A community-wide approach to reducing risky drinking cultures in young people in rural Australia
- Murphy, Angela, Ollerenshaw, Alison
- Authors: Murphy, Angela , Ollerenshaw, Alison
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Journal of Rural Health Vol. 31, no. 2 (2023), p. 204-217
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- Description: Objective: This study evaluated the impact of a multi-faceted, harm minimisation program addressing youth alcohol change and risky drinking behaviours in rural Australia. The role and influence of a multi-tiered community approach to changing alcohol cultures is examined. Setting: An alcohol culture change project for young people (12–18 years) was implemented in rural Victoria. It was informed by the Alcohol Cultures Framework, comprising community-wide events and youth-focused activities, co-designed with young people. The approach aimed at maximising engagement and reducing alcohol-related harm by targeting the shared activities and drinking practices of young people, parents and the community. Participants: Participants (n = 446) provided feedback specific to three key program activities for promoting alcohol change. Design: Mixed methods: Feedback sheets were collected, and interviews and focus groups were conducted with program participants. Results: Participants indicated that the program had informed their understanding of the way people in their region drink, and the social norms and practices around alcohol that encourage risky drinking. It influenced their short- and medium-term reactions, learnings and activities relating to alcohol consumption. The impact of the program was greatest in adults than young people although reflective learning and some behaviour change were evident across all age groups and community clusters. Conclusion: Community-wide health promotion events offer participants a deeper understanding of the ways in which dominant alcohol cultures inform the practices and activities of young people within a broader community context. Ensuring health promotion programs within a whole-of-community approach are established longer term, is recommended. © 2022 The Authors. Australian Journal of Rural Health published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of National Rural Health Alliance Ltd.
- Authors: Murphy, Angela , Ollerenshaw, Alison
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Journal of Rural Health Vol. 31, no. 2 (2023), p. 204-217
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Objective: This study evaluated the impact of a multi-faceted, harm minimisation program addressing youth alcohol change and risky drinking behaviours in rural Australia. The role and influence of a multi-tiered community approach to changing alcohol cultures is examined. Setting: An alcohol culture change project for young people (12–18 years) was implemented in rural Victoria. It was informed by the Alcohol Cultures Framework, comprising community-wide events and youth-focused activities, co-designed with young people. The approach aimed at maximising engagement and reducing alcohol-related harm by targeting the shared activities and drinking practices of young people, parents and the community. Participants: Participants (n = 446) provided feedback specific to three key program activities for promoting alcohol change. Design: Mixed methods: Feedback sheets were collected, and interviews and focus groups were conducted with program participants. Results: Participants indicated that the program had informed their understanding of the way people in their region drink, and the social norms and practices around alcohol that encourage risky drinking. It influenced their short- and medium-term reactions, learnings and activities relating to alcohol consumption. The impact of the program was greatest in adults than young people although reflective learning and some behaviour change were evident across all age groups and community clusters. Conclusion: Community-wide health promotion events offer participants a deeper understanding of the ways in which dominant alcohol cultures inform the practices and activities of young people within a broader community context. Ensuring health promotion programs within a whole-of-community approach are established longer term, is recommended. © 2022 The Authors. Australian Journal of Rural Health published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of National Rural Health Alliance Ltd.
Rural maternity and media discourse analysis: Framing new narratives
- Brundell, Kath, Vasilevski, Vidanka, Farrell, Tanya, Sweet, Linda
- Authors: Brundell, Kath , Vasilevski, Vidanka , Farrell, Tanya , Sweet, Linda
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Journal of Rural Health Vol. 31, no. 3 (2023), p. 395-407
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- Description: Continued rural maternity closure across Australia has seen impacts on women and families such as financial pressures, quality and safety concerns, and emotional pressure. This review aimed at understanding how media coverage of rural maternity and closure are presented and what impact this may have on maternity service sustainability. This research seeks to examine media discourse and characteristics of online newspaper articles related to rural maternity services. A narrative review was conducted using thematic discourse analysis to examine online newspaper content published in Victoria, Australia from 2010 to June 2021. Local maternity services were a source of community interest for rural people. Coverage of negative outcomes for mothers and babies was highlighted by rural newspapers however, increased content over the last 12-month period focused on community support for the sustainability of rural maternity services. Recent community support in newspaper articles coincided with maternity services reviews and retaining some of these rural services. Community support in media may provide a protective social pressure, leading rural health services to consider this when reviewing the sustainability or closure of rural maternity services. Media attention about sustaining local maternity services by highlighting issues and representing community voices may influence health executive to consider opportunities to remodel and sustain high-quality and safe maternity care in rural settings. Knowing how rural health executives consider media, community pressure, and how it impacts expediency of maternity service closure decisions is unknown and an important gap in knowledge to explore and understand.
- Authors: Brundell, Kath , Vasilevski, Vidanka , Farrell, Tanya , Sweet, Linda
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Journal of Rural Health Vol. 31, no. 3 (2023), p. 395-407
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Continued rural maternity closure across Australia has seen impacts on women and families such as financial pressures, quality and safety concerns, and emotional pressure. This review aimed at understanding how media coverage of rural maternity and closure are presented and what impact this may have on maternity service sustainability. This research seeks to examine media discourse and characteristics of online newspaper articles related to rural maternity services. A narrative review was conducted using thematic discourse analysis to examine online newspaper content published in Victoria, Australia from 2010 to June 2021. Local maternity services were a source of community interest for rural people. Coverage of negative outcomes for mothers and babies was highlighted by rural newspapers however, increased content over the last 12-month period focused on community support for the sustainability of rural maternity services. Recent community support in newspaper articles coincided with maternity services reviews and retaining some of these rural services. Community support in media may provide a protective social pressure, leading rural health services to consider this when reviewing the sustainability or closure of rural maternity services. Media attention about sustaining local maternity services by highlighting issues and representing community voices may influence health executive to consider opportunities to remodel and sustain high-quality and safe maternity care in rural settings. Knowing how rural health executives consider media, community pressure, and how it impacts expediency of maternity service closure decisions is unknown and an important gap in knowledge to explore and understand.
Sustaining rural pharmacy workforce understanding key attributes for enhanced retention and recruitment
- Terry, Daniel, Peck, Blake, Hills, Danny, Bishop, Jaclyn, Kirschbaum, Mark, Obamiro, Kehinde, Phan, Hoang, Baker, Ed, Schmitz, David
- Authors: Terry, Daniel , Peck, Blake , Hills, Danny , Bishop, Jaclyn , Kirschbaum, Mark , Obamiro, Kehinde , Phan, Hoang , Baker, Ed , Schmitz, David
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Journal of Rural Health Vol. 31, no. 2 (2023), p. 218-229
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- Description: Objective: To pilot the Pharmacist Community Apgar Questionnaire (PharmCAQ) and evaluate its usability and capacity to develop a greater understanding of the unique factors that impact the rural recruitment and retention of pharmacists. Design: Cross-sectional design involving face-to-face, telephone or video conferencing interviews. Setting: Twelve rural communities across Tasmania and Western Victoria, Australia. Participants: Participants (n = 24) included pharmacists, a Director of Clinical Services, pharmacy practice managers and senior pharmacy assistants. Main Outcome Measures: Interviews enabled the completion of the PharmCAQ, which assigns quantitative values to 50 key factors to ascertain a community's strengths and challenges associated with recruitment and retention and their relative importance to the pharmacist workforce. Results: The cumulative PharmCAQ scores indicated the tool was sensitive enough to differentiate high- and low-performing communities. Overall, the highest-rated factors considered most vital to pharmacist recruitment and retention were the reputation of the pharmacy, the ability of the pharmacist to be independent and autonomous, the loyalty of the community to the pharmacy, the level and stability of monetary compensation and the breadth of tasks available to a pharmacist. Conclusions: This study identified the strengths and challenges of participating communities and provided an insight into the shared factors to consider in recruiting and retaining pharmacists. Further, each community has unique strengths that can further be promoted in recruitment, flagging where limited resources are best used to address site specific challenges. This is more likely to ensure the matching of the right candidate with the right community. © 2022 The Authors. Australian Journal of Rural Health published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of National Rural Health Alliance Ltd.
- Authors: Terry, Daniel , Peck, Blake , Hills, Danny , Bishop, Jaclyn , Kirschbaum, Mark , Obamiro, Kehinde , Phan, Hoang , Baker, Ed , Schmitz, David
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Journal of Rural Health Vol. 31, no. 2 (2023), p. 218-229
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Objective: To pilot the Pharmacist Community Apgar Questionnaire (PharmCAQ) and evaluate its usability and capacity to develop a greater understanding of the unique factors that impact the rural recruitment and retention of pharmacists. Design: Cross-sectional design involving face-to-face, telephone or video conferencing interviews. Setting: Twelve rural communities across Tasmania and Western Victoria, Australia. Participants: Participants (n = 24) included pharmacists, a Director of Clinical Services, pharmacy practice managers and senior pharmacy assistants. Main Outcome Measures: Interviews enabled the completion of the PharmCAQ, which assigns quantitative values to 50 key factors to ascertain a community's strengths and challenges associated with recruitment and retention and their relative importance to the pharmacist workforce. Results: The cumulative PharmCAQ scores indicated the tool was sensitive enough to differentiate high- and low-performing communities. Overall, the highest-rated factors considered most vital to pharmacist recruitment and retention were the reputation of the pharmacy, the ability of the pharmacist to be independent and autonomous, the loyalty of the community to the pharmacy, the level and stability of monetary compensation and the breadth of tasks available to a pharmacist. Conclusions: This study identified the strengths and challenges of participating communities and provided an insight into the shared factors to consider in recruiting and retaining pharmacists. Further, each community has unique strengths that can further be promoted in recruitment, flagging where limited resources are best used to address site specific challenges. This is more likely to ensure the matching of the right candidate with the right community. © 2022 The Authors. Australian Journal of Rural Health published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of National Rural Health Alliance Ltd.
