Pub Date : 2024-08-01DOI: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100165
Lin Fritschi , Timothy R. Driscoll , Ha Nguyen , Kamil Abdallah , Renee N. Carey
Objective
This survey aimed to investigate exposure to welding fume in Australian workplaces and the use of protective and control measures among workers.
Methods
Data were collected via a cross-sectional online survey of workers and employers involved in welding in Australia. Survey questions focused on the determinants of exposure to welding fume, welding experience and qualifications, and use of control measures.
Results
There were 634 respondents to the survey across Australia of whom 577 (91%) were assessed as being exposed to welding fume, most at high levels. Welders undertook a wide range of types of welding, and higher-risk welding such as in confined and restricted spaces was common. Most workplaces did not have any form of mechanical ventilation, and use of air-supplied respiratory protection was poor even when ventilation was not used.
Conclusion
Welders in Australia are exposed to several carcinogens, particularly welding fume, hexavalent chromium (CrVI) and nickel, and the use of control measures is sub-optimal.
Implications for Public Health
Higher-order controls are the best way to reduce exposure to carcinogens in the workplace. The lack of use of these controls by Australian welders is concerning and needs to be a focus of attention by regulators and companies.
{"title":"Occupational exposure to welding fume in Australia: An online survey","authors":"Lin Fritschi , Timothy R. Driscoll , Ha Nguyen , Kamil Abdallah , Renee N. Carey","doi":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100165","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100165","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><p>This survey aimed to investigate exposure to welding fume in Australian workplaces and the use of protective and control measures among workers.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>Data were collected via a cross-sectional online survey of workers and employers involved in welding in Australia. Survey questions focused on the determinants of exposure to welding fume, welding experience and qualifications, and use of control measures.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>There were 634 respondents to the survey across Australia of whom 577 (91%) were assessed as being exposed to welding fume, most at high levels. Welders undertook a wide range of types of welding, and higher-risk welding such as in confined and restricted spaces was common. Most workplaces did not have any form of mechanical ventilation, and use of air-supplied respiratory protection was poor even when ventilation was not used.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Welders in Australia are exposed to several carcinogens, particularly welding fume, hexavalent chromium (CrVI) and nickel, and the use of control measures is sub-optimal.</p></div><div><h3>Implications for Public Health</h3><p>Higher-order controls are the best way to reduce exposure to carcinogens in the workplace. The lack of use of these controls by Australian welders is concerning and needs to be a focus of attention by regulators and companies.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":8620,"journal":{"name":"Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health","volume":"48 4","pages":"Article 100165"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1326020024000402/pdfft?md5=ed410ace772f9f9b0dc054bca82ee4b2&pid=1-s2.0-S1326020024000402-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141747348","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-08-01DOI: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100171
Benedicta Natalia Latif , Leanne Coombe , Tim Driscoll , Anita van Zwieten , Catherine Sherrington , Saman Khalatbari-Soltani
Objective
To explore the amount and type of research funded under relevant Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Initiatives that addressed public health and prevention from 2018 to July 2023.
Methods
Projects funded by six MRFF Initiatives, with objectives relevant to public health and public health nominated as “field of research” by >25% of applicants, were evaluated against a set of public health research criteria and were categorised based on levels of prevention.
Results
Fifty-seven per cent of 249 funded projects were categorised as public health research. Projects with curative features, focusing on tertiary (32%) and quaternary (4%) prevention, were as common as projects with earlier preventive features, focussed on primordial (7%) and primary (28%) prevention. The Preventive and Public Health Research Initiative had the lowest proportion of public health research (48%) of the six evaluated Initiatives and a dominance of curative (39%) and non-preventive (26%) research over preventive research (30%).
Conclusion
This study highlighted variable levels of public health research across public-health-relevant MRFF Initiatives and generally low proportions of primary and primordial prevention. A greater emphasis on primordial and primary prevention research in public-health-relevant Initiatives could advance prevention in Australia.
