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Objectives:The current study aimed to explore if the impact of various risk factors for chronic disease differed for people of Chinese, Indian and New Zealand European and Other (NZEO) ethnicities. Design:Data analysed for this paper was extracted from the 2003–04 and the 2006–07 NZ Health surveys for adults aged 25–70 which used a cross-sectional survey design. Data from both the survey waves were combined and all statistical analysis was done using SAS version 9.2 or 9.3. Ethnicity of participants was coded using a priority-based classification system as (1) Indian, (2) Chinese, (3) Other Asian, (4) NZEO, (5) Maori and (6) Pacific. Only data for Indians, Chinese and NZEO were used for the current study. Prevalence estimates and 95% confidence intervals for chronic disease and the associated risk factors were generated to describe the sample. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine whether the difference in the change in risk of chronic disease with different exposures was different according to ethnicity. Results:Higher deprivation resulted in increased risk of chronic disease in Indian and Chinese males but not in NZEO males (p= .03). There was a weak evidence for a differing effect of physical activity (p = .10) on chronic disease with the protective effect not seen in Indian or Chinese participants. Conclusion:The results of the current study indicate that some factors such as socio-economic deprivation and physical activity may impact differently on the prevalence of chronic disease according to ethnicity. The authors recommend further investigation of these factors using improved and innovative methodology and high-quality ethnicity data to better understand the factors underpinning ethnic disparities in disease prevalence among Asian sub-groups. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The aim of this study was to assess pacing during cross-country racing in relation to race length, surface-terrain and racing dynamics. Athletes (n = 148) competed for school teams (U15, U17, U20) over 2.9, 4.2, 6.3 km, respectively. The course lap (2.067 m) was timed using UHF-RFID and divided into six sections based on surface-terrain and length (549, 619, 207, 338, 150, 156m). Overall pace differed between races (4.56 ± 0.30, 4.42 ± 0.38, 4.40 ± 0.31 m∙s−1, p=0.042) but not for the top-20 of each race (p=0.174). Moreover, within lap pacing followed a repeated reverse-"J"-parabolic strategy for all races. Race length (no. of laps) and category affected pacing with regards to finish position banding (1st–10th, 11th–20th) where effect size differences showed large to extremely large (1.21 – >4.00) difference between top-10 and other bands. Exceptions to this included the finish sprint where it was typically trivial-moderate (<0.2–1.2) and in key areas where social facilitation occurred. Athlete/coaches need to be aware of between and within lap variations in pace/effort, the effects of race dynamics, and spectator influences, while all athletes need to be educated as part of their training to run their own optimal strategy for best performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC) extract is a rich source of anthocyanins and in order to exert physiological effects, the anthocyanin-derived metabolites need to be bioavailable in vivo. We examined the plasma uptake of selected phenolic acids following NZBC extract supplementation alongside maintaining a habitual diet (i.e. not restricting habitual polyphenol intake). Twenty healthy volunteers (nine females, age: 28 ± 7 years, height 1.73 ± 0.09 m, body mass 73 ± 11 kg) consumed a 300 mg NZBC extract capsule (CurraNZ®; anthocyanin content 105 mg) following an overnight fast. Venous blood samples were taken pre and 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 h post-ingestion of the capsule. Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was used for analysis of two dihydroxybenzoic acids [i.e. vanillic acid (VA) and protocatechuic acid (PCA)] and one trihydroxybenzoic acid [i.e. gallic acid (GA)] in plasma following NZBC extract supplementation. Habitual anthocyanin intake was 168 (95%CI:68–404) mg⋅day−1 and no associations were observed between this and VA, PCA, and GA plasma uptake by the NZBC extract intake. Plasma time-concentration curves revealed that GA, and PCA were most abundant at 4, and 1.5 h post-ingestion, representing a 261% and 320% increase above baseline, respectively, with VA remaining unchanged. This is the first study to demonstrate that an NZBC extract supplement increases the plasma uptake of phenolic acids GA, and PCA even when a habitual diet is followed in the days preceding the experimental trial, although inter-individual variability is apparent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Purpose in life and capabilities are two significant individual elements that enhance quality of life among older people. Capabilities refers to the extent to which older people are free to make choices that are important to them. At present, it is not known how purpose in life interacts with capabilities to influence quality of life for those living with a disability. This study examined the extent to which purpose in life and capabilities interacts with health status to affect quality of life, particularly for older people with a disability. Methods: Self-report data from participants in a longitudinal cohort study of older New Zealanders were analyzed. Responses from 452 older people with a disability were compared with 3299 age- and gender-matched older people without a disability on indicators related to health and aging. The associations were tested using hierarchical regression. Mediational impact of purpose in life and capabilities were tested via path