The experience of women from rural Australia with a preterm infant in a neonatal intensive care unit
- Laidlaw, Kerrie, Prichard, Ivanka, Sweet, Linda
- Authors: Laidlaw, Kerrie , Prichard, Ivanka , Sweet, Linda
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Rural and Remote Health Vol. 23, no. 1 (2023), p.
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- Description: Introduction: This study aimed to understand the experiences of women from rural areas who have had a preterm infant admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit. The study population comprised five women aged 29–36 years who birthed a premature infant of less than 32 weeks gestation within the previous 6 months at the time of recruitment. The setting was in rural areas of Australia, in the states of Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia. Methods: Semi-structured interviews using video-conferencing explored the experiences of the women and were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Four key themes were identified from the data: emotional trauma, social displacement, external coping resources and craving continuity of care. Social displacement further impacted the emotional trauma already experienced by women who birthed a preterm infant by temporarily relocating to the city to be near to their infant in the neonatal intensive care unit. This led to the utilisation of additional socioeconomic resources including support from extended family and rural community members. The women highly valued yet struggled to find appropriate peer support and continuity of health care for their infant within their rural community after discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit. Conclusion: Health professionals have an opportunity to explore ways to address social displacement, particularly in relation to socioeconomic support and the involvement of extended family into a family integrated care framework within the neonatal intensive care unit. The long-term effects of this on the mother– infant dyad and the lack of appropriate community support also require further examination © 2023, Rural and Remote Health.All Rights Reserved.
The experience of women from rural Australia with a preterm infant in a neonatal intensive care unit
- Authors: Laidlaw, Kerrie , Prichard, Ivanka , Sweet, Linda
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Rural and Remote Health Vol. 23, no. 1 (2023), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Introduction: This study aimed to understand the experiences of women from rural areas who have had a preterm infant admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit. The study population comprised five women aged 29–36 years who birthed a premature infant of less than 32 weeks gestation within the previous 6 months at the time of recruitment. The setting was in rural areas of Australia, in the states of Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia. Methods: Semi-structured interviews using video-conferencing explored the experiences of the women and were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Four key themes were identified from the data: emotional trauma, social displacement, external coping resources and craving continuity of care. Social displacement further impacted the emotional trauma already experienced by women who birthed a preterm infant by temporarily relocating to the city to be near to their infant in the neonatal intensive care unit. This led to the utilisation of additional socioeconomic resources including support from extended family and rural community members. The women highly valued yet struggled to find appropriate peer support and continuity of health care for their infant within their rural community after discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit. Conclusion: Health professionals have an opportunity to explore ways to address social displacement, particularly in relation to socioeconomic support and the involvement of extended family into a family integrated care framework within the neonatal intensive care unit. The long-term effects of this on the mother– infant dyad and the lack of appropriate community support also require further examination © 2023, Rural and Remote Health.All Rights Reserved.
The use of an interactive social simulation tool for adults who stutter : a pilot study
- Meredith, Grant, Achterbosch, Leigh, Peck, Blake, Terry, Daniel, Dekker, Evan, Packman, Ann
- Authors: Meredith, Grant , Achterbosch, Leigh , Peck, Blake , Terry, Daniel , Dekker, Evan , Packman, Ann
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education Vol. 13, no. 1 (2023), p. 187-198
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- Description: This study reports a user evaluation of a DVD-based social simulator, developed for people who stutter to potentially gain confidence in using a learned fluency technique. The aim was to examine and evaluate the pilot of the DVD-based social simulator, Scenari-Aid, to inform the development of an online version of the program. Thirty-seven adults who were stuttering were recruited to the study from non-professional groups in Australia. The DVD comprised scenarios with actors in real-life settings that were designed to elicit verbal responses. Participants worked through the scenarios at their own rate and then completed an online survey. The survey comprised 29 statements requiring responses on a 5-point Likert scale and provided information about users’ perceptions of participating in the social simulations. There was high positive agreement among the participants on all statements, the most important being that they perceived the scenarios represented in everyday speaking situations and that they felt immersed in them. Participants also agreed that both their fluency and confidence increased in everyday speaking situations as a result of working through the DVD scenarios. The developers were satisfied that, despite the subjective nature of the findings, the study provided sufficient support for constructing the online version, which is now available to the public free of charge. Further research is needed to provide empirical evidence of the contribution it can make to the efficacy of speech programs for adults who stutter. © 2023 by the authors.
- Authors: Meredith, Grant , Achterbosch, Leigh , Peck, Blake , Terry, Daniel , Dekker, Evan , Packman, Ann
- Date: 2023
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: European Journal of Investigation in Health, Psychology and Education Vol. 13, no. 1 (2023), p. 187-198
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: This study reports a user evaluation of a DVD-based social simulator, developed for people who stutter to potentially gain confidence in using a learned fluency technique. The aim was to examine and evaluate the pilot of the DVD-based social simulator, Scenari-Aid, to inform the development of an online version of the program. Thirty-seven adults who were stuttering were recruited to the study from non-professional groups in Australia. The DVD comprised scenarios with actors in real-life settings that were designed to elicit verbal responses. Participants worked through the scenarios at their own rate and then completed an online survey. The survey comprised 29 statements requiring responses on a 5-point Likert scale and provided information about users’ perceptions of participating in the social simulations. There was high positive agreement among the participants on all statements, the most important being that they perceived the scenarios represented in everyday speaking situations and that they felt immersed in them. Participants also agreed that both their fluency and confidence increased in everyday speaking situations as a result of working through the DVD scenarios. The developers were satisfied that, despite the subjective nature of the findings, the study provided sufficient support for constructing the online version, which is now available to the public free of charge. Further research is needed to provide empirical evidence of the contribution it can make to the efficacy of speech programs for adults who stutter. © 2023 by the authors.
Adult inpatients’ perceptions of their fall risk : a scoping review
- Dabkowski, Elissa, Cooper, Simon, Duncan, Jhodie, Missen, Karen
- Authors: Dabkowski, Elissa , Cooper, Simon , Duncan, Jhodie , Missen, Karen
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Healthcare (Switzerland) Vol. 10, no. 6 (2022), p.
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- Description: Patient falls in hospitals continue to be a global concern due to the poor health outcomes and costs that can occur. A large number of falls in hospitals are unwitnessed and mostly occur due to patient behaviours and not seeking assistance. Understanding these patient behaviours may help to direct fall prevention strategies, with evidence suggesting the need to integrate patients’ perspectives into fall management. The aim of this scoping review was to explore the extent of the literature about patients’ perceptions and experiences of their fall risk in hospital and/or of falling in hospital. This review was conducted using a five-stage methodological framework recommended by Arksey and O’Malley. A total of nine databases were searched using key search terms such as “fall*”, “perception” and “hospital.” International peer-reviewed and grey literature were searched between the years 2011 and 2021. A total of 41 articles, ranging in study design, met the inclusion criteria. After reporting on the article demographics and fall perception constructs and measures, the qualitative and quantitative findings were organised into five domains: Fall Risk Perception Measures, Patients’ Perceptions of Fall Risk, Patients’ Perceptions of Falling in Hospital, Patients’ Fear of Falling and Barriers to Fall Prevention in Hospital. Approximately two-thirds of study participants did not accurately identify their fall risk compared to that defined by a health professional. This demonstrates the importance of partnering with patients and obtaining their insights on their perceived fall risk, as this may help to inform fall management and care. This review identified further areas for research that may help to inform fall prevention in a hospital setting, including the need for further research into fall risk perception measures. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
- Authors: Dabkowski, Elissa , Cooper, Simon , Duncan, Jhodie , Missen, Karen
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Healthcare (Switzerland) Vol. 10, no. 6 (2022), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Patient falls in hospitals continue to be a global concern due to the poor health outcomes and costs that can occur. A large number of falls in hospitals are unwitnessed and mostly occur due to patient behaviours and not seeking assistance. Understanding these patient behaviours may help to direct fall prevention strategies, with evidence suggesting the need to integrate patients’ perspectives into fall management. The aim of this scoping review was to explore the extent of the literature about patients’ perceptions and experiences of their fall risk in hospital and/or of falling in hospital. This review was conducted using a five-stage methodological framework recommended by Arksey and O’Malley. A total of nine databases were searched using key search terms such as “fall*”, “perception” and “hospital.” International peer-reviewed and grey literature were searched between the years 2011 and 2021. A total of 41 articles, ranging in study design, met the inclusion criteria. After reporting on the article demographics and fall perception constructs and measures, the qualitative and quantitative findings were organised into five domains: Fall Risk Perception Measures, Patients’ Perceptions of Fall Risk, Patients’ Perceptions of Falling in Hospital, Patients’ Fear of Falling and Barriers to Fall Prevention in Hospital. Approximately two-thirds of study participants did not accurately identify their fall risk compared to that defined by a health professional. This demonstrates the importance of partnering with patients and obtaining their insights on their perceived fall risk, as this may help to inform fall management and care. This review identified further areas for research that may help to inform fall prevention in a hospital setting, including the need for further research into fall risk perception measures. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
An exploratory study of factors influencing pakistani physicians' retention and resettlement career decisions
- Arif, Muhammad, Fraser, John, Cruickshank, Mary
- Authors: Arif, Muhammad , Fraser, John , Cruickshank, Mary
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad : JAMC Vol. 34 , no. 3 (2022), p. S649-S659
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- Description: Background: The recruitment, retention and migration of health workers is a global phenomenon. The literature shows push factors associated with leaving rural areas and developing countries in general are explored in depth. However importantly, some health workers behave differently and decide to stay in or return to a developing country. Less is known about the reasons/ pull factors of this groups' decision making. Methods: This paper aims to explore the perceptions of Pakistani physicians regarding their career decisions to remain in their country, or resettle back after working abroad for some time. Thirteen Pakistani physicians were interviewed via telephones who were working in Pakistan and Australia. Results: The motivation for Pakistani physicians to remain or resettle back into their country stems from the perceived better quality of life in Pakistan compared to the better standard of life overseas. Other reasons include a perceived differentiation between locals and non-locals abroad and the availability of a permanent job in Pakistan. Conclusion: The main factors that contributed to Pakistani physicians' retention and resettlement decisions were mostly personal and family or societal factors and there was a minimal role for professional or health system related factors in their career decisions, except for the availability of permanent jobs in Pakistan.