Implications for public health
There appears to be scope for improvement in the prioritisation of upstream prevention research in public-health-relevant MRFF Initiatives and projects. Addressing this may enhance the benefit of MRFF to Australian public health.
{"title":"Public health and prevention research within the Medical Research Future Fund","authors":"Benedicta Natalia Latif , Leanne Coombe , Tim Driscoll , Anita van Zwieten , Catherine Sherrington , Saman Khalatbari-Soltani","doi":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100171","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100171","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><p>To explore the amount and type of research funded under relevant Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Initiatives that addressed public health and prevention from 2018 to July 2023.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>Projects funded by six MRFF Initiatives, with objectives relevant to public health and public health nominated as “field of research” by >25% of applicants, were evaluated against a set of public health research criteria and were categorised based on levels of prevention.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Fifty-seven per cent of 249 funded projects were categorised as public health research. Projects with curative features, focusing on tertiary (32%) and quaternary (4%) prevention, were as common as projects with earlier preventive features, focussed on primordial (7%) and primary (28%) prevention. The Preventive and Public Health Research Initiative had the lowest proportion of public health research (48%) of the six evaluated Initiatives and a dominance of curative (39%) and non-preventive (26%) research over preventive research (30%).</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>This study highlighted variable levels of public health research across public-health-relevant MRFF Initiatives and generally low proportions of primary and primordial prevention. A greater emphasis on primordial and primary prevention research in public-health-relevant Initiatives could advance prevention in Australia.</p></div><div><h3>Implications for public health</h3><p>There appears to be scope for improvement in the prioritisation of upstream prevention research in public-health-relevant MRFF Initiatives and projects. Addressing this may enhance the benefit of MRFF to Australian public health.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":8620,"journal":{"name":"Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health","volume":"48 4","pages":"Article 100171"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1326020024000463/pdfft?md5=7162f4d20493130defb743f7ea4e319e&pid=1-s2.0-S1326020024000463-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141858937","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-08-01DOI: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100172
Joanne C. Nixon , Kevin Freeman , Rob W. Baird
Background
We describe the recent temporal patterns of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza virus detections in the Northern Territory (NT) of Australia, between 2020 and 2023.
Methods
This retrospective analysis of patients presenting with respiratory diseases utilised a multiplex viral nucleic acid detection assay for RSV, influenza and SARS Cov2 (COVID-19) to determine the relative frequency of non-COVID-19 respiratory viral detections by age and month during the study period.
Results
During this period of the NT COVID-19 epidemic, disruption of the usual annual wet season RSV outbreak patterns occurred, and the yearly influenza peak was absent for two annual cycles. Our data also reveals that 25% of RSV infections were occurring in patients greater than 40 years of age, compared to 32% of influenza infections presenting in the same period, documenting a greater burden of adult disease than previously documented in the NT.
Conclusions
Loss of non-COVID-19 viral seasonality and a substantial unrecognised RSV adult burden were noted. We will continue to monitor seasonality, and the RSV burden and this will help to target the populations benefiting from recently released RSV vaccine.
