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Biomedical subjects

Adrian Bauman

Publications and source records attributed to Adrian Bauman.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed2003

Maternal and neonatal factors influencing premature birth and low birth weight in Australia.

This study identified the influences of neonatal and maternal factors on premature birth and low birth weight in New South Wales, Australia. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to explore the association of selected neonatal and maternal characteristics with premature birth and low birth weight. The findings of this study showed that premature birth and low birth weight rate significantly varied by infant sex, maternal age, marital status, Aboriginality, parity, maternal smoking behaviour during pregnancy and maternal hypertension. First-born infants, and infants born to mothers aged less than 20 years, or who were single, separated/divorced, Aboriginal or who smoked during the pregnancy, were at increased risk of being premature or of low birth weight. This study also found that risk factors for premature births and low birth weight were similar in both singleton and multiple births. Gestational age was confirmed to be the single most important risk factor for low birth weight. The findings of this study suggest that in order to reduce the incidence of low birth weight and premature births, health improvement strategies should focus on anti-smoking campaigns during pregnancy and other healthcare programmes targeted at the socially disadvantaged populations identified in the study.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Physical activity and sedentary behavior: a population-based study of barriers, enjoyment, and preference.

The associations of physical activity and sedentary behavior with barriers, enjoyment, and preferences were examined in a population-based mail survey of 1,332 adults. Respondents reporting high enjoyment and preference for physical activity were more likely to report high levels of activity. Those reporting cost, the weather, and personal barriers to physical activity were less likely to be physically active. Preference for sedentary behavior was associated with the decreased likelihood of being physically active, and the weather a barrier to physical activity was associated with the increased likelihood of sedentary behavior. These constructs can be used to examine individual and environmental influences on physical activity and sedentary behavior in specific populations and could inform the development of targeted interventions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Trends in physical activity participation and the impact of integrated campaigns among Australian adults, 1997-99.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether awareness of the moderate physical activity message and prevalence of participation changed among Australian adults between 1997 and 1999, and if changes differed across Australia. METHODS: Data were compared on awareness of the moderate physical activity message and on physical activity participation from identical national physical activity surveys in 1997 and 1999. RESULTS: In 1999, following integrated public health efforts, recognition of the Active Australia campaign was substantially higher in NSW/ACT (61.7%) than elsewhere (29.3%). Knowledge about benefits of moderate activity increased between 1997 and 1999, more so in States with public health campaigns. National participation in 'sufficient physical activity' declined between 1997 and 1999, from 63% to 57%, but the decline was smaller in NSW/ACT (4.4%) than in the other States (6.0%). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Declining trends in physical activity in Australia require increased public health investments, including strategic planning and public education, such as occurred in NSW (1997/98).

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Evaluation of an internet-based physical activity intervention: a preliminary investigation.