analysis. Results: Mental health, physical health, purpose in life, and capabilities accounted for a significant amount of variance in quality of life for older people with a disability. Purpose in life and capabilities were significant unique mediators for older people with a disability. Conclusions: Purpose in life may help older people with a disability to deal with early onset stressors or changes in mental and physical health to maintain overall quality of life. The role of capabilities suggests that the social environment and access to resources and choices are important in ensuring that older people aging with or into a disability achieve quality of life in a socially just environment. Purpose in life and capability are unique mediators of the relationship between health status and quality of life. Purpose in life may act as an effective buffering mechanism to deal with disability in later life while capability can empower older people with a disability to achieve quality of life in a just environment. The notion of successful aging with disability should be re-defined as using psychological, social support, and healthcare resources to live a life consistent with personal values in the context of disability Rather than emphasizing structural factors and physical functioning in activity participation, older people with disability should be supported to decide and pursue their own preferences. Rehabilitation professionals can work flexibly with older people with disability to maximize their resilience, dignity, autonomy and choice, and positive connection to others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: New Zealand's Alcohol Licencing Trusts (ALTs) are community-owned entities that sell alcohol in their districts and return profits back to the local community. Aim: To investigate support for applying the ALT model to regulate legal cannabis. Method: An online survey asked people living in two ALT districts to rate their support for applying the ALT model to legal cannabis; 2,379 people completed the survey. Logistic regression models were fitted to identify predictors of support for applying the ALT model to cannabis. Results: Thirty-nine per cent supported the ALT model for legal cannabis. Reasons for support included: the trust's donations to the community (53%), potential to restrict cannabis sales (43%), controlling the cannabis industry (43%), and better than the current prohibition (42%). Support for the existing ALT (OR = 8.86), recent history of cannabis use (OR = 1.42), younger age (OR = 1.02) and not being in employment (OR = 1.46) predicted support for the model for cannabis. Cannabis users were more likely to support the trust model on pragmatic grounds ('better than prohibition') while non-users valued the model's capacity to responsibly regulate sales and the cannabis industry. Discussion: The ALT model can offer a middle-ground approach that attracts support from cannabis users and non-users, albeit on different grounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to investigate the association between caregiver experiences of racial discrimination and physical and emotional health outcomes for their children and to explore potential pathway variables in this relation. We analysed data from two instances of the New Zealand Health Survey that provide nationally representative data for children and adults, with high response rates for each of the major ethnic groupings (Indigenous Māori, Pacific, Asian, and European/Other). Questionnaires from the primary caregiver and their child (5 to 14 years) were linked to create n = 2,958 child-primary caregiver dyads in the 2006/07 Survey and n = 2,632 dyads in the 2011/12 Survey. Children whose caregivers reported any experience of racial discrimination had poorer mental health, self-esteem, and behaviour scores on the CHQ PF-28 scale, even after adjustment for caregiver sociodemographic variables. Multivariable models identified a worsening in child emotional health as the number of reported racism experiences increased. Caregiver experiences of racism were not associated with medicated asthma in their children. Multivariable models suggest that caregiver psychological distress may be a pathway linking vicarious racism to poorer child emotional health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The study investigated: (1) the effect of combining web-based patient education (WBPE) with action and coping plans on patients' adherence to physiotherapy and their subsequent functional outcomes; and (2) the participants' satisfaction with the WBPE program. Methods: One hundred and eight participants enrolled in this 8-week two group randomized controlled trial. They were allocated to either the WBPE planning group or the attention-control group. The WBPE group made action and coping plans and were familiarized with their web-based program. The attention control group was given access to a web-based neutral information program about shoulder injuries and physiotherapy rehabilitation. Throughout the 8-week study physiotherapists measured the participants' clinic-based adherence and participants recorded their home-based adherence using a self-report diary. Functional outcomes for all participants were measured at the beginning and end of the study. Participants provided feedback about their respective websites. Results: The intervention group had a significantly higher clinic based adherence than the control group (p < 0.04). Both groups had a significant improvement in shoulder function but there was no significant difference between them. Participants in the intervention group were highly satisfied with the WBPE program. The preferred delivery of physiotherapy by 87% of the intervention group was a combination of face-to-face appointments and WBPE. Control