Describing meningococcal disease: understanding, perceptions and feelings of people in a regional area of NSW, Australia

Objectives: To explore understanding, perceptions and feelings about meningococcal disease in members of higher risk groups. To explore what people say are the most important health messages and communication preferences about invasive meningococcal disease (IMD). Methods: Three focus groups and two semistructured interviews were conducted with people at higher risk of IMD in Hunter New England Local Health District in New South Wales. Results: Participants generally had a low understanding of IMD, but described intense feelings about the disease and empathy for those who had experienced the disease. Fear of stigma and the impact of stigma were identified. Participants identified reasons for delaying presentation for care as perceptions of invincibility (particularly among young people), the cost of care (for all groups), and racism (particularly for Aboriginal people). These issues were both potential and experienced barriers for participants accessing help when acutely unwell. Factors for effective communication to improve understanding of IMD included the communication being acceptable, accessible and appropriate. Conclusions: IMD is a serious but uncommon disease that has a range of impacts on people, families and communities. Higher risk groups may benefit from receiving more appropriate and accessible information about early signs and symptoms of IMD. Communication and understanding about the disease could be improved by working with new technologies and partnering with key people in high-risk groups. Use of text messages and social networking for urgent communication could be considered and trialled in public health practice. It is also important to recognise the potential direct or indirect experience of racism and stigma for patients with IMD and their families. Management of IMD could be strengthened by connecting people and families with support groups or services to reduce the impact of the disease

The Protection of the Rights of Migrant Domestic Workers in a Country of Origin and a Country of Destination: Case Studies of the Philippines and Kuwait

During the spring semester of 2013, the SAIS International Human Rights Clinic researched the protection and promotion of the rights of migrant domestic workers in a country of origin and a country of destination by example of the Philippines and Kuwait. The students embarked on a weeklong fact-finding mission to gain insights into (a) the underlying causes and social consequences of labor migration, (b) the mechanisms to protect migrant domestic workers from abuse and exploitation, and (c) the preventive activities carried out in the two countries. The findings of the two fact-finding missions, supported by academic research and scholarship, policy papers, and press releases, are published in this report. The report describes the situation of migrant domestic workers from the start of their journey in the Philippines, through their arrival and work in Kuwait, and through their repatriation. The report aims (a) to raise public awareness about the rights of migrant domestic workers; (b) to offer practical solutions to policymakers in countries of origin and destination; and (c) to offer practical solutions specifically to the Kuwaiti and Philippine governments to take decisive action to better prevent human rights abuses, punish human rights violators, and protect vulnerable populations. By focusing on Filipino migrant domestic workers, the report aims to facilitate the further development of Kuwait–Philippines intergovernmental cooperation that may serve as a model for labor-receiving and labor-sending countries

Meeting measles elimination indicators: surveillance performance in a regional area of Australia

The World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Region has established specific measles elimination surveillance indicators. There has been concern in Australia that these indicators may be too stringent and that measles elimination can occur without all surveillance prerequisites being met, in particular the minimum fever and rash clinician-suspected measles reporting rate with subsequent laboratory exclusion of measles. A regional public health unit in northern New South Wales, Australia, prompted local general practitioners to report fever and rash presentations that met the measles case definition or that they considered to be clinical measles. These notifications from July 2006 to June 2008 were reviewed to determine whether measles indicators for monitoring progress towards measles elimination could be achieved in Australia. Results confirmed that the surveillance indicators of “>2 reported suspected measles cases per 100 000 population,” “at least 80% of suspected cases adequately investigated within 48 hours” and “greater than 80% of cases had adequate blood samples collected” could be met. Only half the cases had virology that would allow genotyping of measles virus. Special efforts to engage and convince Australian medical doctors about the public health value of reporting clinically suggestive measles cases and collecting confirmatory blood tests, resulted in the current WHO Western Pacific Region indicators for progress towards measles elimination being met in a regional area of Australia

Meeting measles elimination indicators: surveillance performance in a regional area of Australia

The World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Region has established specific measles elimination surveillance indicators. There has been concern in Australia that these indicators may be too stringent and that measles elimination can occur without all surveillance prerequisites being met, in particular the minimum fever and rash clinician-suspected measles reporting rate with subsequent laboratory exclusion of measles. A regional public health unit in northern New South Wales, Australia, prompted local general practitioners to report fever and rash presentations that met the measles case definition or that they considered to be clinical measles. These notifications from July 2006 to June 2008 were reviewed to determine whether measles indicators for monitoring progress towards measles elimination could be achieved in Australia. Results confirmed that the surveillance indicators of ">2 reported suspected measles cases per 100 000 population," "at least 80% of suspected cases adequately investigated within 48 hours" and "greater than 80% of cases had adequate blood samples collected" could be met. Only half the cases had virology that would allow genotyping of measles virus. Special efforts to engage and convince Australian medical doctors about the public health value of reporting clinically suggestive measles cases and collecting confirmatory blood tests resulted in the current WHO Western Pacific Region indicators for progress towards measles elimination being met in a regional area of Australia

