bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
THE FEASIBILITY OF ASCERTAINING EXPOSURE TO PESTICIDES BY SELF REPORT IN AUSTRALIAN VIETNAM VETERANS
Authors: O'Toole Brian I. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractTo assess the feasibility of developing a subjective measurement of exposure to pesticides (herbicides and insecticides) among Australian Vietnam veterans, a series of questions was asked in a survey of 300 randomly selected former soldiers on the electoral roll in Sydney metropolitan electorates, who had served in Vietnam. Data quality was measured in terms of adequacy and reliability of responses to exposure questions, while validity was assessed by reference to army records or by examining the content of answers. Exposure to pesticides in Vietnam was difficult to ascertain; reliability was low and the content of responses did not differentiate clearly between herbicide and insecticide exposure. Similarly, the quality of responses to questions of chemical exposure in a civilian environment was also low. In attempting to assess the sequelae of chemical exposure, questions on circumstances of exposure should be limited to occupational exposure, since such data are amenable to validity checks. In studying Vietnam veterans and using control groups who did not go to Vietnam it may be necessary to assume that all veterans were potentially exposed and all non‐veterans were not, and stratification undertaken by potential for occupational exposure to chemicals both in the army and in civilian life.
‘DOES THE MODE MATTER?’ ‐ A COMPARISON OF THREE MODES OF QUESTIONNAIRE COMPLETION
Authors: Quine Susan 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThis paper includes a brief outline of the research literature on comparisons of different modes of questionnaire completion (face to face, telephone, self‐administered), and the results of a pilot study which used a questionnaire to obtain data on maternal experiences and exposures to drugs and environmental agents during pregnancy. Questionnaires were completed for the three modes and comparisons made of the quality of the data and the actual responses obtained. The findings suggest that when using a highly structured questionnaire, and where a favourable rapport has been established between the researcher and the respondents, there are few differences between the modes in those aspects examined in this study.
CHILDBIRTH IN SYDNEY TEACHING HOSPITALS: A STUDY OF LOW‐RISK PRIMIPAROUS WOMEN
Authors: Hewson Daphne , Bennett Adrienne , Holliday Susan , Booker Erica 
Published: August 2010

AbstractChildbirth data from the hospital records of a random sample of 398 low‐risk primiparous women at five Sydney teaching hospitals were examined. Rates of medical interventions and medication use showed marked variability between hospitals, and most rates were relatively high compared with data from other states and countries. For example, the range across hospitals of forceps delivery was 29 per cent to 51 per cent with an average proportion of 43 per cent, compared with around 18 per cent in teaching hospitals in other states. Forceps use was three times more common when epidural anaesthesia was used. Women's ratings of interventions were generally neutral or positive but their overall satisfaction ratings were significantly lower in more difficult births.
A SURVEY OF HEALTH PROMOTION PRIORITIES IN THE COMMUNITY
Authors: Pierce J.P. , Yong C.S. , Dwyer T. , Chamberlain A. ,   “Quit. For Life” Steering Committee
Published: August 2010

