Accessibility, affordability and cooking skills as determinants of socioeconomic variation in dietary patterns in Brisbane, Australia
Student Name: Elisabeth Winkler Degree Program: PhD
Status: Current Student
Supervisory Team: Associate Professor Gavin Turrell, Professor Michael Dunne
Abstract:
Low socioeconomic groups purchase and consume fewer fruits and vegetables in terms of variety, frequency and quantity. This observation is consistent with socioeconomic differences in mortality, especially from heart disease, stroke and some cancers. This proposed thesis will examine environmental and individual factors which may explain why people with lower incomes, less education and less prestigious (or skilled) occupations purchase fewer fruits and vegetables than their higher socioeconomic counterparts.
The knowledge gained from this thesis will help to develop an evidence base for nutrition interventions which can be more likely to succeed in beneficial nutrition behaviour change across the socioeconomic spectrum.
A secondary data analysis of the multilevel Brisbane Food Study (BFS) is being conducted to determine whether the local price and availability of fruits and vegetables, and the availability of nearby shops in which they are sold, relate to the differential purchasing of fruits and vegetables by socioeconomic groups.
Unlike overseas studies, findings to date from the BFS have not shown any systematic bias in the food supply towards upper socioeconomic areas of Brisbane . The impact of local pricing and availability on purchasing patterns of socioeconomic groups is still to be determined.
A primary data collection has been undertaken, where a self-completion questionnaire was delivered to a cross-section of 990 households in six socioeconomically distinct areas of Brisbane . This cross-sectional study will be used to determine whether the confidence to prepare food relates to socioeconomic position, and whether any difference in confidence to prepare food may coincide with the different purchasing patterns of socioeconomic groups. Since this questionnaire used new measures of confidence to prepare food, a repeatability study is also being conducted using a small sub-sample of 85 respondents, to ensure the quality of the data collected.
Public Health Management - Outdoor Music Festivals
Student Name: Cameron Earl Degree Program: Professional Doctorate
Status: Completed 28/02/06
Supervisors: Dr Elizabeth Parker & Dr Mike Capra
School of Public Health
Queensland University of Technology
Abstract:
There are many public health and safety hazards and risks at Outdoor Music Festivals [OMFs]. There is considerable evidence to support the continued action to improve safety for OMFs. Environmental Health Professionals are particularly important in this process as they are responsible for the administration and regulation of OMFs.
(1) Adequate service provision
In many cases, a considerable number of the people working at OMFs are volunteers. These volunteers come all walks of life and are responsible for the provision of many essential services (for example, waste management, water supplies and crowd management) and are often unaware of the all the risks associated with these events. Research undertaken in England found that it was important for all staff at events to have knowledge of the issues related to crowd control and operations. As a result, training is very important for these people to successfully complete the tasks required.
Picture 2 & 3: volunteers escorting vehicles through the crowd and involved in fire safety.
There is very limited discourse in the literature about the capacity of these volunteers working at OMFs. Two studies have been undertaken as part of this research to investigate volunteer capacities at OMFs. Two OMFs relied heavily on volunteers were selected to demonstrate the possible influences of training programs on volunteers' knowledge for these events. One event had training programs (European study) while the other did not (Australian study).
The European participants showed the highest capacity for public health and emergency management. Less than a quarter of the participants in the Australian study reported having received useful training provided outside the festival setting (for example SES or RFS). This compared to all of the European participants having received training provided by the festival organisers. Additionally, the European participants with training and experience reported proper responses for all key knowledge questions than the Australian study cohort. So not surprisingly, training and volunteer retention are important factors in volunteer capacity for event organisers to consider.
(2) Adequate infrastructure provision
A study was undertaken on successful event planning with the Glastonbury Festival used as a case study to demonstrate leadership in the area. In 2000, the Glastonbury Festival experienced major public safety risks, yet by 2004, the event was considered the safest yet. Critical to the reduction of these risks was the public entertainment licensing program administered through the Mendip District Council. Environmental health professionals are responsible for administration of these programs.
Picture 4: Glastonbury is one of the premier events on the European festival circuit.
The following are the key factors that EHPs should consider when involved in the licensing and management of OMFs. • Maintain control of the numbers of patrons; |
(3) Better understanding of the critical risks and impacts on crowds at OMFs.
(a) Influences on crowd behaviour and safety (from security/professionals' views)
A study was undertaken into the main factors that influence adverse crowd behaviour at OMFs. This study was undertaken at the Livid Festival (Sydney) and focused on the highly skilled security guards working at that event. These professionals were selected because they gave clear insight into crowd impacts. The findings of this study have been used to inform planning operations undertaken by EHOs within the local government setting.
Picture 5 & 6: Crowds at OMFs
The study participants also considered performance and group mentality the most common motivators behind high- risk crowd behaviours and crowd safety at OMFs, including;
- Crowd composition:High numbers of males and patrons of extreme appearances, such as punks or predominately younger audiences (25 years of age and younger), increased risk. Alternatively, heterogeneous crowds were considered much less likely to be problematic.
