http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/5731 100061-100075 (Agustus, 2023) 2026-04-14T20:40:49Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/5853 Title: Ear health and hearing in urban Aboriginal children Authors: DeLacy, Jack; Burgess, Leonie; Cutmore, Mandy; dkk. Abstract: Objective: Evaluate ear health and hearing among urban Aboriginal children and quantify relationships with child, family and social factors. Methods: Baseline questionnaire and ear health examinations from 1430 children with diagnoses (0.5-18 years) attending Aboriginal Health Services enrolled in SEARCH. Ear health outcomes were Otitis Media (OM), and hearing loss (three-frequency average hearing loss >20dB) diagnosed using pneumatic otoscopy, tympanometry, and audiometry. Results: Half the children 0.5-3 years had OM (51.5%, 136/264). One third 0.5-18 years (30.4%; 435/1430) had OM, including 1.8% (26/1430) with perforation (0.8% chronic suppurative OM, 0.6% dry perforation and 0.4% acute OM with perforation). One quarter 0.5-18 years (25.7%; 279/ 1087) had hearing loss; 12.4% unilateral, 13.2% bilateral (70.6% with bilateral loss had concurrent OM). OM was associated with: younger age (0.5-<3 years versus 6-18 years) age-sex-site; adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR)=2.64, 95%, 2.18-3.19); attending childcare/preschool (aPR=1.24, 95%CI, 1.04-1.49); foster care (aPR=1.40, 95%CI, 1.10-1.79); previous ear infection/s (aPR=1.68, 95%CI, 1.42-1.98); and ≥2 people/bedroom (aPR=1.66, 95%CI, 1.24-2.21). Hearing impairment was associated with younger age (0.5-<6 years vs. ≥6 years aPR=1.89, 95%CI, 1.40-2.55) and previous ear infection (aPR=1.87, 95%CI, 1.31-2.68). Conclusions: Half the urban Aboriginal children in this cohort had OM and two-thirds with hearing impairment had OM. Implications for Public Health: Findings highlight importance of early detection and support for ear health, particularly in pre-school-aged children with risk factors. 2023-08-01T00:00:00Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/5850 Title: Precarious employment and associated health and social consequences; a systematic review Authors: Jaydarifard, Saeed; Smith, Simon S.; Mann, Dwayne; dkk. Abstract: Objective: This systematic review aims to identify, evaluate, and summarise the consequences of precarious employment. Methods: We included studies published within the last ten years (Jan 2011-July 2021) that employed at least two of three key dimensions of precarious employment: employment insecurity, income inadequacy, and lack of rights and protection. Results: Of the 4,947 initially identified studies, only five studies met our eligibility criteria. These five studies were of moderate quality as assessed by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Our review found that the current literature predominantly defines precarity based on the single criterion of employment insecurity. Our review identified evidence for the negative consequences of precarious employment, including poorer workplace wellbeing, general health, mental health, and emotional wellbeing. The findings indicated an increase in the magnitude of these adverse outcomes with a higher degree of job precariousness. Conclusions: The rise of employment precariousness will likely continue to be a major issue in the coming years. More research is needed to inform effective policies and practices using a consensus definition of precarious employment. Implications for public health: The presence of adverse effects of precarious employment suggests workplace initiatives are essential to mitigate the negative consequences of precarity. 2023-08-01T00:00:00Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/5849 Title: Commercial lobbying and political contributions: an Australian scoping review Authors: Lacy-Nichols, Jennifer; Johnson, Maggie; Cullerton, Katherine Abstract: Objective: Many of the most effective and equitable policies to reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases threaten the interests of powerful corporations. A first step for public health advocates seeking to challenge powerful corporate interests is to understand the nature and extent of corporate political practices. This scoping review explored public health research on two political practices in Australia: lobbying and political donations. Methods: We searched six databases, two Google Advanced searches and 11 Australian public health websites. We screened 2866 documents in total, and extracted information about political practices, industry actors and datasets. Results: 62 studies published between 1980 and 2021 were identified, analysing public health advocacy, policy submissions, direct engagement with government representatives and political donations. We extracted data from 14 studies that focused on direct engagement and/or political donations. Most focused on ‘unhealthy commodity industries.’ Conclusions: Analysis of lobbying and political contributions in Australia is a nascent but expanding area of public health research. We discuss opportunities for future research to strengthen the evidence base and support public health advocacy to counter harmful corporate practices and promote and protect population health. Implications for Public Health: Countering powerful commercial interests requires greater investment in understanding corporate political activities. 2023-08-01T00:00:00Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/5848 Title: The evidence that rheumatic heart disease control programs in Australia are making an impact Authors: Stacey, Ingrid; Ralph, Anna; Dassel, Jessica de; dkk. Abstract: Objective: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) comprises heart-valve damage caused by acute rheumatic fever (ARF). The Australian Government Rheumatic Fever Strategy funds RHD Control Programs to support detection and management of ARF and RHD. We assessed epidemiological changes during the years of RHD Control Program operation. Methods: Linked RHD register, hospital and death data from four Australian jurisdictions were used to measure ARF/RHD outcomes between 2010 and 2017, including: 2-year progression to severe RHD/death; ARF recurrence; secondary prophylaxis delivery and earlier disease detection. Results: Delivery of secondary prophylaxis improved from 53% median proportion of days covered (95%CI: 46-61%, 2010) to 70% (95%CI: 71- 68%, 2017). Secondary prophylaxis adherence protected against progression to severe RHD/death (hazard ratio 0.2, 95% CI 0.1-0.8). Other measures of program effectiveness (ARF recurrences, progression to severe RHD/death) remained stable. ARF case numbers and concurrent ARF/RHD diagnoses increased. Conclusions: RHD Control Programs have contributed to major success in the management of ARF/RHD through increased delivery of secondary prevention yet ARF case numbers, not impacted by secondary prophylaxis and sensitive to increased awareness/surveillance, increased. Implications for public health: RHD Control Programs have a major role in delivering cost-effective RHD prevention. Sustained investment is needed but with greatly strengthened primordial and primary prevention. 2023-08-01T00:00:00Z