- Authors: Arif, Muhammad , Fraser, John , Cruickshank, Mary
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad : JAMC Vol. 34 , no. 3 (2022), p. S649-S659
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: The recruitment, retention and migration of health workers is a global phenomenon. The literature shows push factors associated with leaving rural areas and developing countries in general are explored in depth. However importantly, some health workers behave differently and decide to stay in or return to a developing country. Less is known about the reasons/ pull factors of this groups' decision making. Methods: This paper aims to explore the perceptions of Pakistani physicians regarding their career decisions to remain in their country, or resettle back after working abroad for some time. Thirteen Pakistani physicians were interviewed via telephones who were working in Pakistan and Australia. Results: The motivation for Pakistani physicians to remain or resettle back into their country stems from the perceived better quality of life in Pakistan compared to the better standard of life overseas. Other reasons include a perceived differentiation between locals and non-locals abroad and the availability of a permanent job in Pakistan. Conclusion: The main factors that contributed to Pakistani physicians' retention and resettlement decisions were mostly personal and family or societal factors and there was a minimal role for professional or health system related factors in their career decisions, except for the availability of permanent jobs in Pakistan.
Benefits of supportive strategies for carers of people with high-grade glioma : a systematic review : strategies for addressing the needs of high-grade glioma carers
- Jones, Diana, Pinkham, Mark, Wallen, Matthew, Hart, Nicolas, Joseph, Ria, Strodl, Esben, Ownsworth, Tamara, Beesley, Vanessa, Crichton, Megan, Chan, Raymond
- Authors: Jones, Diana , Pinkham, Mark , Wallen, Matthew , Hart, Nicolas , Joseph, Ria , Strodl, Esben , Ownsworth, Tamara , Beesley, Vanessa , Crichton, Megan , Chan, Raymond
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Supportive Care in Cancer Vol. 30, no. 12 (2022), p. 10359-10378
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1194051
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- Description: Purpose: To systematically review and examine current evidence for the carer-reported benefits of supportive care strategies for carers of adults with high-grade glioma (HGG). Methods: Four databases (CINAHL, EMBASE, PubMed, PsycINFO) were searched for articles published between January 2005 and April 2022 that assessed strategies for addressing the supportive care needs of carers of adults with HGG (WHO grade 3–4). Study selection and critical appraisal were conducted independently by three authors (DJ/MC, 2021; DJ/RJ 2022). Data extraction was conducted by one author (DJ) and checked by a second author (RJ). Results were synthesised narratively. Results: Twenty-one studies involving 1377 caregivers were included, targeting the carer directly (n = 10), the patient-carer dyad (n = 3), or focused on people with HGG + /
- Authors: Jones, Diana , Pinkham, Mark , Wallen, Matthew , Hart, Nicolas , Joseph, Ria , Strodl, Esben , Ownsworth, Tamara , Beesley, Vanessa , Crichton, Megan , Chan, Raymond
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Supportive Care in Cancer Vol. 30, no. 12 (2022), p. 10359-10378
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1194051
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Purpose: To systematically review and examine current evidence for the carer-reported benefits of supportive care strategies for carers of adults with high-grade glioma (HGG). Methods: Four databases (CINAHL, EMBASE, PubMed, PsycINFO) were searched for articles published between January 2005 and April 2022 that assessed strategies for addressing the supportive care needs of carers of adults with HGG (WHO grade 3–4). Study selection and critical appraisal were conducted independently by three authors (DJ/MC, 2021; DJ/RJ 2022). Data extraction was conducted by one author (DJ) and checked by a second author (RJ). Results were synthesised narratively. Results: Twenty-one studies involving 1377 caregivers were included, targeting the carer directly (n = 10), the patient-carer dyad (n = 3), or focused on people with HGG + /
Emerging point of care devices and artificial intelligence : prospects and challenges for public health
- Stranieri, Andrew, Venkatraman, Sitalakshmi, Minicz, John, Zarnegar, Armita, Firmin, Sally, Balasubramanian, Venki, Jelinek, Herbert
- Authors: Stranieri, Andrew , Venkatraman, Sitalakshmi , Minicz, John , Zarnegar, Armita , Firmin, Sally , Balasubramanian, Venki , Jelinek, Herbert
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Smart Health Vol. 24, no. (2022), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Risk assessments for numerous conditions can now be performed cost-effectively and accurately using emerging point of care devices coupled with machine learning algorithms. In this article, the case is advanced that point of care testing in combination with risk assessments generated with artificial intelligence algorithms, applied to the universal screening of the general public for multiple conditions at one session, represents a new kind of in-expensive screening that can lead to the early detection of disease and other public health benefits. A case study of a diabetes screening clinic in a rural area of Australia is presented to illustrate its benefits. Universal, poly-aetiological screening is shown to meet the ten World Health Organisation criteria for screening programmes. © Elsevier Inc.
- Authors: Stranieri, Andrew , Venkatraman, Sitalakshmi , Minicz, John , Zarnegar, Armita , Firmin, Sally , Balasubramanian, Venki , Jelinek, Herbert
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Smart Health Vol. 24, no. (2022), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Risk assessments for numerous conditions can now be performed cost-effectively and accurately using emerging point of care devices coupled with machine learning algorithms. In this article, the case is advanced that point of care testing in combination with risk assessments generated with artificial intelligence algorithms, applied to the universal screening of the general public for multiple conditions at one session, represents a new kind of in-expensive screening that can lead to the early detection of disease and other public health benefits. A case study of a diabetes screening clinic in a rural area of Australia is presented to illustrate its benefits. Universal, poly-aetiological screening is shown to meet the ten World Health Organisation criteria for screening programmes. © Elsevier Inc.
Experiences of pelvic floor dysfunction and treatment in women with breast cancer: a qualitative study
- Colombage, Udari, Lin, Kuan-Yin, Soh, Sze-Ee, Brennen, Robyn, Frawley, Helena
- Authors: Colombage, Udari , Lin, Kuan-Yin , Soh, Sze-Ee , Brennen, Robyn , Frawley, Helena
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Supportive care in cancer Vol. 30, no. 10 (2022), p. 8139-8149
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Purpose To explore the experiences of women with breast cancer and pelvic floor (PF) dysfunction and the perceived enablers and barriers to uptake of treatment for PF dysfunction during their recovery. Method Purposive sampling was used to recruit 30 women with a past diagnosis of breast cancer and PF dysfunction. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and data were analysed inductively to identify new concepts in the experiences of PF dysfunction in women with breast cancer and deductively according to the capability, opportunity, motivation and behaviour (COM-B) framework to identify the enablers and barriers to the uptake of treatment for PF dysfunction in women with breast cancer. Results Participants were aged between 31 and 88 years, diagnosed with stages I–IV breast cancer and experienced either urinary incontinence ( n = 24/30, 80%), faecal incontinence ( n = 6/30, 20%) or sexual dysfunction ( n = 20/30, 67%). They were either resigned to or bothered by their PF dysfunction bother was exacerbated by embarrassment from experiencing PF symptoms in public. Barriers to accessing treatment for PF dysfunction included a lack of awareness about PF dysfunction following breast cancer treatments and health care professionals not focussing on the management of PF symptoms during cancer treatment. An enabler was their motivation to resume their normal pre-cancer lives. Conclusion Participants in this study reported that there needs to be more awareness about PF dysfunction in women undergoing treatment for breast cancer. They would like to receive information about PF dysfunction prior to starting cancer treatment, be screened for PF dysfunction during cancer treatment and be offered therapies for their PF dysfunction after primary cancer treatment. Therefore, a greater focus on managing PF symptoms by clinicians may be warranted in women with breast cancer.
