Health Promotion Journal of Australia最新文献

Introduction

To explore caregivers' (i) priorities and challenges in seeking and using relevant information and services to support their children's mental health, and (ii) preferences for digital solutions that could meet their needs.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 caregivers experiencing adversity. Transcripts were analysed employing framework analysis.

Results

When seeking information and support services, caregivers prioritised feeling understood and not being judged. Common challenges were too much or not enough relevant information; lack of time and a ‘solution burden’ to find support; as well as being unsure how to progress seeking appropriate support. Caregivers used a range of online search strategies to seek information and services to support their child's health needs. They expressed a need for a digital solution that was practical and non-judgemental.

Conclusions

Caregivers often sought information and services online but faced challenges with navigating the abundance of resources. A practical and simple online solution providing the right information and services at the right time is critically needed.

So What

A digital navigation platform providing evidence-based information and services could assist caregivers in navigating the complex process of seeking support for child and family health and wellbeing.

Issue Addressed

The Australian government has proposed banning social media use for children under 16, reflecting growing concern about the potential harms of digital media environments. This study investigates food and beverage branded content within influencer marketing targeting children on YouTube.

Methods

A content analysis of 219 videos from 14 Australian kidfluencer and family influencer channels examined the prevalence of branded food appearances, the presence and presentation of advertising disclosures and compliance with the Australian Association of National Advertisers' (AANA) Children's Advertising Code and Food & Beverages Advertising Code.

Results

Unhealthy products, particularly sugary snacks and fast food, were far more common than healthy alternatives. Clear and prominent advertising disclosures were rare, and risky or inappropriate behaviours were often depicted. Across the sample, non-compliance with AANA was common.

Conclusions

Australian children are frequently exposed to persuasive and potentially harmful branded content on YouTube, with limited transparency and weak adherence to existing self-regulatory guidelines.

So What?

The findings highlight gaps in current self-regulatory frameworks and underscore the need for greater policy attention to how children engage with branded food content online. As Australia enacts a social media minimum age restriction, this study provides timely evidence that can inform policy oversight, support more effective regulatory approaches and improve protections for children from unhealthy branded contents online.

Objectives

Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme workers (hereafter referred to as PALM participants) are integral to Australia's economic landscape, contributing predominantly to agriculture and meatworks sectors. Many PALM participants come from regions with high burdens of blood-borne viruses (BBVs) such as hepatitis B virus (HBV), yet there is a lack of understanding of their Australian health experiences. This study explores the lived experiences of PALM participants, focusing on healthcare interactions and challenges faced in addressing health issues, particularly HBV and other BBVs.

Methods

Eighteen semi-structured interviews with agricultural PALM participants from four Pacific Island countries were conducted and analysed thematically through an equity lens.

Results

A complex interplay of factors impacting health and healthcare system navigation was described, revealing challenges beyond HBV and other BBVs. Three overlapping themes are explored: (i) access issues, (ii) awareness and understanding; and (iii) ‘battling the system’.

Conclusion

PALM participants have significant unmet healthcare needs, with public health and economic implications. Greater political will is required to prioritise equitable healthcare for this population.

So What?

This study highlights required changes to inform effective policies and interventions that promote health equity and improve health outcomes for PALM participants from Pacific Island countries and Timor Leste, particularly in relation to HBV and other BBVs.

Issue Addressed

Globally, there is growing momentum for statutory marketing regulation over unhealthy commodities (UHC), including alcohol, tobacco, unhealthy food and gambling. These attempts respond to ubiquitous UHC marketing and immense UHC-related harm. Governments' ability to protect people is often undermined by piecemeal regulation for UHCs, despite substantial similarities between the commodities. This article explores Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ) stakeholder perspectives on joint regulation of the marketing of UHCs.

Methods

We interviewed 15 stakeholders from across the UHC policy process. Interviews were guided by a semi-structured interview schedule framed by Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Labonté and Torgeson's ‘Globalization and Health’ framework. Before the interview, stakeholders were sent a summary of the results of the Kids'Cam UHC Marketing study, the first phase of this research. Interview data were analysed using thematic analysis. We purposefully sought Indigenous expert voices.

