Australian and New Zealand journal of public health
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To now, New Zealand has been spared arboviral diseases, except for the odd imported infection. However, two exotic vector mosquitoes (Ochlerotatus camptorhynchus and Ochlerotatus notoscriptus) have become established in New Zealand and the routine arrival of infected people from overseas may soon lead to local arboviral transmission. ⋯ It is clear that increased border surveillance is necessary if we are to interdict the establishment of such species. We recommend several measures that should be adopted, including increased training and awareness of public health officials, clinicians and the general public, and taking appropriate steps to make New Zealand self-sustainable in terms of arboviral surveillance, diagnosis, and prevention.
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Aust N Z J Public Health · Oct 2003
Immunisation coverage in Australia corrected for under-reporting to the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register.
To assess the level of under-reporting to the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR) and the resulting underestimation of national immunisation coverage using ACIR data, and to correct national immunisation estimates for under-reporting. ⋯ Immunisation coverage in Australia for all scheduled vaccines due by 12 months of age is 94% and for all vaccines due by two years of age is almost 90%. The ACIR underestimates coverage by up to 5%. As the ACIR database relies on provider notification, published estimates of immunisation coverage are unlikely to rise significantly above current levels, unless mechanisms are put in place to further improve notification to the ACIR.
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Aust N Z J Public Health · Jan 2003
The word 'cancer': reframing the context to reduce anxiety arousal.
This study investigated reaction to the word 'cancer' versus the phrase 'a cancer' in two ways: (1) assessing associations to the spoken words 'cancer' or 'a cancer'; and (2) presenting participants with a situation where one person says to another in print. 'I have cancer' or 'I have a cancer'. The participants were a convenience sample of 112 adults (i.e. aged 18 years or over), 55 males and 57 females, recruited via a mall intercept survey in the Perth (Western Australia) central business district. ⋯ It was hypothesised that using 'a cancer' might lead to less negative affect associations than just the word 'cancer'. This was found to be the case for the spoken word association technique, but not for the printed cartoon technique.
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Aust N Z J Public Health · Apr 2002
Historical and cultural roots of tobacco use among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Tobacco smoking has been identified as a major contributor to the high morbidity and mortality rates of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders. After years of inattention, smoking cessation projects designed for Indigenous Australians are beginning to emerge. ⋯ Historical records and mission documents, together with ethnographic accounts, suggest that Indigenous tobacco use today demonstrates strong continuity with past patterns and styles of use. These sources also reveal that Europeans deliberately exploited Aboriginal addiction to nicotine.