{"title":"Altered epidemiological patterns of Respiratory Syncytial Virus and influenza detections in a tropical Australian setting 2020 to 2023","authors":"Joanne C. Nixon , Kevin Freeman , Rob W. Baird","doi":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100172","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100172","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>We describe the recent temporal patterns of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza virus detections in the Northern Territory (NT) of Australia, between 2020 and 2023.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>This retrospective analysis of patients presenting with respiratory diseases utilised a multiplex viral nucleic acid detection assay for RSV, influenza and SARS Cov2 (COVID-19) to determine the relative frequency of non-COVID-19 respiratory viral detections by age and month during the study period.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>During this period of the NT COVID-19 epidemic, disruption of the usual annual wet season RSV outbreak patterns occurred, and the yearly influenza peak was absent for two annual cycles. Our data also reveals that 25% of RSV infections were occurring in patients greater than 40 years of age, compared to 32% of influenza infections presenting in the same period, documenting a greater burden of adult disease than previously documented in the NT.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Loss of non-COVID-19 viral seasonality and a substantial unrecognised RSV adult burden were noted. We will continue to monitor seasonality, and the RSV burden and this will help to target the populations benefiting from recently released RSV vaccine.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":8620,"journal":{"name":"Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health","volume":"48 4","pages":"Article 100172"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1326020024000475/pdfft?md5=c74fca0086aa14f4c57d11f750db4232&pid=1-s2.0-S1326020024000475-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141765065","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-08-01DOI: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100169
Kim Ann Beadman , Juanita Sherwood , Paul Gray , John McAloon
Objective
The importance of self-determination in restoring the wellbeing of Australian First Nations peoples is becoming understood. For thousands of years, Aboriginal women gave birth on Country and Grandmothers’ Lore and Women’s Business facilitated the survival of the oldest living civilisations on earth. Following colonisation, however, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander practices of maternal and perinatal care were actively dismantled, and self-determination by Aboriginal people was destroyed. This had significant implications for the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their Cultures and practices.
Methods
A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses–based systematic review of research about programmes of birthing and perinatal health care for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their children was undertaken. The review’s primary aim was to assess the Cultural context of programme development and delivery, its secondary aim was to assess the Cultural appropriateness of programme components. Electronic databases SCOPUS, PsycINFO, Medline, and CINAHL were searched for peer-reviewed studies published in English in Australia between 2000 and 2023.
Results
Twenty-eight publications met inclusion criteria. Included studies were assessed for their methodological characteristics, birthing-support characteristics, perinatal care and continuity of care characteristics. Overall, programmes were limited in meeting the Cultural needs of women, children, and individual Communities. The role of Aboriginal Communities in identifying, delivering, and reviewing programmes was also limited.
Conclusions
Findings articulate the importance of self-determination in maintaining strong Indigenous Cultures and informing the Culturally appropriate development and delivery of Culturally safe programmes of perinatal care for Aboriginal women, children, and Communities.
Implications for Public Health
Programmes and services for use by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people must involve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their Communities in processes of programme planning, delivery, and review. The evaluation of a programme or service as “Culturally safe” represents a determination that is most appropriately made by service users based on their experience of that programme or service.
{"title":"Self-determination in programmes of perinatal health for Aboriginal Communities: A systematic review","authors":"Kim Ann Beadman , Juanita Sherwood , Paul Gray , John McAloon","doi":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100169","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100169","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><p>The importance of self-determination in restoring the wellbeing of Australian First Nations peoples is becoming understood. For thousands of years, Aboriginal women gave birth on Country and Grandmothers’ Lore and Women’s Business facilitated the survival of the oldest living civilisations on earth. Following colonisation, however, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander practices of maternal and perinatal care were actively dismantled, and self-determination by Aboriginal people was destroyed. This had significant implications for the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their Cultures and practices.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>A Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses–based systematic review of research about programmes of birthing and perinatal health care for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their children was undertaken. The review’s primary aim was to assess the Cultural context of programme development and delivery, its secondary aim was to assess the Cultural appropriateness of programme components. Electronic databases SCOPUS, PsycINFO, Medline, and CINAHL were searched for peer-reviewed studies published in English in Australia between 2000 and 2023.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Twenty-eight publications met inclusion criteria. Included studies were assessed for their methodological characteristics, birthing-support characteristics, perinatal care and continuity of care characteristics. Overall, programmes were limited in meeting the Cultural needs of women, children, and individual Communities. The role of Aboriginal Communities in identifying, delivering, and reviewing programmes was also limited.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Findings articulate the importance of self-determination in maintaining strong Indigenous Cultures and informing the Culturally appropriate development and delivery of Culturally safe programmes of perinatal care for Aboriginal women, children, and Communities.</p></div><div><h3>Implications for Public Health</h3><p>Programmes and services for use by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people must involve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their Communities in processes of programme planning, delivery, and review. The evaluation of a programme or service as “Culturally safe” represents a determination that is most appropriately made by service users based on their experience of that programme or service.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":8620,"journal":{"name":"Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health","volume":"48 4","pages":"Article 100169"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S132602002400044X/pdfft?md5=6dab8a2e80788f09e241540cf6d68e6f&pid=1-s2.0-S132602002400044X-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141787165","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-08-01DOI: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100179
Ranjit S. Samra , Christopher K. Fairley , Jason J. Ong , Ei T. Aung , Eric PF. Chow
Objective
HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) became available in Victoria, Australia, in 2016. We examined non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP) usage among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) before and after PrEP became available.