Results

Most participants supported joint UHC marketing regulation, arguing it would result in increased regulatory and advocacy efficiency, health benefits, reduced healthcare costs, and a more transparent regulatory system. Barriers to joint UHC regulation included the complexity of working with many varied stakeholders and limited political appetite.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that joint statutory UHC marketing regulation has a range of benefits over the existing piecemeal approach. Regulation could fruitfully be addressed from global to national levels. Joint statutory UHC regulation would disrupt harmful industry influence, advance equity and put people before profit.

So What?

Health promoters should identify and leverage opportunities at all levels for joint statutory UHC regulation.

Issue Addressed

While culturally appropriate health programming for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is increasing, evaluations of such initiatives remain limited by pragmatic and epistemological challenges. This study sought to address these limitations when piloting and examining the feasibility and acceptability of Tidda Talk, a social and emotional wellbeing program for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. Specifically, the study aimed to: (1) examine the effects of Tidda Talk on participants' social and emotional wellbeing and physical activity beliefs and (2) explore the utility of a novel cultural wellness evaluation tool from a methodological perspective.

Methods

A single-arm quasi-experimental design was used engaging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls from Greater Sydney (N = 70). Self-report questionnaires assessed physical activity (PA) self-efficacy, PA enjoyment, psychological distress, and cultural wellness. Outcomes were analysed using paired-sample t-tests and descriptive statistics. The feasibility of the newly developed Cultural Wellness Index (CWI) was assessed through observational notes and analysis of missing data patterns.

Results

A small but statistically significant decline in physical activity enjoyment was observed (p = 0.04); however, mean scores remained in the high-level range. No significant changes were detected in other outcomes. The CWI showed moderate acceptability, with more than 10% missing data on 33% of items.

Conclusions

Changing the Tidda Talk program's delivery model, such as the exposure dose or session frequency, and additional wrap-around support for participants may be required to observe more positive outcome changes. The CWI requires slight refinement to enhance accessibility and usability.

So What?

This study demonstrates how culturally grounded evaluation practices can inform and strengthen the assessment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health programs.

Issue Addressed

Migration is globally recognised as a determinant of health. The transition for culturally diverse communities towards adopting diets that align with dietary recommendations of their host country is not without complexities. With over one-quarter of Australia's population being born overseas, this research explores whether the current Australian food-based dietary guidelines and its communications are relevant and fit for purpose for culturally diverse communities in Australia.

Methods

An exploratory qualitative descriptive study, informed by the Health Equity Framework, was conducted using semi-structured individual interviews with ‘experts’ in the field of culturally diverse communities, health equity and/or dietary guideline development and analysed using abductive thematic analysis.

Results

Eight interviews were conducted, and three themes were constructed: (1) Bias as a lack of consultation and meaningful data is used in guideline development; (2) Adaptation is possible, but nobody is taking responsibility; and (3) The way forward is through co-design.

Conclusion

There are currently numerous structural inequities that prevent the dietary guidelines and their communication being fit for purpose for culturally and linguistically diverse Australians. To meet the needs of a culturally diverse population, a health equity approach to food-based dietary guideline development and adaptation needs to be actioned.

So What?

Whilst there is an understanding that dietary guidelines take a whole-of-population approach, review of the guidelines provides an opportunity for federal and state governments to share responsibility to facilitate the development of additional resources for research on diverse dietary patterns, and adaptations of food-based dietary guideline communications. Genuine collaboration with culturally diverse communities is essential to promote an equitable approach to health that benefits all Australians.

Background

Australia's National Preventive Health Strategy (NPHS) explicitly highlights the important role of primary care in screening for and supporting behaviour change to help reach preventive health goals. Given osteopaths' position as primary care providers in Australia, their role in fulfilling the NPHS warrants consideration. In response, this study aims to investigate osteopaths' perceptions regarding their role in preventive health and their practice behaviours regarding the key priority areas outlined in the NPHS.

Methods

This online cross-sectional 63-item survey was completed by registered osteopaths practising in Australia. Data were descriptively analysed. Participants rated each determinant on a 7-point Likert scale ranging from ‘no role at all’ (1) to ‘a very significant role’ (7). Participants rated each determinant on a 7-point Likert scale ranging from ‘no role at all’ (1) to ‘a very significant role’ (7).

