Melbourne School of Population and Global Health - Research Publications

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    Perceptions of sex-role stereotypes, self-concept, and nursing role ideal in Chinese nursing students
    Holroyd, EA ; Bond, MH ; Chan, HY (BLACKWELL PUBLISHING LTD, 2002-02)
    AIM: This study examined the relationship between sex-role stereotypes, self-concept and the requisite personality characteristics of an ideal nurse in a cohort of Hong Kong nursing students. METHODS: To rate these concepts a measure of eight comprehensive dimensions of personality perception was administered to 177 nursing students, studying on preregistration and postregistration programs at a Hong Kong tertiary institution. Both male and female nursing students perceived an ideal nurse to possess a profile of traits including being high on the dimensions of emotional stability, application, intellect, helpfulness and restraint. RESULTS: No significant difference between the self-ratings of the male and female students was found, indicating that male students had undergone a highly self-selective process when choosing nursing education under the influence of Chinese cultural stereotypical attitudes towards nursing. A typical Chinese nurse was rated as similar to the typical female in Chinese society by both male and female nursing students. A typical Chinese nurse was rated relatively low on the masculine dimensions of openness, extroversion and assertiveness. The self-ratings of male nursing students more closely approximated the ideal nurse than did the self-ratings of female nursing students. CONCLUSION: The conclusions highlight implications for the recruitment and education of both male and female nursing students in Hong Kong society.
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    Health services : knowledge, use and satisfaction of Afghan, Iranian and Iraqi settlers in Australia
    NEALE, A ; ABU-DUHOU, J ; BLACK, J ; BIGGS, B (Radcliffe Publishing, 2007)
    This paper reports the findings of a study examining the knowledge of, use of and satisfaction with local primary healthcare services reported by new arrivals to Australia from Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan. The study sample consisted of a purposive sample of 98 new settlers from the selected countries and used a semi-structured questionnaire and focus groups to attain information. Key findings were that friends and family were the greatest sources of health provider information and there was a lack of both more general health information and understanding of the health system. While study participants were able to access primary healthcare services and were generally satisfied, several major operational deficiencies were reported. General practitioners (GPs) were the major health providers for these groups. Health-seeking behaviours were strongly influenced by the country of birth in comparison with the other examined factors, and experiences of health service encounters also varied greatly between countries of birth. The facility’s proximity to the participant’s home was a strong influence in the selection of health services. The researchers recommend that a network of appropriately supported and staffed community health centres and/ or GP clinics is needed in areas where there are high concentrations of refugees and immigrants.
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    Immunogenicity of a locally produced hepatitis B vaccine with the birth dose stored outside the cold chain in rural Vietnam
    Hipgrave, DB ; Tran, TN ; Huong, VM ; Dat, DT ; Nga, NT ; Long, HT ; Van, NT ; Maynard, JE ; Biggs, BA (AMER SOC TROP MED & HYGIENE, 2006-02)
    The heat stability of hepatitis B vaccine (HepB vaccine) should enable its storage outside the cold chain (OCC), increasing access to the birth dose in areas lacking refrigeration. We compared the immunogenicity of a locally produced vaccine among infants who received three doses stored within the cold chain (n = 358) or for whom the first dose was stored OCC for up to one month (n = 748). Serum was collected from these infants at age 9-18 months. The vaccine was protective in 80.3% of all infants. There were no differences in the prevalence of a protective level of antibody or antibody titer among groups of infants according to storage strategy. Differences in antibody titer between certain groups of infants could be explained by different vaccination schedules. Where birth dose coverage will be improved, HepB vaccine can be taken OCC for up to one month without affecting its immunogenicity.
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    The Importance of Regional Integration and Coordination in Practice within the National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children
    Davis, E ; Trainor, R ; Faulkner, J (Parity, 2011)
    The National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children (the National Plan) presents an opportunity for state and territory governments to work collaboratively to address and reduce the incidence of women and children experiencing physical violence and sexual violence in Australia.