AbstractAs part of the evaluation of the “Quit. For Life” smoking intervention, 5,713 people in Sydney and Melbourne were asked to order a list of seven health issues in order of community concern. Drink driving appeared to be the major issue, with over 70 per cent in Sydney and nearly 90 per cent in Melbourne placing it in the top three issues. Smoking and stressful lifestyle rated next most highly and were followed by high blood pressure, lack of exercise, weight and cholesterol in that order of perceived importance. Drink driving was ranked most highly by the 14–29 year age groups and teenagers gave the highest priority to smoking.The working age population of both sexes rated stress as more important than did other groups. Older age groups were more concerned with blood pressure and women more so than men. Younger people saw exercise as more important than did older people but a large proportion of all age and sex groups ranked exercise as being of least importance. An unexpected result was that, although older people rated weight as important, there was no sex effect. People appeared unwilling to nominate cholesterol as either important or unimportant, possibly indicating confusion about its relation to health. Suggestions are made as to how these findings can be used to promote healthy lifestyles.
IMPROVING THE PUBLIC'S PERCEPTION OF ROAD ACCIDENT RISK
Authors: Wilson D.H. , Hugo G.J. , Wakefield M.A. 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe biggest killer of young adults is road accidents, yet the enormity of the problem does not seem to impinge significantly on the public consciousness, mainly because perception of risk on the road is faulty. The way in which road accident data are conventionally presented does little to correct this misconception. In this paper, life table theory has been adapted to calculate the chance of a sixteen year old male being killed or injured in a road accident before the age of twenty‐five years. This statistic, one chance in five, can be understood more readily and personalized and used as a basis to correct faulty risk perceptions, which in turn will lead to greater acceptance of legislative and behavioural countermeasures.
COMMENTARY: RSI AS A SOCIAL PROCESS
Authors: Willis Evan 
Published: August 2010

AbstractSince 1982 there has been an ‘epidemic’ of repetitive strain injuries in the workplace. Its recency, widespread incidence and threat to industry make RSI an important medico‐social phenomenon of the 1980's.This paper considers RSI in a process framework, one with important sociopolitical dimensions. Drawing upon the parallel historical example of the occupational injury of miners' nystagmus, two aspects of the sociopolitical process are developed.The first is the mediation of the social relations of work by RSI. Using labour process theory it is argued that the injury must be understood in the context of the gradual dehumanisation of work, as involving a form of resistance which is transforming the industrial relations of occupational health and safety.The second aspect to be addressed is the sociology of medical knowledge about RSI; the role of medical practitioners as arbiters in the mediation of social relations and the location of medical knowledge about RSI in the medico‐legal process. An attempt is made to account for the controversial nature of the medical knowledge about RSI. Finally, some implications of RSI for future industrial relations are considered.
A WORKPLACE SMOKING CESSATION PROGRAM. A STRATEGY WITH POTENTIAL FOR MASS APPLICATION
Authors: Digiusto Erol 
Published: August 2010

AbstractTwenty eight smokers (82 percent of all smoking employees) were enrolled in a smoking cessation program conducted at the factory where they worked. Objectively‐verified abstinence rates of 54 per cent at a one‐month follow‐up and 25 per cent at 18 months were achieved. It is proposed that such programs could significantly contribute to reducing the prevalence of smoking in the community and, in particular, would effectively comp***lement mass‐media interventions.
SLEEP PATTERNS AND PROBLEMS IN ELDERLY GENERAL PRACTICE ATTENDERS: AN AUSTRALIAN SURVEY
Authors: Mant Andrea , Eyland E. Ann 
Published: August 2010

AbstractDuring 1983, interviews were conducted with 348 consecutive general practice patients, mean age 74 years, attending 31 practices in city and country areas of New South Wales, Australia. Disturbances in initiating and maintaining sleep were experienced by one‐third to one‐half of respondents. Twenty per cent of respondents felt they had a problem with sleeping at night and a further seventeen per cent felt they would have a problem if they did not take tablets. Those with a sleep problem were more often depressed, or disturbed by a noisy neighbourhood or a recent upset or crisis than those without. Sleeping tablets were taken by twenty‐four per cent of respondents. The desirability of a detailed sleep history prior to prescribing sleeping tablets is emphasised.
A SURVEY OF SLEEPING DIFFICULTIES IN AN AUSTRALIAN POPULATION
Authors: Lack Leon , Miller Wendy , Turner Debbie 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThe percentage of 216 respondents to a telephone study in Adelaide reporting that they “often have difficulty” with various aspects of sleep ranged from 13 per cent‐20 per cent, a prevalence at least as great as in Northern hemisphere populations. There were few overall differences between men and women in reporting sleep difficulties. Older people, particularly men, reported more nocturnal awakening and early morning awakening. Older people reported less daytime drowsiness and less insufficient sleep yet also reported more medical advice and medication for sleep problems. For many older people counselling and the provision of information may be more appropriate than hypnotic drug prescription. Delayed sleep phase syndrome was identified in about 6–7 per cent of the sample. This problem is associated with insufficient sleep and daytime drowsiness, and is therefore considered as a significant health problem in the community. The paper identifies some possible non‐drug treatments for delayed sleep phase syndrome.
COMMERCE OR CON: YOUNG PEOPLE AND CIGARETTE ADVERTISING
Authors: Ritchie Jane 
Published: August 2010

