A descriptive study of health, lifestyle and sociodemographic characteristics and their relationship to known dementia risk factors in rural Victorian communities
- Ervin, Kaye, Pallant, Julie, Terry, Daniel, Bourke, Lisa, Pierce, David, Glenister, Kristen
- Authors: Ervin, Kaye , Pallant, Julie , Terry, Daniel , Bourke, Lisa , Pierce, David , Glenister, Kristen
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Aims Medical Science Vol. 2, no. 3 (2015), p. 246-260
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- Description: It is essential to determine the key health risk factors among populations to specifically plan future services and explore interventions that modify risk factors for communities. This aims to reduce risks and delay the onset of chronic conditions, which frequently results in dementia, particularly for small rural communities which experience health workforce shortages, a higher proportion of those in the chronic conditions age group, and reduced access to care. The aim of the study was to determine existing rates of chronic disease, and current lifestyle and sociodemographic factors which may predispose the population to higher risk of dementia. Residents from three shires in rural Victoria, Australia were recruited by random and non-random sampling techniques to complete a survey regarding health perceptions, pre-existing illnesses, health behaviors and social activity in their community. A total of 1474 people completed the survey. Positive factors reported were social participation and low rates of smoking. Negative factors included low rates of physical activity, high rates of obesity and high rates of chronic conditions that indicate significant risk factors for dementia in these communities. Although some factors are modifiable, these communities also have a large population of older residents. This study suggests that community interventions could modify lifestyle risk factors in these rural communities. These lifestyle factors, age of residents and the current chronic conditions are also important for rural service planning to increase preventive actions, and warn of the likely increase in the number of people developing chronic conditions with predispositon to dementia.
- Authors: Ervin, Kaye , Pallant, Julie , Terry, Daniel , Bourke, Lisa , Pierce, David , Glenister, Kristen
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Aims Medical Science Vol. 2, no. 3 (2015), p. 246-260
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: It is essential to determine the key health risk factors among populations to specifically plan future services and explore interventions that modify risk factors for communities. This aims to reduce risks and delay the onset of chronic conditions, which frequently results in dementia, particularly for small rural communities which experience health workforce shortages, a higher proportion of those in the chronic conditions age group, and reduced access to care. The aim of the study was to determine existing rates of chronic disease, and current lifestyle and sociodemographic factors which may predispose the population to higher risk of dementia. Residents from three shires in rural Victoria, Australia were recruited by random and non-random sampling techniques to complete a survey regarding health perceptions, pre-existing illnesses, health behaviors and social activity in their community. A total of 1474 people completed the survey. Positive factors reported were social participation and low rates of smoking. Negative factors included low rates of physical activity, high rates of obesity and high rates of chronic conditions that indicate significant risk factors for dementia in these communities. Although some factors are modifiable, these communities also have a large population of older residents. This study suggests that community interventions could modify lifestyle risk factors in these rural communities. These lifestyle factors, age of residents and the current chronic conditions are also important for rural service planning to increase preventive actions, and warn of the likely increase in the number of people developing chronic conditions with predispositon to dementia.
Chronic ill health in a regional Victoria setting: A 13-year comparison
- Glenister, Kristen, Bourke, Lisa, Terry, Daniel, Simmons, David
- Authors: Glenister, Kristen , Bourke, Lisa , Terry, Daniel , Simmons, David
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Journal of Rural Health Vol. 27, no. 6 (2019), p. 527-534
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- Description: Objective: High-quality data regarding the prevalence of chronic disease in rural areas are essential in understanding the challenges faced by rural populations and for informing strategies to address health care needs. This study compared the prevalence of a range of self-reported chronic conditions and utilisation of GP services and emergency department in a regional Victorian setting between two studies conducted in the same region in 2001-2003 and 2014. Design: Repeat cross-sectional studies conducted over a decade apart. Setting: The projects were conducted in the Goulburn Valley in regional Victoria. Participants: The earlier study randomly selected households from local government lists. The later study randomly selected householders from the telephone directory. Main outcome measures: Participants were asked whether they had been diagnosed with a range of chronic health conditions and how often they had visited a general practitioner or emergency department in the past 12 months. Results: The age-standardised prevalence of depression was higher in the 2014 study than the 2001-2003 study in men (increased by 8.0% (95% CI 4.5, 11.5%)) and women (increased by 13.7% (95% CI 8.4, 19.0%)). Similarly, the prevalence of age-standardised diabetes and hypertension was higher in 2014 than 2001-2003 (men increased by 3.6% (95% CI 0.7, 6.5% (diabetes)) and 13.6% (95% CI 8.6, 18.6% (hypertension)), women increased by 3.1% (95% CI 0.3, 6.5% (diabetes)) and 8.4% (95% CI 2.3, 14.5% (hypertension))). Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that the prevalence of self-reported depression, diabetes and hypertension has increased in this regional Victorian area over the past 13 years. The reasons for these observed increases and the subsequent impact on the health care needs of regional communities warrants further investigation. © 2019 National Rural Health Alliance Ltd.
