19683 research outputs found
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Art as a Source for the History of War: James McBey’s Long Patrol Images and Emotional Responses to the Sinai Campaign
No full textVisual sources, capturing aspects of life silenced or left untold in textual accounts, have the potential to offer new, historical understandings of the individual experience of war. During World War I, official war artist James McBey created a series of images of Australian soldiers–Cameliers–on reconnaissance in the Sinai Desert. This article reads a selection of those images, arguing that what they signified and the emotions they aroused can be retrieved historically by considering their multiple contexts. These include not only the social, political, and military environments, but also the cultural imaginaries which the artist shared with his audiences
The risks and benefits of technologised sexual practice scale: a quantitative measure of technology facilitated sex and intimacy
No full textBACKGROUND: Technologies such as the Internet, smartphones, and sex toys have demonstrated the capacity to facilitate and enhance sexual and intimate practice by offering new ways to meet sexual partners, maintain and establish intimate connections, and providing access to sexual education and exposure to new ways of engaging in sex. They have also afforded novel risks to safety, privacy, and sexual autonomy. Understanding how people perceive and experience both the risks and benefits of using technology to facilitate sex and intimacy is important to understanding contemporary sexual practice, health, and pleasure. However, research in this space is currently hampered by a lack of quantitative measures to accurately and holistically assess both the risks and benefits in the context of technologised sexual practices. METHODS: To facilitate a nuanced quantitative exploration of these concepts, we present the psychometric properties of the newly developed Risks and Benefits of Technologised Sexual Practice Scale . RESULTS: Using an exploratory (Study 1, n =445) and confirmatory factor analysis (Study 2, n =500), this paper presents evidence for a 6-factor scale (Benefits (3): 'sexual gratification', 'connection', and 'access to information and culture'; Risks (3): 'concerns', 'worries', and 'knowledge of rights and ownership'). CONCLUSION: This scale may be used to contribute to research areas including sexual health, sexual behaviour, sexual education, online connection, online safety, and digital literacy with the aim to contribute to a sex- and technology-positive framework for understanding sexual health and pleasure.</p
Community Paramedicine in Australian community health: Implementation of the CP@clinic program (full report)
No full textFinal full report of the implementation evaluation of CP@clinic community paramedicine program undertaken in Mildura, Victoria.
© 2023 La Trobe University
This report may be downloaded for personal use only. Permission to reproduce this report must be sought from La Trobe University. </p
Effective tobacco control measures in Bangladesh require a whole-of-government approach
No full textAbstract: In many low- and middle-income countries, the implementation of tobacco control measures is disorganized, and the activities of the various departments involved are often inadequately aligned with policy aims. This paper discusses some fragmented and conflicting approaches to tobacco control measures in Bangladesh, and how these can undermine public health interventions. The paper argues in favor of a whole-of-government approach. The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) created an unprecedented opportunity to reduce the use of tobacco substantially. While tobacco use declined in most countries that had signed the FCTC, including Bangladesh, the fragmented approach of various government departments and organizations in the country is hindering the proper implementation of tobacco control measures. There is tension between groups that focus on economic development, livelihood, and public health. There is also considerable uncertainty among government officials and an inadequate focus on several crucial aspects such as tobacco cessation services. However, in this rapidly developing country, where there are serious concerns around developing the economy and reducing poverty, it is challenging to separate tobacco control efforts from the promises of employment and tax revenues from tobacco industries. Indeed, this may well overshadow the tobacco control measures. It is necessary, then, to consider the complexity of this issue in Bangladesh by looking at the entire system and to adopt a whole-of-government approach to address the opposing forces. As an FCTC signatory, Bangladesh is obligated to implement tobacco control measures. However, it may not be possible to do this properly without a whole-of-government approach.</p