- Authors: Colombage, Udari , Lin, Kuan-Yin , Soh, Sze-Ee , Brennen, Robyn , Frawley, Helena
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Supportive care in cancer Vol. 30, no. 10 (2022), p. 8139-8149
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Purpose To explore the experiences of women with breast cancer and pelvic floor (PF) dysfunction and the perceived enablers and barriers to uptake of treatment for PF dysfunction during their recovery. Method Purposive sampling was used to recruit 30 women with a past diagnosis of breast cancer and PF dysfunction. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and data were analysed inductively to identify new concepts in the experiences of PF dysfunction in women with breast cancer and deductively according to the capability, opportunity, motivation and behaviour (COM-B) framework to identify the enablers and barriers to the uptake of treatment for PF dysfunction in women with breast cancer. Results Participants were aged between 31 and 88 years, diagnosed with stages I–IV breast cancer and experienced either urinary incontinence ( n = 24/30, 80%), faecal incontinence ( n = 6/30, 20%) or sexual dysfunction ( n = 20/30, 67%). They were either resigned to or bothered by their PF dysfunction bother was exacerbated by embarrassment from experiencing PF symptoms in public. Barriers to accessing treatment for PF dysfunction included a lack of awareness about PF dysfunction following breast cancer treatments and health care professionals not focussing on the management of PF symptoms during cancer treatment. An enabler was their motivation to resume their normal pre-cancer lives. Conclusion Participants in this study reported that there needs to be more awareness about PF dysfunction in women undergoing treatment for breast cancer. They would like to receive information about PF dysfunction prior to starting cancer treatment, be screened for PF dysfunction during cancer treatment and be offered therapies for their PF dysfunction after primary cancer treatment. Therefore, a greater focus on managing PF symptoms by clinicians may be warranted in women with breast cancer.
Fasting status modifies the association between triglyceride and all-cause mortality : a cohort study
- Authors: Fang, Yan , Wang, Yutang
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Health Science Reports Vol. 5, no. 3 (2022), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background and Aims: Both fasting and non-fasting levels of triglyceride have been shown positively associated with all-cause mortality. It is unknown whether fasting status modifies this association. This study aimed to address this question. Methods: This study included 34,512 US adults (27,036 fasting and 7476 nonfasting participants). All-cause mortality was ascertained by linkage to the National Death Index records. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios of triglyceride for mortality. Results: This cohort was followed up for a mean of 13.0 years. During the follow-up, 8491 all-cause deaths were recorded. A 1-natural-log-unit increase in triglyceride was associated with an 8% higher multivariate-adjusted risk of all-cause mortality. Interaction analyses showed that fasting status interacted with triglyceride in predicting all-cause mortality. Sub-analyses showed that a 1-natural-log-unit increase in triglyceride was associated with a 17% higher multivariate-adjusted risk of all-cause mortality in the nonfasting subcohort; however, there lacked such an association in the fasting sub-cohort. Similarly, high (200–499 mg/dL) and very high levels of triglyceride (
- Authors: Fang, Yan , Wang, Yutang
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Health Science Reports Vol. 5, no. 3 (2022), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background and Aims: Both fasting and non-fasting levels of triglyceride have been shown positively associated with all-cause mortality. It is unknown whether fasting status modifies this association. This study aimed to address this question. Methods: This study included 34,512 US adults (27,036 fasting and 7476 nonfasting participants). All-cause mortality was ascertained by linkage to the National Death Index records. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios of triglyceride for mortality. Results: This cohort was followed up for a mean of 13.0 years. During the follow-up, 8491 all-cause deaths were recorded. A 1-natural-log-unit increase in triglyceride was associated with an 8% higher multivariate-adjusted risk of all-cause mortality. Interaction analyses showed that fasting status interacted with triglyceride in predicting all-cause mortality. Sub-analyses showed that a 1-natural-log-unit increase in triglyceride was associated with a 17% higher multivariate-adjusted risk of all-cause mortality in the nonfasting subcohort; however, there lacked such an association in the fasting sub-cohort. Similarly, high (200–499 mg/dL) and very high levels of triglyceride (
Global mortality associated with 33 bacterial pathogens in 2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019
- Ikuta, Kevin, Swetschinski, Lucien, Robles Aguilar, Gisela, Sharara, Fablina, Mestrovic, Tomislav, Gray, Authia, Davis Weaver, Nicole, Wool, Eve, Han, Chieh, Gershberg Hayoon, Anna, Aali, Amirali, Abate, Semagn, Abbasi-Kangevari, Mohsen, Abbasi-Kangevari, Zeinab, Abd-Elsalam, Sherief, Abebe, Getachew, Abedi, Aidin, Abhari, Amir, Abidi, Hassan, Aboagye, Richard, Absalan, Abdorrahim, Abubaker Ali, Hiwa, Acuna, Juan, Adane, Tigist, Addo, Isaac, Adegboye, Oyelola, Adnan, Mohammad, Adnani, Qorinah, Afzal, Muhammad, Afzal, Saira, Rahman, Muhammad Aziz
- Authors: Ikuta, Kevin , Swetschinski, Lucien , Robles Aguilar, Gisela , Sharara, Fablina , Mestrovic, Tomislav , Gray, Authia , Davis Weaver, Nicole , Wool, Eve , Han, Chieh , Gershberg Hayoon, Anna , Aali, Amirali , Abate, Semagn , Abbasi-Kangevari, Mohsen , Abbasi-Kangevari, Zeinab , Abd-Elsalam, Sherief , Abebe, Getachew , Abedi, Aidin , Abhari, Amir , Abidi, Hassan , Aboagye, Richard , Absalan, Abdorrahim , Abubaker Ali, Hiwa , Acuna, Juan , Adane, Tigist , Addo, Isaac , Adegboye, Oyelola , Adnan, Mohammad , Adnani, Qorinah , Afzal, Muhammad , Afzal, Saira , Rahman, Muhammad Aziz
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: The Lancet Vol. 400, no. 10369 (2022), p. 2221-2248
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: Reducing the burden of death due to infection is an urgent global public health priority. Previous studies have estimated the number of deaths associated with drug-resistant infections and sepsis and found that infections remain a leading cause of death globally. Understanding the global burden of common bacterial pathogens (both susceptible and resistant to antimicrobials) is essential to identify the greatest threats to public health. To our knowledge, this is the first study to present global comprehensive estimates of deaths associated with 33 bacterial pathogens across 11 major infectious syndromes. Methods: We estimated deaths associated with 33 bacterial genera or species across 11 infectious syndromes in 2019 using methods from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019, in addition to a subset of the input data described in the Global Burden of Antimicrobial Resistance 2019 study. This study included 343 million individual records or isolates covering 11 361 study-location-years. We used three modelling steps to estimate the number of deaths associated with each pathogen: deaths in which infection had a role, the fraction of deaths due to infection that are attributable to a given infectious syndrome, and the fraction of deaths due to an infectious syndrome that are attributable to a given pathogen. Estimates were produced for all ages and for males and females across 204 countries and territories in 2019. 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs) were calculated for final estimates of deaths and infections associated with the 33 bacterial pathogens following standard GBD methods by taking the 2·5th and 97·5th percentiles across 1000 posterior draws for each quantity of interest. Findings: From an estimated 13·7 million (95% UI 10·9–17·1) infection-related deaths in 2019, there were 7·7 million deaths (5·7–10·2) associated with the 33 bacterial pathogens (both resistant and susceptible to antimicrobials) across the 11 infectious syndromes estimated in this study. We estimated deaths associated with the 33 bacterial pathogens to comprise 13·6% (10·2–18·1) of all global deaths and 56·2% (52·1–60·1) of all sepsis-related deaths in 2019. Five leading pathogens—Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa—were responsible for 54·9% (52·9–56·9) of deaths among the investigated bacteria. The deadliest infectious syndromes and pathogens varied by location and age. The age-standardised mortality rate associated with these bacterial pathogens was highest in the sub-Saharan Africa super-region, with 230 deaths (185–285) per 100 000 population, and lowest in the high-income super-region, with 52·2 deaths (37·4–71·5) per 100 000 population. S aureus was the leading bacterial cause of death in 135 countries and was also associated with the most deaths in individuals older than 15 years, globally. Among children younger than 5 years, S pneumoniae was the pathogen associated with the most deaths. In 2019, more than 6 million deaths occurred as a result of three bacterial infectious syndromes, with lower respiratory infections and bloodstream infections each causing more than 2 million deaths and peritoneal and intra-abdominal infections causing more than 1 million deaths. Interpretation: The 33 bacterial pathogens that we investigated in this study are a substantial source of health loss globally, with considerable variation in their distribution across infectious syndromes and locations. Compared with GBD Level 3 underlying causes of death, deaths associated with these bacteria would rank as the second leading cause of death globally in 2019; hence, they should be considered an urgent priority for intervention within the global health community. Strategies to address the burden of bacterial infections include infection prevention, optimised use of antibiotics, improved capacity for microbiological analysis, vaccine development, and improved and more pervasive use of available vac ines. These estimates can be used to help set priorities for vaccine need, demand, and development. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Wellcome Trust, and Department of Health and Social Care, using UK aid funding managed by the Fleming Fund. © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 license **Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 30 including Federation University Australia affiliate “Muhammad Aziz Rahman” is provided in this record**
- Authors: Ikuta, Kevin , Swetschinski, Lucien , Robles Aguilar, Gisela , Sharara, Fablina , Mestrovic, Tomislav , Gray, Authia , Davis Weaver, Nicole , Wool, Eve , Han, Chieh , Gershberg Hayoon, Anna , Aali, Amirali , Abate, Semagn , Abbasi-Kangevari, Mohsen , Abbasi-Kangevari, Zeinab , Abd-Elsalam, Sherief , Abebe, Getachew , Abedi, Aidin , Abhari, Amir , Abidi, Hassan , Aboagye, Richard , Absalan, Abdorrahim , Abubaker Ali, Hiwa , Acuna, Juan , Adane, Tigist , Addo, Isaac , Adegboye, Oyelola , Adnan, Mohammad , Adnani, Qorinah , Afzal, Muhammad , Afzal, Saira , Rahman, Muhammad Aziz
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: The Lancet Vol. 400, no. 10369 (2022), p. 2221-2248
