Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health最新文献

{"title":"A cross-sectional investigation of the factors associated with awareness of PEP and PrEP among Queensland university students","authors":"Sarah Warzywoda ,&nbsp;Amalie Dyda ,&nbsp;Lisa Fitzgerald ,&nbsp;Amy Mullens ,&nbsp;Joseph Debattista ,&nbsp;Jo Durham ,&nbsp;Zhihong Gu ,&nbsp;Kathryn Wenham ,&nbsp;Armin Ariana ,&nbsp;Charles F. Gilks ,&nbsp;Sara F.E. Bell ,&nbsp;Judith A. Dean","doi":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100136","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100136","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><p>University creates unique social environments for many young people that can result in behaviour changes that can impact sexual health-related risks and facilitate transmission of HIV. Little is known about HIV knowledge, risk, and awareness of pre-exposure prophylaxis/post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP/PEP) among Australian university students.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>A 2019 online survey distributed through Queensland universities, using active recruitment/snowball sampling. Descriptive and logistical regression analysis investigated HIV knowledge/risk and PrEP/PEP awareness.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Of the 4,291 responses, 60.4% were 20–29 years old, 57.0% identified as heterosexual, and 31.8% were born-overseas. Mean HIV knowledge score was 9.8/12. HIV risk scores were higher among men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) (mean=5.2/40) compared to all other sexual behaviours (mean=3.1/40). Logistic regression indicated PrEP and PEP awareness was associated with older age (<em>p</em>&lt;0.05), being non-binary/gender-diverse (<em>p</em>&lt;0.05), and MSM (<em>p</em>&lt;0.05). Lower odds of PrEP awareness were associated with international student status (<em>p</em>&lt;0.05).</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>This study highlights the need for future health promotion targeting younger Australians at risk of HIV to increase uptake of PrEP/PEP, particularly among overseas-born young people and those ineligible for appropriate health care in Australia.</p></div><div><h3>Implications for public health</h3><p>Addressing these gaps will improve sexual health outcomes for young Australians at risk of HIV and work towards virtual elimination of HIV transmission in Australia.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":8620,"journal":{"name":"Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health","volume":"48 2","pages":"Article 100136"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-03-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1326020024000116/pdfft?md5=e4f287c75396fd72a4a1b093a0ab968a&pid=1-s2.0-S1326020024000116-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140014294","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"It matters who you are and where you live: Commonwealth, state and territory policies for access to care for Australians with chronic kidney disease and their caregivers","authors":"Javier Recabarren ,&nbsp;Amanda Dominello ,&nbsp;Nicole Scholes-Robertson ,&nbsp;Allison Jaure ,&nbsp;Germaine Wong ,&nbsp;Jonathan C. Craig ,&nbsp;Martin Howell","doi":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100131","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100131","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><p>To describe how Commonwealth, state and territory policies address access to care for Australians living with chronic kidney disease (CKD) with an emphasis on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and people residing in rural and remote areas.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>We searched government health department websites for current policies up to March 2022 that addressed access to care for people with CKD.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>We included 98 policies: 28 were Commonwealth, and 70 were state or territory-based. There was wide variation in the policies for people with CKD in number and type across the jurisdictions. Of CKD specific policies, only three policies were specific for people living with CKD in rural and remote areas and no policies were specific for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>There is a lack of CKD-specific policies addressing access to care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people living in rural and remote communities.</p></div><div><h3>Implications for public health</h3><p>Despite the known disparities in the burden of CKD there are few policies addressing CKD disparities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and Australians living in rural and remote areas. Policies that specifically address the barriers to accessing care are required to reduce inequities.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":8620,"journal":{"name":"Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health","volume":"48 2","pages":"Article 100131"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1326020024000062/pdfft?md5=0f3030ab488a50ca6fd639624edf9735&pid=1-s2.0-S1326020024000062-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139993188","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"What we do matters: Supporting anti-racism and decolonisation of public health teaching and practice through the development of Māori public health competencies","authors":"Nina Veenstra ,&nbsp;Fran Kewene ,&nbsp;Kate Morgaine ,&nbsp;Sue Crengle","doi":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100132","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100132","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><p>This research sought to expand on a set of core Māori hauora ā-iwi/public health competencies initially designed for teaching and to enable their use in workplaces.