Typologies of alcohol and other drug-related risk among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (trans) and queer adults
No full textIntroduction: Prevalence and patterns of alcohol and other drug (AOD) use among specific lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (trans) and queer (LGBTQ+) subpopulations are well established. However, patterns of substance-related risk have been less thoroughly explored. This study aimed to determine typologies AOD risk among LGBTQ+ adults in Australia. Method: Latent class analyses were performed to determine distinct patterns of AOD risk (n = 6835), as measured by the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test and Drug Abuse Screening Tool. Demographic characteristics, experience of harassment, assault and/or threats, mental wellbeing and LGBTQ+ connectedness were compared across emergent classes. Results: AOD risk was characterised as ‘no risk’ (13.3% of sample), ‘low risk’ (15.1%), ‘moderate risk’ (alcohol + other drugs; 30.1%), or ‘moderate alcohol only risk’ (41.5%). The ‘moderate risk’ class was the most likely class to report recent sexual assault, verbal abuse, harassment and physical threats compared to other classes, while those in the ‘moderate alcohol only risk’ group were least likely to report these experiences of all classes. However, both the ‘moderate risk’ and ‘moderate alcohol risk only’ classes reported greater mental wellbeing and LGBTQ+ connectedness compared to the ‘no risk’ and ‘low risk’ classes. Discussion and Conclusions: Our findings indicate that level of AOD risk is not uniform among some LGBTQ+ adults, nor is the distribution of harms experienced by them. Tailored harm-reduction interventions may be fruitful in attenuating harms based on risk profile; most specifically, LGBTQ+ individuals engaging in moderately risky concurrent AOD use.</p
Acceptance and commitment therapy for psychosis: Current status, lingering questions and future directions
No full textPurpose: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for psychosis (ACTp) is a contextual behavioural intervention that promotes psychological flexibility by fostering active acceptance, cognitive defusion, values construction and committed action to enhance well-being and recovery. Multiple studies have shown that ACTp is acceptable and efficacious, but questions remain as to its distinction from similar approaches and the conditions under which it would be implemented most effectively. Methods: We present the current evidence for processes and outcomes of ACTp and summarise the qualitative findings of experiences of service users in ACT programmes. We compare ACTp with other cognitive behavioural therapies and mindfulness-informed interventions for psychosis. Results: Acceptance and commitment therapy for psychosis is promising as a pragmatic, process-driven intervention model. Further efforts are needed to investigate psychological flexibility in the context of psychosis with observational, experimental and intervention studies that will inform model scope and treatment refinement. Additionally, implementation research is the necessary next step, including how support persons can be trained in ACTp. Lower intensity and technology-assisted approaches have the potential to reduce barriers to accessing ACTp and extend impact. Conclusions: Over the last 20 years, ACTp has demonstrated meaningful effects in individual and group formats in a range of settings, targeting outcomes such as rehospitalisation, depression, psychotic symptom distress and impact. Future work should focus on how best to integrate ACTp with other current evidence-based interventions for psychosis.</p
Digital inclusive finance: A lever for SME financing?
