NSW Public Health Bulletin最新文献

Aim: To describe the epidemiology of tuberculosis in NSW between 2009 and 2011 and compare with previous years.

Methods: Data from all cases of tuberculosis notified in NSW during this period were extracted from the Notifiable Conditions Information Management System. Descriptive analyses of notification data were undertaken. Incidence rates were calculated per 100000 population.

Results: Between 2009 and 2011, there were 1548 cases of tuberculosis notified in NSW, translating to an average annual notification rate of 7.2 per 100000 population for this period. A total of 89% (n=1371) of notified cases were overseas-born, and 1.6% (n=24) of cases were recorded as Aboriginal persons. The most common site of infection was the lung (60% of cases). Of notified cases, 68% were reported as having been tested for HIV, of which 3%(n=28) of cases had HIV/tuberculosis co-infection. There were 20 cases of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, including one case of extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis.

Conclusion: The notification rate of tuberculosis in NSW has remained relatively stable over the past two decades, though small incremental increases since 2003 are evident. Endemic transmission of tuberculosis within sub-groups of the NSW population, as well as the ongoing high endemnicity for tuberculosis in neighbouring countries, highlight the importance of tuberculosis control as a continued strategic priority for disease control in NSW.

For updated information, including data and facts on specific diseases, visit www.health.nsw.gov.au and click on Public Health and then Infectious Diseases. The communicable diseases site is available at: http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/publichealth/infectious/index.asp.

Unlabelled: Lead poses a health risk to young children with detrimental effects on their intellectual development. Attendance rates for Aboriginal children at routine blood lead screening and at follow-up appointments in Broken Hill, NSW, have declined in recent years. This study sought to identify strategies to improve the participation of Aboriginal children aged 1-4 years in blood lead screening services in Broken Hill.

Methods: Attendance rates during the period 2000-2010 were determined using the Broken Hill Lead Management database. From June to August 2011, Aboriginal community members, service providers and public health staff were invited to interviews and focus groups to explore barriers, enablers and suggestions for improving participation.

Results: In 2009, 27% of Aboriginal children aged 1-4 years attended blood lead screening and 29% of these children with blood lead levels over 15 µg/dL attended follow-up appointments. Barriers to participation in lead screening services included community perceptions, reduced service capacity, socio-economic and interorganisational factors. Enablers included using a culturally acceptable model, linking lead screening with routine health checks and using the finger-prick method of testing.

Conclusions: The final report for the study included recommendations to improve participation rates of Aboriginal children including using social marketing, formalising collaboration between health services, supporting disadvantaged families and employing an Aboriginal Health Worker.

Aim: In the absence of published statewide notification data, the aim of this study was to analyse trends in notifiable blood lead levels (hereafter referred to as lead poisoning) in NSW from 1998 to 2008, to help inform lead poisoning notification policy.

Methods: NSW blood lead poisoning notification data for 1998-2008 were extracted from the Notifiable Diseases Database and analysed by age, gender and Area Health Service of residence.

Results: There were 6000 lead poisoning notifications from 1998 to 2008, with an average annual notification rate of 11.8 per 100 000 population for 1998-2003. This rate declined to an average of 4.0 per 100 000 population in the period 2004-2008. Males accounted for 92% of notifications, and males aged 20-59 years had average notification rates between 20 and 27 per 100 000 population. Children aged 0-4 years had notification rates of 9.3 per 100 000 population in girls and 13.6 per 100 000 population in boys.

Conclusion: Notification rates have fallen dramatically, however children aged 0-4 years and men are disproportionately represented in lead poisoning notifications.

Chemicals are ubiquitous in everyday life. Environmental health practitioners rely on a complex web of regulators and policy bodies to ensure the protection of public health, yet few understand the full extent of this web. A lack of understanding can hamper public health response and impede policy development. In this paper we map the public health chemicals policy landscape in Australia and conclude that an understanding of this system is essential for effective environmental health responses and policy development.