participants indicated that they would have appreciated information about shoulder exercises and the shoulder complex in their program. Discussion: The WBPE program was an effective adjunct to physiotherapy in terms of patient satisfaction and clinic-based treatment adherence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hearing loss and ear problems in Pacific children, and investigate current and past demographic, health and social factors potentially associated with hearing and ear problems. Design: A cross-sectional observational study design nested within a birth cohort was employed. Study sample: Nine-hundred-twenty Pacific children aged 11 years were audiologically assessed. Using average hearing thresholds at 500, 1k and 2k Hz, 162 (18%) right and 197 (21%) left ears had ≥20 dB hearing loss. Hearing loss was mild (20-39 dB) in most cases; 2% of ears had moderate to moderate-severe (40-69 dB) hearing loss. However, only 101 (11%) children had normal peripheral hearing defined by passing hearing threshold, tympanogram and distortion product otoacoustic emission assessments. Those with confirmed middle ear disease at age 2 years had significantly increased odds of a non-Type A tympanogram (adjusted odds ratio: 2.00; 95% confidence interval: 1.56, 2.50) when re-assessed at age 11 years. Conclusions: Hearing loss, abnormal tympanograms, and auditory processing difficulties were present in many Pacific children. Interventions are also urgently needed to mitigate the effect of the longstanding ear disease likely to be present for many Pacific children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Māori, the indigenous peoples of Aotearoa (New Zealand), continue to exhibit the highest rate of smoking of any ethnic group in the nation. Clarifying the present day factors which perpetuate Māori smoking has become matter of some urgency.Design: We investigate links between subjective elements of Māori identity, demographic factors and perceived discrimination with smoking status in a national probability sample of self-identified Māori (N = 667).Results: Our results suggest that core aspects of Māori identity and cultural engagement were not significantly linked with smoking. However, the extent to which participants felt they were perceived as prototypically Māori (measured as Perceived Appearance) was reliably associated with smoking. The effect of Perceived Appearance held when adjusting for perceived experiences of discrimination and other standard demographic indicators.Conclusion: Our analysis indicates that simply feeling that one is more visibly Māori is associated with an increased likelihood of smoking. This may reflect how Māori negotiate the larger systemic forces of racism present in New Zealand society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives:We previously found large variations in general practitioner (GP) hypertension treatment probability in oldest-old (>80 years) between countries. We wanted to explore whether differences in country-specific cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden and life expectancy could explain the differences. Design:This is a survey study using case-vignettes of oldest-old patients with different comorbidities and blood pressure levels. An ecological multilevel model analysis was performed. Setting:GP respondents from European General Practice Research Network (EGPRN) countries, Brazil and New Zeeland. Subjects:This study included 2543 GPs from 29 countries. Main outcome measures:GP treatment probability to start or not start antihypertensive treatment based on responses to case-vignettes; either low (<50% started treatment) or high (≥50% started treatment). CVD burden is defined as ratio of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost due to ischemic heart disease and/or stroke and total DALYs lost per country; life expectancy at age 60 and prevalence of oldest-old per country. Results:Of 1947 GPs (76%) responding to all vignettes, 787 (40%) scored high treatment probability and 1160 (60%) scored low. GPs in high CVD burden countries had higher odds of treatment probability (OR 3.70; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.00–4.57); in countries with low life expectancy at 60, CVD was associated with high treatment probability (OR 2.18, 95% CI 1.12–4.25); but not in countries with high life expectancy (OR 1.06, 95% CI 0.56–1.98). Conclusions:GPs’ choice to treat/not treat hypertension in oldest-old was explained by differences in country-specific health characteristics. GPs in countries with high CVD burden and low life expectancy at age 60 were most likely to treat hypertension in oldest-old.Key Points • General practitioners (GPs) are in a clinical dilemma when deciding whether (or not) to treat hypertension in the oldest-old (>80 years of age). • In this study including 1947 GPs from 29 countries, we found that a high country-specific cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden (i.e. myocardial infarction and/or stroke) was associated with a higher GP treatment probability in patients aged >80 years. • However, the association was modified by country-specific life expectancy at age 60. While there was a positive association for GPs in countries with a low life expectancy at age 60, there was no association in countries with a high life expectancy at age 60. • These findings help explaining some of the large variation seen in the decision as to whether or not to treat hypertension in the oldest-old. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Introduction: There is growing concern that Emergency Departments (ED) are ill equipped to manage rising palliative care demand, but actual demand is unknown. The aim of this study was to estimate the annual incidence of patients with palliative care need presenting to EDs. Methods: Retrospective case review study across two New Zealand emergency departments from 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011. We used a two-step process where (1) administrative databases were screened for patients who had presented with 12 diseases associated with palliative care need and (2) the Gold Standard Framework Prognostic Indicator Guidance (GSF PIG) criteria were applied to the clinical records of a random sample of patients meeting the disease criterion. Results: Fifty-three thousand and fifty-seven patients presented to the EDs; 4488 (8.5%) patients had diagnostic codes indicating potential palliative care need and 1024 were randomly sampled. One hundred and eighty-eight patients (18.4%, 95%CI 16.0–20.8%) from the random sample were identified as meeting GSF PIG criteria for palliative care need. The leading diseases were cancer (26.1%), COPD (26.1%) and heart failure (22.9%). Extrapolating from the estimated incidence, 826 of the 4488 patients with 12 diseases would have met GSF PIG criteria, suggesting only 1.6% of all patients presenting to ED meet GSF PIG criteria. Conclusions: The incidence of patients with actual palliative care need presenting to EDs was lower than anticipated. Further research is needed to examine for secular trends in palliative care presentations and if the incidence rates are consistent in across ED settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: (1) To examine whether the willingness of people to socialize with adolescents with brain injury is influenced by gender, visibility of injury and/or knowing how to interact with people with brain injury; and (2) To consider two models: the responsibility model (attributions about the cause of a condition) and the danger appraisal model (perceptions of dangerousness due to anger/aggression) for their effect on willingness to socialize and to understand how these perceptions lead to avoidant behaviour. Method and procedures: Participants were recruited either by personal approach or via Facebook advertising and completed a survey after reading a brief vignette and seeing a photo of an adolescent male or female, with or without a head scar. Vignettes for some participants were varied to represent perceptions of responsibility and dangerousness Main outcomes and results: ANOVAs and structural equation modelling revealed that participants were more willing to socialize with the adolescents with a scar than with no scar. Knowledge about how to interact with survivors impacted willingness to socialize, but familiarity did not. The full danger appraisal model was supported, but only some aspects of the responsibility model were supported. Conclusion: The results provide useful information for rehabilitation health professionals working with survivors of brain injury. The implications of these findings are discussed with regards to assisting adolescents’ re-entry into society post-injury. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The quality of ambulance services has an immense impact on patients' future well-being and quality of life. Patient satisfaction is one of the key metrics for evaluating the quality of this service. Yet, the patient satisfaction measurement may be limited in its ability to accurately reflect this service quality, and even reflect factors beyond the patient experiences. We analyze 10 years of survey data to reveal a number of factors that systematically bias ambulance satisfaction ratings. Taking into account these biases provides more robust comparison of ambulance performance over time or across different jurisdictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of 3-D printed bone models as a tool to facilitate initiation of bisphosphonate treatment among individuals who were newly diagnosed with osteoporosis. Design:Fifty eight participants with estimated fracture risk above that at which guidelines recommend pharmacological intervention were randomised to receive either a standard physician interview or an interview augmented by the presentation of 3-D bone models. Main outcome measures:Participants’ beliefs about osteoporosis and bisphosphonate treatment, initiation of bisphosphonate therapy assessed at two months using self-report and pharmacy dispensing data. Results:Individuals in the 3-D bone model intervention condition were more emotionally affected by osteoporosis immediately after the interview (p = .04) and reported a greater understanding of osteoporosis at follow-up (p = .04), than the control group. While a greater proportion of the intervention group initiated an oral bisphosphonate regimen (alendronate) (52%) in comparison with the control group (21%), the overall initiation of medication for osteoporosis, including infusion (zoledronate), did not differ significantly (intervention group 62%, control group 45%,p = .19). Conclusion:The presentation of 3-D bone models during a medical consultation can modify cognitive and emotional representations relevant to treatment initiation among people with osteoporosis and might facilitate commencement of bisphosphonate treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Aim.To investigate the influence of ethnicity on immediate and long-term (five years post-partum) foetal, maternal and injury-related outcomes. Methods.A retrospective, population-based study analysing maternal discharge records linked to birth/death certificates for women aged 25 years and under. Discharge records were grouped according to ethnicity (Maori and non-Maori) and as follows: (1) a pregnancy-related hospital admission, but no associated or subsequent assault recorded (pregnant only); (2) an assault-related hospital admission event after the pregnancy, but within five years of the index pregnancy (assault after pregnancy); and (3) an assault recorded within the same hospital admission event as the pregnancy (assault during pregnancy). Generalised linear models for the binomial family were conducted to explore increased risk ratios of pregnancy-related and subsequent injury outcomes depending on ethnicity and group assignment. Results.Compared with the pregnancy-only group, rate ratios (RRs) for maternal and foetal outcomes were higher in the assault after pregnancy group and the assault during pregnancy group. For injury outcomes in the five years after the injury event, RRs for the assault after pregnancy group exceeded both the pregnancy-only and the assault during pregnancy groups. RRs for non-Maori women assaulted after pregnancy were higher for injury hospitalisations, fracture and intracranial injury than those for Maori women. Conclusion.Given that Maori women experience a higher prevalence of severe intimate partner violence and more difficulties accessing health care, we suggest that the findings highlight potential problems for health care access for Maori women experiencing violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most HIV behavioural surveillance programmes for gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM) sample from location-based (offline) or web-based (online) populations, but few combine these two streams. MSM sampled online have been found to differ demographically and behaviourally from those sampled offline, meaning trends identified in one system may not hold for the other. The aim was to examine trends among MSM responding to supplementary repeat online behavioural surveillance surveys who had not participated in offline surveillance earlier that year in the same city, to see whether trends were parallel, converged or diverged. We recruited a total of 1613 MSM from an Internet dating site in Auckland, New Zealand in 2006, 2008 and 2011 using identical questionnaires and eligibility criteria to offline surveillance. Condom use was stable over time, HIV testing rates rose, the proportion reporting over 20 recent male partners declined, and anal intercourse rates increased, consistent with trends in offline surveillance conducted concomitantly and reported elsewhere. Variant trends included greater stability in condom use with casual partners among online-recruited MSM, and a rise in regular fuckbuddy partnering not identified among offline-recruited MSM. Among MSM recruited online, the frequency of checking Internet dating profiles increased between 2008 and 2011. In conclusion, supplementary web-based behavioural surveillance among MSM generally corroborates trends identified in offline surveillance. There are however some divergent trends, that would have been overlooked if only one form of surveillance had been conducted. As MSM populations increasingly shift their socialising patterns online and diversify, multiple forms of HIV behavioural monitoring may be required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to quantify the inter-session reliability of force–velocity–power profiling and estimated maximal strength in youth. Thirty-six males (11–15 years old) performed a ballistic supine leg press test at five randomized loads (80%, 100%, 120%, 140%, and 160% body mass) on three separate occasions. Peak and mean force, power, velocity, and peak displacement were collected with a linear position transducer attached to the weight stack. Mean values at each load were used to calculate different regression lines and estimate maximal strength, force, velocity, and power. All variables were found reliable (change in the mean [CIM] = − 1 to 14%; coefficient of variation [CV] = 3–18%; intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.74–0.99), but were likely to benefit from a familiarization, apart from the unreliable maximal force/velocity ratio (CIM = 0–3%; CV = 23–25%; ICC = 0.35–0.54) and load at maximal power (CIM = − 1 to 2%; CV = 10–13%; ICC = 0.26–0.61). Isoinertial force–velocity–power profiling and maximal strength in youth can be assessed after a familiarization session. Such profiling may provide valuable insight into neuromuscular capabilities during growth and maturation and may be used to monitor specific training adaptations. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Quad-bike incidents are a major cause of occupational injury and fatality on farms warranting health and safety attention. As part of a larger study, we carried out a face-to-face survey with 216 farmers in New Zealand. We quantitatively identified farmers’ propensity for risk-taking, unrealistic optimism, and fatalism as risk factors in quad-bike loss-of-control events (LCEs). The purpose of the analysis presented in this article was to use these same farmers’ recollections of LCEs to explore the a priori constructs in more detail using qualitative methods. Participants reporting one or more LCEs described their first LCE and any experienced in the previous 12 months. Participants provided open-text responses about what occurred at each LCE, their reflections, and general thoughts on LCE risk factors. Directed qualitative content analysis (QCA) was used to “unpack” risk-taking, unrealistic optimism, and fatalism whilst also delineating any additional concepts that farmers associate with LCEs. Risk-taking elements were more evident than unrealistic optimism or fatalism and more suggestive of farmers finding themselves in risky situations rather than engaging in risk-seeking behavior per se. Additional inductively derived categories of fatigue/stress, multitasking, inexperience, and quad-bike faults highlight the complex nature of LCEs and the importance of risk assessment covering these concepts as well as risky situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For long-lived birds, estimates of