A5021990253- Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet
- Mobile Health and mHealth Applications
- Health Policy Implementation Science
- Physical Activity and Health
- Smoking Behavior and Cessation
- Cancer survivorship and care
- Breastfeeding Practices and Influences
- Childhood Cancer Survivors' Quality of Life
- Consumer Attitudes and Food Labeling
- Homelessness and Social Issues
- School Health and Nursing Education
- Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues
- Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- Behavioral Health and Interventions
- Children's Physical and Motor Development
- Family Support in Illness
- Infant Development and Preterm Care
- Community Health and Development
- Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations
- Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues
- Injury Epidemiology and Prevention
- Child Nutrition and Water Access
- Gestational Diabetes Research and Management
- Health Promotion and Cardiovascular Prevention
- Resilience and Mental Health
University of Newcastle Australia
2014-2025
Hunter New England Local Health District
2016-2025
Hunter Medical Research Institute
2015-2025
Ingham Institute
2013
New South Wales Department of Health
2010-2012
Cancer Council NSW
2005-2011
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
2009
Abstract Objective This study aimed to develop and validate a short version of the Supportive Care Needs Survey (SCNS) that would reduce respondent burden could be used in routine cancer care, without compromising psychometric properties original instrument. Methods Secondary analyses data from two studies ( n = 888 250) were undertaken. All 59 items SCNS assessed using evaluated for clinical utility. The 34 retained examined internal consistency, ceiling floor effects, known groups...
Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to identify caregivers' unmet needs and the psychosocial variables associated with need count within first 24 months post‐survivor diagnosis. Methods Caregivers completed a comprehensive survey measuring primary outcome, variables, demographics interest at 6 ( n = 547), 12 519), 443) Results Although prevalence significantly decreased over time, almost third caregivers still reported months. Unmet were more prevalent among lung cancer...
Begin to test the psychometric properties of a measure designed capture multi-dimensional supportive care needs cancer caregivers: Supportive Care Needs Survey-Partners and Caregivers (SCNS-P&C).Draft SCNS-P&C items were developed with reference literature existing instruments reviewed for face content validity. The final was then completed by 547 caregivers. Psychometric analyses conducted included principal factor analysis, internal consistency, construct validity through known-group...
Purpose Few studies have examined psychological adjustment for cancer survivors in late treatment and early survivorship stages. Our study investigated the prevalence short-term trajectories of anxiety, depression, comorbid anxiety-depression among adult survivors, identified individual, disease, health behavior, psychological, social predictors chronic morbidity. Methods A heterogeneous sample was recruited from two state-based registries. total 1,154 completed self-report questionnaires at...
The implementation of school nutrition policies, which govern the provision food in schools, is recommended as a public health strategy to support development healthy dietary behaviours school-aged children. Despite this, research internationally and Australia indicates that few schools implement such policies. This study aims examine whether theoretically designed, multi-strategy intervention was effective increasing canteen policy Australian primary schools. A parallel group randomised...
Internationally, governments have implemented school-based nutrition policies to restrict the availability of unhealthy foods from sale. The aim trial was assess effectiveness a multi-strategic intervention increase implementation state-wide healthy canteen policy. impact on energy, total fat, and sodium children's purchases schools' revenue also assessed. Australian primary schools with were randomised receive 12–14-month, or no control group. sought policy which required remove items...
Although a number of cross-sectional studies document the distress experienced by partners and caregivers cancer survivors, few have considered their potential differential patterns adjustment over time. Identify distinct trajectories anxiety depression among survivors predictors these trajectories. Participants completed survey to examine impact caring for, or living with, survivor at 6, 12, 24 months post-survivor diagnosis. Anxiety were measured using Hospital Depression Scale (Nanxiety =...
ABSTRACT Worldwide, 10–20% of adolescents experience mental health problems. Strategies aimed at strengthening resilience protective factors provide a potential approach for reducing problems in adolescents. This study evaluated the effectiveness universal, school‐based intervention targeting A cluster randomised controlled trial was conducted 20 and 12 control secondary schools located socio‐economically disadvantaged areas NSW, Australia. Data were collected from 3115 students baseline...
Aim : To assess the impact of a multistrategy intervention designed to improve teachers’ implementation school physical activity (PA) policy on student PA levels. Methods A cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted in 12 elementary schools. Policy required schools deliver 150 minutes organized for students each week via education, sport, or class-based activities such as energizers. Schools received support using theoretical domains framework help them implement current policy....
Needs assessment strategies can facilitate prioritisation of resources. To develop a needs tool for use with advanced cancer patients and caregivers, to prompt early intervation. A convenience sample 103 health professionals viewed three videotaped consultations involving simulated patient, his/her caregiver professional, completed the Palliative Care Assessment Tool (PC-NAT) provided feedback on clarity, content acceptability PC-NAT. Face validity, feasibility PC-NAT were confirmed. Kappa...