Methods
We included MSM attending Melbourne Sexual Health Centre for nPEP between 2011 and 2021. We analysed three periods: the ‘pre-PrEP’ (01 Jan 2011 to 25 Jul 2016), ‘PrEP before COVID-19’ (26 Jul 2016 to 31 Dec 2019), and ‘PrEP during COVID-19’ (01 Jan 2020 to 31 Dec 2021).
Results
There were 222,978 consultations for MSM; 8292 (3.7%) were nPEP consultations. The proportion of nPEP consultations increased from 3.3% (3093/94263) in the pre-PrEP period to 4.3% (3843/89251) in the PrEP before COVID-19 period then dropped to 3.4% (1356/39464) during the COVID-19 period. Compared to Australian-born MSM, MSM born in Central/South America (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.75; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.27–2.40) had the highest odds of accessing nPEP, followed by Asian-born MSM (aOR: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.27–1.71) after adjusting for PrEP availability and COVID-19. Those newly arrived in Australia in ≤4 years had higher odds (aOR: 1.14; 95% CI: 1.05–1.22) of accessing nPEP than those living in Australia for >4 years.
Conclusion
nPEP prescriptions declined with PrEP availability. Newly arrived overseas-born MSM who are unlikely to have access to subsidised PrEP have a higher demand of nPEP.
Implications for Public Health
Increasing PrEP education and ensuring equal access is vital in the drive to reduce new HIV diagnoses.
{"title":"Changes in HIV post-exposure prophylaxis prescriptions before and after the introduction of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis at a sexual health clinic in Melbourne, Australia, 2011–2021","authors":"Ranjit S. Samra , Christopher K. Fairley , Jason J. Ong , Ei T. Aung , Eric PF. Chow","doi":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100179","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100179","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><p>HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) became available in Victoria, Australia, in 2016. We examined non-occupational post-exposure prophylaxis (nPEP) usage among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) before and after PrEP became available.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>We included MSM attending Melbourne Sexual Health Centre for nPEP between 2011 and 2021. We analysed three periods: the ‘pre-PrEP’ (01 Jan 2011 to 25 Jul 2016), ‘PrEP before COVID-19’ (26 Jul 2016 to 31 Dec 2019), and ‘PrEP during COVID-19’ (01 Jan 2020 to 31 Dec 2021).</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>There were 222,978 consultations for MSM; 8292 (3.7%) were nPEP consultations. The proportion of nPEP consultations increased from 3.3% (3093/94263) in the pre-PrEP period to 4.3% (3843/89251) in the PrEP before COVID-19 period then dropped to 3.4% (1356/39464) during the COVID-19 period. Compared to Australian-born MSM, MSM born in Central/South America (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.75; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.27–2.40) had the highest odds of accessing nPEP, followed by Asian-born MSM (aOR: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.27–1.71) after adjusting for PrEP availability and COVID-19. Those newly arrived in Australia in ≤4 years had higher odds (aOR: 1.14; 95% CI: 1.05–1.22) of accessing nPEP than those living in Australia for >4 years.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>nPEP prescriptions declined with PrEP availability. Newly arrived overseas-born MSM who are unlikely to have access to subsidised PrEP have a higher demand of nPEP.</p></div><div><h3>Implications for Public Health</h3><p>Increasing PrEP education and ensuring equal access is vital in the drive to reduce new HIV diagnoses.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":8620,"journal":{"name":"Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health","volume":"48 4","pages":"Article 100179"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1326020024000554/pdfft?md5=1d3534a9fd6f67ea37fcdfd56e2039a2&pid=1-s2.0-S1326020024000554-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141756834","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-08-01DOI: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100170
Alysha Y. Wanigaratne , Mohana Baptista , Freya Langham , Andrew Stripp , Rhonda L. Stuart
Objectives
COVID-19 Omicron subvariants typically cause milder disease than previous strains, yet many patients were still admitted to hospital for acute care. We audited reasons for and details of admissions to identify opportunities to reduce hospitalisations.