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: Reducing the burden of death due to infection is an urgent global public health priority. Previous studies have estimated the number of deaths associated with drug-resistant infections and sepsis and found that infections remain a leading cause of death globally. Understanding the global burden of common bacterial pathogens (both susceptible and resistant to antimicrobials) is essential to identify the greatest threats to public health. To our knowledge, this is the first study to present global comprehensive estimates of deaths associated with 33 bacterial pathogens across 11 major infectious syndromes. Methods: We estimated deaths associated with 33 bacterial genera or species across 11 infectious syndromes in 2019 using methods from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019, in addition to a subset of the input data described in the Global Burden of Antimicrobial Resistance 2019 study. This study included 343 million individual records or isolates covering 11 361 study-location-years. We used three modelling steps to estimate the number of deaths associated with each pathogen: deaths in which infection had a role, the fraction of deaths due to infection that are attributable to a given infectious syndrome, and the fraction of deaths due to an infectious syndrome that are attributable to a given pathogen. Estimates were produced for all ages and for males and females across 204 countries and territories in 2019. 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs) were calculated for final estimates of deaths and infections associated with the 33 bacterial pathogens following standard GBD methods by taking the 2·5th and 97·5th percentiles across 1000 posterior draws for each quantity of interest. Findings: From an estimated 13·7 million (95% UI 10·9–17·1) infection-related deaths in 2019, there were 7·7 million deaths (5·7–10·2) associated with the 33 bacterial pathogens (both resistant and susceptible to antimicrobials) across the 11 infectious syndromes estimated in this study. We estimated deaths associated with the 33 bacterial pathogens to comprise 13·6% (10·2–18·1) of all global deaths and 56·2% (52·1–60·1) of all sepsis-related deaths in 2019. Five leading pathogens—Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa—were responsible for 54·9% (52·9–56·9) of deaths among the investigated bacteria. The deadliest infectious syndromes and pathogens varied by location and age. The age-standardised mortality rate associated with these bacterial pathogens was highest in the sub-Saharan Africa super-region, with 230 deaths (185–285) per 100 000 population, and lowest in the high-income super-region, with 52·2 deaths (37·4–71·5) per 100 000 population. S aureus was the leading bacterial cause of death in 135 countries and was also associated with the most deaths in individuals older than 15 years, globally. Among children younger than 5 years, S pneumoniae was the pathogen associated with the most deaths. In 2019, more than 6 million deaths occurred as a result of three bacterial infectious syndromes, with lower respiratory infections and bloodstream infections each causing more than 2 million deaths and peritoneal and intra-abdominal infections causing more than 1 million deaths. Interpretation: The 33 bacterial pathogens that we investigated in this study are a substantial source of health loss globally, with considerable variation in their distribution across infectious syndromes and locations. Compared with GBD Level 3 underlying causes of death, deaths associated with these bacteria would rank as the second leading cause of death globally in 2019; hence, they should be considered an urgent priority for intervention within the global health community. Strategies to address the burden of bacterial infections include infection prevention, optimised use of antibiotics, improved capacity for microbiological analysis, vaccine development, and improved and more pervasive use of available vac ines. These estimates can be used to help set priorities for vaccine need, demand, and development. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Wellcome Trust, and Department of Health and Social Care, using UK aid funding managed by the Fleming Fund. © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 license **Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 30 including Federation University Australia affiliate “Muhammad Aziz Rahman” is provided in this record**
Impact of dementia literacy interventions for non-health-professionals: systematic review and meta-analysis
- Nguyen, Hoang, Phan, Hoang, Terry, Daniel, Doherty, Kathleen, McInerney, Fran
- Authors: Nguyen, Hoang , Phan, Hoang , Terry, Daniel , Doherty, Kathleen , McInerney, Fran
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Aging and Mental Health Vol. 26, no. 3 (2022), p. 442-456
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Objectives: To assess evidence regarding the effects of interventions aimed at improving dementia literacy for different groups of non-health-professionals. Methods: A systematic search for relevant interventions was conducted using a range of online databases (e.g. CINAHL, Embase, Medline, ProQuest, and PsycINFO) and hand-searching of reference lists. Eligible interventions were identified based on predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria and methodological quality criteria. Meta analyses were performed using a random-effects model. Results: The final review included 14 interventions, which were either randomised controlled trials or non-randomised controlled trials. The interventions had varied contents, approaches, settings, and outcome measures. Evidence of improved dementia literacy in various aspects was found, and the intervention effects were strongest on knowledge of dementia. Discussion: There is evidence for the positive impact of dementia literacy interventions on different groups of non-health-professionals. Best practices in intervention contents, approaches, and outcome measures should be examined to guide future interventions. © 2021 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
- Authors: Nguyen, Hoang , Phan, Hoang , Terry, Daniel , Doherty, Kathleen , McInerney, Fran
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Aging and Mental Health Vol. 26, no. 3 (2022), p. 442-456
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Objectives: To assess evidence regarding the effects of interventions aimed at improving dementia literacy for different groups of non-health-professionals. Methods: A systematic search for relevant interventions was conducted using a range of online databases (e.g. CINAHL, Embase, Medline, ProQuest, and PsycINFO) and hand-searching of reference lists. Eligible interventions were identified based on predefined inclusion/exclusion criteria and methodological quality criteria. Meta analyses were performed using a random-effects model. Results: The final review included 14 interventions, which were either randomised controlled trials or non-randomised controlled trials. The interventions had varied contents, approaches, settings, and outcome measures. Evidence of improved dementia literacy in various aspects was found, and the intervention effects were strongest on knowledge of dementia. Discussion: There is evidence for the positive impact of dementia literacy interventions on different groups of non-health-professionals. Best practices in intervention contents, approaches, and outcome measures should be examined to guide future interventions. © 2021 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
Indigenous cultural Identity of research authors standard: Research and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in rural health journals
- Lock, Mark, McMillan, Faye, Warne, Donald, Bennett, Bindi, Kidd, Jacquie, Williams, Naomi, Martire, Jodie, Worley, Paul, Hutten‐Czapski, Peter, Saurman, Emily, Mathews, Veronica, Walke, Emma, Edwards, Dave, Owen, Julie, Browne, Jennifer, Roberts, Russell
- Authors: Lock, Mark , McMillan, Faye , Warne, Donald , Bennett, Bindi , Kidd, Jacquie , Williams, Naomi , Martire, Jodie , Worley, Paul , Hutten‐Czapski, Peter , Saurman, Emily , Mathews, Veronica , Walke, Emma , Edwards, Dave , Owen, Julie , Browne, Jennifer , Roberts, Russell
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Rural Remote Health Vol. 22, no. 3 (2022), p. 1-9
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The Indigenous Cultural Identity of Research Authors Standard (ICIRAS) is based on a gap in research publishing practice where Indigenous peoples' identity is not systematically and rigorously recognised in rural health research publications. There are widespread reforms, in different research areas, to counter the reputation of scientific research as a vehicle of racism and discrimination. Reflecting on these broader movements, the editorial teams of three rural health journals - Rural and Remote Health, the Australian Journal of Rural Health, and the Canadian Journal of Rural Medicine - adopted a policy of 'Nothing about Indigenous Peoples, without Indigenous Peoples'. This meant changing practices so that Indigenous Peoples' identity could be embedded in authorship credentials - such as in the byline. An environmental scan of literature about the inclusion of Indigenous Peoples in research revealed many ways in which editorial boards of journals could improve their process to signal to readers that Indigenous voices are included in rural health research publication governance. Improving the health and wellbeing of Indigenous peoples worldwide requires high-quality research evidence. This quality benchmark needs to explicitly signal the inclusion of Indigenous authors. The ICIRAS is a call to action for research journals and institutions to rigorously improve research governance and leadership to amplify the cultural identity of Indigenous peoples in rural health research.
- Authors: Lock, Mark , McMillan, Faye , Warne, Donald , Bennett, Bindi , Kidd, Jacquie , Williams, Naomi , Martire, Jodie , Worley, Paul , Hutten‐Czapski, Peter , Saurman, Emily , Mathews, Veronica , Walke, Emma , Edwards, Dave , Owen, Julie , Browne, Jennifer , Roberts, Russell
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Rural Remote Health Vol. 22, no. 3 (2022), p. 1-9
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The Indigenous Cultural Identity of Research Authors Standard (ICIRAS) is based on a gap in research publishing practice where Indigenous peoples' identity is not systematically and rigorously recognised in rural health research publications. There are widespread reforms, in different research areas, to counter the reputation of scientific research as a vehicle of racism and discrimination. Reflecting on these broader movements, the editorial teams of three rural health journals - Rural and Remote Health, the Australian Journal of Rural Health, and the Canadian Journal of Rural Medicine - adopted a policy of 'Nothing about Indigenous Peoples, without Indigenous Peoples'. This meant changing practices so that Indigenous Peoples' identity could be embedded in authorship credentials - such as in the byline. An environmental scan of literature about the inclusion of Indigenous Peoples in research revealed many ways in which editorial boards of journals could improve their process to signal to readers that Indigenous voices are included in rural health research publication governance. Improving the health and wellbeing of Indigenous peoples worldwide requires high-quality research evidence. This quality benchmark needs to explicitly signal the inclusion of Indigenous authors. The ICIRAS is a call to action for research journals and institutions to rigorously improve research governance and leadership to amplify the cultural identity of Indigenous peoples in rural health research.
