Factors influencing psychological distress during a disease epidemic: Data from Australia's first outbreak of equine influenza

BACKGROUND: In 2007 Australia experienced its first outbreak of highly infectious equine influenza. Government disease control measures were put in place to control, contain, and eradicate the disease; these measures included movement restrictions and quarantining of properties. This study was conducted to assess the psycho-social impacts of this disease, and this paper reports the prevalence of, and factors influencing, psychological distress during this outbreak. METHODS: Data were collected using an online survey, with a link directed to the affected population via a number of industry groups. Psychological distress, as determined by the Kessler 10 Psychological Distress Scale, was the main outcome measure. RESULTS: In total, 2760 people participated in this study. Extremely high levels of non-specific psychological distress were reported by respondents in this study, with 34% reporting high psychological distress (K10 > 22), compared to levels of around 12% in the Australian general population. Analysis, using backward stepwise binary logistic regression analysis, revealed that those living in high risk infection (red) zones (OR = 2.00; 95% CI: 1.57-2.55; p < 0.001) and disease buffer (amber) zones (OR = 1.83; 95% CI: 1.36-2.46; p < 0.001) were at much greater risk of high psychological distress than those living in uninfected (white zones). Although prevalence of high psychological distress was greater in infected EI zones and States, elevated levels of psychological distress were experienced in horse-owners nationally. Statistical analysis indicated that certain groups were more vulnerable to high psychological distress; specifically younger people, and those with lower levels of formal educational qualifications. Respondents whose principal source of income was from horse-related industry were more than twice as likely to have high psychological distress than those whose primary source of income was not linked to horse-related industry (OR = 2.23; 95% CI: 1.82-2.73; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Although, methodologically, this study had good internal validity, it has limited generalisability because it was not possible to identify, bound, or sample the target population accurately. However, this study is the first to collect psychological distress data from an affected population during such a disease outbreak and has potential to inform those involved in assessing the potential psychological impacts of human infectious diseases, such as pandemic influenza.13 page(s

Food consumption habits in two states of Australia, as measured by a Food Frequency Questionnaire

BACKGROUND: Obesity is an important public health problem in Australia, and monitoring the nutritional intake of the population is an important endeavour. One way to assess food habits is via Food Frequency Questionnaires (FFQ). This pilot study used a routine telephone risk factor surveillance survey to recruit participants in South Australia (SA) and Western Australia (WA) to a postal survey investigating food consumption habits, using a FFQ. Respondents were also asked specific additional questions about their fruit and vegetable consumption and also about their height and weight so that comparisons could be made between the data collected in the risk factor surveillance system and the postal survey. FINDINGS: In total, 1275 respondents (65% of eligible telephone respondents) completed the postal survey. The results of the FFQ were very similar for WA and SA. Western Australians consumed statistically significantly more serves of vegetables than South Australians (t = 2.69 df = 1245 p <= 0.01), and females consumed statistically significantly more serves of both fruit and vegetables than males (t = 4.51 df = 1249 p <= 0.01 and t = 4.83 df = 1249 p <= 0.01 respectively). Less than 10% of respondents met the daily guidelines for vegetable consumption. Over half of respondents were overweight or obese. CONCLUSIONS: Although a wide variety of foods were consumed, guidelines for fruit and vegetable consumption were not being met and overweight and obesity continue to be issues in this population.Alison M. Daly, Jacqueline E. Parsons, Nerissa A. Wood, Tiffany K. Gill and Anne W. Taylo

Gambling Prevalence in South Australia : October to December 2005

Permission to include in Alberta Gambling Research Institute research repository granted by Glenn Palmer (DCSI) on March 3, 2014.Over 17,000 South Australian adults were interviewed for the gambling survey. Telephone interviewing was used, with numbers being randomly selected from the White Pages. This gambling survey follows the methodology of the 2001 study, which was, at that time, the largest survey undertaken to examine gambling patterns in South Australia. The current survey is three times larger than the 2001 survey. This survey examined a wide range of gambling patterns. These included: • how frequently people gamble; • types of gambling most commonly used; and • awareness of support services to assist gamblers with a problem.YesThis study was prepared for the Department for Families and Communities and the Independent Gambling Authority. Jointly funded by the Gamblers Rehabilitation Fund, Department for Families and Communities and the South Australian Independent Gambling Authority