Methods
We reviewed all admitted patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 from 1st December 2022 to 30th January 2023.
Results
Of 600 patients with a positive COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction, 222(37%) were considered incidental diagnoses. Reasons for admission for symptomatic COVID-19 (375 patients, 63%) included worsening symptoms (226, 60%), exacerbation of comorbidities (89, 24%), and difficulty managing at home (38, 10%). Almost half were classified as a mild infection (175, 47%). Of the 231 patients aged over 70 years, only 55 (24%) had prior antiviral therapy, and 90 (39%) had 4+ vaccine doses. Patients speaking language other than English and having country of birth other than Australia were significantly associated with lower vaccination rates and not having antivirals prior to admission.
Conclusions
One-third of COVID-19 hospital admissions were incidental, and half were for mild disease. Many patients had not received appropriate vaccination or antivirals in the community.
Implications for public health
Improving uptake of vaccinations and antivirals, and increasing community support, with a focus on people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, may reduce the burden of COVID-19 on hospitals.
{"title":"COVID-19 hospitalisations in a tertiary health service during the Omicron subvariant wave","authors":"Alysha Y. Wanigaratne , Mohana Baptista , Freya Langham , Andrew Stripp , Rhonda L. Stuart","doi":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100170","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100170","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><p>COVID-19 Omicron subvariants typically cause milder disease than previous strains, yet many patients were still admitted to hospital for acute care. We audited reasons for and details of admissions to identify opportunities to reduce hospitalisations.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>We reviewed all admitted patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 from 1<sup>st</sup> December 2022 to 30<sup>th</sup> January 2023.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Of 600 patients with a positive COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction, 222(37%) were considered incidental diagnoses. Reasons for admission for symptomatic COVID-19 (375 patients, 63%) included worsening symptoms (226, 60%), exacerbation of comorbidities (89, 24%), and difficulty managing at home (38, 10%). Almost half were classified as a mild infection (175, 47%). Of the 231 patients aged over 70 years, only 55 (24%) had prior antiviral therapy, and 90 (39%) had 4+ vaccine doses. Patients speaking language other than English and having country of birth other than Australia were significantly associated with lower vaccination rates and not having antivirals prior to admission.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>One-third of COVID-19 hospital admissions were incidental, and half were for mild disease. Many patients had not received appropriate vaccination or antivirals in the community.</p></div><div><h3>Implications for public health</h3><p>Improving uptake of vaccinations and antivirals, and increasing community support, with a focus on people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, may reduce the burden of COVID-19 on hospitals.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":8620,"journal":{"name":"Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health","volume":"48 4","pages":"Article 100170"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-08-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1326020024000451/pdfft?md5=f77c2a753ba43a43853a4585952d04de&pid=1-s2.0-S1326020024000451-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141854635","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-07-20DOI: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100175
Denis Liu Shiu Cheong , Jayden Tran , Wyitt Chong , Scott May , Samantha J. Carlson , Sandra M. Salter , Katie Attwell
{"title":"Corrigendum to “Attitudes, perceptions, and experiences of Western Australians towards vaccine safety surveillance systems following COVID-19 vaccines: A qualitative descriptive study” [Aust NZ J Public Health 48 (2024) 100108]","authors":"Denis Liu Shiu Cheong , Jayden Tran , Wyitt Chong , Scott May , Samantha J. Carlson , Sandra M. Salter , Katie Attwell","doi":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100175","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100175","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8620,"journal":{"name":"Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health","volume":"48 4","pages":"Article 100175"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-07-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1326020024000505/pdfft?md5=aa476846b0ad85802ba2a428b84ae9a8&pid=1-s2.0-S1326020024000505-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141732354","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-07-20DOI: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100178
Archana Koirala , Noni Winkler , Caroline Sharpe , Trish van Tussenbroek , Paul Wood , Kristine Macartney , Helen Quinn