Platinum-resistance in epithelial ovarian cancer: an interplay of epithelial–mesenchymal transition interlinked with reprogrammed metabolism
- Leung, Dilys, Price, Zoe, Lokman, Noor, Wang, Wanqi, Goonetilleke, Lizamarie, Kadife, Elif, Oehler, Martin, Ricciardelli, Carmela, Kannourakis, George, Ahmed, Nuzhat
- Authors: Leung, Dilys , Price, Zoe , Lokman, Noor , Wang, Wanqi , Goonetilleke, Lizamarie , Kadife, Elif , Oehler, Martin , Ricciardelli, Carmela , Kannourakis, George , Ahmed, Nuzhat
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Translational Medicine Vol. 20, no. 1 (2022), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: Epithelial ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynaecological cancer worldwide. Chemotherapy resistance represents a significant clinical challenge and is the main reason for poor ovarian cancer prognosis. We identified novel expression of markers related to epithelial mesenchymal transitions (EMT) in a carboplatin resistant ovarian cancer cell line by proteomics. This was validated in the platinum resistant versus sensitive parental cell lines, as well as platinum resistant versus sensitive human ovarian cancer patient samples. The prognostic significance of the different proteomics-identified marker proteins in prognosis prediction on survival as well as their correlative association and influence on immune cell infiltration was determined by public domain data bases. Methods: We explored the proteomic differences between carboplatin-sensitive OVCAR5 cells (parental) and their carboplatin-resistant counterpart, OVCAR5 CBPR cells. qPCR and western blots were performed to validate differentially expressed proteins at the mRNA and protein levels, respectively. Association of the identified proteins with epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) prompted the investigation of cell motility. Cellular bioenergetics and proliferation were studied to delineate any biological adaptations that facilitate cancer progression. Expression of differentially expressed proteins was assessed in ovarian tumors obtained from platinum-sensitive (n = 15) versus platinum-resistant patients (n = 10), as well as matching tumors from patients at initial diagnosis and following relapse (n = 4). Kaplan–Meier plotter and Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) databases were used to determine the prognostic significance and influence of the different proteomics-identified proteins on immune cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Results: Our proteomics study identified 2422 proteins in both cell lines. Of these, 18 proteins were upregulated and 14 were downregulated by
- Authors: Leung, Dilys , Price, Zoe , Lokman, Noor , Wang, Wanqi , Goonetilleke, Lizamarie , Kadife, Elif , Oehler, Martin , Ricciardelli, Carmela , Kannourakis, George , Ahmed, Nuzhat
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Translational Medicine Vol. 20, no. 1 (2022), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: Epithelial ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynaecological cancer worldwide. Chemotherapy resistance represents a significant clinical challenge and is the main reason for poor ovarian cancer prognosis. We identified novel expression of markers related to epithelial mesenchymal transitions (EMT) in a carboplatin resistant ovarian cancer cell line by proteomics. This was validated in the platinum resistant versus sensitive parental cell lines, as well as platinum resistant versus sensitive human ovarian cancer patient samples. The prognostic significance of the different proteomics-identified marker proteins in prognosis prediction on survival as well as their correlative association and influence on immune cell infiltration was determined by public domain data bases. Methods: We explored the proteomic differences between carboplatin-sensitive OVCAR5 cells (parental) and their carboplatin-resistant counterpart, OVCAR5 CBPR cells. qPCR and western blots were performed to validate differentially expressed proteins at the mRNA and protein levels, respectively. Association of the identified proteins with epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) prompted the investigation of cell motility. Cellular bioenergetics and proliferation were studied to delineate any biological adaptations that facilitate cancer progression. Expression of differentially expressed proteins was assessed in ovarian tumors obtained from platinum-sensitive (n = 15) versus platinum-resistant patients (n = 10), as well as matching tumors from patients at initial diagnosis and following relapse (n = 4). Kaplan–Meier plotter and Tumor Immune Estimation Resource (TIMER) databases were used to determine the prognostic significance and influence of the different proteomics-identified proteins on immune cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Results: Our proteomics study identified 2422 proteins in both cell lines. Of these, 18 proteins were upregulated and 14 were downregulated by
Precision medicine : an optimal approach to patient care in renal cell carcinoma
- Sharma, Revati, Kannourakis, George, Prithviraj, Prashanth, Ahmed, Nuzhat
- Authors: Sharma, Revati , Kannourakis, George , Prithviraj, Prashanth , Ahmed, Nuzhat
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Frontiers in Medicine Vol. 9, no. (2022), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Renal cell cancer (RCC) is a heterogeneous tumor that shows both intra- and inter-heterogeneity. Heterogeneity is displayed not only in different patients but also among RCC cells in the same tumor, which makes treatment difficult because of varying degrees of responses generated in RCC heterogeneous tumor cells even with targeted treatment. In that context, precision medicine (PM), in terms of individualized treatment catered for a specific patient or groups of patients, can shift the paradigm of treatment in the clinical management of RCC. Recent progress in the biochemical, molecular, and histological characteristics of RCC has thrown light on many deregulated pathways involved in the pathogenesis of RCC. As PM-based therapies are rapidly evolving and few are already in current clinical practice in oncology, one can expect that PM will expand its way toward the robust treatment of patients with RCC. This article provides a comprehensive background on recent strategies and breakthroughs of PM in oncology and provides an overview of the potential applicability of PM in RCC. The article also highlights the drawbacks of PM and provides a holistic approach that goes beyond the involvement of clinicians and encompasses appropriate legislative and administrative care imparted by the healthcare system and insurance providers. It is anticipated that combined efforts from all sectors involved will make PM accessible to RCC and other patients with cancer, making a tremendous positive leap on individualized treatment strategies. This will subsequently enhance the quality of life of patients. Copyright © 2022 Sharma, Kannourakis, Prithviraj and Ahmed.
- Authors: Sharma, Revati , Kannourakis, George , Prithviraj, Prashanth , Ahmed, Nuzhat
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article , Review
- Relation: Frontiers in Medicine Vol. 9, no. (2022), p.
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Renal cell cancer (RCC) is a heterogeneous tumor that shows both intra- and inter-heterogeneity. Heterogeneity is displayed not only in different patients but also among RCC cells in the same tumor, which makes treatment difficult because of varying degrees of responses generated in RCC heterogeneous tumor cells even with targeted treatment. In that context, precision medicine (PM), in terms of individualized treatment catered for a specific patient or groups of patients, can shift the paradigm of treatment in the clinical management of RCC. Recent progress in the biochemical, molecular, and histological characteristics of RCC has thrown light on many deregulated pathways involved in the pathogenesis of RCC. As PM-based therapies are rapidly evolving and few are already in current clinical practice in oncology, one can expect that PM will expand its way toward the robust treatment of patients with RCC. This article provides a comprehensive background on recent strategies and breakthroughs of PM in oncology and provides an overview of the potential applicability of PM in RCC. The article also highlights the drawbacks of PM and provides a holistic approach that goes beyond the involvement of clinicians and encompasses appropriate legislative and administrative care imparted by the healthcare system and insurance providers. It is anticipated that combined efforts from all sectors involved will make PM accessible to RCC and other patients with cancer, making a tremendous positive leap on individualized treatment strategies. This will subsequently enhance the quality of life of patients. Copyright © 2022 Sharma, Kannourakis, Prithviraj and Ahmed.