AbstractOne thousand two hundred and fifty‐four adolescents in Hamilton, New Zealand, ranging in age from 10 to 16, were questioned on their awareness of, and attitudes towards, cigarette advertising, and on their image of the young smoker. Most of the respondents felt that tobacco companies advertise to encourage people to buy their brands. Smokers were less likely than non‐smokers to feel that cigarette companies advertise to encourage young people to take up smoking. They were also more likely to agree that cigarette companies are generous, public spirited people. Non‐smokers were more likely to feel that cigarette advertising was effective in encouraging young people to smoke. Winfield, the most popular brand among smokers, was also the most well known. Smokers had a more positive image than non‐smokers of the young person who smokes.
USE OF BENZODIAZEPINES AMONG RESIDENTS OF AGED‐CARE ACCOMMODATION
Authors: Gilbert Andrew , Quintrell L. Neil , Owen Neville 
Published: August 2010

AbstractSleep disturbance and anxiety are common problems in the elderly, and drugs in the benzodiazepine class have become widely accepted as the drugs of choice for their treatment. Used properly, these drugs can be effective, and guidelines exist for appropriate use. However, evidence of prolonged use, of dependence, and of withdrawal symptoms has given rise to concerns. The elderly are heavy users of prescription drugs in general, and benzodiazepines in particular. In our study of benzodiazepine use among 397 residents of aged‐care accommodation, over 50 per cent had benzodiazepines prescribed for anxiety or insomnia during the survey period and 36 per cent of residents had taken at least one dose each day, continuously, for longer than one year. Some environmental, social and personal factors associated with prolonged use were identified: the extent of dependency on institutional care; the receipt of free medication; being female; and being in older age categories. There are obligations on the part of prescribers, caregivers, aged‐care accommodation administrators, and legislators to find ways to deal more appropriately with sleep disturbance and anxiety in the elderly; this should involve more judicious drug use, and the integration of drug therapy with appropriate environmental, social and educational strategies.
THE DEMISE OF WOLFE HOME: A CASE STUDY OF THE CLOSURE OF AN INPATIENT ALCOHOLISM UNIT
Authors: Howden‐Chapman Philippa 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThis paper explores the place of research in health policy decisions. Potential explanations of the closure of Wolfe Home, an inpatient alcoholism treatment unit are examined, with reference to a theoretical framework. A number of evaluations of Wolfe Home are described, and their implications analysed. Their recommendations are discussed in the context of Hospital Board and Health Department policy as identified by interviews with key informants. Tentative conclusions are drawn as to the influence of research information, management attitudes and professional group interests.
NEW ZEALANDERS' ATTITUDES TO HEALTH CARE POLICY
Authors: Chetwynd S. Jane 
Published: August 2010

