title: Epidemiology of giant cell arteritis in Waikato, Aotearoa New Zealand

authors: van Dantzig, Philippa

subjects: data analytics

abstract: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common primary vasculitis in adults over 50 years of age. Our primary objective was to assess the incidence and prevalence of GCA in Waikato in a bid to deepen our understanding of the epidemiology of GCA in Aotearoa New Zealand. methods: From January 2014 to December 2022, cases of GCA were identified prospectively and retrospectively through temporal artery ultrasound request lists and temporal artery biopsy histology reports. Using electronic health records, data were collected retrospectively on patient demographics and clinical features. These were used to calculate the incidence, prevalence and standardised mortality ratio (SMR) of GCA in Waikato. results: There were 214 patients diagnosed with GCA over the 9-year period. The majority of patients were European (93.9%, 201/214) with Māori patients being significantly younger than European patients. The mean annual incidence of clinical GCA was 14.7 per 100,000 people over 50 years (95% confidence interval [CI] 12.7–16.6). The SMR was 1.18 (95% CI 0.83–1.52). conclusion: This is the largest study to date on the epidemiology of GCA in Aotearoa New Zealand. The incidence of GCA is comparable to other studies performed in Aotearoa New Zealand and appears to be stable over time. GCA is uncommon in Māori, Pacific Islander and Asian ethnic groups.

text: Epidemiology of giant cell arteritis in Waikato, Aotearoa New Zealand Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is the most common primary vasculitis in adults over 50 years of age. Our primary objective was to assess the incidence and prevalence of GCA in Waikato in a bid to deepen our understanding of the epidemiology of GCA in Aotearoa New Zealand. methods: From January 2014 to December 2022, cases of GCA were identified prospectively and retrospectively through temporal artery ultrasound request lists and temporal artery biopsy histology reports. Using electronic health records, data were collected retrospectively on patient demographics and clinical features. These were used to calculate the incidence, prevalence and standardised mortality ratio (SMR) of GCA in Waikato. results: There were 214 patients diagnosed with GCA over the 9-year period. The majority of patients were European (93.9%, 201/214) with Māori patients being significantly younger than European patients. The mean annual incidence of clinical GCA was 14.7 per 100,000 people over 50 years (95% confidence interval [CI] 12.7–16.6). The SMR was 1.18 (95% CI 0.83–1.52). conclusion: This is the largest study to date on the epidemiology of GCA in Aotearoa New Zealand. The incidence of GCA is comparable to other studies performed in Aotearoa New Zealand and appears to be stable over time. GCA is uncommon in Māori, Pacific Islander and Asian ethnic groups.

year: 2024-03-22

title: Harming oneself and harming others: Young people’s experiences coping with difficult emotions

authors: McIntyre, Olivia Taylor

abstract: It is well established that a key function of self-injury is managing difficult or uncomfortable
emotions. Interestingly, emotion regulation is also a key function of aggression. Despite this
and other apparent similarities in risk and protective factors, these behaviours have never
been compared at length. The current research aimed to fill this gap by exploring to what
extent self-injury and outward-directed-injury were ways of dealing with the same issues,
especially managing negative emotions. Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted
with participants aged between 18 and 35 years old. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to
analyse the data and develop seven themes. Although this research initially set out to explore
injury specifically, many of the experiences described by participants did not involve
physical injury but were still harmful to themself or others. Accordingly, the findings of this
study focus more broadly on harm. The themes outline the self-harm and outward-directedharm
engaged in by the participants, as well as shared risk and protective factors. Factors that
influenced participants’ engagement in self-harm and outward-directed-harm included
adverse life challenges such as mental illness, trauma, low self-worth or nonconformity to
social norms; their friends and family; a difficulty in differentiating emotions; an indifference
for personal safety; and a lack of support services and mental health education in New
Zealand. This exploratory study gives insight into twelve young people’s experiences using
self-harm and outward-directed-harm to cope with their difficult emotions. These insights
contribute to an area of research that is lacking whilst also highlighting the need for further
research comparing these distinct but related behaviours.