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>The research used a kaupapa Māori methodology in four stages including the development of draft levels of competence for all core competencies, consultation hui (meetings), analysis of feedback and redrafting, and respondent validation.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Key themes elicited in relation to the content of the competencies included increasing language expectations, the importance of strength-based approaches and self-determination, and the need for individual responsibility to address structural racism. Reflective practice was identified as a fundamental cross-cutting competency. Participants suggested planetary health and political ideologies be included as additional socio-political determinants of health with equity impacts. Key concerns related to the application of the competency document included the need for cultural safety and ensuring that all public health practitioners are ‘seen’.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>The Māori hauora ā-iwi/public health competencies have been published under a Creative Commons licence.</p></div><div><h3>Implications for public health</h3><p>The process of drafting a set of Māori public health competencies elicited key themes potentially relevant for public health practice in other countries and resulted in a competency document for use by universities and workplaces.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":8620,"journal":{"name":"Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health","volume":"48 2","pages":"Article 100132"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1326020024000074/pdfft?md5=753c44a43aa345bf34ef55a0575b045e&pid=1-s2.0-S1326020024000074-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139986846","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Balancing the risks and benefits of sun exposure: A revised position statement for Australian adults","authors":"Rachel E. Neale ,&nbsp;Victoria Beedle ,&nbsp;Peter R. Ebeling ,&nbsp;Thomas Elliott ,&nbsp;David Francis ,&nbsp;Christian M. Girgis ,&nbsp;Louisa Gordon ,&nbsp;Monika Janda ,&nbsp;Graeme Jones ,&nbsp;Robyn M. Lucas ,&nbsp;Rebecca S. Mason ,&nbsp;Philip Keith Monnington ,&nbsp;Julia Morahan ,&nbsp;Georgia Paxton ,&nbsp;Craig Sinclair ,&nbsp;Stephen Shumack ,&nbsp;Jane Smith ,&nbsp;Ann R. Webb ,&nbsp;David C. Whiteman","doi":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2023.100117","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2023.100117","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><p>To describe the development of a new position statement regarding balancing the risks and benefits of sun exposure for Australian adults.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>We conducted a Sun Exposure Summit in March 2021, with presentations from invited experts and a workshop including representation from academic, clinical, policy, and patient stakeholder organisations. The group considered advice about balancing the risks and benefits of sun exposure for Australian adults and developed a revised consensus position statement.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>The balance of risks and benefits of sun exposure is not the same for everybody. For people at very high risk of skin cancer, the risks of exposure likely outweigh the benefits; sun protection is essential. Conversely, people with deeply pigmented skin are at low risk of skin cancer but at high risk of vitamin D deficiency; routine sun protection is not recommended. For those at intermediate risk of skin cancer, sun protection remains a priority, but individuals may obtain sufficient sun exposure to maintain adequate vitamin D status.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>The new position statement provides sun exposure advice that explicitly recognises the differing needs of Australia’s diverse population.</p></div><div><h3>Implications for public health</h3><p>Mass communication campaigns should retain the focus on skin cancer prevention. The new position statement will support the delivery of personalised advice.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":8620,"journal":{"name":"Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health","volume":"48 1","pages":"Article 100117"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1326020023052949/pdfft?md5=663e98c561462321a8d5a72eeb3279b8&pid=1-s2.0-S1326020023052949-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139728868","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Closing loopholes in Australian vaping laws: Why Australia’s proposed vaping reforms are sound public health policy","authors":"Becky Freeman ,&nbsp;Anita Dessaix ,&nbsp;Tanya Buchanan","doi":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2023.100114","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2023.100114","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":8620,"journal":{"name":"Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health","volume":"48 1","pages":"Article 100114"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1326020023052913/pdfft?md5=de170f6ec271c8f18618f2f294194db7&pid=1-s2.0-S1326020023052913-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139544570","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Vape stores in Western Australia: growth, proximity to schools and socio-economic gradient of density","authors":"Matthew Tuson ,&nbsp;Natalia Lizama ,&nbsp;Caitlin Kameron ,&nbsp;Angela Gazey ,&nbsp;Lisa Wood","doi":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2023.100118","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2023.100118","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><p>To audit the number and location of dedicated e-cigarette retailers (“vape stores”) in Western Australian (WA), measure proximity to schools and model the association between vape store density and socio-economic disadvantage.