{"title":"Corrigendum to “Real-world utilisation of SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen testing to enable face-to-face learning in Australian schools, an ecological study” [Aust NZ J Public Health 48 (2024) 100159]","authors":"Archana Koirala , Noni Winkler , Caroline Sharpe , Trish van Tussenbroek , Paul Wood , Kristine Macartney , Helen Quinn","doi":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100178","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100178","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8620,"journal":{"name":"Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health","volume":"48 4","pages":"Article 100178"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-07-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1326020024000542/pdfft?md5=05a5a6284d03520bc59672a9f3cb71f4&pid=1-s2.0-S1326020024000542-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141732355","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-07-18DOI: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100177
Denis Liu Shiu Cheong , Jayden Tran , Wyitt Chong , Scott May , Samantha J. Carlson , Sandra M. Salter , Katie Attwell
Objective
Concerns regarding adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) are a barrier to vaccine uptake. Health professionals use vaccine safety surveillance systems (VSSS) to monitor vaccines and inform the public of safety data. With little known about public attitudes, perceptions, and experiences with VSSS, we examined them in the context of COVID-19 vaccinations in Western Australia.
Methods
Researchers conducted 158 qualitative interviews between March 2021 to May 2022 within the broader Coronavax project. Data regarding VSSS was coded in NVivo using deductive and inductive methods.
Results
Despite some not knowing about VSSS, participants expected follow-up post COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccine hesitant or refusing participants knew about VSSS and regarded these systems positively. Additional considerations concerned the reliability of data collected by VSSS.
Conclusion
Perceptions of VSSS signal a lack of understanding about how these systems work. Future studies should further explore the public’s understanding of VSSS, whether VSSS improves vaccine confidence, and how governments can better communicate to the public about VSSS.
Implications for public health
Lack of understanding of how VSSS operate may be stymying attempts to build public vaccine confidence. Healthcare providers and governments could build public knowledge and understanding of VSSS to mitigate concerns of AEFIs.
{"title":"Attitudes, perceptions, and experiences of Western Australians towards vaccine safety surveillance systems following COVID-19 vaccines: A qualitative descriptive study","authors":"Denis Liu Shiu Cheong , Jayden Tran , Wyitt Chong , Scott May , Samantha J. Carlson , Sandra M. Salter , Katie Attwell","doi":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100177","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100177","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><p>Concerns regarding adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) are a barrier to vaccine uptake. Health professionals use vaccine safety surveillance systems (VSSS) to monitor vaccines and inform the public of safety data. With little known about public attitudes, perceptions, and experiences with VSSS, we examined them in the context of COVID-19 vaccinations in Western Australia.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>Researchers conducted 158 qualitative interviews between March 2021 to May 2022 within the broader Coronavax project. Data regarding VSSS was coded in NVivo using deductive and inductive methods.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Despite some not knowing about VSSS, participants expected follow-up post COVID-19 vaccination. Vaccine hesitant or refusing participants knew about VSSS and regarded these systems positively. Additional considerations concerned the reliability of data collected by VSSS.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Perceptions of VSSS signal a lack of understanding about how these systems work. Future studies should further explore the public’s understanding of VSSS, whether VSSS improves vaccine confidence, and how governments can better communicate to the public about VSSS.</p></div><div><h3>Implications for public health</h3><p>Lack of understanding of how VSSS operate may be stymying attempts to build public vaccine confidence. Healthcare providers and governments could build public knowledge and understanding of VSSS to mitigate concerns of AEFIs.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":8620,"journal":{"name":"Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health","volume":"48 4","pages":"Article 100177"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-07-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1326020024000530/pdfft?md5=6b778ae1dd1fe8b1531186cc6b85db43&pid=1-s2.0-S1326020024000530-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141726815","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-07-13DOI: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100168
Adeline Hillan , Li Pung , Susan Ridderhof , Jessica Ramsay , Rashmi Vinogradov , Darren Westphal , Mayli Foong , Alan Leeb , Benjamin Scalley , Anastasia Phillips
Objective
To support immunisation providers through a cold chain management audit.
