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Biomedical subjects

P Howat

Publications and source records attributed to P Howat.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2004

Training patterns and sports injuries in triathletes.

Sports-related injuries are a significant health problem within Australia, and constitute a national health priority. There is limited Australian research data available on factors that contribute to triathlon injuries, and in particular on how training patterns relate to injury risk. This study examined the association between training patterns and injury in mostly non-elite triathletes. A cross-sectional survey of 258 triathletes completed a questionnaire that focused on injuries they had sustained during the previous three triathlon seasons. Statistical associations were found between hours of training and sustaining an injury. These associations were U shaped, with those triathletes training at low levels and at high levels more likely to sustain an injury. The results suggest that, for non-elite triathletes, the likelihood of sustaining an injury is least when training for a total of 8 to 10 hrs per week, specifically cycling for five to six hrs and running for three to four hrs weekly. Time spent on swimming training does not appear to affect injury risk. This research is seen as a contribution towards assisting triathletes in the planning of training programs aimed at reducing the risk of injury.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Introductory postcards: do they increase response rate in a telephone survey of older persons?

The purpose of this study was to assess whether contact by mail via an introductory postcard would increase the response rate to a telephone survey in a selected population of 348 people 60 years and older. Of this group, 208 were sent a postcard introducing the study and informing them that someone would call in the next 1-2 weeks to conduct a telephone interview. The remaining sample of 140 did not receive the introductory postcard. Amongst the potential participants who were contacted and able to participate (n = 240), the response rate for completed interview was 58.0% for those sent a postcard and 42.3% for those who were not. The refusal rate was 25.3% (postcard sent) and 37.2% (not sent a postcard). When the outcome of contact is collapsed to two categories, 'agreed to participate' and 'refusal', the response rate to participate was 73.5% (sent a postcard) and 59.0% (not sent a postcard) (chi(2) 5.14, d.f. 1, sign. 0.023). The response rate amongst those who recall being sent a postcard rose to 86.0%. Whether agreeing to participate or refusing to be involved in the survey was dependent on being sent an introductory postcard. The conclusion is that mailing a postcard prior to the first telephone contact increases the participation rates of older persons in a telephone survey at very little extra cost (A$0.60 per person).

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Community participation in road safety: barriers and enablers.

The objectives of the paper were to identify barriers to community participation in road safety activities and to recommend strategies to reduce those barriers. Information was obtained from: a review of relevant literature, from the authors' extensive community-based experiences, from undertaking community-based research, and from interviews with key stakeholders in road safety in Western Australia. Ten significant barriers to community participation were identified. These are classified into two groups: personnel and planning issues. The former includes: reasons why people are often reluctant to become involved in projects in their communities, a lack of leadership, and a lack of skills. The latter includes: inappropriate program foci, inappropriate program evaluation, lack of resources, and a lack of sustainability. It was concluded that the barriers to community involvement in road safety initiatives are similar in many parts of Australia and overseas and apply to a wide range of health promotion interventions besides road safety. Awareness of the barriers and knowledge of their solutions can ensure that appropriate steps are taken to maximise the likelihood of community participation.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed2001

A decision-making model for health promotion advocacy: the case for advocacy of drunk driving control measures.

This paper presents a decision-making model which can help public health professionals justify their decision to advocate for a particular intervention. The model is demonstrated by a case study related to advocacy of Random Breath Testing (RBT). For the purpose of this paper advocacy is a "catch-all word for the set of skills used to create a shift in public opinion and mobilise the necessary resources and forces to support an issue, policy, or constituency..." (Wallack, Dorfman, Jernigan & Themba, 1994).

Alcoholic Intoxication↗
PubMed2000

Child pedestrian injury prevention project: student results.