The Internet has the potential for delivering innovative, interactive physical activity (PA) interventions to large numbers of people. This study was designed to test the efficacy of an Internet intervention that consisted of a Web site plus 12 weekly e-mail tip sheets, compared with a waiting list control group. The Internet intervention was theory based and emphasized clear, graphical presentation of PA information. Sixty-five (30 intervention and 35 control) sedentary adult employees of several large hospitals (9 men and 56 women) were randomly assigned to 1 of the 2 study arms. Of the 65 participants, 57 completed the 1-month follow-up, and 52 completed the 3-month follow-up. At both 1 and 3 months, those in the intervention group were significantly more likely to have progressed in stage of motivational readiness for PA than participants in the control group: 1 month, c2(1, N =52) =4.05, p <.05; 3 months, c2(1, N =52) =6.45, p <.01. We hypothesized that at 1 and 3 months, the intervention group would exhibit significant increases relative to the control group on the number of minutes of moderate activity. At the 1-month assessment, the intervention group did exhibit significant increases, relative to the control group in moderate minutes, F(1, 54) =5.79, p <.05; however, at the 3-month assessment this difference was no longer significant. In addition, secondary analyses were conducted to examine total number of minutes of walking reported. At 1 month, the intervention group did exhibit significant increases, relative to the control group, in walking minutes, F(1, 54) =12.1, p <.001. At the 3-month assessment, amount of time spent in walking activity continued to be significantly higher for the intervention group compared with the control group, F(1, 48) =5.2, p <.05. These findings show that a theoretically based PA Web site and weekly e-mail tip sheets can have a short-term impact on PA motivation and behavior both at 1 and 3 months. As Internet access increases, and as bandwidth and other technical attributes of this medium improve, Web site delivered health behavior interventions will become increasingly useful in public health promotion.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Long-term effect of psychological trauma on the mental health of Vietnamese refugees resettled in Australia: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: What are the deleterious effects of mass trauma on the psychological wellbeing of refugees and other war-affected populations? Most epidemiological data are for short-to-medium term effects, leaving the possibility that early psychological reactions could reduce naturally over time. We aimed to assess the long-term effects of trauma on mental health and disability in Vietnamese refugees resettled in Australia. METHODS: In a population-based study, we identified a community sample of 1413 adult Vietnamese from census collection areas in Sydney, Australia. Participants were interviewed by trained bilingual workers who administered questionnaires to assess the frequency of international classification of disease, version 10 (ICD-10) mental disorders in the 12 months before interview; psychiatric symptoms, by use of a culturally-sensitive symptom measure; exposure to psychologically traumatic events; disability and use of health services; and social, economic, and cultural factors since migration. We did multivariate analyses with adjustment for stressors since migration to establish the risk factors for mental illness. FINDINGS: 1161 (82%) adults completed the interview. Mean length of residence in Australia was 11.2 years (SD 14.4) and mean time since the most severe traumatic event was 14.8 years (SD 10.8). 95 (8%) and 75 (7%) of participants had mental disorders defined by ICD-10 and the culturally-sensitive measure, respectively. Trauma exposure was the most important predictor of mental health status. Risk of mental illness fell consistently across time. However, people who had been exposed to more than three trauma events (199) had heightened risk of mental illness (23, [12%]) after 10 years compared with people with no trauma exposure (13, [3%]) (odds ratio 4.7, p<0.0001, 95% CI 2.3-9.5). INTERPRETATION: Most Vietnamese refugees were free from overt mental ill health. Trauma-related mental illness seemed to reduce steadily over time, but a subgroup of people with a high degree of exposure to trauma had long-term psychiatric morbidity. Our findings support the need to develop specialised mental health services to reduce disability in refugees whose exposure to extreme trauma puts them at risk of chronic psychiatric disability.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Clinical examination is an inaccurate predictor of intraabdominal pressure.

This study was designed to establish if clinical examination can accurately predict intraabdominal pressure (IAP). Between August 1998 and March 2000 a prospective blinded observational study of postoperative intensive care unit patients was undertaken at a major trauma center. IAP was measured using an intravesicular technique and compared with clinical evaluation. An IAP of at least 18 mmHg was considered elevated. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predicative value (ppv), negative predictive value (npv), kappa score, and reliability analysis were calculated. A total of 110 patients provided 150 estimates of IAP, which was elevated in 21%. The kappa score was 0.37; sensitivity, 60.9%; specificity, 80.5%; ppv, 45.2%; npv, 88.6%. The mean difference in IAP values between intravesicular readings and clinical estimates was -1.0 +/- 4.1. Prediction of IAP using clinical examination is not accurate enough to replace intravesicular IAP measurements.

Abdominal Injuries↗
PubMed2002

Wheeling Walks: a community campaign using paid media to encourage walking among sedentary older adults.

BACKGROUND: Mass media may effect communitywide changes in health awareness, attitude, and behavior, but the approach remains unproven for physical activity. METHODS: Wheeling Walks promoted walking among sedentary 50- to 65-year-old adults in a West Virginia city of 31,420 people. This quasi-experimental communication intervention used theory of planned behavior and transtheoretical model constructs to change behavior by promoting 30 min of daily walking through paid media, public relations, and public health activities. Impact was determined by pre- and postintervention telephone surveys with 719 adults in the intervention community and 753 adults in the comparison community and observations of walkers at 10 community sites. RESULTS: Behavior observation showed a 23% increase in the number of walkers in the intervention community versus no change in the comparison community (OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.14-1.50). Thirty-two percent (32.2) of the baseline sedentary population in the intervention community reported meeting the CDC/ACSM/Surgeon General recommendation for moderate-intensity physical activity by walking at least 30 min at least five times per week versus 18.0% in the comparison community (OR = 2.12, 95% CI = 1.41-2.24). The intervention community also realized a pre to post increase in positive stage change (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This theory-based mass media campaign demonstrated increases in those meeting the recommended standard for moderate-intensity physical activity through walking and significant positive stage change.

