bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of home based nutrition and exercise interventions in improving functional capacity and preventing falls among older adults
Authors: Johnson CS 
Published: October 2012

BackgroundUnintentional falls are one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity among frail older adults. The higher incidence of falls coupled with a higher number of individuals at risk for poor nutrition and physical function among this group make it critical to explore this issue within the proposed context.PurposeThe purpose of the study was to examine the synergistic role of functional capacity and nutrition on falls as well as the impact of combined, home-based nutrition and exercise interventions.MethodsFor the purpose of the study, 80 individuals over 65 years of age were recruited through Continuing Care and other community-based organisations. The participants were placed in one of four groups: exercise only, nutrition only, exercise and nutrition group, and no intervention comparison group. The exercise and nutrition interventions were the Home Support Exercise Programme and consumptions of liquid adult nutritional supplement (Ensure) daily for 6 months. The participants' demographic information, status on health, function, nutrition, and falls were assessed at baseline and again at 6 months.ResultsThe participants' age ranged from 61–98 (ave=81). Of the participants, 83% were female, 50% lived alone, and 65% required personal assistance to leave their home. The 6 months follow-up showed improvement in improvement in functional capacity in the intervention groups.ConclusionWorking with frail elderly provides unique opportunities and challenges.
Falls prevention resource for the aboriginal population in Western Australia
Authors: Anderson E , Harwood S , Page T , Butler S 
Published: October 2012

BackgroundThis project relates to falls prevention amongst Aboriginal communities. Although not necessarily a priority area in the eyes of health professionals, a number of chronic health conditions faced by this population contribute to their risk of falling.AimTo establish population specific and culturally appropriate resources to provide a consistent and coordinated approach to informing the Aboriginal population in Western Australia of the contributing risk factors and strategies to assist in the prevention of falls.MethodsA needs assessment and stakeholder consultation was conducted with Aboriginal Health Workers from the Kimberley and South West regions of WA. Working parties and reference groups were established and consulted to guide the development of the resources format, content and method of dissemination as well as to ensure the resources were based on evidence and best practice guidelines.OutcomeA ‘Falls Prevention for Aboriginal People: Toolkit for Health Professionals and Aboriginal Health Workers’ was finalised. Continuous improvement occurred with assistance from the South West Aboriginal Medical Service. From this trial an easy to use action plan has been developed as well as a culturally appropriate adaptation of an ‘Up From The Floor’ poster. The resource is currently going through an evaluation to further improve the resource for a new print run due in early 2013.Contribution to the FieldThere are limited resources to promote the prevention of falls targeting the Aboriginal community in Australia. This resource has been popular not only in Western Australia but has received interest from other states.
RISK FACTORS FOR FALLS IN CATARACT PATIENTS AWAITING SURGERY
Authors: Fraser M , Meuleners L , Lee A , Ng J , Morlet N 
Published: October 2012

BackgroundPoor vision is a risk factor for falls among older adults. Unfortunately, in Western Australia (WA), cataract patients in the public health system can wait one year to 18 months for first eye surgery. It would be useful to determine risk factors for falls during this period.Aims/Objectives/PurposeTo determine visual and other risk factors for falls among bilateral cataract patients awaiting first eye surgery in WA.MethodsNinety nine drivers aged 55 years and older with bilateral cataract were recruited from three public hospitals in WA. Self-reported data on all falls during the previous 12 months was collected during the week before first eye cataract surgery. Visual measures including visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and stereopsis were assessed and cognitive tests administered. Age, gender, health conditions and living situation data was also collected. A logistic regression model was used to determine visual and other risk factors for falls.Results/OutcomesDuring the year before surgery, 29.3% of patients had at least one fall. Visual acuity in the better eye was the only visual measure associated with increased risk of a fall (p=0.038). Those with more co-morbid conditions were also at increased risk (p=0.005). Interestingly, increasing age was associated with decreased risk of a fall (p=0.020) as was living with others (p=0.036).Significance/Contribution to the fieldThe better eye visual acuity measure could be used by clinicians to identify and possibly prioritise patients at risk of falls while waiting for cataract surgery.
BARRIERS AND FACILITATORS TO HIP PROTECTOR COMPLIANCE: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Authors: Scott V , Feldman F , Wasdell M , Gillan R , Ross D , Thompson-Franson T , Leung M , Lin L , Korall A 
Published: October 2012

