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Reports on the results of a national survey conducted in Australia, in 2000. The objectives were to determine national estimates of influenza vaccination coverage for each state and territory of Australia, to obtain information related to attitudes towards and influences on immunisation decisions and explain the factors involved with failure to immunise.The survey was conducted using the Computer Assisted Telephone Interview (CATI) system. The overall participation rate for the survey was 88.6% and the final number of completed interviews across Australia was n = 10,505.Two target groups, those aged 65 years and over and those "at risk" of influenza aged between 40 and 64 years were defined. The overall immunisation rates in these two groups were 74% and 32% resp. The rate of immunisation among females generally exceeded that of males. A multivariate model provided the best joint set of explanatory variables for not getting immunised. These include sex, income, general practitioner recommendation, and general perceptions regarding the influenza injection.This study identified important issues in the decisions of people to immunise. It also highlighted the need to target the findings in effective immunisation policies and strategies to improve health outcomes for those at risk of adverse influenza events.

To examine the association between rice intake, staple food patterns (measured by percentage of rice in staple food (PRS)), weight change and the risk of the metabolic syndrome development.We followed 1231 adults, aged 20 and older, from 2002 to 2007. Food intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Body weight, height, waist circumference, blood pressure and fasting plasma glucose and lipids were measured. The metabolic syndrome was defined according to the International Diabetes Federation definition.Rice consumption of=401 g/day was associated with less weight gain (-2.08 kg, 95%CI: -2.75, -1.41, p0.001), and 42% less risk of hypertension, as compared to rice consumption of200 g/day (p=0.024). A strong linear association between rice intake and hyperglycemia was found: the odd ratios for incident hyperglycemia across rice intake200, 201-400,=401 g/day were: 1, 1.96, 2.50 (95%CI: 1.37, 4.57) (p for trend 0.005). A positive association between rice intake and incident abnormal high-density lipoprotein was observed. There was no association between rice intake and incident high triglycerides. Every 10% increase in PRS was associated with a 0.28 kg less in weight gain, 22% increase in hyperglycemia risk and 9% decrease in hypertension risk. Rice intake and PRS were not associated with the risk of the metabolic syndrome.Rice intake and PRS were inversely associated with weight gain, and PRS was inversely associated with hypertension, but positively associated with fasting blood glucose elevation. No association between rice intake and PRS with the metabolic syndrome was found.