Results

Participants (n = 220) identified all levels of preventive health as highly relevant for osteopathic practice, with the greatest relevance attributed to secondary prevention (Mean [M]: 6.2; Standard deviation [SD]: 1.2) and the lowest to quaternary prevention (M: 5.7; SD 1.6). When considering the seven priority preventive health topics outlined in the NPHS, participants reported most frequently screening for physical activity (M: 4.7; SD: 0.6) and least for immunisation status (M: 2.1; SD: 1.0). Participants rated patients explicitly asking them about changing their behaviour as having the greatest influence on their decision-making regarding discussing ‘healthy eating’ (M: 4.5; SD: 0.8), ‘physical activity’ (M: 4.4; SD: 0.9), ‘mental health’ (M: 4.4; SD: 0.9) and ‘immunisation’ (M: 3.8; SD: 1.3) with their patients. Participants reported being likely to undertake a range of actions in response to identifying patient need.

Conclusions

This study suggests osteopaths play a role in preventive health that may be broader than previously assumed yet is still not inclusive of the full range of behaviours required of health professionals if the Australian government is to fulfil the goals and objectives outlined in the NPHS.

So What?

Government initiatives to implement the NPHS must ensure they are leveraging health professionals to their fullest potential.

Introduction

School resilience focused programs have been identified as a possible method of improving health behaviours; however, few trials have been conducted to determine the effect of such comprehensive programs on adolescent physical activity and healthy eating practices. The aim of this trial was to determine the effect of a school-based resilience intervention on student physical activity levels and fruit and vegetable consumption.

Methods

A three-year exploratory cluster-randomised controlled trial of students in Australian secondary schools was conducted to determine the effectiveness of a pragmatic universal intervention targeting a range of student resilience protective factors grouped according to the Health Promoting Schools framework, in improving student physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption. Data regarding physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, and resilience protective factors was collected.

Findings

No significant differences were found at follow-up between intervention and control students for any health risk physical activity: mean difference (MD) −40.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) −94.3,13.0, p = 0.14; fruit serves: MD 0.01, 95% CI −0.20, 0.22, p = 0.95; vegetable serves: MD −0.07, 95% CI −0.24, 0.11, p = 0.44; or resilience protective factor outcomes (individual: MD −0.01, 95% CI −0.07, 0.06, p = 0.87; environmental: MD −0.02, 95% CI −0.09, 0.06, p = 0.67).

Conclusions

This resilience intervention was not effective in improving the physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, or resilience protective factors of students.

So What?

Further research is warranted to determine the specific resilience protective factors that may be most effective for these outcomes, given the significant policy and practice potential this approach has.

Trial Rregistration: ACTRN12611000606987

Issue Addressed

Health risk behaviours including unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, sedentary behaviour, inadequate sleep, tobacco use and alcohol and illicit drug use are prevalent among university students. Universities are pivotal settings for health promotion; however, existing policy/strategy addressing health risk behaviours is uncertain. This scoping review aimed to identify and synthesise current policies/strategies targeting student health behaviours across Australian universities.

Methods

A systematic search of websites and policy libraries of 39 Australian universities was conducted in January 2025. Policies/strategies were included if they were current, included students within their target group, and addressed at least one health risk behaviour. Data was extracted about policy characteristics and intervention functions and policy categories evaluated using the Behaviour Change Wheel.

Results

Fifty-four policies/strategies from 30 universities met the inclusion criteria. Many universities had a policy/strategy focused on smoking (74.4%), alcohol (64.1%) and drug use (43.6%), whereas few addressed physical inactivity (7.7%) or unhealthy diet (2.6%). No university policy/strategy addressed sedentary behaviour or sleep. The most common intervention function and policy category was environmental restructuring and environmental/social planning.

Conclusions

This review highlights a fragmented policy landscape, with significant gaps in addressing health risk behaviours within policy or strategy at Australian universities. These findings provide guidance for future institutional policy/strategy development and to encourage interdisciplinary collaboration in embedding student wellbeing within institutional frameworks.

So What?

These findings emphasise the need for national-level guidance to embed systemic approaches to health promotion within the university setting. This is essential to improve student wellbeing, foster academic excellence, address health inequity and advance community health outcomes.