BackgroundHip protectors (HP) represent an attractive strategy for reducing hip fractures in high-risk elderly individuals. However, clinical studies have yielded conflicting results regarding their clinical effectiveness. This is mainly due to poor compliance (acceptance and adherence) among users. As a result, there is an urgent need to identify potential barriers and facilitators to initial acceptance and continued adherence with HP use.Aims/Objectives/PurposeThe objective of this Systematic Review is to (1) synthesize available research evidence to identify factors that influence HP compliance among older adults in long-term care facilities; (2) interpret the findings to identify the best strategies to overcome perceived barriers and improve acceptance and adherence with HP use; and (3) package and disseminate the findings in a form that is relevant, practical and easily interpreted by the knowledge users and decision makers.MethodsA key word search was conducted for studies published in English between 2000 and 2011 that employed quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods research designs. Each study was independently reviewed by two reviewers against the inclusion criteria with discrepancies determined by a third.Results/Outcomes24 articles met the criteria and 63 barrier and facilitator factors were separated into 4 levels: organizational, staff, resident, and product.Significance/Contribution to the fieldThe outcomes provide decision makers, health professionals, and caregivers with a greater awareness of strategies to improve compliance with the use of hip protectors. Furthermore, researchers will be able to use the information to design better clinical trials that will yield high acceptance and adherence.
Fractures following falls in Sri Lanka
Authors: Welgama IP , Dharmaratne SD 
Published: October 2012

BackgroundTrauma is a leading cause of hospital admissions in Sri Lanka and of which, a major component are fractures sustained due to falls. However, only limited information is available on this important public health problem.AimTo describe the demography and characteristics of fractures sustained following falls, in Sri Lanka.MethodsA descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted on patients who sustained fractures following falls. The sample included all patients who attended the Orthopaedic post-surgical clinics of a tertiary care hospital, during 1 month in 2011. Data was collected using a structured, pre-tested, interviewer administered questionnaire, and analysed using SPSS 17.0 statistical software.ResultsIn this study sample (n=266), 49.6% were of 20 to 65 years of age and 14.6% were over 65 years. The rest (35.8%) were children and adolescents. The sample had 54.5% males. Of the patients below 40 years, 69.7% were males, while 62.9% were females in the group above 40 years. Single fractures were sustained by 70.3% and the rest had multiple fractures. Upper limb fractures were sustained by 54.4%, while 39% sustained lower limb fractures. Among children and adolescents, 83.2% had upper limb fractures, while in adults and elderly, 51.5% had lower limb fractures.SignificanceYounger males and older females are at a higher risk of sustaining fractures following falls. Single fractures were more common than multiple fractures. Lower limbs were more affected in adults while children and adolescents had more upper limb fractures.
Fall-related sub-acute and non-acute care and rehabilitation-related acute care: what is the impact?
Authors: Mitchell R , Close J , Cameron ID , Lord S 
Published: October 2012

BackgroundFalls are one of the leading causes of injury in older people. Rehabilitation services can assist individuals to improve mobility and function after sustaining a fall-related injury. However, the true impact of fall-related injuries resulting in hospitalisation are often underestimated because of failure to consider sub-acute and non-acute care provided following an acute care episode.AimTo examine fall-related sub-acute and non-acute care and to establish and project the burden of fall-related rehabilitation in acute care to 2020.MethodRetrospective review of sub-acute and non-acute records linked to hospital admission and/or emergency department presentations during 2001–2002 to 2008–2009 in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Analysis of temporal trends and projections to 2020 of rehabilitation-related (ICD-10-AM: Z47, Z48, Z50, Z75.1) acute hospital admissions.ResultsThere were 4317 individuals with a fall-related injury who were admitted to hospital and later admitted for sub-acute and non-acute care; 84% of these were aged 65+ years; 70.4% were female; 27.2% had femur fractures. Total mean FIM scores significantly increased from 78.4 to 94.6 (p<0.0001) between admission and discharge. Fall-related acute rehabilitation episodes are increasing by 9.1% each year for individuals aged 65 years and older and are projected to rise from 18 300 in 2010–11 to 50 000 admissions by 2020.SignificanceThis is the first study to provide a snap-shot of the epidemiological profile of individuals using sub-acute and non-acute care in NSW using linked data. This information can be used to inform resource implications for fall-related sub-acute and non-acute care and acute rehabilitation services.
Focus on elderly people in terms of injury prevention in Rapla, Estonia
Authors: Vu T , Finch C , Day L 
Published: October 2012

