The prevalence of behavioural risk factors associated with sudden infant death syndrome

Sudden Infant Death syndrome (SIDS) is a major cause of death in the first year of life. In Western Australia (WA), two infants in every thousand live births die from SIDS each year. The aim of this study was to ascertain the prevalence in WA of three risk factors which have been associated with SIDS, namely prone lying, maternal smoking and lack of breast feeding. In addition the study sought to determine the significant influences that encourage change in infant care practices by parents. The study obtained information from child health nurses and midwives regarding the advice they provide on these three risk factors, and the extent to which hospitals have developed policies or guidelines on these risk factors. The information was obtained using mailed questionnaires to five distinct groups (i) 242 mothers who had recently given birth for the first time, (ii) 448 mothers who had recently given birth for at least the second time, (iii) 80 child health nurses (iv) 80 registered midwives plus 13 registered midwives in independent practise, and (v) all 85 hospitals in WA which accepted maternity or infant patients. This study has found that 89% of infants in WA sleep in a non-prone position, and that mothers with previous children have made a significant change from prone to non-prone sleeping with their most recent child. The rates of commencement of breast feeding (93%) and breast feeding at three months (63%) are comparable to findings elsewhere in Australia. However, there is a significant reduction in the number of mothers who breast fed their recently born infants compared to their previous children. There was an overall small decrease in maternal smoking between the antenatal and the postnatal periods. Mothers with previous children smoked significantly less after the birth of their recently born infant than after the birth of their previous child. The media, midwives, and books, pamphlets and parenthood classes were important influences for mothers with respect to infant sleeping position. Child health nurses and midwives had changed their advice on sleeping position, with almost all promoting a non-prone infant sleep position. The majority of hospitals have instituted policies and guidelines advocating non-prone infant sleeping. The \u27Reducing the Risks\u27 campaign initiated by the SIDS Foundation in 1991 appears to have had an important and significant role in effecting this change in sleeping position. The results of this study have provided important baseline data about the prevalence of the major postnatal risk factors associated with SIDS, and also include information about the advice given by health care professionals and hospitals. This information has the potential to assist health care personnel and agencies when developing future health promotion strategies in the area of maternal and child health in WA

I’m not shure about her spelling... Learning to Teach; What do Pre-Service Teachers Report? Introducing Grammar and Embedding Student Learning Advisors in a Journalism Unit

To journalism employers, the ability to spell, punctuate, use correct grammar and write clearly are key attributes that are sought from journalism graduates— but not always found (Callaghan and McManus, 2009; Sheridan Burns, 2003; Ricketson, 2001). This paper describes a problem-based learning approach aimed at improving student writing in a foundation journalism unit at Edith Cowan University. Exercises and assessments were developed to increase understanding and awareness of spelling, grammar and punctuation, using a combination strategy that embedded a student learning advisor in the unit. Students participated in intensive grammar workshops before undertaking peer editing of all written assessments, as well as editing their own work. The results of the changes were initially mixed, with many students unhappy with the attention on grammar. Final unit feedback was significantly more positive, however, showing 94 per cent of students believed the intensive grammar work would be useful or very useful for their future writing, while 72 per cent believed the editing techniques shown would be useful or very useful in improving their written work. The paper outlines the steps taken in this shift in teaching, the challenges faced, including initial student reluctance to engage, and recommendations for anyone wishing to replicate the process

Cosmetics Laboratory Report - Report Series # 7

There exists extensive research examining the connection between physical appearance and self-esteem. Many studies involving older adults up to the age of 75 find congruent results with the aforementioned studies. Much of gerontological research concerns the quality of life of older adults. Considering the connection between physical appearance and self-esteem, it might be interesting to consider whether or not enhancements to physical appearance would result in an increase in self-esteem. Likewise, one can consider whether or not an increase in self-esteem on the basis of physical appearance contributes to a change in the quality of life for the older individual. This study serves as a preliminary pilot research study. The focus is to determine whether or not such a connection exists and consequently if a research study on cosmetic therapy is warranted

Prison visits an ethnographic study of interaction in the visiting room of a maximum security institution.

Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 40-07, page: . Thesis (M.A.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 1985

Book Reviews

Book Review

Planning guidelines for koala conservation and recovery: A guide to best planning practice

The information contained in the guide is a synthesis of four years research into the conservation and restoration of koala populations in fragmented landscapes of eastern Australia. The guidelines also capture a decade of practical research and planning experience by the Australian Koala Foundation in mapping koala habitat and developing koala conservation and management plans for local government areas in New South Wales. They draw on the collective knowledge of researchers who wanted to see their results put into action with practical outcomes for koala conservation

Linocin and OmpW Are Involved In Attachment Of The Cystic Fibrosis-Associated Pathogen Burkholderia Cepacia Complex To Lung Epithelial Cells and Protect Mice Against Infection

Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) causes chronic opportunistic lung infections in people with cystic fibrosis (CF) resulting in a gradual lung function decline and, ultimately, patient death. Bcc is a complex of eighteen species and is rarely eradicated once a patient is colonised, therefore vaccination may represent a better therapeutic option. We developed a new proteomics approach to identify bacterial proteins that are involved in attachment of Bcc to lung epithelial cells. Fourteen proteins were reproducibly identified by 2-DE from four Bcc strains, representative of two Bcc species: B. cenocepacia, the most virulent and B. multivorans, the most frequently acquired. Seven proteins were identified in both species, but only two were common to all four strains, Linocin and OmpW. Both proteins were selected based previously published data on these proteins in other species. The E. coli strains expressing recombinant Linocin and OmpW showed enhanced attachment (4.2- and 3.9-fold) to lung cells, compared to control, confirming that both proteins are involved in host cell attachment. Immunoproteomic analysis using serum from Bcc colonised CF patients confirmed that both proteins elicit potent humoral responses in vivo. Mice immunised with either recombinant Linocin or OmpW were protected from B. cenocepacia and B. multivorans challenge. Both antigens induced potent antigen-specific antibody responses and stimulated strong cytokine responses. In conclusion, our approach identified adhesins that induced excellent protection against two Bcc species and are promising vaccine candidates for a multi-subunit vaccine. Furthermore, it highlights the potential of our proteomics approach to identify potent antigens against other difficult pathogens