- Drugs and Alcohol – availability of alcohol at events, various drugs being consumed and particularly excessive amounts of alcohol being consumed.
- Type of performance - heavy metal, hardcore punk and rap performances.
- Venue configuration - overcrowding, inadequate emergency planning, hot humid air temperature; pinch points and use of general admission areas (for example mosh pits).
- Security Staff - numbers, training and experience of the security guards; poor communication and managed entry / exits / ticketing areas.
(b) Perceptions of risks (patrons' views)
A final study was undertaken to identify the key concerns that festival partons have while attending OMFs. This information has been used to inform EHOs of the patrons' perceptions of risks at OMFs. The participants identified a wide range of public health issues as of high concern, including access to drinking water; toilets and safe food; transportation to and from the venues; the size of the crowds; and having valuables lost or stolen. Specifically, the participants regarded safety in the mosh pit as the most important public health issue that needs to be addressed.
Child maltreatment in Vietnam : prevalence and associated mental and physical health problems
Student Name: Thanh Huong Nguyen Degree Program: PhD
Status: Completed 21/12/06
Principal Supervisor: A/Prof Michael Dunne
Abstract:
Child maltreatment in Vietnam : prevalence and associated physical and mental health problems.
Child maltreatment is a significant public health problem with immediate and long-term health consequences (World Health Organisation, 2002). Although the problem has been researched for more than four decades in some western countries, the situation in most Asian nations, including Vietnam , is not well understood. Despite strong political support for the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child by the Vietnam government, there is no clear data on the rate of maltreated children; nor has any systematic study been conducted to explore the extent to which such problems affect health and well-being. This situation severely limits the ability of Vietnamese social theorists, public health researchers and practitioners to design effective responses to child maltreatment, as we are forced to rely on data from other cultures, some of which may be quite inappropriate for local needs.
This study is the first in Vietnam to examine the prevalence of four types of child maltreatment and possible health consequences among school children in both urban and rural areas. The study aims to provide timely information that can be used to increase public awareness as well as to design and implement prevention and care programs.
An evaluation of health-related quality of life and cost-effectiveness of two rehabilitation programs for breast cancer survivors
Student Name: Louise Collins Degree Program: PhD
Status: Completed 03/03/06
School of Public Health
Queensland University of Technology
Abstract:
The number of women surviving breast cancer is growing, thus research into the physical and psychosocial sequelae of the cancer and its treatment is a priority.
This study estimated the effectiveness of two rehabilitation interventions for breast cancer survivors, compared to a non-intervention comparison group, and ascertained which option was cost-effective when taking a societal perspective. Effectiveness was described in terms of self-reported heath-related quality of life (HRQoL), upper-body disability and utilities.
For women with breast cancer who received an early home-based physiotherapy intervention (DAART), benefits were evident for functional well-being, reduced arm morbidity and upper-body disability on completion of the service at two months post-diagnosis. For women attending a group-based exercise and psychosocial intervention (STRETCH), there was minimal change in HRQoL on program completion at approximately four months after diagnosis. After adjustment for age, treatment, comorbidities, and occupation, mean HRQoL scores improved gradually across all groups from 6- to 12-months post-diagnosis, and no prominent differences were found.
Although HRQoL and upper-body function was generally high for the majority of women 12 months post-diagnosis, a significant proportion (between 20-40%) had declining HRQoL, despite attending supportive care services. Early physiotherapy should routinely be given to all breast cancer survivors after surgery due to the potential functional, physical and overall HRQoL benefits that may arise. Although an exploratory finding, the DAART group emerged as the cost-effective option using decision-modelling techniques after quantifying uncertainty in cost and utility estimates. This economic evaluation has made explicit the resources necessary for these breast cancer rehabilitation programs, but more importantly, has provided decision-makers with an empirical evaluation of the most optimal use of health care resources.
Applications of Spatio-temporal Analytical Methods in Surveillance of Ross River Virus Disease
Student Name: Wenbiao Hu Degree Program: PhD
Status: Completed 23/05/05
Principal Supervisor: A/Prof Shilu Thong
Ross River virus (RRV) is the most prevalent arboviral disease in Australia and has significant impact on population health, industry and tourism. It has long been recognised that the transmission pattern of RRV is sensitive to socio-ecological factors including climate variation, population movement, mosquito-density and vegetation types.
This study aims to examine the potential applications of spatio-temporal modelling in the surveillance and control of RRV disease. The results of this study show the disease surveillance data can be integrated with social, biological and environmental databases. This study assists in quantifying relationships between socio-ecological factors (climate variables, mosquito density, vegetation and human population) and the epidemic potential of RRv infection. It contributes to the growing literature on the assessment of potential impacts of socio-environmental change upon the transmission of RRV infection. Increased understanding of the relative importance of socio-ecological variables in the transmission cycles of RRV will aid public health planning and policy-making to develop effective strategies to control and prevent this wide spread disease in Australia.