AbstractA fully national sample of over 1,000 New Zealanders were questioned about their attitudes to various health care policy issues.In general terms there was greater support for a publicly‐provided health care system than for a privatized free market approach. Almost half the respondents were agreeable to a tax increase so as to improve public health care provision and a similar proportion were against it.Advertising by doctors to increase competition between them was supported by only 33 per cent of the sample. However, the need for more information about doctors' performance was expressed by 49 per cent.On the subject of priorities between high technology and low technology medical expenditure, the sample was fairly evenly divided with almost 40 per cent of the sample favouring each option.There were some differences between various sectors of the population in the attitudes held. In general terms, those with the greatest need for health care and those with the least financial resources were more strongly in favour of public provision.
ADULTS' BELIEFS ABOUT THE DETERMINANTS OF SUCCESSFUL DIETARY CHANGE
Authors: McConaghy Julie 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThis study, using a random survey technique was designed to assess the number of changes people were making to their diet and what factors they considered would most influence them to make a dietary change.Seventy‐seven per cent of respondents claimed to be making changes to their diet, and the most common changes such as reducing fat, salt and sugar and increasing fibre, were in line with the Australian Dietary Guidelines. In addition, 79.3 per cent of respondents indicated that suffering from a serious illness and thinking a dietary change might aid recovery would have a strong effect on their decision to change diets. Conversely, less than 10 per cent of all respondents indicated that speaking to a family member or friend, or information in the media would have a strong effect on them deciding to change their diet. With regard to the maintenance of dietary change, respondents indicated that experiencing the positive effects of dietary change on their health and well‐being was the most important factor, while other important factors were liking the taste‐texture of the new foods in the diet, having strong support from a spouse or partner and having a strong wish to change.Those in higher educational or occupational groups indicated the above factors to be more important than those in lower occupational and educational groups. The latter were more concerned with such factors as the cost and ease of preparing new foods in the diet, having few stresses at home and the support of friends and workmates. These results suggest that the design and implementation of dietary change programs should be targeted to specific groups in the community.
NUTRITION AND PUBLIC HEALTH: DIVISION OF LABOUR IN THE STUDY OF NUTRITION
Authors: Duff John 
Published: August 2010

AbstractThis article draws inferences from changes in the style of a nutrition journal which was originally published by the Commonwealth Department of Health, and is now published by the Australian Dietitians' Association. The changes reflect developments in the field of nutrition, towards more ‘scientific’ styles of inquiry and publishing, against the backdrop of a division of labour in which (mainly male) laboratory scientists produced scientific knowledge which was then communicated by (mainly female) dietitians and nutritionists. Consistent with the approach of the ‘new public health’, this paper argues that reliance upon ‘scientific’ methods alone diverts attention from the social, economic and political conditions which help explain not only the improvements earlier in the century, but current difficulties in bringing about further improvements.
THE STATE OF THE ART OF COSTING HEALTH CARE FOR ECONOMIC EVALUATION
Authors: Donaldson Cam 
Published: August 2010

AbstractIn this paper, the principles of costing health care for economic evaluation are outlined. Hypothetical and published examples are used to illustrate these principles. First, the economic concept of opportunity cost is defined. Secondly, the techniques of economic evaluation which follow from this definition are introduced: they are cost‐benefit analysis, cost‐effectiveness analysis and cost‐utility analysis. Thirdly, a list of costs which should be considered for inclusion in either of these types of evaluation is provided, this listing being based on the concept of opportunity cost. Problems of measurement and valuation of costs are then outlined, focusing in particular on inflation, discounting, marginal costing, patient‐based versus per diem costing, allocating overheads, costing capital and equipment and adjusting distorted market valuations. An example of sensitivity analysis is provided and also a checklist of questions to ask when setting up any costing exercise within an economic evaluation.
Development Thinking as Cultural Neo‐Colonialism—the Case of Sri Lanka1
Authors: Goonatilake Susantha 
Published: August 2010