The global burden of cancer attributable to risk factors, 2010–19 : a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019
- Tran, Khanh, Lang, Justin, Compton, Kelly, Xu, Rixing, Acheson, Alistair, Henrikson, Hannah, Kocarnik, Jonathan, Penberthy, Louise, Aali, Amirali, Abbas, Qamar, Abbasi, Behzad, Abbasi-Kangevari, Mohsen, Abbasi-Kangevari, Zeinab, Abbastabar, Hedayat, Abdelmasseh, Michael, Abd-Elsalam, Sherief, Abdelwahab, Ahmed, Abdoli, Gholamreza, Abdulkadir, Hanan, Abedi, Aidin, Abegaz, Kedir, Abidi, Aidin, Aboagye, Richard, Abolhassani, Hassan, Absalan, Abdorrahim, Abtew, Yonas, Ali, Hiwa, Abu-Gharbieh, Eman, Nguyen, Huy, Rahman, Muhammad Aziz
- Authors: Tran, Khanh , Lang, Justin , Compton, Kelly , Xu, Rixing , Acheson, Alistair , Henrikson, Hannah , Kocarnik, Jonathan , Penberthy, Louise , Aali, Amirali , Abbas, Qamar , Abbasi, Behzad , Abbasi-Kangevari, Mohsen , Abbasi-Kangevari, Zeinab , Abbastabar, Hedayat , Abdelmasseh, Michael , Abd-Elsalam, Sherief , Abdelwahab, Ahmed , Abdoli, Gholamreza , Abdulkadir, Hanan , Abedi, Aidin , Abegaz, Kedir , Abidi, Aidin , Aboagye, Richard , Abolhassani, Hassan , Absalan, Abdorrahim , Abtew, Yonas , Ali, Hiwa , Abu-Gharbieh, Eman , Nguyen, Huy , Rahman, Muhammad Aziz
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: The Lancet Vol. 400, no. 10352 (2022), p. 563-591
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: Understanding the magnitude of cancer burden attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors is crucial for development of effective prevention and mitigation strategies. We analysed results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 to inform cancer control planning efforts globally. Methods: The GBD 2019 comparative risk assessment framework was used to estimate cancer burden attributable to behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risk factors. A total of 82 risk–outcome pairs were included on the basis of the World Cancer Research Fund criteria. Estimated cancer deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in 2019 and change in these measures between 2010 and 2019 are presented. Findings: Globally, in 2019, the risk factors included in this analysis accounted for 4·45 million (95% uncertainty interval 4·01–4·94) deaths and 105 million (95·0–116) DALYs for both sexes combined, representing 44·4% (41·3–48·4) of all cancer deaths and 42·0% (39·1–45·6) of all DALYs. There were 2·88 million (2·60–3·18) risk-attributable cancer deaths in males (50·6% [47·8–54·1] of all male cancer deaths) and 1·58 million (1·36–1·84) risk-attributable cancer deaths in females (36·3% [32·5–41·3] of all female cancer deaths). The leading risk factors at the most detailed level globally for risk-attributable cancer deaths and DALYs in 2019 for both sexes combined were smoking, followed by alcohol use and high BMI. Risk-attributable cancer burden varied by world region and Socio-demographic Index (SDI), with smoking, unsafe sex, and alcohol use being the three leading risk factors for risk-attributable cancer DALYs in low SDI locations in 2019, whereas DALYs in high SDI locations mirrored the top three global risk factor rankings. From 2010 to 2019, global risk-attributable cancer deaths increased by 20·4% (12·6–28·4) and DALYs by 16·8% (8·8–25·0), with the greatest percentage increase in metabolic risks (34·7% [27·9–42·8] and 33·3% [25·8–42·0]). Interpretation: The leading risk factors contributing to global cancer burden in 2019 were behavioural, whereas metabolic risk factors saw the largest increases between 2010 and 2019. Reducing exposure to these modifiable risk factors would decrease cancer mortality and DALY rates worldwide, and policies should be tailored appropriately to local cancer risk factor burden. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 license **Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 30 including Federation University Australia affiliates “Muhammad Aziz Rahman and Huy Nguyen” are provided in this record**
- Authors: Tran, Khanh , Lang, Justin , Compton, Kelly , Xu, Rixing , Acheson, Alistair , Henrikson, Hannah , Kocarnik, Jonathan , Penberthy, Louise , Aali, Amirali , Abbas, Qamar , Abbasi, Behzad , Abbasi-Kangevari, Mohsen , Abbasi-Kangevari, Zeinab , Abbastabar, Hedayat , Abdelmasseh, Michael , Abd-Elsalam, Sherief , Abdelwahab, Ahmed , Abdoli, Gholamreza , Abdulkadir, Hanan , Abedi, Aidin , Abegaz, Kedir , Abidi, Aidin , Aboagye, Richard , Abolhassani, Hassan , Absalan, Abdorrahim , Abtew, Yonas , Ali, Hiwa , Abu-Gharbieh, Eman , Nguyen, Huy , Rahman, Muhammad Aziz
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: The Lancet Vol. 400, no. 10352 (2022), p. 563-591
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Background: Understanding the magnitude of cancer burden attributable to potentially modifiable risk factors is crucial for development of effective prevention and mitigation strategies. We analysed results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 to inform cancer control planning efforts globally. Methods: The GBD 2019 comparative risk assessment framework was used to estimate cancer burden attributable to behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risk factors. A total of 82 risk–outcome pairs were included on the basis of the World Cancer Research Fund criteria. Estimated cancer deaths and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in 2019 and change in these measures between 2010 and 2019 are presented. Findings: Globally, in 2019, the risk factors included in this analysis accounted for 4·45 million (95% uncertainty interval 4·01–4·94) deaths and 105 million (95·0–116) DALYs for both sexes combined, representing 44·4% (41·3–48·4) of all cancer deaths and 42·0% (39·1–45·6) of all DALYs. There were 2·88 million (2·60–3·18) risk-attributable cancer deaths in males (50·6% [47·8–54·1] of all male cancer deaths) and 1·58 million (1·36–1·84) risk-attributable cancer deaths in females (36·3% [32·5–41·3] of all female cancer deaths). The leading risk factors at the most detailed level globally for risk-attributable cancer deaths and DALYs in 2019 for both sexes combined were smoking, followed by alcohol use and high BMI. Risk-attributable cancer burden varied by world region and Socio-demographic Index (SDI), with smoking, unsafe sex, and alcohol use being the three leading risk factors for risk-attributable cancer DALYs in low SDI locations in 2019, whereas DALYs in high SDI locations mirrored the top three global risk factor rankings. From 2010 to 2019, global risk-attributable cancer deaths increased by 20·4% (12·6–28·4) and DALYs by 16·8% (8·8–25·0), with the greatest percentage increase in metabolic risks (34·7% [27·9–42·8] and 33·3% [25·8–42·0]). Interpretation: The leading risk factors contributing to global cancer burden in 2019 were behavioural, whereas metabolic risk factors saw the largest increases between 2010 and 2019. Reducing exposure to these modifiable risk factors would decrease cancer mortality and DALY rates worldwide, and policies should be tailored appropriately to local cancer risk factor burden. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an Open Access article under the CC BY 4.0 license **Please note that there are multiple authors for this article therefore only the name of the first 30 including Federation University Australia affiliates “Muhammad Aziz Rahman and Huy Nguyen” are provided in this record**
The pharmacy community apgar questionnaire : a modified Delphi technique to develop a rural pharmacist recruitment and retention tool
- Terry, Daniel, Peck, Blake, Hills, Danny, Bishop, Jaclyn, Kirschbaum, Mark, Obamiro, Kehinde, Phan, Hoang, Baker, Ed, Schmitz, David
- Authors: Terry, Daniel , Peck, Blake , Hills, Danny , Bishop, Jaclyn , Kirschbaum, Mark , Obamiro, Kehinde , Phan, Hoang , Baker, Ed , Schmitz, David
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Rural and remote health Vol. 22, no. 4 (2022), p. 7347
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- Description: INTRODUCTION: An adequate healthcare workforce remains essential for the health of rural communities. Strategies to address rural health workforce challenges have often centred on the medical and nursing workforce; however, addressing the rural pharmacist workforce also remains critical as they are often the first point of contact for health advice. Initiatives have increased pharmacist supply; however, key issues such as poor attraction, recruitment, and retention to rural areas remain. The aim of this study was to support the recruitment and retention of pharmacists in rural areas of Australia through the development of the Pharmacy Community Apgar Questionnaire (PharmCAQ). METHODS: A modified Delphi technique was employed to develop the PharmCAQ. A panel of experts were purposively selected. Eight representatives were from organisations with rural experience relevant to the study including the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, the Pharmacy Board of Australia, and a representative of a government health agency, who also leads a hospital pharmacy. Three additional participants included local and international academics with health policy and rural health workforce expertise. All participants participated in three separate focus groups of 45-60 minutes duration, where the review and refinement of factors that drive recruitment and retention of pharmacist were discussed. Face and content validity was achieved through the representatives, while internal consistency was achieved when the tool was piloted among 10 rural pharmacists in rural Victoria. RESULTS: Fifty key factors that impact the recruitment and retention of pharmacists were identified, developed and succinctly described. All factors were grouped into five classifications: (1) geographic, (2) economic and resources, (3) practice and scope of practice, (4) practice environment and (5) community practice support. After final consensus, the factors and their definitions formed the final questionnaire. Lastly, the reliability of PharmCAQ was determined, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.852. CONCLUSION: While the development and use of the Apgar questionnaire for the recruitment and retention of health professionals is not a novel idea, seeking to specifically focus on pharmacists is unique. However, 10 factors were similar to factors associated with rural recruitment and retention of both physicians and nurses; they encompassed geographic, community support, and economic and resource factors. Regardless of similarities or differences between health professions in terms of recruitment and retention, as a mechanism for addressing the worsening health professional shortage currently experienced in rural areas, the PharmCAQ was developed to support the recruitment and retention of the pharmacist workforce in rural areas.