productivity can be effective indicators of environmental change or responses to management. Such estimates are also valuable in modelling population growth. We report estimates of nest survival for burrow-nesting Grey-faced Petrels (Pterodroma gouldi) from four islands off the north-eastern coast of New Zealand. We surveyed the contents of breeding burrows for up to four breeding seasons and followed the fatesof1371eggs.Weused a logistic-exposure modelling approach to investigate the effects of island, year, local burrow density and occupancy rate on nest survival. Daily nest survival varied between years and islands but declined with increasing local burrow density across all is lands. Local burrow occupancy rate had no detectable effect. We estimated overall rates of breeding success on our island groups of 11% (95% confidence interval 9-14%) to 28% (26-30%). The negative density-dependent relationships between local burrow densities and productivity add to the growing evidence for this effect in burrow-nesting seabirds worldwide, in contrast to trends in surface-breeding species. The variation in productivity between our study colonies may be linked to the restoration histories of the islands and suggests that data from one location should be used cautiously when guiding management of the same species elsewhere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interventions that identify and develop character strengths have been shown to benefit well-being, academic engagement and achievement. Strengths research within positive psychology has focused primarily on individual outcomes with less attention on group or relationships effects. This study (N = 193) examined the effect of a classroom-based strengths intervention on class cohesion and friction, relatedness, engagement, well-being and strengths use. A six-session programme was trialled with 9–12-year-old students. Students learned to recognise strengths and practised strengths-related goal setting. At three-months post-test, multi-level modelling indicated that intervention group participants scored significantly higher on class cohesion and relatedness need satisfaction, and lower on class friction than the non-randomised control group. Programme participants also reported higher levels of positive affect, classroom engagement, autonomy need satisfaction and strengths use. School-based strengths interventions may influence individual perceptions of class climate, engagement and student relatedness in addition to individual well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Aim: There have been only two studies of the smoking prevalence outside bars/cafés worldwide, both undertaken in Australia. The aim of this study was to further develop the assessment of the prevalence of smoking outside bars/cafés in a busy urban area. It is important for smokefree places policymaking to have baseline data on smoking visibility at these places, so as to be able to gauge the effects of policy changes that may alter levels of smoking. Methods: Researchers observed smoking during eight 15-minute periods (during 12-1 pm and 7-8 pm) in April 2013 at 14 bar/café locations in central Wellington, New Zealand. Results: Of 2600 people observed in the outdoor areas of bars/cafés, 15.8% were observed smoking (95% confidence interval (CI): 14.5%-17.5%); 18.5% in the evening (95% CI: 16.8%-20.4%) compared to 9.1% at midday (95% CI: 7.2%-11.4%). Conclusion: Smoking was observed in the outdoor areas of the bars/cafés at a prevalence of double that found in the previous Australian studies. This may be accounted for by observation method or observation times, or may be due to a much wider range of premises in the Australian cities with outdoor areas, which are open later, or a much wider variety of patrons who used such areas, compared to in Wellington. We found twice the prevalence of smoking outside bars/cafés in evenings compared to midday. Such differences may be related to a greater consumption of alcohol in evenings or to a different patronage then. Smokefree policies covering these settings could help denormalize smoking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the qualitative findings from a larger mixed methods study of the barriers and costs associated with disability in New Zealand. A social model of disability framework was integrated with an economic cost model using consensual budget standards to (1) identify key barriers disabled people experience in their everyday living and (2) develop consensus about the resources disabled people agree they require to reduce or remove them. Forty-nine people with physical, hearing, vision or intellectual impairment participated in a series of 8 impairment-based focus groups. The analysis identified inaccessible environments, negative attitudes, unreliable transportation and poor access to information as key barriers. However, lack of adequate and appropriate resources (e.g. equipment, modifications, support, transport and time) to address these barriers was the overarching obstacle to participation. The inclusion of time as both a barrier and a valuable resource is arguably the most important contribution of the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sleep deprivation is an often hidden problem in working adults. In this study, we evaluated self-regulation processes contributing to poor sleep patterns of full-time office employees. We investigated whether work-related demands and prioritizing sleep (in relation to other activities) predicted sleep behaviours over an 11-day period. Seventy-three adults in New Zealand completed online measures, including the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire, a measure of sleep prioritization, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Mixed-model analyses of