BackgroundThe first Estonian Safe Community (Rapla) was designated in 2004 and re-designated in 2009. The elderly have been one of the target groups of the programme since 2002. The main financier of the programme has been Estonian health insurance fund. Municipal social counsellors, social workers and representatives of associations of retired persons are in tight communication with elder people. Aims/objectives: to decrease the number of accidents and injuries among the elderly population. There are two critical aspects: (1) quality of life of people of age 65+ and (2) tremendous health care costs.MethodsCommunity based project/ interventions have been an option (1) to raise the awareness of elderly people and improve their health behaviour in terms of safety, (2) to improve environmental conditions elderly people live in, (3) to find support from local and state level regulations.Results/OutcomeWe have used the local and state level statistics from Estonian health insurance fund. Unexpectedly, data show increased number of injuries among people of age 65+: from 103 : 1000 in 2006–2008 to 113 : 1000 in 2009 and 114 : 1000 in 2010. Although more cases of injuries have been reported among children, youth and working age population the health care costs for elderly have been 5 times higher than for children/youth and 3 times higher than for people of age 19–64.Significance/Contribution to the FieldInjury prevention and safety promotion among the elderly population is underestimated in Estonia. Results from Rapla programme indicate the need for the allocation of the relevant resources required for the well-tailored programmes for this age group.
Knowledge, behaviour and attitudes of Greek health care personnel regarding mobile phone use and road accidents: the ‘Enigma’ project
Authors: Gerakopoulou P , Matsoukis I , Giagou N , Sotiraki M , Kousoulis A , Bouka E , Alexopoulos A , Cassimos D , Petridou E 
Published: October 2012

BackgroundMobile Phone (MP) use constitutes an established risk for road traffic accidents; there still a scientific controversy, however, on other health risks related with electromagnetic fields (EMF) emitted by MP, frequently generating high risk perceptions of the public at large.AimsHealth Care Personnel (HCP) are central figures in shaping public behaviour on sensitive health issues; we sought to 1.examine their knowledge, behaviour and attitudes regarding perceived health risks specifically related to MP use and to explore whether the discrepancy between excessive concerns on the non-established risks due to EMF emissionsversusminimal concerns on evident risks due to MP use on the road also hold for HCP.MethodsIn the context of ENIGMA (http://www.enigma-program.gr), an EMF-related risks information programme, 722 HCP from several Greek cities completed a 22-item structured questionnaire; data were analysed with multiple regression techniques. This quantitative approach was complemented by a double-phased qualitative method, entailing 18 semi-structured individual interviews and 3 focus groups with paediatricians, followed by an interpretive phenomenological analysis.ResultsCorrect knowledge about MP health risks reached a minimum 8%, whereas perceived knowledge peaked to >75%, leading to a limited accuracy of <20%. Paediatricians' excessive concerns clustered around three main themes, notably personal involvement, perceived confusion and perceptions about conflict of interest in health risk research, expressed through social conspiracy theories.SignificanceCounselling by experts in sensitive issues is not always in line with evidence based scientific findings, but rather distillates from personal cognition/attitudes/characteristics suggesting a principal risk governance issue for health education policies.
Risk assessment for LED lighting flicker
Authors: Rider G , Altkorn R , Chen X , Wilkins A , Veitch JA , Poplawski M 
Published: October 2012

BackgroundLED (Light Emitting Diode) based lighting has been predicted to reach as much as 60% share of the global lighting market in the next 10 years. It is characterized by exceptional lifetime and excellent energy efficiency. However potential health concerns have been associated with flicker in some LED lighting technologies.Aims/Objectives/PurposeThe IEEE PAR1789 Working Group has undertaken a risk assessment of potential hazards associated with flicker in LED lighting as part of an effort to develop Recommended Practices of Modulating Current in High Brightness LEDs for Mitigating Health Risks to Viewers.MethodsInformation on potential health effects of flicker was collected through an extensive literature review and consultation with experts. A risk assessment was conducted following the Eurosafe framework model of risk assessment.Results/OutcomePotential adverse effects of flicker include seizure, stroboscopic effects, migraine, exacerbation of repetitive behaviour in persons with autism, and asthenopic effects including eyestrain, fatigue, and reduced performance on visual tasks. Some health effects are well understood in terms of susceptible subgroups, prevalence and influential parameters while other potential hazards are less extensively studied. Therefore the risk assessment incorporates informational certainty as well as probability and severity of potential effects.Significance/Contribution to the FieldEnable confidence in safe use and guidance for safe design of an environmentally important lighting technology.
Characteristics of injured off-road cyclists
Authors: Ivers RQ , Rome L De , Boufous S , Senserrick T , Richardson D 
Published: October 2012