- Authors: Terry, Daniel , Peck, Blake , Hills, Danny , Bishop, Jaclyn , Kirschbaum, Mark , Obamiro, Kehinde , Phan, Hoang , Baker, Ed , Schmitz, David
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Rural and remote health Vol. 22, no. 4 (2022), p. 7347
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- Description: INTRODUCTION: An adequate healthcare workforce remains essential for the health of rural communities. Strategies to address rural health workforce challenges have often centred on the medical and nursing workforce; however, addressing the rural pharmacist workforce also remains critical as they are often the first point of contact for health advice. Initiatives have increased pharmacist supply; however, key issues such as poor attraction, recruitment, and retention to rural areas remain. The aim of this study was to support the recruitment and retention of pharmacists in rural areas of Australia through the development of the Pharmacy Community Apgar Questionnaire (PharmCAQ). METHODS: A modified Delphi technique was employed to develop the PharmCAQ. A panel of experts were purposively selected. Eight representatives were from organisations with rural experience relevant to the study including the Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia, the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, the Pharmacy Board of Australia, and a representative of a government health agency, who also leads a hospital pharmacy. Three additional participants included local and international academics with health policy and rural health workforce expertise. All participants participated in three separate focus groups of 45-60 minutes duration, where the review and refinement of factors that drive recruitment and retention of pharmacist were discussed. Face and content validity was achieved through the representatives, while internal consistency was achieved when the tool was piloted among 10 rural pharmacists in rural Victoria. RESULTS: Fifty key factors that impact the recruitment and retention of pharmacists were identified, developed and succinctly described. All factors were grouped into five classifications: (1) geographic, (2) economic and resources, (3) practice and scope of practice, (4) practice environment and (5) community practice support. After final consensus, the factors and their definitions formed the final questionnaire. Lastly, the reliability of PharmCAQ was determined, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.852. CONCLUSION: While the development and use of the Apgar questionnaire for the recruitment and retention of health professionals is not a novel idea, seeking to specifically focus on pharmacists is unique. However, 10 factors were similar to factors associated with rural recruitment and retention of both physicians and nurses; they encompassed geographic, community support, and economic and resource factors. Regardless of similarities or differences between health professions in terms of recruitment and retention, as a mechanism for addressing the worsening health professional shortage currently experienced in rural areas, the PharmCAQ was developed to support the recruitment and retention of the pharmacist workforce in rural areas.
Who uses digital drugs? An international survey of ‘binaural beat’ consumers
- Barratt, Monica, Maddox, Alexia, Smith, Naomi, Davis, Jenny, Goold, Lachlan, Winstock, Adam, Ferris, Jason
- Authors: Barratt, Monica , Maddox, Alexia , Smith, Naomi , Davis, Jenny , Goold, Lachlan , Winstock, Adam , Ferris, Jason
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Drug and Alcohol Review Vol. 41, no. 5 (2022), p. 1126-1130
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- Description: Introduction: Digital drugs, or binaural beats claimed to elicit specific cognitive or emotional states, are a phenomenon about which little is known. In this brief report, we describe demographic and drug use correlates of binaural beat use, patterns of use, reasons for use and methods of access. Methods: The Global Drug Survey 2021 was translated into 11 languages; 30 896 responses were gathered from 22 countries. Results: The use of binaural beats to experience altered states was reported by 5.3% of the sample (median age 27; 60.5% male), with the highest rates from the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Poland, Romania and the United Kingdom. Controlling for all variables, age and non-male gender predicted binaural beat use, as did the recent use of cannabis, psychedelics and novel/new drugs. Respondents most commonly used binaural beats ‘to relax or fall asleep’ (72.2%) and ‘to change my mood’ (34.7%), while 11.7% reported trying ‘to get a similar effect to that of other drugs’. This latter motivation was more commonly reported among those who used classic psychedelics (16.5% vs. 7.9%; P < 0.001). The majority sought to connect with themselves (53.1%) or ‘something bigger than themselves’ (22.5%) through the experience. Binaural beats were accessed primarily through video streaming sites via mobile phones. Discussion and Conclusions: This paper establishes the existence of the phenomenon of listening to binaural beats to elicit changes in embodied and psychological states. Future research directions include the cultural context for consumption and proximate experiences, including co-use with ingestible drugs and other auditory phenomena. © 2022 The Authors. Drug and Alcohol Review published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs.
- Authors: Barratt, Monica , Maddox, Alexia , Smith, Naomi , Davis, Jenny , Goold, Lachlan , Winstock, Adam , Ferris, Jason
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Drug and Alcohol Review Vol. 41, no. 5 (2022), p. 1126-1130
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- Description: Introduction: Digital drugs, or binaural beats claimed to elicit specific cognitive or emotional states, are a phenomenon about which little is known. In this brief report, we describe demographic and drug use correlates of binaural beat use, patterns of use, reasons for use and methods of access. Methods: The Global Drug Survey 2021 was translated into 11 languages; 30 896 responses were gathered from 22 countries. Results: The use of binaural beats to experience altered states was reported by 5.3% of the sample (median age 27; 60.5% male), with the highest rates from the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Poland, Romania and the United Kingdom. Controlling for all variables, age and non-male gender predicted binaural beat use, as did the recent use of cannabis, psychedelics and novel/new drugs. Respondents most commonly used binaural beats ‘to relax or fall asleep’ (72.2%) and ‘to change my mood’ (34.7%), while 11.7% reported trying ‘to get a similar effect to that of other drugs’. This latter motivation was more commonly reported among those who used classic psychedelics (16.5% vs. 7.9%; P < 0.001). The majority sought to connect with themselves (53.1%) or ‘something bigger than themselves’ (22.5%) through the experience. Binaural beats were accessed primarily through video streaming sites via mobile phones. Discussion and Conclusions: This paper establishes the existence of the phenomenon of listening to binaural beats to elicit changes in embodied and psychological states. Future research directions include the cultural context for consumption and proximate experiences, including co-use with ingestible drugs and other auditory phenomena. © 2022 The Authors. Drug and Alcohol Review published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs.
Whole genome sequence analysis of Salmonella Typhi in Papua New Guinea reveals an established population of genotype 2.1.7 sensitive to antimicrobials
- Dyson, Zoe, Malau, Elisheba, Horwood, Paul, Ford, Rebecca, Siba, Valentine, Yoannes, Mition, Pomat, William, Passey, Megan, Judd, Louise, Ingle, Danielle, Williamson, Deborah, Dougan, Gordon, Greenhill, Andrew, Holt, Kathryn
- Authors: Dyson, Zoe , Malau, Elisheba , Horwood, Paul , Ford, Rebecca , Siba, Valentine , Yoannes, Mition , Pomat, William , Passey, Megan , Judd, Louise , Ingle, Danielle , Williamson, Deborah , Dougan, Gordon , Greenhill, Andrew , Holt, Kathryn
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Vol. 16, no. 3 (2022), p.
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- Description: Background Typhoid fever, a systemic infection caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi, remains a considerable public health threat in impoverished regions within many low-and middle-income settings. However, we still lack a detailed understanding of the emergence, population structure, molecular mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and transmission dynamics of S. Typhi across many settings, particularly throughout the Asia-Pacific islands. Here we present a comprehensive whole genome sequence (WGS) based overview of S. Typhi populations circulating in Papua New Guinea (PNG) over 30 years. Principle findings Bioinformatic analysis of 86 S. Typhi isolates collected between 1980–2010 demonstrated that the population structure of PNG is dominated by a single genotype (2.1.7) that appears to have emerged in the Indonesian archipelago in the mid-twentieth century with minimal evidence of inter-country transmission. Genotypic and phenotypic data demonstrated that the PNG S. Typhi population appears to be susceptible to former first line drugs for treating typhoid fever (chloramphenicol, ampicillin and co-trimoxazole), as well as fluoroquinolones, third generation cephalosporins, and macrolides. PNG genotype 2.1.7 was genetically con-served, with very few deletions, and no evidence of plasmid or prophage acquisition. Genetic variation among this population was attributed to either single point mutations, or homologous recombination adjacent to repetitive ribosomal RNA operons. Significance Antimicrobials remain an effective option for the treatment of typhoid fever in PNG, along with other intervention strategies including improvements to water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) related infrastructure and potentially the introduction of Vi-conjugate vaccines. However, continued genomic surveillance is warranted to monitor for the emergence of AMR within local populations, or the introduction of AMR associated genotypes of S. Typhi in this setting. © The Authors.
- Authors: Dyson, Zoe , Malau, Elisheba , Horwood, Paul , Ford, Rebecca , Siba, Valentine , Yoannes, Mition , Pomat, William , Passey, Megan , Judd, Louise , Ingle, Danielle , Williamson, Deborah , Dougan, Gordon , Greenhill, Andrew , Holt, Kathryn
- Date: 2022
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Vol. 16, no. 3 (2022), p.
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- Description: Background Typhoid fever, a systemic infection caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi, remains a considerable public health threat in impoverished regions within many low-and middle-income settings. However, we still lack a detailed understanding of the emergence, population structure, molecular mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and transmission dynamics of S. Typhi across many settings, particularly throughout the Asia-Pacific islands. Here we present a comprehensive whole genome sequence (WGS) based overview of S. Typhi populations circulating in Papua New Guinea (PNG) over 30 years. Principle findings Bioinformatic analysis of 86 S. Typhi isolates collected between 1980–2010 demonstrated that the population structure of PNG is dominated by a single genotype (2.1.7) that appears to have emerged in the Indonesian archipelago in the mid-twentieth century with minimal evidence of inter-country transmission. Genotypic and phenotypic data demonstrated that the PNG S. Typhi population appears to be susceptible to former first line drugs for treating typhoid fever (chloramphenicol, ampicillin and co-trimoxazole), as well as fluoroquinolones, third generation cephalosporins, and macrolides. PNG genotype 2.1.7 was genetically con-served, with very few deletions, and no evidence of plasmid or prophage acquisition. Genetic variation among this population was attributed to either single point mutations, or homologous recombination adjacent to repetitive ribosomal RNA operons. Significance Antimicrobials remain an effective option for the treatment of typhoid fever in PNG, along with other intervention strategies including improvements to water, sanitation and hygiene (WaSH) related infrastructure and potentially the introduction of Vi-conjugate vaccines. However, continued genomic surveillance is warranted to monitor for the emergence of AMR within local populations, or the introduction of AMR associated genotypes of S. Typhi in this setting. © The Authors.