Psychosocial Challenges of Invasive Meningococcal Disease for Children and their Families

Invasive Meningococcal Disease (IMD) is an uncommon but potentially severe illness that disproportionally affects babies, children, and adolescents and can cause significant disability. Such outcomes have devastating impact on families and caregivers. This study aimed to identify the current level of social work intervention in cases of IMD, identify how psychosocial needs are met during an IMD admission; and identify the opportunities for social workers to support and meet the needs of patients, families, and carers during an IMD admission and beyond. A mixed methods approach was employed including: a medical record review of IMD cases; semistructured interviews with families who had experienced a child or young person with an IMD diagnosis; and a structured interview with a key informant to explore the potential social work role. The results from this small study indicate that the psychosocial needs of family members may not be being adequately met, highlighting an opportunity for social workers to provide holistic assessment and support including crisis intervention, advocacy, and anticipatory guidance to those experiencing IMD and their families

Psychosocial challenges of Invasive Meningococcal Disease for children and their families

Invasive Meningococcal Disease (IMD) is an uncommon but potentially severe illness that disproportionally affects babies, children, and adolescents and can cause significant disability. Such outcomes have devastating impact on families and caregivers. This study aimed to identify the current level of social work intervention in cases of IMD, identify how psychosocial needs are met during an IMD admission; and identify the opportunities for social workers to support and meet the needs of patients, families, and carers during an IMD admission and beyond. A mixed methods approach was employed including: a medical record review of IMD cases; semistructured interviews with families who had experienced a child or young person with an IMD diagnosis; and a structured interview with a key informant to explore the potential social work role. The results from this small study indicate that the psychosocial needs of family members may not be being adequately met, highlighting an opportunity for social workers to provide holistic assessment and support including crisis intervention, advocacy, and anticipatory guidance to those experiencing IMD and their families. IMPLICATIONS Invasive meningococcal disease can have devastating physical outcomes for the infected individual and those around them may endure psychosocial traumas with this sudden, severe illness. Social workers can provide support at critical times during the medical emergency to reduce distress and improve communication to better support individuals and their families in the medical setting. Continuing social work support may reduce long-term distress

Willingness of frontline health care workers to work during a public health emergency

As the effectiveness of a health care response during a disaster depends on an available, skilled and motivated front line health workforce, it is essential to understand and address potential barriers to their participation. We conducted a survey of front line health staff employed in a large regional health workforce in Australia to determine their perceived willingness to report to work during three public health emergency scenarios (weather event, influenza pandemic and bioterrorism event). While willingness to report to work differed by scenario, our research indicated that a similar framework for preparing staff and their families could apply to all disaster scenarios. To ensure that frontline health staff will report to work when they are most needed, response plans should ensure personal confidence in their defined role, emphasising the value of their role and addressing their family concerns

Willingness of frontline health care workers to work during a public health emergency

As the effectiveness of a health care response during a disaster depends on an available, skilled and motivated front line health workforce, it is essential to understand and address potential barriers to their participation. We conducted a survey of front line health staff employed in a large regional health workforce in Australia to determine their perceived willingness to report to work during three public health emergency scenarios (weather event, influenza pandemic and bioterrorism event). While willingness to report to work differed by scenario, our research indicated that a similar framework for preparing staff and their families could apply to all disaster scenarios. To ensure that frontline health staff will report to work when they are most needed, response plans should ensure personal confidence in their defined role, emphasising the value of their role and addressing their family concerns

The Protection of the Rights of Migrant Domestic Workers in a Country of Origin and a Country of Destination: Case Studies of the Philippines and Kuwait

During the spring semester of 2013, the SAIS International Human Rights Clinic researched the protection and promotion of the rights of migrant domestic workers in a country of origin and a country of destination by example of the Philippines and Kuwait. The students embarked on a weeklong fact-finding mission to gain insights into (a) the underlying causes and social consequences of labor migration, (b) the mechanisms to protect migrant domestic workers from abuse and exploitation, and (c) the preventive activities carried out in the two countries. The findings of the two fact-finding missions, supported by academic research and scholarship, policy papers, and press releases, are published in this report. The report describes the situation of migrant domestic workers from the start of their journey in the Philippines, through their arrival and work in Kuwait, and through their repatriation. The report aims (a) to raise public awareness about the rights of migrant domestic workers; (b) to offer practical solutions to policymakers in countries of origin and destination; and (c) to offer practical solutions specifically to the Kuwaiti and Philippine governments to take decisive action to better prevent human rights abuses, punish human rights violators, and protect vulnerable populations. By focusing on Filipino migrant domestic workers, the report aims to facilitate the further development of Kuwait–Philippines intergovernmental cooperation that may serve as a model for labor-receiving and labor-sending countries