Health Promotion Journal of Australia最新文献

Background

Crystal methamphetamine use is a global health concern and highly stigmatised. Amid increased international focus on drug use as a health concern, the current study aimed to examine knowledge and attitudes around crystal methamphetamine among key groups in a contemporary Australian community sample.

Methods

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in February–April 2022 (n = 736), open to all Australian residents aged 18 years and over. Knowledge and attitudes were assessed among people who use crystal methamphetamine, family/friends, health workers, and the general community. Data was combined with a previous 2019 survey (n = 2108) and linear regression examined factors associated with knowledge and attitudes.

Results

Stigmatising attitudes were common among people who had not used crystal methamphetamine, and they were more likely to endorse negative statements than those who had. Family/friends and community members, females, and respondents from regional areas had the highest stigma scores. Of those who used crystal methamphetamine, 70.9% reported experiencing discrimination. Higher knowledge scores (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with less stigmatising attitudes as was being surveyed in 2022 compared to 2019. Health workers demonstrated the highest knowledge scores.

Conclusions

Stigmatising attitudes towards crystal methamphetamine remain prevalent, and experiences of discrimination towards people who use it are common. Evidence-based education and initiatives to reduce both public and self-stigma associated with crystal methamphetamine are needed.

So What?

Stigma towards people who use methamphetamine remains common in Australia. This study highlights the need for targeted, evidence-based stigma reduction strategies to encourage help-seeking and improve health outcomes for people who use methamphetamine.

Issue Addressed

Masculinity norms and risky behaviours are often identified as drivers of poorer health among men, and one underlying factor that is increasingly found to be important is loneliness. The aim of this study is to describe the prevalence of loneliness in Australian men and its relationship with preventive health capabilities.

Methods

A national cross-sectional survey of men aged 18 years and over (N = 1282) was conducted. Levels of loneliness (low, moderate, and severe) were stratified by socio-demographic and health status characteristics. Multivariable modelling was used to examine relationships between severe loneliness and prevention knowledge and attitudes, health literacy, and health empowerment.

Results

The prevalence of moderate and severe loneliness was 27.2% and 15.8%, respectively. Severe loneliness was mostly reported by men in middle adulthood, without a partner, of low socioeconomic status, working in sales or service occupations, or living with a disability or mental health condition. Men with severe loneliness were less likely to have positive attitudes towards preventive care, including colon cancer screening, visiting their general practitioner, blood pressure checks, skin checks, and prostate cancer screening. They also showed lower health literacy and lower health empowerment compared to others.

Conclusions

Loneliness at a moderate or severe level is prevalent among Australian men, with severe loneliness strongly related to important prerequisites for preventive health action.

So What?

The quality of men's relationships should be given higher priority in strategies to engage and support men to prevent disease and injury, and maintain wellbeing across the life course.

Issue Addressed

This study investigated how various advertisers engage in vaping-related marketing on social media, with a focus on message stance, audience targeting and advertising strategies, using data from the Meta Ad Library. This is particularly relevant given the growing concern around vaping among young people and recent policy reforms in Australia.

Methods

We analysed vaping-related advertisements from Meta platforms between May 7, 2018 and July 31, 2024. Keyword searches identified relevant advertisements. Descriptive statistics were applied to the number of impressions, spending, duration, year posted, audience size and platform distribution, with advertisers classified into government, politicians/political groups, non-governmental organisations (NGOs)/universities, commercial entities, news sources and undisclosed groups.

Results

A total of 861 advertisements were identified. After duplicates and non-vaping related advertisements were removed, 394 were included in the final analysis. Of the anti-vaping messages (n = 269), 37% were posted by NGOs/universities and 35% by politicians/political groups, while pro-vaping messages (n = 87) primarily originated from commercial entities (44%) and undisclosed groups (47%). Anti-vaping campaigns had higher audience reach, targeted all ages and spending varied widely compared with pro-vaping messages, which predominantly targeted the 18–34 age group.

Conclusions

The advertisers of pro- and anti-vaping messages on social media differ in their expenditure and demographic targeting. Commercial entities were still able to post pro-vaping content despite Meta's advertising restrictions.

So What?

These findings offer timely insights for health promotion practitioners and policymakers. Better understanding of paid social media advertising practices can inform the development of more targeted, transparent and effective digital health campaigns.

Introduction

This study aimed to understand parents' decision-making processes when packing their child's lunchbox, investigating barriers and facilitators of seeking nutrition information for food choices.

Methods

An online survey with Likert and open-ended questions was conducted via social media platforms. Descriptive quantitative analysis was conducted for the quantitative data, and thematic analysis was done for the qualitative data.

Results

Of 52 parent participants, 78% considered nutritional information when packing lunchboxes, relying mainly on food labelling (32%) and the Australian Nutrition Food Guide (12%). Most parents (64%) felt confident preparing healthy lunchboxes, focusing on fresh, high-fibre foods and avoiding preservatives. While 60% felt they did not need additional information, 40% were open to more guidance. Key themes included informed food choices, balancing nutrition with preferences, managing information overload, and practical approaches.

Conclusions

Parents demonstrated knowledge of healthy eating guidelines but faced challenges in balancing nutritious choices with children's preferences, cost, and providing a balanced diet.

So What?

Clear, accessible guidance on healthy lunchbox preparation needs to be provided. This helps with comprehensive food labelling, strategies for balancing nutrition with preferences, addressing cost challenges, and developing interventions to overcome barriers in food knowledge and availability.