BACKGROUND: Few comprehensive pedestrian safety interventions for primary-school-age children have been developed and evaluated. This paper reports the impact of the 3-year (1995-1997) Child Pedestrian In jury Prevention Project (CPIPP) on a cohort of 1603 children followed from age 6 to 9 years. This multicomponent project comprised an educational intervention for students, their parents and teachers, and the local community, as well as several environmental interventions. The primary aim of CPIPP was to improve children's road-related behavior and to enhance the safety of their road environment. METHODS: Three communities were assigned to the treatment conditions: (1) high-education, community, and environmental interventions; (2) moderate-education intervention only; and (3) comparison (usual road safety education). Children's pedestrian knowledge and road crossing and playing behaviors were assessed using a pre- and posttest self-report questionnaire. Their self-reported road crossing behaviors were validated using an observational schedule and brief interview. RESULTS: Children in the high and moderate intervention groups were significantly more likely to cross the road with adult supervision (P = 0.013) and play away from the road (P = 0.000) than the comparison group. No differences were detected in children's pedestrian safety knowledge between the intervention and comparison groups. CONCLUSIONS: While several methodological limitations may have influenced the study outcomes, these data nonetheless indicate that in the study sample the CPIPP educational intervention deaccelerated the natural increase in children's pedestrian-related risk behavior.

Accident Prevention↗
PubMed1999

Measuring community/environmental interventions: the Child Pedestrian Injury Prevention Project.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of community/environmental interventions undertaken as part of the Child Pedestrian Injury Prevention Project (CPIPP). SETTING: Three communities (local government areas) in the Perth metropolitan area, Western Australia. METHODS: A quasiexperimental community intervention trial was undertaken over three years (1995-97). Three communities were assigned to either: a community/environmental road safety intervention and a school based road/pedestrian safety education program (intervention group 1); a school based road/pedestrian safety education program only (intervention group 2); or to no road safety intervention (comparison group). Quantification of the various road safety community/environmental activities undertaken in each community during the trial was measured, and a cumulative community activity index developed. Estimates of the volume and speed of vehicular traffic were monitored over a two year period. RESULTS: Greater road safety activity was observed in intervention group 1 compared with the other groups. A significant reduction in the volume of traffic on local access roads was also observed over the period of the trial in intervention group 1, but not in the remaining groups. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that the various community/environmental interventions initiated in collaboration with CPIPP in intervention group 1 contributed, in part, to the observed reduction in the volume of traffic. A combination of community/environmental interventions and education are likely to reduce the rate of childhood pedestrian injury.

Accidents, Traffic↗
PubMed1997

The effects of housing on the health of preterm infants.

Using a prospective study based on cases and controls selected from a geographical population, we have investigated the effects of housing on the health of very preterm infants (< or = 32 weeks' gestation) during the first year of life. Information on health morbidity of the 117 preterm and 226 term babies was collected using a parent-held record, and housing data by a validated self-completion questionnaire. The most common health problems in the first year-upper (UR) and lower (LR) respiratory tract infection, otitis media (OM) and diarrhoea and vomiting (DV)-were all more frequent in the preterm group, There were no significant differences in the housing conditions to which preterm and control infants were exposed. Relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) associated with each housing factor were calculated for preterm and control infants separately. Significant (P < 0.05) interaction effects were found for overcrowding and gas cooking. Overcrowding was associated with an increased incidence of LR [RR = 1.53; CI 0.96-2.42] and DV [RR = 1.57; CI 0.92-2.67] in the preterm, but with a decreased incidence of LR [RR = 0.28; CI 0.04-1.86] and DV [RR = 0.85; CI 0.30-2.38] in the term controls. The use of gas ovens was found to be associated in preterm infants with an increase in LR [RR = 1.48; CI 0.96-2.28] and DV [RR = 2.24; CI 1.28-3.93] but the controls did not show this effect for LR [RR = 0.67; CI 0.40-1.09] or DV [RR = 0.93; CI 0.56-1.56]. These associations are robust-even after allowing for confounding social factors-but causality has not been proved. This work suggests that preterm infants may be vulnerable to specific adverse housing factors, and further studies are now indicated to clarify potential mechanisms and interactive effects behind these associations.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed1997

The PRECEDE-PROCEED model: application to planning a child pedestrian injury prevention program.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives were first, to modify the PRECEDE-PROCEED model and to use it is as a basis for planning a three year intervention trial that aims to reduce injury to child pedestrians. A second objective was to assess the suitability of this process for planning such a relatively complex program. SETTING: The project was carried out in 47 primary schools in three local government areas, in the Perth metropolitan area. METHODS: The program was developed, based on extensive needs assessment incorporating formative evaluations. Epidemiological, psychosocial, environmental, educational, and demographic information was gathered, organised, and prioritised. The PRECEDE-PROCEED model was used to identify the relevant behavioural and environmental risk factors associated with child pedestrian injuries in the target areas. Modifiable causes of those behavioural and environmental factors were delineated. A description of how the model facilitated the development of program objectives and subobjectives which were linked to strategy objectives, and strategies is provided. RESULTS: The process used to plan the child pedestrian injury prevention program ensured that a critical assessment was undertaken of all the relevant epidemiological, behavioural, and environmental information. The gathering, organising, and prioritising of the information was facilitated by the process. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a model such as PRECEDE-PROCEED can enhance the development of a child injury prevention program. In particular, the process can facilitate the identification of appropriate objectives which in turn facilitates the development of suitable interventions and evaluation methods.