Summary The independence struggle in Sri Lanka gave rise to various counter‐ideologies challenging the imposed ideologies of the colonialists. During the post‐independence period it seemed that the counter‐ideologies had come into their own and were beginning to be put into effect. Yet from the 1950s a new imposed ideology, arising from Western definitions of the problems of'development', began increasingly to be adopted in centres of official decision‐making, and the counter‐ideologies which arose from actual political debate in the country began to recede. This paper describes the sociological mechanisms by which this imposed structure of knowledge is maintained, the air of unreality surrounding it, and the stultifying effects it has on discussions of the real issues, of what development is about.RESUME Théories sur le développement en tant que néo‐colonialisme culturel—lecasdeSri LankaLa lutte pour I'indépendance à Sri Lanka fit naître diverses idéologies mettant en question celles des colonialistes. Pendant la période qui a suivi I'indépendance il a semblé que ces idéologies occupaient le terrain et commençaient à être concrétisées. Cependant, à partlr des années '50 s'est imposée une nouvelle idéologie dérivée des définitions occidentales de développement, progressivement adoptée par les organismes de décision officiels; et les idéologies nées du débat politique au sein du pays ont subi un recul. Cette étude décrit les mécanismes sociologiques par lesquels se maintient cette structure imposée de connaissances, I'atmosphère irréelle qui I'entoure, et ses effets répressifs sur la discussion des vrais thèmes du développement.RESUMEN La ideología del desarrollo como neocolonialismo cultural—El casodeSri Lanka Susantha GoonatilakeLa lucha la independent en Sri Lanka dio origan a varias contraideologías que se oponían a las ideologías impuestas por los colonialistas. Durante el período que siguió a la independencia pareció que las contra‐ideologías se habían consolidado estaban empezando a ser puestas en práctice. Sin embargo desde la déceda de 1950 una nueva Ideología externa, emanada de las definiciones occidentales de los problemas del ‘desarrollo’, empezó a ser adoptada en forma creciente en los centros de decisión oficial, las contra‐ideologías que surgieron del debate político real en el país empezaron a perder terreno. Este artlculo describe los mecanismos sociológicos que hacen posible la mantención de esta estructura de conocimiento impuesta, el aire de irrealidad que ía rodea, losefectos esterilizadores que tiene en las discusiones de los problemas reales, de la verdadera problemática del desarrollo.
The New International Economic Order— what's in it for the rich?*
Authors: Jolly Richard 
Published: August 2010

SUMMARY Improvement of the international economic order must come from negotiations, not shotgun demands. These are areas of shared interest between the developing and the industrialised countries. The current recession involves enormous loss of potential production to the industrial world, a part of which can be attributed to the disruption caused by lack of preparation for and suddeness of an un‐negotiated shift of potential spending power to the OPEC countries of a mere 2 per cent of world GNP. Timely concessions are worth making to avoid such disruptions, It is in the rich countries' interest to find a pattern of production in harmony with the needs of the developing world for a fairer share of world income.RESUMEN EI Nuevo Orden Económico Internacional—qué pueden ganar los ricosEl mejoramiento del orden económico internacional debe provenir de negociaciones, no de exigencias violentas. Existen áreas de interés común entre los palses en desarrollo y los industrializados. La recesión actual implica enormes pérdidas de producción potencial para el mundo industrial, parte de las cuales pueden atribuirse a la dislocación producida por una transferencia no negociada de capacidad potencial de gasto de no más de un dos por ciento del PNB mundial en favor de los paises de la OPE P. Vale la pena hacer concesiones a tiempo para evitar tales dislocaciones. Encontrar un padrón de producción de acuerdo a las necesidades de los paises en desarrollo de obtener una parte más justa del ingreso mundial es también materia de interés para los paises ricos.RESUME Le nouvel ordre économique international—que rapporte‐t‐il aux riches?L'amélioration de l'ordre économique international ne saurait se réaliser que par négociation—et non par revendications militantes. Que les nations industrialisées et pays en développement aient des intérêts communs est incontestable. Le ralentissement économique se traduit pour le monde industrialisé en perte énorme de capacité productive, attribuable en partie aux bouleversements occasionnés par le virement, non‐negocié, vers des pays de l'OPEP d'un pouvoir d'achat ne moyennant que de 2 p.100 du PNB mondial. Mieux vaut faire des concessions opportunes que de provoquer de tels bouleversements. Les pays riches ont intérêt à élaborer un modèle de production qui puisse assurer au monde en développement une plus équitable répartition des revenus mondiaux.