title: Investigating Wearable Technology for Fatigue Identification in the Workplace

authors: Griffiths, Christopher John Gilder

subjects: Science & Technology

abstract: Fatigue has been identified as a significant contributor to workplace accident rates. However, risk minimisation is a process largely based on self-reporting methodologies, which are not suitable for fatigue identification in high risk industries. Wearable technology which is capable of collecting physiological data such as step and heart rates as an individual performs workplace tasks has been proposed as a possible solution. Such devices are minimally intrusive to the individual and so can be used throughout the working day. Much is promised by the providers of such technology, but it is unclear how suitable it is for in-situ measurements in real-world work scenarios. To investigate this, we performed a series of studies designed to capture physiological and psychological data under differing (physical and mental) loading types with the intention of finding out how suitable such equipment is. Using reaction time (simple and choice) as a measure of performance we found similar correlations exist between loading duration and our measured indicators as those found in large-scale laboratory studies using state of the art equipment. Our results suggest that commercially available activity monitors are capable of collecting meaningful data in workplaces and are, therefore, worth investigating further for this purpose.

text: Investigating Wearable Technology for Fatigue Identification in the Workplace Fatigue has been identified as a significant contributor to workplace accident rates. However, risk minimisation is a process largely based on self-reporting methodologies, which are not suitable for fatigue identification in high risk industries. Wearable technology which is capable of collecting physiological data such as step and heart rates as an individual performs workplace tasks has been proposed as a possible solution. Such devices are minimally intrusive to the individual and so can be used throughout the working day. Much is promised by the providers of such technology, but it is unclear how suitable it is for in-situ measurements in real-world work scenarios. To investigate this, we performed a series of studies designed to capture physiological and psychological data under differing (physical and mental) loading types with the intention of finding out how suitable such equipment is. Using reaction time (simple and choice) as a measure of performance we found similar correlations exist between loading duration and our measured indicators as those found in large-scale laboratory studies using state of the art equipment. Our results suggest that commercially available activity monitors are capable of collecting meaningful data in workplaces and are, therefore, worth investigating further for this purpose.

year: 2017

title: Pregnancy in a new home:  Refugee mothers in New Zealand

authors: Sharifi, Shabana

abstract: Purpose: Pregnancy signifies a delicate phase for women and is associated with potential adverse negative outcomes. Refugee woman are more at risk of experiencing heightened stress and negative pregnancy outcomes. As the population of refugee women in New Zealand continues to grow, it becomes imperative to comprehend their unique challenges, needs, and available supports during their pregnancy in New Zealand. Despite this, no research on this topic has been conducted in New Zealand. Therefore, the current research aims to explore what are the needs and challenges of former refugee woman in New Zealand during their pregnancy and how are they being supported?

Methods: A thematic analysis was conducted on eight semi-structured interviews to understand the experiences of former refugee mothers. Participants consisted of four former refugee mothers who had recent given birth in the last three years at New Zealand and four service providers who had supported refugee mothers during their pregnancy. 

Results: The study identified six key themes critical to supporting pregnant refugee women in New Zealand. These encompassed the need for language assistance, guidance in navigating 
available systems, fostering relationships, cultural awareness within services, and recognizing the interconnected nature of their challenges, which often resulted in inadequate support for some pregnant refugee women. Additionally, the research highlighted a sense of appreciation among refugee mothers for the services provided by New Zealand.

Conclusion: This study highlights the need for a holistic approach when supporting pregnant refugee woman and the significance of developing tailored community programs to educate and provide opportunity for socialisation.

text: Pregnancy in a new home:  Refugee mothers in New Zealand Purpose: Pregnancy signifies a delicate phase for women and is associated with potential adverse negative outcomes. Refugee woman are more at risk of experiencing heightened stress and negative pregnancy outcomes. As the population of refugee women in New Zealand continues to grow, it becomes imperative to comprehend their unique challenges, needs, and available supports during their pregnancy in New Zealand. Despite this, no research on this topic has been conducted in New Zealand. Therefore, the current research aims to explore what are the needs and challenges of former refugee woman in New Zealand during their pregnancy and how are they being supported?