Accident Prevention↗
PubMed1992

Arthritis outpatients: disability, pain and alcohol use.

There is a small body of literature describing investigations into the relationships between pain and disabling conditions and alcohol consumption. Of these few studies, most have concluded that pain and disability are positively associated with alcohol consumption, though these particular studies have not been methodologically rigorous. Arthritis is the most prevalent of the disabling conditions, and one of the major symptoms of arthritis is pain. Several factors associated with the disease are thought to make arthritis sufferers particularly vulnerable to the use of alcohol for its mind-altering and analgesic properties. In the present study, conducted in 1987, a sample of 154 Perth arthritic outpatients were interviewed to investigate the relationship between pain, disability and alcohol consumption. Results showed that pain and disability scores were very weak predictors of volume of weekly alcohol consumption for males, but the relationship was in a negative direction. Results from a previous study were confirmed in the finding that being an ex-drinker was a predictor of a higher disability score for females. Fewer patients were drinkers than in the population at large and fewer drank at the level of the highest consumption category. However, the proportions of male and female patients drinking above NHMRC low risk levels were the same as the general population (age-standardised comparison). Most who considered themselves current drinkers said that alcohol did not help their pain, stiffness or weakness. Various possible explanations are offered for these results and recommendations for future research are presented.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Alcohol and driving: is the 0.05% blood alcohol concentration limit justified?

This paper reviews the findings of experimental and laboratory research to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to support a uniform 0.05% blood alcohol concentration (BAC) as the legal limit for driving. Statistically significant and meaningful decrements in driving-related performance were identified at 0.05% BAC or below in many studies. Younger and inexperienced drinkers and drivers appear to be at greatest risk for alcohol-related traffic crashes. It is concluded that on scientific grounds, there is support for setting the legal limit at 0.05%. The setting of a uniform 0.05% BAC statutory limit should be but one effort within a comprehensive approach including other legal, social, behavioural and environmental strategies to deal with the drink driving problem.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1990

Alcohol consumption patterns of women in Perth, Western Australia.

A survey of women aged 18-64 living in Perth in February 1987 showed that a prospective alcohol consumption diary measured a higher level of consumption (9.3%) than did a retrospective alcohol consumption diary. According to the National Health and Medical Research Council (NH&MRC) guidelines for safe and responsible drinking, 11.2% of women drank alcohol at hazardous levels (14+ drinks per week). Although on an overall weekly basis there was no significant association between age and consumption level, drinking patterns varied on a daily basis according to age. The current study may provide a conservative estimate of the percentage of women at risk. The reasons for this underestimation and the implications are discussed, together with the need to develop health promotion messages based on drinking patterns.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1989

Legislative and humanitarian impetus for development of alcohol and other drug policy at an Australian university.

The rationale for comprehensive alcohol and other drug policy at a tertiary institution is presented here as a health promotion strategy for educating University policy makers. Particular emphasis is placed on a discussion of humanitarian issues, that is, the right to a healthy environment, and the potential for legal liability in an environment where alcohol is readily available and other drugs are present. There is little attention paid to drug use related legal issues in the University, but at the same time drawing the attention of policy makers to the organisation's vulnerability to lawsuits has been reported to be a motivating force for adoption of drug use policy. Universities do experience problems related to alcohol and other drug use by staff and students. Problem reduction, and better management of problems, are the major goals of policy in this area. Local initiatives, for example at the organisational level, make important contributions to the overall drug prevention efforts of the nation. Well-developed policy and procedures and effective implementation constitute an important structural health promotion strategy. Such policy would comply with the immediate requirements of Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare legislation and provide some protection against wrongful dismissal claims and negligence lawsuits, as well as providing long-term educative effects. Situations for which policies are needed, range widely due to the University's unique environment and complex roles.

Adolescent↗