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Far North Queensland (far + north_queensland)
Selected AbstractsThe metabolic syndrome and changing relationship between blood pressure and insulin with age, as observed in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoplesDIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 11 2005A. E. Schutte Abstract Aims To determine the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome (MS) among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. A further objective was to investigate the relationships between fasting insulin and blood pressure (BP) within these groups with increasing age. Methods A cross-sectional population-based study included 369 Torres Strait Islanders (residing in Torres Strait and Far North Queensland), and 675 Aborigines from central Australia. Data necessary for classification of MS was collected, including fasting and 2-h glucose and insulin, urinary albumin and creatinine, anthropometric measurements, BP, serum lipids. Results The ATPIII criteria classified 43% of Torres Strait Islanders and 44% of Aborigines with MS, whereas 32 and 28%, respectively, had the MS according to WHO criteria. Agreement between the two criteria was only modest (kappa coefficient from 0.28 to 0.57). Factor analyses indicated no cluster including both insulin and BP in either population. Significant correlations (P < 0.05) [adjusted for gender, body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference] were observed between BP and fasting insulin: a positive correlation for Torres Strait Islanders aged 15,29 years, and an inverse correlation for Aborigines aged 40 years and older. Conclusion Torres Strait Islanders and Aborigines had very high prevalences of the MS. Specific population characteristics (high prevalences of central obesity, dyslipidaemia, renal disease) may make the WHO definition preferable to the ATPIII definition in these population groups. The poor agreement between criteria suggests a more precise definition of the metabolic syndrome that is applicable across populations is required. This study showed an inverse relationship with age for the correlation of BP and fasting insulin. [source] Losing ,Nemo': bleaching and collection appear to reduce inshore populations of anemonefishesJOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2008A. M. Jones Surveys of anemonefishes (Amphiprioninae) were conducted on reefs in two regions of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park with contrasting histories of disturbance to determine the degree to which spatial variation might be explained by bleaching or management status. Densities of anemonefishes were lower on reefs in the bleaching-impacted Keppel Islands than on reefs in Far North Queensland. No anemonefishes or anemones were found on or near bleached corals in the Keppel Islands. Furthermore, the highest densities of fishes were found on reefs closed to fishing and aquarium collecting in both the Keppel Islands and Far North Queensland, which suggests that collecting is compounding the effects of bleaching. These results emphasize the importance of understanding the interaction between bleaching events and anthropogenic disturbance upon commercially exploited species. [source] Maternal and neonatal outcomes following diabetes in pregnancy in Far North Queensland, AustraliaAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 4 2009Bronwyn DAVIS Background: Diabetes in pregnancy (DIP) is increasing and is associated with a number of adverse consequences for both the mother and the child. Aims: To compare local maternal and neonatal outcomes with state and national data. Methods: Chart audit of all DIP delivered during 2004 at a regional teaching hospital and compare outcomes with national benchmark, Queensland and national Indigenous data. Results: The local DIP frequency was 6.7%. The local compared to benchmark and state data demonstrated a higher frequency of Indigenous mothers (43.6% vs 6.8% vs 5.5%), caesarean sections (50.7% vs 26% vs 32.0%), hypoglycaemia (40.7% vs 19.5% vs 2.7%) and respiratory distress (16.6% vs 4.5% vs 2.3%) in infants, fewer normal birthweights (64.8% vs 82.6% vs 80.4%) and full-term deliveries. More local mothers compared to benchmark had type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (15.4% vs 8.7%) but fewer used insulin (31.0% vs 46.6%); compared to state data, fewer women had gestational diabetes (79.5% vs 91.2%), however, insulin use was higher (22.8%). Furthermore, Aborigines had fewer pregnancies compared to Torres Strait Islanders (3.0 vs 5.0) and less insulin use (21.9% vs 59.3%) (P = 0.008,0.024). In contrast, non-Indigenous versus Indigenous women showed fewer pregnancies, less T2DM (7.8% vs 23.7%), better glycaemic control, longer babies, more full-term deliveries and less severe neonatal hypoglycaemia. Comparing local and national Indigenous data, local showed poorer outcomes, however, only 11.8% had diabetes or hypertension nationally. Conclusion: The local cohort had poorer outcomes probably reflecting a more disadvantaged. Few differences were found between local Indigenous groups. [source] Knowledge of emergency contraception amongst tertiary students in far North QueenslandAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 3 2009Dominika MOHORIC-STARE Background: Emergency contraception (EC) has been available in Australia without prescription since 2003. However, there has been little research into the extent of knowledge of the actions, effectiveness and availability of EC among the general population. Aims: To determine the extent of knowledge of EC among tertiary students in Far North Queensland, and their ability to access EC in the region. Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to tertiary students in Cairns asking about their knowledge of EC, its effectiveness and its availability over-the-counter in pharmacies, as well as their willingness to access EC themselves if indicated, in settings in which they may be known, and in those where they would be unknown. Results: Of 500 questionnaires 460 were returned; 29% of participants had used EC in the past. Only 20% understood the correct timeframe in which EC can be used; 40% were not aware of its availability over-the-counter in pharmacies, and more than 20% felt unable to purchase EC in a pharmacy where they could be recognised. Only 44% of participants were aware of the cost of EC. Conclusion: A significant lack of information regarding the availability, methods of action and limitations of EC was noted in this well-educated population. There was also a high proportion of participants who felt unable to access EC in a pharmacy where they might be known, a factor limiting accessibility of the method in small town and community settings. [source] Nepenthacarus, a new genus of Histiostomatidae (Acari: Astigmata) inhabiting the pitchers of Nepenthes mirabilis (Lour.) Druce in Far North Queensland, AustraliaAUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 1 2002Norman J Fashing Abstract A new genus and species, Nepenthacarus warreni, is described from adults, deutonymphs, protonymphs and larvae collected from the fluid-filled pitchers of Nepenthes mirabilis (Lour.) Druce in northern Queensland, Australia. [source] Knowledge of emergency contraception amongst tertiary students in far North QueenslandAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 3 2009Dominika MOHORIC-STARE Background: Emergency contraception (EC) has been available in Australia without prescription since 2003. However, there has been little research into the extent of knowledge of the actions, effectiveness and availability of EC among the general population. Aims: To determine the extent of knowledge of EC among tertiary students in Far North Queensland, and their ability to access EC in the region. Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to tertiary students in Cairns asking about their knowledge of EC, its effectiveness and its availability over-the-counter in pharmacies, as well as their willingness to access EC themselves if indicated, in settings in which they may be known, and in those where they would be unknown. Results: Of 500 questionnaires 460 were returned; 29% of participants had used EC in the past. Only 20% understood the correct timeframe in which EC can be used; 40% were not aware of its availability over-the-counter in pharmacies, and more than 20% felt unable to purchase EC in a pharmacy where they could be recognised. Only 44% of participants were aware of the cost of EC. Conclusion: A significant lack of information regarding the availability, methods of action and limitations of EC was noted in this well-educated population. There was also a high proportion of participants who felt unable to access EC in a pharmacy where they might be known, a factor limiting accessibility of the method in small town and community settings. [source] Knowledge, attitudes and behaviours in relation to safe sex, sexually transmitted infections (STI) and HIV/AIDS among remote living north Queensland youthAUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH, Issue 2010Patricia Fagan Abstract Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth living in far north Queensland in relation to sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS and safe sex. Methods: Community consultation followed by local recruitment of a sample of young people who, in a facilitated same gender focus group setting, completed a questionnaire followed by open discussion of the issues in a range of remote locations during 2007. Results: The remote living Indigenous youth demonstrated lower levels of knowledge in relation to STI and HIV and higher levels of partner change than was demonstrated in the 2002 national secondary school survey. Despite the high rates of bacterial STI in the region, there was an extremely low level of awareness of personal risk in relation to STI and HIV. Conclusion: There is an urgent need to strengthen school-based sex education and to develop innovative approaches to sexual health promotion in addition to improving clinical sexual health service provision. [source] New records of mango shield scale Milviscutulus mangiferae (Green) (Hemiptera: Coccidae) and Brevennia rehi (Lindinger) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) in north QueenslandAUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 2 2007Judy F Grimshaw Abstract, The first Australian records of mango shield scale (Milviscutulus mangiferae) from north Queensland and additional records from parts of Papua New Guinea are presented. The majority of specimens were collected from mango leaves (Mangifera indica). A summary of its known distribution, other hosts, identification and damage levels is also presented. Also, the detection of rice mealybug (Brevennia rehi) in far north Queensland is reported for the first time. This pest is known to occur in the Northern Territory. The north Queensland detections are from native grasses. The records presented here, for both species, are regarded as new detections, rather than new incursions. [source] What Makes an Aboriginal Council Successful?AUSTRALIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION, Issue 4 2009Case Studies of Aboriginal Community Government Performance in Far North Queensland Indigenous community governments are at the frontline of current efforts to ,close the gap' between Indigenous and non-Indigenous living standards. Yet there is little empirical evidence about successful performance by these organisations and considerable scepticism about whether introduced Western governance models can ever be viable in Indigenous communities. To identify the governance attributes that contribute to successful performance, case studies were conducted at three Aboriginal councils in far north Queensland. The untested assumptions in current notions of ,good governance' were examined. Currently accepted good governance principles and practices were investigated to ascertain their actual causal relationship with council performance. The research further identified key contextual, historical and cultural factors that are important in shaping successful or unsuccessful governance. Practical strategies are suggested for policy-makers and Indigenous leaders to build the performance of Indigenous community governments. [source] Epidemiology of open- and closed-globe trauma presenting to Cairns Base Hospital, QueenslandCLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL OPHTHALMOLOGY, Issue 3 2006Andrew RE Smith MBBS MSc Abstract Purpose:, To review the epidemiology of serious ocular trauma presenting to Cairns Base Hospital, from the far north Queensland health districts. Methods:, A retrospective study of cases from January 1995 to November 2002 inclusive. Cases were analysed with respect to demographics, cause and nature of injury, method of transport and time to and type of ophthalmic treatment, and visual outcomes. Results:, There were 226 cases identified, including 71 open-globe and 155 closed-globe injuries. The annual rate of injury was 3.7 per 100 000 for open-globe and 11.8 per 100 000 in total. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population from the far north Queensland districts showed a disproportionate incidence, with 38% of the total number of injuries, despite representing only 12.3% of the population. Assault in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population resulted in 69.6% of injuries in men and 75.8% of injuries in women. Of all assaults 76.2% were alcohol-related. The majority (71.5%) of injuries in the Caucasian population were due to accidental blunt and sharp trauma. In total, 77.4% of injuries occurred in men, with an average age of 31 years. Of all open and closed injuries in the study, a final visual acuity of 6/12 or better was achieved in 47.8% of eyes and a final visual acuity of 6/60 or less occurred in 17.7% of patients, 20.8% patients were lost to follow up. In total, 14.1% of open injuries required enucleation/evisceration. Conclusions:, The incidence of ocular trauma in far north Queensland is equal to other Australian populations. However, there is a disproportionately high incidence in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population. Alcohol-related assault is a significant cause of visual loss in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population. Closed-globe injuries are more common than open globe; however, the latter have poorer visual prognosis. Initial visual acuity of all injuries correlated with final visual acuity. [source] | ||||||||||