daily data revealed that higher sleep prioritization and positive work-related emotions during a workday predicted better sleep quality that night. Cognitive demands on a workday predicted a later bedtime that night, whereas emotional demands predicted an earlier bedtime (but also an earlier waking time). Regression analyses revealed that when controlling for baseline levels of each dependent measure, pre-sleep arousal predicted fewer hours of sleep and greater sleep difficulty whereas sleep prioritization predicted a faster time getting to sleep, longer sleep and less sleep difficulty. High priority for sleep and positive emotions at work may promote sleep quality, whereas cognitive and emotional demands, or pre-sleep arousal may disrupt sleep patterns. These findings point to sleep prioritization and cognitive-emotional self-regulation skills as potential targets for work-based interventions aimed at promoting sleep. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

SPRASA (also referred to as SLLP1) is a protein identified in the acrosome of human sperm and encoded by the gene SPACA3. SPRASA is associated with sperm-oocyte recognition and binding, and may play a role in fertility. In order to determine whether variants in the SPACA3 gene are associated with human infertility, we undertook a genetic analysis of 102 infertile and 104 fertile couples. Three gene variants were identified using PCR-based DNA sequencing; 1) an insertion of TGC within a quadruple tri-nucleotide (TGC) repeat region in the 5' untranslated region (UTR) (g.-22TGC(4_5), 2) a guanine to adenosine transition at position 239 (c.239G> A) resulting in a non-synonymous amino acid substitution from cysteine to tyrosine (p.C80Y) at position 80 in the putative transmembrane region, and 3) a novel nucleotide variant (c.691G> C) located in the 3'UTR. A functional effect of the g.-22TGC (4_5) was confirmed by a luciferase expression assay, while the effects of the variants c.239G> A and c.691G> C were predicted using in silico analysis. Although the frequencies of these variants were not significantly different between the infertile and fertile populations, we present evidence that the variants could affect the expression levels or function of SPRASA, thereby affecting a couple's fertility. Larger populations, especially individuals/couples with unexplained infertility, need to be screened for these variants to validate a relationship with fertility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three main aims of this study were to ascertain the prevalence rate of smoking among adolescent psychiatric outpatients; estimate smokers' degree of nicotine dependence; and investigate the relationship between smoking and common mental health disorders. Face-to-face interviews were conducted on 93 patients ages 13–18 presenting to an adolescent outpatient mental health service. At the time of the interview, 37.6% were smokers according to the study definition, with 25.8% scoring high or very high on the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence. Smoking was more likely if patients had conduct disorder or cannabis/alcohol dependence or abuse, but no difference was detected between smokers and nonsmokers in relation to attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, depression, or anxiety disorders. Only 15.1% of patients were given a chart diagnosis of nicotine dependence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of subjective judgements of cough in patients following inhalation of citric acid. Eleven speech-language pathologists (SLPs) currently using cough reflex testing in their clinical practice (experienced raters) and 34 SLPs with no experience using cough reflex testing (inexperienced raters) were recruited to the study. Participants provided a rating of strong, weak, or absent to 10 video segments of cough responses elicited by inhalation of nebulized citric acid. The same video segments presented in a different sequence were re-evaluated by the same clinicians following a 15-minute break. Inter-rater reliability for experienced raters was calculated with a Fleiss' generalized kappa of .487; intra-rater reliability was higher with a kappa of .700. Inexperienced raters showed similar reliability, with kappa values for inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of .363 and .618, respectively. In conclusion, SLPs demonstrate only fair-to-moderate reliability in subjectively judging a patient's cough response to citric acid. Experience in making cough judgements does not improve inter-rater reliability significantly. Further validity and reliability research, including an evaluation of the effect of training on judgement reliability, would be beneficial for guiding clinical policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Quality of life is an essential component of learning and has strong links with the practice and study of medicine. There is burgeoning evidence in the research literature to suggest that medical students are experiencing health-related problems such as anxiety, depression, and burnout. Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate medical students’ perceptions concerning their quality of life. Methods: Two hundred seventy-four medical students studying in their early clinical years (response rate = 80%) participated in the present study. Medical students were asked to fill in the abbreviated version of the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire to elicit information about their quality of life perceptions in relation to their physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environment. Subsequently, their responses were compared with two nonmedical students groups studying at a different university in the same city and an Australian general population norm. The findings were compared using independent group's t tests, confidence intervals, and Cohen's d. Results: The main finding of the study indicated that medical students had similar quality of life perceptions to nonmedical students except in relation to the environment domain. Furthermore, the medical student group scored lower than the general population reference group on the physical health, psychological health, and environment quality of life domains. Conclusions: The results suggest that all university students are expressing concerns related to quality of life, and thus their health might be at risk. The findings in this study provided no evidence to support the notion that medical students experience lower levels of quality of life compared to other university students. When compared to the general population, all student groups examined in this study appeared to be experiencing lower levels of quality of life. This has implications for pastoral support, educationalists, student support personnel, and the university system. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The monitoring-blunting theory of coping suggests that when faced with a threatening situation, individuals can respond by either monitoring or avoiding (blunting) threatening information. The current study sought to validate a scale of children's preferences for monitoring or blunting in dental situations (the Monitoring Blunting Dental Scale or MBDS). The psychometric characteristics of the scale were assessed in a sample of 240 New Zealand children aged 11–13. Reliability was adequate for both monitoring (α = 0.74) and blunting (α = 0.76) subscale scores. Convergent validity was indicated by strong correlations (>0.6) between the measure's subscales and those of a related scale, although discriminant validity with respect to dental anxiety was problematic for the blunting subscale. Exploratory factor analysis supported a two-factor monitoring-blunting model, although confirmatory factor analysis indicated reasonable but imperfect fit for this model, SBχ2(251) = 510.7, p < 0.001, RMSEA = 0.066. We reflect on conceptual issues which may underlie the difficulties experienced here and elsewhere in developing psychometrically sound measures of Miller's blunting construct and suggest that the monitoring subscale of the study scale may be most useful to other researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Academic dishonesty is an insidious problem that besets most tertiary institutions, where considerable resources are expended to prevent and manage students' dishonest actions within academia. Using a mixed retrospective and prospective design this research investigated Gottfredson and Hirschi's self-control theory as a possible explanation for academic dishonesty in 264 university students. The relationship between academic dishonesty and general criminality was also examined. A significant but small to moderate relationship between academic dishonesty and general criminality was present, including correlations with general dishonesty, violent crime and drug offending subcategories. These findings suggested that a general criminological theory may be of use in explaining academic dishonesty, but the overall ability of self-control variables to explain academic dishonesty was not strong. Controlled logistic regressions indicated that a significant positive association with academic dishonesty was only present for one of 6 self-control subscales (self-centeredness), and even this association was only present in the prospective study component. A strong relationship between past and future academic dishonesty was present. Implications of the study for institutions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study documents the lifetime and 12-month prevalence and overlap of psychological/emotional, physical, and sexual intimate partner violence (IPV) reported by a representative sample of New Zealand women. Use of controlling behaviors by women's current or most recent intimate partner was also explored. The results indicated that 55% of ever-partnered women had experienced any IPV in their lifetime: 33% had experienced more than one type of IPV (usually psychological/emotional violence and physical and/or sexual violence), and 22% had experienced one type of IPV. Use of controlling behaviors by the woman's current or most recent partner was associated with partner's use of physical or sexual violence. Implications are discussed at the population level, for service providers, and for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internationally the recruitment and retention of Indigenous and minority peoples into nursing is a persistent challenge, despite their participation being essential in reducing health disparities and improving health service quality for Indigenous and minority users. We aimed to identify Māori (Indigenous to New Zealand) nursing students' experiences of undertaking a nursing degree program. A non-experimental cross-sectional survey was undertaken with undergraduate nursing students identifying as Māori. The surveys were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. One hundred and eight students responded, with a career, stable income, and desire to make a difference in Māori health outcomes motivating most to embark on a nursing program. They reported numerous obstacles that compromised their academic advancement. However, affirming students' identities; providing academic support; accessing Indigenous role models, mentors and relevant clinical experiences; and, having supportive teaching and learning environments and the inclusion of Indigenous content in curricula; were identified as strategies that promoted retention in nursing programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]