders to cardiac arrest events in community settings, workplaces or through applications such as GoodSAM®. The outcomes achieved are not known after an update to resuscitation guidelines. Objective: We aimed to analyse Surf Life Saving Australia data on cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and describe the epidemiology and outcomes of cardiac arrest on Australian beaches and factors associated with survival after CPR. Methods: Using SLSA's national Incident Reporting Database held …

Implementation Fidelity Of A Smartphone Application For Population-Based General Movement Assessment: The Early Moves Study, Caroline F. Alexander, Sarah E. Hall, Alison Salt, Alicia J. Spittle, Catherine Morgan, Tiffany Grisbrook, Alishum Ali, Natasha Amery, Sue Anne Davidson, Ashleigh Thornton, Mary Sharp, Emily Young, Robert S. Ware, Desiree Silva, Roslyn Ward, Nadia Badawi, Samudragupta Bora, Roslyn N. Boyd, Susan Woolfenden, Catherine Elliott, Jane Valentine

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective: To describe the infant and maternal characteristics of the Early Moves cohort and to assess representativeness to the general population, and to evaluate the implementation fidelity of an application-based collection of General Movement Assessment (GMA) videos at writhing and fidgety age. Study design: Prospective observational study. Mothers who had recently delivered or were enrolled to deliver at maternity hospitals in Perth, Western Australia, were recruited from November 2019 to December 2023. Sociodemographic and infant clinical characteristics were extracted from hospital records. Parents were invited to record GMA videos using the Baby Moves smartphone application, which were assessed for scorability …

Evaluating The Impact Of The ‘Blow, Breathe, Cough’ Health Promotion Intervention In Resolving Otitis Media With Effusion In Children: An Adaptive Randomized-Controlled Trial Protocol, Jaimee R. Rich, Michael Dymock, Elke J. Seppanen, Elena Montgomery, Tanisha Cayley, Tamara Veselinović, Greta Bernabei, Anri Lester, Amy Hannigan, Nicole Irvine, Kerryn Gidgup, Edna Ninyette, Steph Bray, Tu Trang Tran, Valerie M. Swift, Melinda Edmunds, Natalie Strobel, Daniel Mcaullay, Julie Marsh, Evelyn Tay, Lea Ann S. Kirkham, Ruth B. Thornton, Robyn S.M. Choi

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Otitis media with effusion (OME) affects hearing, speech development, and quality of life (QoL) in children. The ‘Blow, Breathe, Cough’ (BBC) intervention promotes nasal, respiratory, and middle ear clearance through nose blowing, deep breathing, coughing, and hand hygiene. It shows promise in resolving OME but lacks randomized-controlled trial (RCT) evaluation. This paper presents a RCT protocol evaluating BBC's effect on OME resolution, hearing, speech, and QoL in children aged two to seven years. Methods: This parallel-group, 1:1, outcome assessor-blinded, individual adaptive RCT investigates whether completing the BBC intervention plus hand hygiene twice-daily at home increases OME resolution after 4-to-6 …

Exploring Preferences For Interventions To Increase Active School Transportation Among Children And Adolescents In Australia, Anna Gannett, Paula Hooper, Julie Saunders, Gina Trapp

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: The observed decline in children's active school transport (AST) across numerous countries over recent decades necessitates targeted, multi-level interventions to reverse this trend. However, data on young people's preferred AST interventions is lacking. This study aimed to explore children's preferences for AST interventions and assess differences between AST users and non-users among primary and secondary school students. Methods: In 2023, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in Perth, Western Australia with n = 742 primary school students from 23 schools and n = 412 secondary school students from 9 schools. The survey assessed AST frequency, preferred transport mode, and AST …

Assessing Compliance With Evolving Exposure Standards: Respirable Crystalline Silica (Rcs) Exposure In Western Australian Mining, Adelle Liebenberg, Kiam Padamsey, Kerry Staples, Matthew Oosthuizen, Marcus Cattani, Andy Mccarthy, Jacques Oosthuizen

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The link between occupational exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) and silicosis, a potentially fatal respiratory disease, has been well-established, leading to global reductions in RCS Exposure Standards (ES). In Western Australia (WA), RCS data have been collected by the Department of Energy, Mining, Industry Regulation and Safety (DEMIRS) from 1986 to 2024 (n = 144,141). These results were analysed to assess the impacts of recent changes to the ES on compliance. Findings suggest that the WA mining sector, regardless of commodity type, is compliant with RCS exposures as assessed against the 0.05 mg/m³ ES (2019). Laboratory technicians, exploratory …