- Authors: Glenister, Kristen , Bourke, Lisa , Terry, Daniel , Simmons, David
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Journal of Rural Health Vol. 27, no. 6 (2019), p. 527-534
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Objective: High-quality data regarding the prevalence of chronic disease in rural areas are essential in understanding the challenges faced by rural populations and for informing strategies to address health care needs. This study compared the prevalence of a range of self-reported chronic conditions and utilisation of GP services and emergency department in a regional Victorian setting between two studies conducted in the same region in 2001-2003 and 2014. Design: Repeat cross-sectional studies conducted over a decade apart. Setting: The projects were conducted in the Goulburn Valley in regional Victoria. Participants: The earlier study randomly selected households from local government lists. The later study randomly selected householders from the telephone directory. Main outcome measures: Participants were asked whether they had been diagnosed with a range of chronic health conditions and how often they had visited a general practitioner or emergency department in the past 12 months. Results: The age-standardised prevalence of depression was higher in the 2014 study than the 2001-2003 study in men (increased by 8.0% (95% CI 4.5, 11.5%)) and women (increased by 13.7% (95% CI 8.4, 19.0%)). Similarly, the prevalence of age-standardised diabetes and hypertension was higher in 2014 than 2001-2003 (men increased by 3.6% (95% CI 0.7, 6.5% (diabetes)) and 13.6% (95% CI 8.6, 18.6% (hypertension)), women increased by 3.1% (95% CI 0.3, 6.5% (diabetes)) and 8.4% (95% CI 2.3, 14.5% (hypertension))). Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that the prevalence of self-reported depression, diabetes and hypertension has increased in this regional Victorian area over the past 13 years. The reasons for these observed increases and the subsequent impact on the health care needs of regional communities warrants further investigation. © 2019 National Rural Health Alliance Ltd.
Competing food consumption discourses and proper gendered behaviour among over 50s: are you really what you eat?
- Malatzky, Christina, Terry, Daniel, Bourke, Lisa, Glenister, Kristen, Ervin, Kaye
- Authors: Malatzky, Christina , Terry, Daniel , Bourke, Lisa , Glenister, Kristen , Ervin, Kaye
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Research for Consumers Vol. , no. 32 (2018), p. 1-31
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- Description: The national narratives about proper food consumption and its relationship to health and wellbeing has been articulated in many Australian public health campaigns. These shape awareness, knowledge and behaviours as well as reporting on food consumption. This paper reports on the findings of a large-scale community health survey, conducted in four Victorian regional areas, related to the self-reported eating practices of respondents aged 50 years and over. It was found that women were more likely to report trying to eat a diet consistent with public health messages than men. Overall, however there was strong agreement amongst respondents that they tried to eat a healthy diet. These findings are contextualised within broader societal discourses, including the Australian national narrative about food consumption, proper gendered behaviour, good, moral, responsible citizenship, and the competing social meanings attached to food and food consumption. It is argued that understanding the social circumstances in which people report their dietary behaviours is essential to understanding why behavioural change is such a complex goal for public health and health promotion.