Methods
An electronic audit survey using the National Vaccine Storage Guidelines as a gold standard was developed for general practice (GP) and community pharmacy. It included automated feedback, with individualised support from a clinical nurse specialist as required. Responses were analysed to determine the proportion of providers meeting criteria in four categories: procedures, refrigerators and equipment, temperature monitoring and emergency storage.
Results
Of 818 providers invited, 420 GPs (89.6%) and 276 pharmacies (82%) responded. Over 70% met all procedural and emergency storage criteria. Although most providers (98.1% GPs, 97.0% pharmacies) used a data logger, the proportion measuring at 5-minute intervals, reviewing data logger printouts weekly and manually recording minimum and maximum temperatures was lower. In total, 58% of providers required follow-up by the clinical nurse specialist, most regarding the need for equipment.
Conclusion
An electronic audit enabled public health to engage with a large number of immunisation providers. Most reported high compliance with the national guidelines although opportunities for education were identified and actioned.
Implications for Public Health
Electronic solutions can support public health units to engage with providers to ensure vaccines remain effective and wastage is limited.
{"title":"Public health audit of vaccine cold chain management in general practice and community pharmacy in Western Australia","authors":"Adeline Hillan , Li Pung , Susan Ridderhof , Jessica Ramsay , Rashmi Vinogradov , Darren Westphal , Mayli Foong , Alan Leeb , Benjamin Scalley , Anastasia Phillips","doi":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100168","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100168","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><p>To support immunisation providers through a cold chain management audit.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>An electronic audit survey using the National Vaccine Storage Guidelines as a gold standard was developed for general practice (GP) and community pharmacy. It included automated feedback, with individualised support from a clinical nurse specialist as required. Responses were analysed to determine the proportion of providers meeting criteria in four categories: procedures, refrigerators and equipment, temperature monitoring and emergency storage.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Of 818 providers invited, 420 GPs (89.6%) and 276 pharmacies (82%) responded. Over 70% met all procedural and emergency storage criteria. Although most providers (98.1% GPs, 97.0% pharmacies) used a data logger, the proportion measuring at 5-minute intervals, reviewing data logger printouts weekly and manually recording minimum and maximum temperatures was lower. In total, 58% of providers required follow-up by the clinical nurse specialist, most regarding the need for equipment.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>An electronic audit enabled public health to engage with a large number of immunisation providers. Most reported high compliance with the national guidelines although opportunities for education were identified and actioned.</p></div><div><h3>Implications for Public Health</h3><p>Electronic solutions can support public health units to engage with providers to ensure vaccines remain effective and wastage is limited.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":8620,"journal":{"name":"Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health","volume":"48 4","pages":"Article 100168"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2024-07-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1326020024000438/pdfft?md5=0149ea8ebce400a0cf59b2c2453360fe&pid=1-s2.0-S1326020024000438-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141607751","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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