Relationships of Sun-Protection Habit Strength with Sunscreen Use During Outdoor Sport and Physical Activity

The objective of this cross-sectional questionnaire study was to assess associations of a self-report index of sun protection habit strength with sunscreen use in sporting environments and outdoor physical activity. Participants (n = 234) in field hockey, soccer, tennis and surf sports in Queensland, Australia, completed a self-administered survey on sun protection during organized sport, and during general outdoor physical activity during 2005/2006. The sun protection habit strength index was dichotomized into two categories. Multinomial logistic regression analyses assessed the associations of low versus high sun protection habit strength with three categories of sunscreen use (no or rare use; inadequate use; and adequate use). Compared to participants with low sun protection habit strength, those with high sun protection habit strength had significantly greater odds of any sunscreen use during organized sport and during general outdoor physical activity. This association was strongest for adequate sunscreen use in both settings. In conclusion, this study suggests that the measure of sun protection habit strength is a potentially useful assessment tool for future sun protection studies

Suizide Alterer in Italien: Eine epidemiologische Betrachtung unter Berucksichtigung internationaler Entwicklungen (Suicide among the elderly in Italy: An epidemiological focus in the light of international trends)

Suicide rates of the elderly in Italy have remained high but stable over preceding decades. A steady increase has been observed among elderly women. This phenomenon is related to changes in social structure especially a reformation of the family unit. The growth of elderly cohorts has placed a necessary impetus upon the need for specific suicide prevention to reduce the rate of suicide upon identified risk factors

Do psychosocial and pharmacological interventions reduce suicide in schizophrenia and schizophrenia spectrum disorders?

Suicide is the leading cause of premature death among individuals with schizophrenia. Approximately 10-15% of patients with schizophrenia die by suicide, and 18-55% make a suicide attempt throughout their life. Despite the progress of pharmacological efforts in reducing the symptoms of schizophrenia, treatments have had limited success in reducing the overall rate of suicide among this sub-population. Few controlled studies have determined the efficacy of psychosocial interventions in the prevention of suicide. The complexity of this relationship is heightened further by incomplete research efforts investigating the particular nature of suicidal behavior among patients with comorbid conditions (such as major depression and substance abuse disorder), and across the diverse spectrum of disorders that categorize chizophrenia. This article reviews these findings in combination with a brief epidemiological consideration of suicide n schizophrenia and risk factors for suicide among this sub-population. Shortcomings of previous research, and possible avenues for future investigations relating to this matter are also discussed

Understanding and influencing physical activity to improve health outcomes

Participation in physical activity is associated with significant benefits to health. We provide an overview of research relevant to understanding and influencing health-enhancing physical activity in adults. We describe a behavioural epidemiology framework that is designed to integrate the range of studies in the field; give brief examples of studies on the relationships between physical activity and health outcomes; and, we consider descriptive studies of adult populations on levels of participation. We describe research findings on the correlates of physical activity participation; describe ecological models of health behaviour that may be used in understanding and influencing physical activity; and, we review research findings on how environmental attributes can influence adults&rsquo; physical activity, particularly walking. There is considerable potential to use evidence-based approaches to increase the physical activity levels of whole populations, particularly through a focus on developing the attributes of community environments that can promote walking.<br /

Lifetime Risk of Suicide Ideation and Attempts in an Australian Community: Prevalence, Suicidal Process, and Help-seeking Behaviour

Background: The World Health Organisation SUicide PREvention-Multisite Intervention Study on Suicide (WHO/SUPREMISS)investigates suicidal behaviours in a number of nations. The feasibility of the different branches of the study was piloted in Queensland, Australia. This paper reports on the community survey component. Method: Randomised telephone interviews (n =11,572) were conducted to determine the lifetime prevalence of suicidal ideation and attempts, and corresponding socio-demographic and cultural characteristics. A subsequent postal survey sent to consenting individuals reporting lifetime suicide ideation/attempt (n =1311) was meant to ascertain the possible development of that behaviour along a continuum, psychiatric and psychological factors, suicidal transmission, help-seeking, and service utilisation. Results: Suicide ideation and attempts prevailed in individuals aged 25–44 years, and declined with increasing age. In most cases, suicidal experience/s did not develop over time with progressively increasing severity. Knowledge of someone else’s suicidal behaviour significantly increased the risk of similar acts. Almost half of the subjects contended with their suicidal crisis by over-drinking alcohol, and 1/3 through other forms of reckless behaviour. The ratio completed/attempted suicide was 1 to 23. Less than 30% of subjects went to the hospital after their suicidal behaviour, and treatment received and staff attitudes were rated less favourably than that of General Practitioners. Conclusions: This survey provides a reliable picture of suicide ideation and behaviour in the general population. Information on the development of suicidal process, recklessness, and help-seeking attitudes may be valuable for future prevention strategies. D 2005 Elsevier B.V. Alrights reserved

Follow-up care after breast cancer treatment: experiences and perceptions of service provision and provider interactions in rural Australian women

This study aims to explore and examine experiences and perceptions of follow-up care (medical and psychosocial) after active treatment for breast cancer among women living outside major Australian cities

Website-delivered physical activity interventions a review of the literature /

Evidence-based physical activity interventions that can be delivered to large numbers of adults at an acceptable cost are a public health priority; website-delivered programs have this potential. The purpose of this study was to systematically review the research findings and outcomes of website-delivered physical activity interventions and to identify relationships of intervention attributes with behavioral outcomes. A structured search of PubMed, Medline, PsycInfo, and Web of Science was conducted for intervention studies published up to July 2006. Studies included in the review were those that (1) used websites or e-mail, (2) had physical activity behavior as an outcome measure, (3) had randomized controlled or quasi-experimental designs, (4) targeted adults, and (5) were published in English. Of the fifteen studies reviewed, improvement in physical activity was reported in eight. Better outcomes were identified when interventions had more than five contacts with participants and when the time to follow-up was short (≤3 months; 60% positive outcomes), compared to medium-term (3–6 months, 50%) and long-term (>6 months, 40%) follow-up. There were no clear associations of outcomes with other intervention attributes. A little over half of the controlled trials of website-delivered physical activity interventions have reported positive behavioral outcomes. However, intervention effects were short lived, and there was limited evidence of maintenance of physical activity changes. Research is needed to identify elements that can improve behavioral outcomes, the maintenance of change and the engagement and retention of participants; larger and more representative study samples are also needed

Promoting comprehensive sun protection policies and practices in outdoor sports: a qualitative study of perceived priorities and practicalities

Sun protection policies, environments, practices, and attitudes in sporting club contexts might be significant determinants of sun exposure among adult sporting participants. Face-to-face interviews, using standardised, open-ended questions were conducted with 20 club officials from four sports: soccer, hockey, tennis and surf lifesaving. Thematic content analysis identified a number of salient themes. Formal sun protection policies were well-implemented in surf lifesaving, but less so in soccer, hockey and tennis clubs, which often had informal sun protection practices in place. Officials perceived sun protection to be important, which was related to perceived exposure levels, the type of sport, length of time played and the season. Consistent logistical and practical considerations emerged, including limited resources, availability of shade, and lack of control over sporting facilities, uniform regulations and games scheduling. Sun protection efforts often focused on children more than adult players. Reciprocal responsibility was an important theme, where it was perceived that responsibility for sun protection should be equally shared between the club and the member. In this study it was found that reciprocal responsibility, duty of care and sport-specific practical requirements might significantly influence the success of policy, environmental and education initiatives for sun protection in sporting settings.<br /