text: Harming oneself and harming others: Young people’s experiences coping with difficult emotions It is well established that a key function of self-injury is managing difficult or uncomfortable
emotions. Interestingly, emotion regulation is also a key function of aggression. Despite this
and other apparent similarities in risk and protective factors, these behaviours have never
been compared at length. The current research aimed to fill this gap by exploring to what
extent self-injury and outward-directed-injury were ways of dealing with the same issues,
especially managing negative emotions. Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted
with participants aged between 18 and 35 years old. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to
analyse the data and develop seven themes. Although this research initially set out to explore
injury specifically, many of the experiences described by participants did not involve
physical injury but were still harmful to themself or others. Accordingly, the findings of this
study focus more broadly on harm. The themes outline the self-harm and outward-directedharm
engaged in by the participants, as well as shared risk and protective factors. Factors that
influenced participants’ engagement in self-harm and outward-directed-harm included
adverse life challenges such as mental illness, trauma, low self-worth or nonconformity to
social norms; their friends and family; a difficulty in differentiating emotions; an indifference
for personal safety; and a lack of support services and mental health education in New
Zealand. This exploratory study gives insight into twelve young people’s experiences using
self-harm and outward-directed-harm to cope with their difficult emotions. These insights
contribute to an area of research that is lacking whilst also highlighting the need for further
research comparing these distinct but related behaviours.

year: 2024

title: Early childhood teachers partnering with teacher educators to connect children to taiao (the natural world) through place-based learning

authors: Postlewaight, Gillian

abstract: Initial cycles of an action research project brought together local early childhood (ECE) teachers, and tertiary ECE teacher educators, to explore possible uses of the Ōtātara Outdoor Learning Centre (ŌOLC), adjoining the campus at Hawke’s Bay’s Te Aho a Maui Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT), Napier, New Zealand. EIT is situated below Ōtātara Pa, a historic site that holds cultural and historical significance for local Māori, specifically Ngati Pārau Hapū and Ngati Kahungunu Iwi. Education in New Zealand is underpinned by commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi), ensuring that the principles; partnership, participation and protection of kaupapa Māori are supported through bicultural curricula. Māori holistic perspectives strengthen this focus and shifting understanding that place-based learning authenticates environmental approaches to education and cultural knowledge. During the first meeting, participants walked the hillside site and shared group discussions. From these conversations, the teachers identified three main themes: establishing connections between children and the physical place, new opportunities for teacher learning and challenges to implementing spontaneous teaching and learning in this unique environment. Future cycles of the research will focus on workshops for teachers to address these themes for teachers’ working with children in the space.

text: Early childhood teachers partnering with teacher educators to connect children to taiao (the natural world) through place-based learning Initial cycles of an action research project brought together local early childhood (ECE) teachers, and tertiary ECE teacher educators, to explore possible uses of the Ōtātara Outdoor Learning Centre (ŌOLC), adjoining the campus at Hawke’s Bay’s Te Aho a Maui Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT), Napier, New Zealand. EIT is situated below Ōtātara Pa, a historic site that holds cultural and historical significance for local Māori, specifically Ngati Pārau Hapū and Ngati Kahungunu Iwi. Education in New Zealand is underpinned by commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi), ensuring that the principles; partnership, participation and protection of kaupapa Māori are supported through bicultural curricula. Māori holistic perspectives strengthen this focus and shifting understanding that place-based learning authenticates environmental approaches to education and cultural knowledge. During the first meeting, participants walked the hillside site and shared group discussions. From these conversations, the teachers identified three main themes: establishing connections between children and the physical place, new opportunities for teacher learning and challenges to implementing spontaneous teaching and learning in this unique environment. Future cycles of the research will focus on workshops for teachers to address these themes for teachers’ working with children in the space.

year: 2023-04-27