No full textThis paper systematically investigates the relationship between digital inclusive finance and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) financing constraints. We extrapolate the influence model between them from an economic theory perspective and conduct an empirical test using two-way fixed effects and a mediation effect model. The results show: (1) Digital inclusive finance significantly alleviates the financing constraints of SMEs; (2) Compared to the breadth of coverage, the depth of use of digital inclusive finance has a more noticeable effect; (3) The alleviation effect of digital inclusive finance exhibits heterogeneity. It can correct the attribute mismatch, field mismatch, and regional mismatch of traditional financial loan services; (4) Digital inclusive finance alleviates SME financing constraints by reducing financing costs and controlling leverage levels, increasing internal sources of enterprise funds. This research is significant for promoting digital inclusive finance to alleviate the financing difficulties of SMEs in China and provides valuable solutions for other countries to mitigate the “Macmillan Gap” phenomenon.</p
Human amnion epithelial cell therapy reduces hypertension-induced vascular stiffening and cognitive impairment
No full textVascular inflammation and fibrosis are hallmarks of hypertension and contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease and cognitive impairment. However, current anti-hypertensive drugs do not treat the underlying tissue damage, such as inflammation-associated fibrosis. Human amnion epithelial cells have several properties amenable for treating vascular pathology. This study tested the effect of amnion epithelial cells on vascular pathology and cognitive impairment during hypertension. Male C57Bl6 mice (8–12 weeks) were administered vehicle (saline; n = 58) or angiotensin II (0.7 mg/kg/d, n = 56) subcutaneously for 14 d. After surgery, a subset of mice were injected with 106 amnion epithelial cells intravenously. Angiotensin II infusion increased systolic blood pressure, aortic pulse wave velocity, accumulation of aortic leukocytes, and aortic mRNA expression of collagen subtypes compared to vehicle-infused mice (n = 9–11, P < 0.05). Administration of amnion epithelial cells attenuated these effects of angiotensin II (P < 0.05). Angiotensin II-induced cognitive impairment was prevented by amnion epithelial cell therapy (n = 7–9, P < 0.05). In the brain, amnion epithelial cells modulated some of the inflammatory genes that angiotensin II promoted differential expression of (n = 6, p-adjusted < 0.05). These findings suggest that amnion epithelial cells could be explored as a potential therapy to inhibit vascular pathology and cognitive impairment during hypertension
“You’re supporting the whole person”: A grounded theory study of quality support according to close others of people with neurological disability
No full textPurpose: Close others of people with acquired neurological disability often play a key role in supporting their relative to get necessary support, and therefore have valuable insight into what facilitates quality support. Situated within a series of studies aiming to build a holistic model of quality support grounded in the lived experience of adults with acquired neurological disability, support workers and close others, this study explores the perspective of close others. Method: Following grounded theory methodology, ten close others participated. In-depth interview data was analyzed using constructivist grounded theory methods to develop themes and explore relationships between the themes. Results: A multi-level system model characterizing quality support at three levels was developed. Key factors at the dyadic level included the support worker recognizing the person as an individual and the dyad working well together. At the team level, it was important for the support team, close others, and providers to engage constructively together. At the sector level, building quality systems to develop the workforce emerged as essential. Conclusions: The findings complement the perspective of people with disability and support the key notion of quality support honouring the person’s autonomy and highlight the need to raise accountability in the disability sector
An evidence-based demand management strategy using a hub and spoke training model reduces waiting time for children's therapy services: An implementation trial
No full textBackground: Waiting lists for community-based paediatric therapy services are common and lead to poorer health outcomes, anxiety and missed opportunities for treatment during crucial developmental stages. The Specific Timely Appointments for Triage (STAT) model has been shown to reduce waiting lists in a range of health settings. Aims: To determine whether providing training and support in the STAT model to champions within five community health centres using a remote ‘hub and spoke’ approach could reduce waiting time from referral to first appointment. Methods: Representatives from five community health centres providing paediatric therapy services (speech therapy, occupational therapy and other allied health services) participated in five online workshops over 6 months. They were guided sequentially through the steps of the STAT model: understanding supply and demand, reducing backlogs, preserving space for new patients based on demand and redesigning models of care to maintain flow. Waiting time was measured in three consecutive years (pre, during and post intervention) and compared using the Kruskal–Wallis test. Employee satisfaction and perception of the model were explored using surveys. Results: Data from 2564 children (mean age 3.2 years, 66% male) showed a 33% reduction in waiting time from the pre-intervention (median 57 days) to the post-intervention period (median 38 days, p < 0.01). The total number of children waiting was observed to reduce from 335 immediately prior to the intervention (mean per centre 67, SD 25.1) to 112 (mean 22, SD 13.6) after implementation (t[8] = 3.56, p < 0.01). There was no impact on employee satisfaction or other aspects of service delivery. Conclusion: Waiting lists are a major challenge across the health system. STAT provides a practical, low-cost, data-driven approach to tackling waiting times. This study demonstrates its effectiveness in paediatric therapy services and provides evidence for a ‘hub and spoke’ approach to facilitate implementation that could be provided at scale