Aged↗
PubMed2002

Parity and pregnancy outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: The issue of parity and risk of pregnancy outcomes has been controversial for many decades. We conducted a study to evaluate the association between parity and pregnancy outcomes and to clarify the basis of the classification of risk based on parity. STUDY DESIGN: The study is a cross-sectional analysis on a large routinely collected data set of singleton births from 1992 to 1997 in New South Wales, Australia. Pregnancy outcomes were compared among parity groups. RESULTS: There was a significant association between different parity levels and pregnancy outcomes in terms of obstetric complications, neonatal morbidity, and perinatal mortality, after adjustment for potential confounders, including age, maternal smoking status, and socioeconomic status. In terms of obstetric complications, neonatal morbidity, and perinatal mortality, subjects can be classified into 3 groups according to parity: nulliparity, low multiparity (parity 1, 2, and 3), and grand multipara (parity 4 to 8). Compared with low multiparity, mothers and babies of nulliparity and grand multipara are at higher risk. CONCLUSIONS: This study supported the definition of grand multiparity that should start from parity 4 or the 5th baby. Attention should be paid to subjects of nulliparity and grand multiparity for their different problems.

Australia↗
PubMed2002

Impacts from repeated mass media campaigns to promote sun protection in Australia.

Campaigns using television, radio and print media were conducted over three summers in New South Wales, Australia, aiming to increase the use of sun protection measures among children under 12 years. The evaluation entailed cross-sectional telephone surveys before and after each of the first two campaigns and following the third campaign. The study group were parents of children under 12 years. Random digit dialling yielded samples of approximately 800 for each survey. Measures addressed campaign recall and sun protection knowledge, attitudes and behaviours. The surveys revealed significant levels of campaign recall. Knowledge about the protective benefits of sunscreens, hats and protective clothing was high at baseline and showed little improvement over the campaigns. Knowledge levels about the benefits of shade cover and of the relative risks of skin cancer from childhood sun exposure were lower, and also did not show improvement. Just one of the four attitude factors showed significant improvement, and this concerned the importance that parents placed on the issue of child sun protection. After the final campaign there were increases compared with baseline in childrens' use of sunscreen, protective clothing and shade, but it was notable that between campaigns levels of these behaviours were similar to or below those at baseline. There was no evidence of a campaign-related increase in hat wearing by children. All sun protection measures were used less often by adults than children, but these showed similar trends. Mass media campaigns may contribute to short-term increases in some sun protection behaviours; however, as their impact is not sustained they should be repeated and supplemented by educational, policy and environmental strategies.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Promoting physical activity in women: evaluation of a 2-year community-based intervention in Sydney, Australia.

Women are less likely than men to reach recommended levels of physical activity and have unequal access to active leisure time. Studies in Australia have consistently found that women are only half as likely as men to be adequately active. A community-based multi-strategic health promotion intervention, 'Concord, A Great Place to be Active', was implemented from 1997 to 1999. It aimed to increase the physical activity levels of women aged 20-50 years living in the Concord Local Government Area (LGA), an inner-western region of Sydney, Australia. A key feature of this intervention was a partnership between Concord Council (the local government) and the Central Sydney Health Promotion Unit (CSHPU). The project was evaluated using qualitative and quantitative methods. Key informant interviews and focus groups were conducted to inform the development of the intervention and to assess the impact of the project on Concord Council. Pre- and post-intervention telephone surveys of the target group were also conducted. Following the intervention, there was a statistically significant (6.4%) reduction in the proportion of sedentary women. Further, there were a number of positive enhancements in the Council's capacity to promote physical activity in the community. These findings demonstrate that a community-based intervention targeting a specific population can achieve positive changes in physical activity and that a local government has the capacity to be involved in and sustain physical activity interventions.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

The reliability and validity of the Adolescent Physical Activity Recall Questionnaire.

PURPOSE: This study assessed the test-retest reliability and validity of the Adolescent Physical Activity Recall Questionnaire (APARQ) among 13- and 15-yr-old Australians. METHODS: Two studies were conducted using the same instrument. Self-reported participation in organized and nonorganized physical activity was summarized into four measures: a three-category measure of activity, a two-category measure, and estimated energy expenditure expressed as a continuous variable and as quintiles. The reliability study (N = 226) assessed strength of agreement for all measures between responses to two administrations of the questionnaire. The validity study (N = 2026) assessed the relationship between the APARQ and performance on the Multistage Fitness Test (MFT). RESULTS: Reliability study: for the three-category measure, percent agreement ranged 67-83% and weighted kappa ranged 0.33-0.71. For the two-category measure, percent agreement ranged 76-90% and kappa ranged 0.25-0.74. For energy expenditure expressed as a continuous variable, the intraclass correlations coefficients were generally greater than 0.6 for grade 10 students, but most were below 0.5 for grade 8 students. Validity study: for the three-category measure, mean laps were higher in the adequately and vigorously active categories than the inactive category for girls, but only the mean laps in the vigorously active and inactive categories were significantly different for boys. For the two-category measure, mean laps were higher in the active category than the inactive category for all groups. Correlations between energy expenditure and MFT laps were 0.15, 0.21, 0.14, and 0.39 for grade 8 boys, grade 8 girls, grade 10 boys, and grade 10 girls, respectively. CONCLUSION: The APARQ has acceptable to good reliability and acceptable validity, but further validation using other methods and in other population groups is required.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

A controlled trial of behavioural education to promote exercise among physiotherapy outpatients.