Methods: A thematic analysis was conducted on eight semi-structured interviews to understand the experiences of former refugee mothers. Participants consisted of four former refugee mothers who had recent given birth in the last three years at New Zealand and four service providers who had supported refugee mothers during their pregnancy. 

Results: The study identified six key themes critical to supporting pregnant refugee women in New Zealand. These encompassed the need for language assistance, guidance in navigating 
available systems, fostering relationships, cultural awareness within services, and recognizing the interconnected nature of their challenges, which often resulted in inadequate support for some pregnant refugee women. Additionally, the research highlighted a sense of appreciation among refugee mothers for the services provided by New Zealand.

Conclusion: This study highlights the need for a holistic approach when supporting pregnant refugee woman and the significance of developing tailored community programs to educate and provide opportunity for socialisation.

year: 2023

title: Understanding contemporary Māori demographic fertility patterns and trends in Aotearoa New Zealand

authors: Rarere, Moana

abstract: This thesis re-examines demographic studies of contemporary Māori fertility patterns and trends. Analysing fertility is a core undertaking in demography, and in studies that include Māori fertility, most have been undertaken by non-Māori demographers who instinctively draw on Western-based frameworks to analyse and interpret these trends.  Consequently, Māori perspectives are virtually invisible.  Incorporating Māori perspectives are needed because despite a convergence of fertility similar to Pākehā, important fertility patterns persist.  Notably, Māori women bear their babies earlier and over a longer period.  Fertility studies of other Indigenous peoples in settler-colonial states share striking similarities.  While demographic and economic factors are important in fertility outcomes, this thesis primarily explores the potential influence of culture, which has received little attention.  Hence, this doctoral study asks: To what extent does culture influence contemporary Māori fertility patterns?

This thesis draws on Kaupapa Māori and Mana Wahine frameworks, along with the tools of demography, to deploy a mixed methods design of statistical techniques – using secondary data from the 2013 Aotearoa NZ Census and the 1995 New Zealand Women: Family, Employment, and Education Survey – and thematic analysis of interviews with nine Māori women.  While acknowledging the limitations of the analyses, the empirical results suggest that ‘cultural identity’ is an important factor in Māori fertility, and that ‘whakapapa’ and ‘whānau’ are at the heart of fertility decisions.  These findings broadly imply that taken-for-granted demographic theories and analytical practices need to incorporate Indigenous-centred frameworks and perspectives for a better understanding of Indigenous fertility and population change.

text: Understanding contemporary Māori demographic fertility patterns and trends in Aotearoa New Zealand This thesis re-examines demographic studies of contemporary Māori fertility patterns and trends. Analysing fertility is a core undertaking in demography, and in studies that include Māori fertility, most have been undertaken by non-Māori demographers who instinctively draw on Western-based frameworks to analyse and interpret these trends.  Consequently, Māori perspectives are virtually invisible.  Incorporating Māori perspectives are needed because despite a convergence of fertility similar to Pākehā, important fertility patterns persist.  Notably, Māori women bear their babies earlier and over a longer period.  Fertility studies of other Indigenous peoples in settler-colonial states share striking similarities.  While demographic and economic factors are important in fertility outcomes, this thesis primarily explores the potential influence of culture, which has received little attention.  Hence, this doctoral study asks: To what extent does culture influence contemporary Māori fertility patterns?

This thesis draws on Kaupapa Māori and Mana Wahine frameworks, along with the tools of demography, to deploy a mixed methods design of statistical techniques – using secondary data from the 2013 Aotearoa NZ Census and the 1995 New Zealand Women: Family, Employment, and Education Survey – and thematic analysis of interviews with nine Māori women.  While acknowledging the limitations of the analyses, the empirical results suggest that ‘cultural identity’ is an important factor in Māori fertility, and that ‘whakapapa’ and ‘whānau’ are at the heart of fertility decisions.  These findings broadly imply that taken-for-granted demographic theories and analytical practices need to incorporate Indigenous-centred frameworks and perspectives for a better understanding of Indigenous fertility and population change.

year: 2024