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    Assessment of susceptibility of Plasmodium falciparum to chloroquine, quinine, mefloquine, sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine and artemisinin in southern Viet Nam
    Thanh, NV ; Cowman, AF ; Hipgrave, D ; Kim, TB ; Phuc, BQ ; Cong, LD ; Biggs, BA (ROYAL SOC TROPICAL MEDICINE, 2001)
    Resistance to antimalarial chemotherapy is a major concern for malaria control in Viet Nam. In this study undertaken in 1998, 65 patients with uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria were monitored for 28 days after completion of a 5-day treatment course with artemisinin. Overall 36.9% (24/65) of patients had recurrent parasitaemia during the surveillance period. P. falciparum isolates were tested for sensitivity in vitro to chloroquine, mefloquine, quinine, sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine and results were compared to those from a similar study in 1995. Increased parasite sensitivity to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine, chloroquine and quinine was demonstrated, with significantly lower mean EC50 and EC99 values in 1998 compared to 1995. Parasite sensitivity to mefloquine did not differ significantly in the 2 surveys. Isolates were also tested for sensitivity in vitro to artemisinin in the 1998 survey. The mean EC50 was 0.03 mumol/L and the EC99 was 0.94 mumol/L. Parasite sensitivity to artemisinin will need to be monitored in view of its increasing use in Viet Nam.
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    Schistosomiasis in Australian travellers to Africa
    Davis, TME ; Beaman, MH ; McCarthy, JS (AUSTRALASIAN MED PUBL CO LTD, 1998-01-05)
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    Schistosomiasis in Australian travellers to Africa
    Hipgrave, DB ; Leydon, JA ; Walker, J ; Biggs, BA (WILEY, 1997-03-17)
    OBJECTIVE: To determine the proportion of Australian travellers to Africa at risk of Schistosoma infection, and the proportion of those infected. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: Retrospective postal survey of 360 patients who had attended Fairfield Hospital travel clinic in 1994 and stated an intention to travel to Malawi, Zimbabwe or Botswana. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-reported risk status for Schistosoma infection. For those at risk, results of an indirect haemagglutination assay (IHA). For those with IHA titres > or = 1:32, results of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, urine microscopy and eosinophil count. RESULTS: 360 letters were sent; 35 were returned to sender. Of the 325 remaining, 250 (77%) either responded or had an IHA test; 19 of these were still overseas or did not travel. 117/231 (51%) returned travellers considered themselves at risk of infection. Significantly fewer older patients reported exposure (chi 2 = 66.6; P < 0.001). 109/117 (93%) of those at risk had IHA tests and 18 had titres > or = 1:32. Subsequent testing indicated infection in 10/117 travellers (8.5%; 95% CI, 4.2%-15.2%). CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that a considerable number of Australian travellers to Africa are at risk of schistosomiasis, and some are infected. As complications can be serious, screening is recommended for individuals with any risk of infection, and treatment should be offered to those infected.
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    Chemoprophylaxis and treatment of malaria.
    Rogerson, SJ ; Biggs, BA ; Brown, GV ( 1994-09)
    Prevention of malaria morbidity relies on the use of personal protection from mosquito bites, appropriate chemoprophylactic drugs, and early investigation of symptoms in returning travellers. Malaria chemoprophylaxis must be tailored to the individual patient's travel and personal needs, and no chemoprophylaxis is completely effective. Chloroquine alone is adequate for those areas with P vivax, or sensitive P falciparum but in most circumstances the choice will be between mefloquine and doxycycline. The specific area visited, the time spent there and the individual's medical history will help determine the final choice.
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    AGE AND STRAIN TRANSCENDING IMMUNITY TO PLASMODIUM-FALCIPARUM - REPLY
    ROBERTS, DJ ; NEWBOLD, CI ; BIGGS, BA ; BROWN, G (ELSEVIER SCI LTD, 1994-08)
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    CLINICAL IMMUNITY TO PLASMODIUM-FALCIPARUM - REPLY
    ROBERTS, DJ ; NEWBOLD, CI ; BIGGS, BA ; BROWN, G (ELSEVIER SCI LTD, 1994-02)