This pilot study aimed to test a behavioural intervention by outpatient physiotherapists to promote moderate physical activity among their clients for general health reasons. A quasi-experimental study was conducted with 204 subjects. The intervention consisted of behavioural counselling, information brochures and a physical activity diary. Self-reported physical activity was measured at baseline and at six weeks follow-up. At follow-up, the improvements in total minutes of physical activity using the preceding week as the recall period were substantial in both the control and intervention groups, but not significantly different. In the average weekly physical activity reported by subjects for the preceding six months, intervention subjects were significantly more likely to report a 60min/wk improvement than controls (adjusted odds ratio 2.97, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.36-6.46). However, this was the only significant difference evident between the groups in the average weekly physical activity measures. Pre- and post-surveys completed by participating physiotherapists showed marked improvements in their knowledge and confidence regarding physical activity promotion. While the capacity of outpatient physiotherapists to educate clients about physical activity for non-therapeutic reasons can be improved, the most effective intervention model for clients in this setting remains unclear.

Journal Article↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Physical Activity Policy Development: a synopsis of the WHO/CDC Consultation, September 29 through October 2, 2002, Atlanta, Georgia.

Physical activity is an important part of the World Health Organization's integrated approach to the prevention and control of noncommunicable disease and the promotion of health, and, in particular, to the evolving World Health Organization Global Strategy on Diet and Physical Activity. To assist in these efforts, a joint World Health Organization/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Consultation on Physical Activity Policy Development took place in Atlanta, Georgia, from September 29 through October 2, 2002. This article summarizes the context and outcomes of the consultation. It also includes elaboration of a Comprehensive Physical Activity Policy Framework developed as a product of the meeting.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Wheeling walks: evaluation of a media-based community intervention.

Mass media community-wide physical activity intervention to promote and sustain changes in walking was assessed using a 2-community longitudinal design. The intervention targeted sedentary 50- to 65-year-old residents of Wheeling, West Virginia. Telephone surveys of a probability sample followed cohorts at baseline and at 3-, 6-, and 12-month post-intervention with comparison communities. The intervention, consisting of paid advertisements, public relations, and community participatory planning, attained high levels of awareness and effected significant sustained population-wide changes among the most sedentary in Wheeling.

Cohort Studies↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of Australia's Walk to Work Day campaign on adults' active commuting and physical activity behavior.

PURPOSE: To determine whether Australia's Walk to Work Day media campaign resulted in behavioral change among targeted groups. METHODS: Pre- and postcampaign telephone surveys of a cohort of adults aged 18 to 65 years (n = 1100, 55% response rate) were randomly sampled from Australian major metropolitan areas. Tests for dependent samples were applied (McNemar chi2 or paired t-test). RESULTS: Among participants who did not usually actively commute to work was a significant decrease in "car only" use and an increase in walking combined with public transport. Among those who were employed was a significant increase in total time walking (+ 16 min/wk; t [780] = 2.04, p < .05) and in other moderate physical activity (+120 min/wk; t [1087] = 4.76, p < .005), resulting in a significant decrease in the proportion who were "inactive" (chi2 (1) = 6.1, p <.05). CONCLUSION: Although nonexperimental, the Walk to Work Day initiative elicited shortterm changes in targeted behaviors among target groups. Reinforcement by integrating worksite health promotion strategies may be required for sustained effects.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Twenty-year trends in physical activity among Canadian adults.

OBJECTIVE: Physical inactivity is associated with increased risk of mortality and chronic diseases, yet trend information is lacking in most countries. This investigation examines physical activity levels of Canadian adults aged 18 years and older. METHODS: Data were collected in six national surveys between 1981 and 2000. Sample sizes ranged from 2,500 to 18,000. Prevalences were tested using Chi-square and Student's t-tests. Socio-demographic correlates were examined using odds ratios adjusted for age, sex, education and income. RESULTS: Physical activity increased in the 1980s and 1990s among men and women and for all age, education and income groups (p<0.01). Although education differentials narrowed over the period, age differentials widened and income differentials emerged. DISCUSSION: The positive trend in Canada is consistent with Finland, but contrary to recent trends for Australia, England and the United States. Despite increases, sedentary living remains a public health issue particularly among women, older adults and lower income groups.

Adolescent↗