Objective: To assess the prevalence and predictors of anxiety depression among a heterogeneous sample long-term adult cancer survivors. Design participants: Cross-sectional survey 863 adults diagnosed with new histologically confirmed (local or metastatic) between 1 April 30 November 1997 still alive in 2002, living NSW, able to read understand English adequately, physically mentally capable participating, aware their diagnosis, who were randomly selected from New South Wales Central Cancer...
Purpose Patients with cancer experience considerable symptom burden, psychological morbidity, and unmet psychosocial needs. Research suggests that feedback of patient-reported outcomes to clinicians or caseworkers, alongside management strategies, may result in improved patient functioning. Two intervention models were developed test this effect a randomized, controlled trial against usual care (UC): telephone caseworker (TCW) model an oncologist/general practitioner (O/GP) model. Primary...
The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness an intervention increase implementation healthy eating and physical activity policies practices by centre-based childcare services. also sought determine if effective in improving child dietary intake increasing levels while attending childcare. A parallel group, randomised controlled trial conducted a sample 128 Intervention strategies included provision support staff, securing executive support, staff training, consensus...
Objectives To assess if a multi-strategy intervention effectively increased weekly minutes of structured physical activity (PA) implemented by classroom teachers at 12 months and 18 months. Methods A cluster randomised controlled trial with 61 primary schools in New South Wales Australia. The 12-month included; centralised technical assistance, ongoing consultation, principal’s mandated change, identifying preparing school champions, development implementation plans, educational outreach...
Exclusive breastfeeding to six months of age is a major global public health priority. Several characteristics are known be associated with early cessation breastfeeding, however, limited evidence exists regarding whether women's reported reasons for maternal, pregnancy and infant characteristics. The aims this study were to: i) describe intention breastfeed their subsequent practices; ii) prior the being five age; iii) examine associations between these factors
ABSTRACT Issue Addressed Exclusive breastfeeding to 6 months of age is recommended. Currently, there a lack Australian data exploring infant feeding behaviours and the sources information women use guide decisions. This study aimed describe (i) practices (breastfeeding, formula/other fluids, introduction solids) with infants aged 6–8 months; (ii) most frequently find helpful make decisions regarding practices. Methods Between August October 2021, 356 mother‐infant dyads in Hunter New England...
Children with medical complexity (CMC) are a vulnerable population high healthcare utilisation and significant care coordination challenges. This study evaluates the early implementation results of short-term Care Coordination Model designed to address these challenges within Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD) in South Wales, Australia. The aims provide an intensive, time-limited "dose" coordination, followed by Maintenance Phase, improve use reduce burden on families staff....
A cross-sectional survey was mailed to all Australian drug and alcohol treatment agencies assess their smoking cessation policies practices related staff attitudes. Barriers interventions were also examined. Completed questionnaires returned by 213 managers 204 other representing 260 (59.8% consent rate). Approximately one-quarter of have intervention one-third clients receive adequate advice. Of 12 strategies, only the recording status on file occurs in a majority cases. Concerns about...
Coping strategies mediate the relationship between challenging situations and their impact on psychosocial outcomes. Many long-term cancer survivors continue to face a range of challenges in daily lives, yet little is known about how this population copes. The study explored prevalence predictors cancer-specific coping among heterogeneous sample survivors.A population-based cross-sectional 863 adult 5-6 years post-diagnosis completed pen-and-paper survey. Cancer-specific was assessed via...
Abstract Background : Needs assessment is a valuable approach for determining the way health and social services allocate resources to people with cancer their caregivers. Aim To assess reliability, validity acceptability of Assessment Tool (NAT) in palliative care clinical setting. Methods Psychometric properties NAT were initially explored pilot study involving filmed simulated advanced patient caregiver consultations. Further testing was undertaken setting determine inter‐rater...
Abstract Objective : The short form of the Supportive Care Needs Survey (SCNS‐SF34) is a 34‐item instrument for assessing perceived needs people diagnosed with cancer. This research aimed at developing brief screening tool administration to patients in clinical setting, by identifying minimum number and optimal combination item(s) measure each SCNS‐SF34 domains high sensitivity specificity. Methods Secondary analyses were undertaken on data from 1458 12 major public cancer treatment centres...
Amongst people with a mental illness, modifiable health risk behaviours contribute substantially to increased chronic disease morbidity and mortality. This study examined the prevalence of interest in changing such amongst community service clients Australia.A telephone interview was undertaken Australian clients. Participants reported engagement four behaviours: tobacco smoking, fruit vegetable consumption, alcohol physical activity. were classified as at based upon national guidelines....