BackgroundDespite increasing popularity of off-road cycling, data on injury in off-road riders are rarely reported. This study aimed to describe characteristics of a sample of injured off-road cyclists.Aims/Objectives/PurposePhone interviews were conducted with adults presenting to Canberra or Calvary Hospitals in Canberra with a cycle related injury between November 2009 and May 2010; medical records were accessed to verify patient data.ResultsOf 372 eligible cyclists, 84.1% (n=313) participated; 111 (35.5%) were riding off-road. Of off-road riders, most were riding mountain bikes (76%), 93 (84%) were male, compared to 74% overall and more were aged 17–25 (28% vs 22%). Most (63%) were riding on designated off-road trails, 22% in BMX- or skate–parks; 33% of cyclists involved in off-road crashes reported ‘riding for thrills’ compared to 5% in other cyclists, with the most common risk behaviour being downhill speeding. More off-road incidents involved a fall (93% vs 65% of all riders) but fewer involved collisions (6% vs 25%); more off-road riders were recreational riders (73% vs 43%) and more reported previous crashes (72% vs 60%). Most common injuries were bruises, abrasions and sprains; 36% had fractures. Most common injury sites were shoulder, elbow and hand. Helmet usage was higher for off-road riders (89%) compared to those riding on footpaths (71%) or cycle lanes (68%).Significance/Contribution to the FieldA high proportion of injured cyclists were recreational, off-road riders. Although more research is needed, injury prevention programmes for off-road riders might focus on management of risky riding behaviours and hazards in the riding environment.
Needlestick injuries in agriculture
Authors: Anne Taylor 
Published: October 2012

BackgroundFarmers vaccinate thousands of animals in any one year. It is known through surveys that up to 80% of farmers and their workers have received a needlestick injury.ObjectivesTo produced a DVD to educate rural workers on:• The hazards of needlestick injuries especially when the vaccines are harmful to humans• First Aid treatmentResultsThe DVD, produced in 2011, was used as a teaching aid in workshops for farmers and their advisors when educating them about Ovine Johnes Disease and an effective programme to control the spread of the disease. The DVD runs for 5 min and 34 s.ConclusionThe feedback from viewers indicates it is a useful tool and many have recommended their peers to view it.
Alcohol and community football clubs: club-based characteristics and practices associated with risky consumption
Authors: Wiggers J , Kingsland M , Wolfenden L , Rowland B , Gillham K , Kennedy V , Ramsden R , Colbran R 
Published: October 2012

BackgroundExcessive alcohol consumption has been reported among members and spectators of community sporting clubs. Regulating and modifying the drinking environment is one strategy to reduce the risk of excessive alcohol consumption at sporting grounds.Aims/Objectives/PurposeTo determine the extent to which characteristics and practices of community football clubs are associated with risky alcohol consumption by club members.MethodsCross sectional surveys of club representatives and members were conducted. Logistic regression analysis was used to test associations between alcohol consumption by members and the characteristics and practices of clubs (size, football code, location, responsible service of alcohol, drinking games/promotions, sponsorship).Results/OutcomeMembers of Rugby Union (OR 2.64) and Rugby League (OR 1.95) clubs were at significantly greater odds of consuming alcohol at risky levels compared to Australian Rules Football club members. Members of Rugby Union clubs were also at significantly greater odds (OR 2.1) of consuming alcohol at risky levels compared to soccer club members. Members of smaller clubs (less than 150 players) were at significantly greater odds (OR 1.45) of consuming alcohol at risky levels compared to members of larger clubs. This was also the case for members of clubs who served alcohol to intoxicated people (OR 2.23), had happy hour promotions (OR 2.84) or had alcohol-only awards (OR 1.80). Risky consumption at football clubs is associated with a combination of club characteristics and potentially modifiable club practices.Significance/Contribution to the FieldPublic health strategies that may be effective in modifying such practices range from regulatory enforcement to accreditation schemes.
Coaching our kids to fewer injuries: youth sports safety research
Authors: Angela Mickalide , Kate Carr 
Published: October 2012

BackgroundParticipation in team sports builds kids' confidence, promotes teamwork, increases fitness, enhances social skills, and encourages healthy competition. Each year in the USA, 38 million children play organised sports. Yet, sports participation results in 3.5 million medical visits annually.PurposeThe aim of this study is to assess coaches', parents' and children's sports-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviours, with a focus on prevention of concussion, heat stroke and overuse injuries and promotion of safety gear use, pre-participation physical examinations and emergency planning.MethodsSafe Kids Worldwide partnered with Salter Mitchell to conduct youth sports safety polls with 516 young athletes, 750 parents and 752 coaches.ResultsMisperceptions and uninformed behaviours are all too common. Nine in 10 parents underestimate the length of time kids should take off from playing any one sport during the year, and four in 10 underestimate the amount of fluids a typical young athlete needs per hour of play. Three in 10 kids think that good players should keep playing their sport even when they are hurt, unless a coach or adult makes them stop. Nearly half of all coaches report receiving pressure – either from parents or the kids themselves—to play an injured child during a game.ConclusionSafe Kids Worldwide is providing leadership and working together with parents, coaches, athletes, schools, safety advocates, athletic trainers, health professionals, legislators, the media, retailers, and manufacturers to help keep our athletes healthy and injury-free through advocacy, communications, and sports safety clinics nationwide.