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Additional file 1. CORE-Q Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research.

Background Individuals who are immunocompromised as a result of advanced age, medical conditions and certain medications may have an increased risk of herpes zoster, but earlier studies have frequently focused on selected populations. The aim of this thesis was to quantify zoster risk related to cancer and use of immunosuppressants – corticosteroids and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) – in a single population-based cohort. Methods Data from a prospective cohort of over 267,000 Australians aged 45 years and over (the Sax Institute’s 45 and Up Study) and linked pharmaceutical, hospital, medical service and death datasets (2004–2015) were analysed. Incidence of herpes zoster was examined using survival analysis methods; the hazard ratios (HRs) of zoster among those with cancer diagnoses or receiving immunosuppressants was analysed using Cox proportional hazards models. Results In this population-based cohort, the incidence of first and recurrent zoster was estimated to be 9.43 and 0.35 per 1000 person-years, respectively. There was an elevated risk of zoster among cancer patients, corticosteroid users and DMARD users, after adjusting for the effect of age, sex and other confounders. The absolute risk of zoster (incidence per 1000 person-years; adjusted HR) was highest in those with haematological cancer (38.5; 3.74 [95% confidence interval, CI 3.11–4.51]) and those using biological DMARDs (28.3; 2.45 [95%CI 1.50–4.01]), moderate in those using conventional DMARDs (16.9; 1.48 [95%CI 1.33–1.66]) and systemic corticosteroids (16.1; 1.59 [95%CI 1.48–1.71]), and lowest in those with solid organ cancers (13.2; 1.30 [95%CI 1.21–1.40]) and those using only inhaled corticosteroids (12.0; 1.21 [95%CI 1.13–1.31]). Conclusion This thesis quantifies differences in risk of zoster following cancer diagnoses, corticosteroid use and DMARD use. This is informative for clinicians and health policymakers in the design of zoster prevention strategies, especially in the context of zoster vaccine use.

Background: Travel agents are known to be one of the main sources of health information for pilgrims, and their advice is associated with positive health behaviors. Objective: This study aimed to investigate travel agents’ health knowledge, what health advice they provide to the pilgrims, and their sources of health information. Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted among specialist Hajj travel agents in Sydney, Australia. Thematic analysis was undertaken. Results: Of the 13 accredited Hajj travel agents, 9 (69%) were interviewed. A high level of awareness regarding gastrointestinal infections, standard hygiene methods, and the risk of injury was noted among the participants and was included in advice provided to pilgrims. However, very limited knowledge and provision of advice about the risk of respiratory infections was identified. Knowledge of the compulsory meningococcal vaccine was high, and all participated travel agents reported influenza vaccine (a recommended vaccine) as a second “compulsory” vaccine for Hajj visas. Conversely, participants reported very limited knowledge about other recommended vaccines for Hajj. The Ministry of Hajj website and personal Hajj experience were the main sources of information. Conclusions: This study identifies a potential path for novel health promotion strategies to improve health knowledge among Hajj travel agents and subsequently among Hajj pilgrims.

COREQ checklist. (DOCX 18 kb)

describes awareness about use of mobile phone for healthcare among males compared to females adjusted for other covariates for age, education and socioeconomic status. Appendix Table S2. describes knowledge of existing mHealth services among males compared to females, adjusted for other covariates for age, education and SES; and Appendix Table S3. describes intention to use mHealth services in future among males compared to females, adjusted for other covariates for age, education and socioeconomic status (DOCX 25 kb)

Survey questionnaire. (DOC 572 kb)

Health inequity and provision of health care to resettled refugees and new migrants are complex and critical issues worldwide. These groups often have lower rates of health care utilisation and poor access to care and preventive services. As such, refugees and migrants are at increased risk of under-immunisation compared to Australian-born residents and higher rates of many vaccine-preventable diseases are reported in migrant Australians, particularly after travel. There are numerous barriers to addressing low immunisation coverage for migrants and refugees, particularly ensuring equitable access to funded vaccines. The Centre for Research Excellence in Population Health (CRE) “Immunisation in under-studied and special risk populations: Closing the gap in knowledge through a multidisciplinary approach” is dedicated to identifying and addressing research gaps with important immunisation policy implications for high risk and marginalised populations. On the 9th August, 2013 the CRE hosted a stakeholder workshop: Immunisation policy for migrants, refugees and travellers. This report describes the key immunisation issues and recommendations specific to migrants and refugees discussed in the first half of the forum. This national workshop convened relevant stakeholders with an interest in refugee and migrant health enabling a considered and focused discussion of risks, gaps and areas for future policy direction. This workshop is the first national meeting dedicated to immunisation needs of migrants and refugees to be held, and the first time during which stakeholders from relevant sectors have been brought together as a group to discuss these issues. Universal access to immunisation, including catch-up immunisation, has wider public health benefits for Australia beyond the benefits to the individual. Low rates of immunisation in newly arrived migrants and refugees pose a risk to their own health and to the ongoing success of the largest publicly-funded preventive program in Australia, the National Immunisation Program (NIP). Failure to address immunisation gaps at a coordinated national level in these vulnerable groups will lead to ongoing risk of outbreaks of infectious diseases. The report summarises key findings and recommendations arising from the workshop and workshop discussion forum.

Additional file 1: Table S1. Demographics of malaria and chikungunya cases completing the enhanced survey (nâ =â 46), Feb 2013â Jan 2014.

Additional file 1: Table S1. Demographics of malaria and chikungunya cases completing the enhanced survey (nâ =â 46), Feb 2013â Jan 2014.

usc Introduction: We conducted a detailed analysis of trends in new HIV diagnoses in Australia by country of birth, to understand any changes in epidemiology, relationship to migration patterns and implications for public health programs. Methods: Poisson regression analyses were performed, comparing the age-standardised HIV diagnosis rates per 100,000 estimated resident population between 2006–2010 and 2011–2015 by region of birth, with stratification by exposure (male-to-male sex, heterosexual sex–males and females). Correlation between the number of permanent and long-term arrivals was also explored using linear regression models. Results: Between 2006 and 2015, there were 6,741 new HIV diagnoses attributed to male-to-male sex and 2,093 attributed to heterosexual sex, with the proportion of diagnoses attributed to male-to-male sex who were Australian-born decreasing from 72.5% to 66.5%. Compared with 2006–2010, the average annual HIV diagnosis rate per 100,000 in 2011–15 attributed to male-to-male sex was significantly higher in men born in South-East Asia (summary rate ratio (SRR) = 1.37, p = 0.001), North-East Asia (SRR = 2.18, p