Issue Addressed

This study aimed to evaluate the implementation and impact of the ‘Pick of the Crop’ (POTC) program. POTC is a whole-school nutrition program aimed at increasing opportunities for primary school students in Queensland to learn about and eat more vegetables and fruit (VF).

Methods

A mixed-methods evaluation was undertaken that included analysis of school action plans, Most Signficant Change interviews and surveys with school champions, as well as focus groups with regional coordinators and programme managers. Data sources explored access to VF within the school and the perceived knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviour of staff and students regarding VF consumption. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and qualitative data were inductively coded and thematically analysed. Sources of data were triangulated to cross-validate key themes identified from interviews, focus groups, surveys and action plans.

Results

A total of 63 schools participated in the POTC evaluation. School staff reported high acceptability of POTC within schools for the first 2 years of its implementation. School staff considered the program feasible with the support of regional coordinators, strong curriculum links, networks with the community, and local leadership. Respondents from schools in their first and second year of implementation reported an increase in student knowledge, skills, and attitudes towards VF consumption. Schools in their second year of implementation reported higher levels of VF consumption among students, with some improvement to school policies, food culture and school networks.

Conclusions

POTC demonstrates an acceptable and feasible model that has potential for increasing consumption of VF among primary school students. Further research is required to determine long-term program efficacy with a larger sample size.

So What

School-based nutrition programs should consider incorporating the capacity for flexibility within program structures, whereby schools determine context-specific priorities and the specific activities to be implemented. Recruiting dedicated regional coordinators is also important to ensure support is available to meet the individual needs of schools.

Background

With extreme weather events expected to increase due to climate change, it is essential to understand bushfire preparedness among young adults in Australia, who often risk their safety by driving through bushfire-risk areas when travelling in summer. The current study investigates the knowledge of bushfire risk management and preparedness among university students in Australia.

Methods

One hundred and forty-eight university students participated in an online survey with closed questions. The data was analysed in SPSS by conducting a descriptive analysis and χ² test between those who have and those who do not have experience with bushfire evacuations.

Results

Over half of respondents who currently live or have lived in a bushfire risk area do not have a written bushfire response plan. Although most respondents reported that they had previously learned about the risk of bushfires in Australia, less than 20% knew the Australian emergency contact number, triple 0 for bushfires. A majority of those who experienced an evacuation fully understood the fire severity scale sign, but only half of those who had not experienced an evacuation fully understood the sign.

So What?

Relevant authorities and Australian universities could consider these findings and provide university students with appropriate information to prepare them for future bushfires.

Issue Addressed

The important link between culture, health, and wellbeing is often overlooked when providing parenting support for Aboriginal fathers. This Aboriginal-led, community co-designed study was the first programme aimed to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal fathers and their children living on Darkinjung Country (Central Coast NSW, Australia).

Methods

Single arm, pre-post feasibility trial including qualitative (yarning) and quantitative (survey & anthropometry) measures assessing a 9-week health and wellbeing programme tailored for Aboriginal fathers and their primary school aged (5–12 years) children living on Darkinjung Country.

Results

Feasibility was achieved with nearly all a priori benchmarks met; fidelity 93% (benchmark ≥ 80%), attendance 79% (benchmark ≥ 70%), home-activity compliance 93% (benchmark ≥ 60%), retention 86% (benchmark ≥ 70%), satisfaction 5/5 (benchmark = 4/5). Recruitment capability (7 families, 15 participants) was not achieved (benchmark: 20 families). Regarding preliminary efficacy, large effect sizes (d ≥ 0.8) were evident for most assessed outcomes in both fathers and children. Qualitative findings indicate that Aboriginal fathers living on Darkinjung Country find the programme to be acceptable.

Conclusions

Program feasibility was confirmed with high levels of program attendance, retention, and participant satisfaction. Large effect sizes were supported by very positive qualitative feedback from participants. Future research involving Aboriginal fathers should consider these findings in the development of culturally responsive parenting support.

So What

This new health and wellbeing programme designed for Aboriginal fathers and their children achieved programme feasibility outcomes and reports promising qualitative and quantitative findings. This research could be used to inform future development of parenting programmes involving Aboriginal fathers and their children.

Trial Registration: Clinical Trials registry: ACTRN12623000901606

Introduction

Food insecurity among international students studying in Australian universities is a growing concern, but limited research has explored their experiences in regional contexts. This study explores food insecurity experiences among international students studying at a regional Australian university, focusing on challenges with food access and the effectiveness of available support services.

Methods

Student-led focus groups were employed to explore food insecurity experiences among a sample of international students. A semi-structured guide probed students about food access issues and perceptions of available support services, and student recommendations for improvement were explored. Audio recordings were transcribed, and data were thematically analysed using Braun and Clarke's six-phase framework.

Results

International students (n = 17) participated in four focus groups. Thematic analysis identified challenges affecting students' food security, including inadequate campus food options, the high cost of living, and a lack of culturally appropriate food choices in Australia. Students employed various coping strategies, such as using dietary supplements, meal prepping, and seeking discounted and/or frozen foods. International students encountered significant barriers to accessing support services, including inefficient pantry operations, perceived stigma, and poor communications about options. Based on these findings, participants suggested improvements in pantry management and expanded financial support for university students.

Conclusions

This study highlights the significant challenges and coping strategies related to food insecurity among international students at a regional Australian university.

So What?

Our findings emphasise the urgent need for tailored, culturally appropriate interventions and improved communication strategies that support international students' agency in accessing healthy, appropriate food.