- Authors: Malatzky, Christina , Terry, Daniel , Bourke, Lisa , Glenister, Kristen , Ervin, Kaye
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Research for Consumers Vol. , no. 32 (2018), p. 1-31
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The national narratives about proper food consumption and its relationship to health and wellbeing has been articulated in many Australian public health campaigns. These shape awareness, knowledge and behaviours as well as reporting on food consumption. This paper reports on the findings of a large-scale community health survey, conducted in four Victorian regional areas, related to the self-reported eating practices of respondents aged 50 years and over. It was found that women were more likely to report trying to eat a diet consistent with public health messages than men. Overall, however there was strong agreement amongst respondents that they tried to eat a healthy diet. These findings are contextualised within broader societal discourses, including the Australian national narrative about food consumption, proper gendered behaviour, good, moral, responsible citizenship, and the competing social meanings attached to food and food consumption. It is argued that understanding the social circumstances in which people report their dietary behaviours is essential to understanding why behavioural change is such a complex goal for public health and health promotion.
Heterogeneity of rural consumer perceptions of health service access across four regions of Victoria
- Terry, Daniel, Crouch, Alan, Ervin, Kaye, Glenister, Kristen, Bourke, Lisa
- Authors: Terry, Daniel , Crouch, Alan , Ervin, Kaye , Glenister, Kristen , Bourke, Lisa
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Rural Social Sciences Vol. 32, no. 2 (2017), p. 125-145
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- Description: Access to a range of services, including healthcare, ranks among the key determinants of health and wellbeing. It varies with both health system supply factors and consumer demand characteristics. For rural populations, access to health services can be...
Heterogeneity of rural consumer perceptions of health service access across four regions of Victoria
- Authors: Terry, Daniel , Crouch, Alan , Ervin, Kaye , Glenister, Kristen , Bourke, Lisa
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Rural Social Sciences Vol. 32, no. 2 (2017), p. 125-145
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Access to a range of services, including healthcare, ranks among the key determinants of health and wellbeing. It varies with both health system supply factors and consumer demand characteristics. For rural populations, access to health services can be...
Perspectives of aboriginal issues among non-aboriginal residents of rural Victorian communities
- Bourke, Lisa, Malatzky, Christina, Terry, Daniel, Nixon, Raelene, Ferguson, Karyn, Ferguson, Peter
- Authors: Bourke, Lisa , Malatzky, Christina , Terry, Daniel , Nixon, Raelene , Ferguson, Karyn , Ferguson, Peter
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Journal of Social Issues Vol. 52, no. 3 (2017), p. 278-293
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- Description: Racism, in various forms, remains a dominant feature in Australian society. Aboriginal Australians are commonly targets of racial discrimination. However, understanding racism is difficult given that racial attitudes vary towards particular groups of people, across place and time and are difficult to measure. This paper presents responses of residents across four rural shires in Victoria to questions about attitudes towards Aboriginal people/issues. Responses indicated that attitudes towards Aboriginal people were diverse and that individuals varied in their attitudes on specific items. There were subtle differences between the four sites and association between demographic characteristics and some items in particular sites. This suggests that respondents are inconsistent in their attitudes relating to Aboriginal people/issues and that there are place-based influences on these attitudes. We conclude that the many varied understandings of racism and Aboriginal Australians allow the discourses of exclusion, disempowerment and othering to be maintained. © 2017 Australian Social Policy Association.
- Authors: Bourke, Lisa , Malatzky, Christina , Terry, Daniel , Nixon, Raelene , Ferguson, Karyn , Ferguson, Peter
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Journal of Social Issues Vol. 52, no. 3 (2017), p. 278-293
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Racism, in various forms, remains a dominant feature in Australian society. Aboriginal Australians are commonly targets of racial discrimination. However, understanding racism is difficult given that racial attitudes vary towards particular groups of people, across place and time and are difficult to measure. This paper presents responses of residents across four rural shires in Victoria to questions about attitudes towards Aboriginal people/issues. Responses indicated that attitudes towards Aboriginal people were diverse and that individuals varied in their attitudes on specific items. There were subtle differences between the four sites and association between demographic characteristics and some items in particular sites. This suggests that respondents are inconsistent in their attitudes relating to Aboriginal people/issues and that there are place-based influences on these attitudes. We conclude that the many varied understandings of racism and Aboriginal Australians allow the discourses of exclusion, disempowerment and othering to be maintained. © 2017 Australian Social Policy Association.
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