Psychosocial Functioning in Adults with Congenital Craniofacial Conditions

OBJECTIVE: To examine the psychosocial functioning of adults with congenital craniofacial conditions relative to normative data. DESIGN: Single sample cross-sectional design. SETTING: The Australian Craniofacial Unit, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Adelaide, which is one of the main craniofacial treatment centers in Australia. PARTICIPANTS: Adults (N = 93) with congenital craniofacial conditions (excluding cleft lip/palate) who were treated in the Australian Craniofacial Unit. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: All participants completed self-report scales assessing health-related quality of life (SF-36); life satisfaction, anxiety, and depression (HADS); self-esteem (Rosenberg); appearance-related concerns; perceived social support; and social anxiety. RESULTS: Overall, participants were very similar in psychosocial function to the general population. However, adults with craniofacial conditions were less likely to be married and have children (females), were more likely to be receiving a disability pension, and reported more appearance-related concerns and less social support from friends. They also reported more limitations in both their social activities, due to physical or emotional problems, and usual role activities, because of emotional problems, as well as poorer mental health. CONCLUSIONS: These results give cause to be very positive about the longterm outcomes of children who are undergoing treatment for craniofacial conditions, while also identifying specific areas that interventions could target.R.M. Roberts and J.L. Mathia

Sex-specific correlates of adult physical activity in an Australian rural community

Objective: Rural Australians have a higher likelihood of chronic disease and lower levels of physical activity than urban Australians. Little is known of the factors associated with physical activity among rural‐dwelling Australians. This study sought to determine the correlates of physical activity among men and women of the South Australian Riverland region. Design: Cross‐sectional survey.Setting: Regional area. Participants: There are 299 randomly selected 18–65 year olds. Main outcome measures. Determinations of insufficient and sufficient physical activity levels based on public health recommendations. Results: Using logistic regression: in men, sufficient physical activity was associated with reporting perceived sufficient physical activity for health (odds ratio 3.194 [1.703–5.989]), and having friends who encouraged physical activity (3.641 [1.450–9.141]). Men who reported insufficient time (0.350 [0.151–0.812]) and getting enough physical activity at their job (0.374 [0.199–0.702]) were less likely to be sufficiently active. In women, sufficient physical activity was associated with not being employed (2.929 [1.063–8.066]), higher self‐efficacy (2.939 [1.118–7.726]) and having a regular physical activity routine (3.404 [1.829–6.337]). Older age (0.960 [0.929–0.995]), poorer self‐rated health (0.233 [0.060–0.900]) and weekend sitting time (0.823 [0.692–0.980]) were negatively associated with sufficient physical activity for women. Conclusions: Factors associated with physical activity in this rural adult population differed by sex. Sex‐specific approaches to promote physical activity might have utility for this population. Strategies to enhance social connectedness among men and encourage physical activity outside of work can be warranted. Women can require programs to help them develop a regular physical activity routine and improve self‐efficacy.<br/

Comparing self-reported and measured high blood pressure and high cholesterol status using data from a large representative cohort study

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between self-reported and clinical measurements for high blood pressure (HBP) and high cholesterol (HC) in a random population sample. METHOD: A representative population sample of adults aged 18 years and over living in the north-west region of Adelaide (n=1537) were recruited to the biomedical cohort study in 2002/03. In the initial cross-sectional component of the study, self-reported HBP status and HC status were collected over the telephone. Clinical measures of blood pressure were obtained and fasting blood taken to determine cholesterol levels. In addition, data from a continuous chronic disease and risk factor surveillance system were used to assess the consistency of self-reported measures over time. RESULT: Self-report of current HBP and HC showed >98% specificity for both, but sensitivity was low for HC (27.8%) and moderate for HBP (49.0%). Agreement between current self-report and clinical measures was moderate (kappa 0.55) for HBP and low (kappa 0.30) for HC. Demographic differences were found with younger people more likely to have lower sensitivity rates. Self-reported estimates for the surveillance system had not varied significantly over time. CONCLUSION: Although self-reported measures are consistent over time there are major differences between the self-reported measures and the actual clinical measurements. Technical aspects associated with clinic measurements could explain some of the difference. IMPLICATIONS: Monitoring of these broad population measures requires knowledge of the differences and limitations in population settings.Anne Taylor, Eleonora Dal Grande, Tiffany Gill, Sandra Pickering, Janet Grant, Robert Adams and Patrick Phillip