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>Vape stores were identified via internet search and geocoded. Proximity to schools was measured. Regression modelling was used to investigate the association between vape store density and socio-economic disadvantage.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>194 stores were identified, with 88% located within one kilometre of a school. In metropolitan WA, vape store density was nearly seven times higher in the most socio-economically disadvantaged areas than in the least disadvantaged areas (rate ratio 6.9, 95% confidence interval 3.4–15.5).</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>There has been rapid, recent growth in the number of vape stores in WA, with most located within walking distance of schools. In metropolitan WA, vape store density is strongly associated with socio-economic disadvantage, mirroring the pattern observed globally for tobacco outlets.</p></div><div><h3>Implications for Public Health</h3><p>This is the first Australian study demonstrating that vape stores are more densely located in socio-economically disadvantaged areas. Vape stores’ proximity to schools may increase young people’s access and exposure to promotional signage. There is a need to address ready e-cigarette availability through strong regulatory and compliance measures.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":8620,"journal":{"name":"Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health","volume":"48 1","pages":"Article 100118"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1326020023052950/pdfft?md5=22df8fee99a458c565c968db9f37a562&pid=1-s2.0-S1326020023052950-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139650225","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on new parents enrolled in the ‘BABY1000’ birth cohort study in Sydney, Australia: A mixed-methods study","authors":"Allison Marie Grech ,&nbsp;Sweekriti Sharma ,&nbsp;Nathalie Kizirian ,&nbsp;Adrienne Gordon","doi":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100127","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100127","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><p>The COVID-19 pandemic was, and continues to be, uniquely experienced by women in the perinatal period and their families. Whilst long-term impacts of the pandemic are unknown, exposures in pregnancy and early life have impacts across the life-course and future generations. The objective of this manuscript was to explore how the pregnancy, postpartum and parenting experiences of a subset of participants from the ‘BABY1000’ cohort in Sydney, Australia, were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and explore associations between these experiences and state anxiety.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>Mixed methods were used. Participants were requested to complete an online survey including the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory short form (STAI-6), followed by an invitation to participate in focus group discussions (FGDs).</p></div><div><h3><strong>Results</strong></h3><p>From September to November 2021, 88 parents completed the survey (mean age 33.5 years, 60% born in Australia, 58% primiparous). Twenty-two parents participated in FGDs. Six themes were identified regarding the experience of parents: (1) Maternal support, (2) Family relationships, (3) Stress and mental health, (4) Healthcare, (5) Family lifestyle and routine, and (6) Long-term impacts. The mean STAI-6 score was 40 (SD 12.3), representing high anxiety. High anxiety was significantly associated with concern regarding COVID-19 and feeling overburdened and lonely.</p></div><div><h3><strong>Conclusions</strong></h3><p>The COVID-19 pandemic and associated public health orders significantly impacted participants’ pregnancy, postpartum and parenting experiences. Whilst these experiences included some unexpected positives, for many, these were outweighed by negative impacts on mental health, social support, health behaviours, and family relationships.</p></div><div><h3>Implications for Public Health</h3><p>Ongoing longitudinal research is imperative to identify potential long-term effects of the pandemic across the life-course, better support families in the short and long-term, and plan for public health crises in the future.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":8620,"journal":{"name":"Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health","volume":"48 1","pages":"Article 100127"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1326020024000025/pdfft?md5=218a2a32d0becc3597c3f58f8148c906&pid=1-s2.0-S1326020024000025-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139731462","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Preparing for a hotter climate: A systematic review and meta-analysis of heatwaves and ambulance callouts in Australia","authors":"Mehak Oberai ,&nbsp;Zhiwei Xu ,&nbsp;Aaron J.E. Bach ,&nbsp;Dung Phung ,&nbsp;Jessica T. Watzek ,&nbsp;Shannon Rutherford","doi":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2023.100115","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2023.100115","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><p>The objective of this study was to quantify the impact of heatwaves on likelihood of ambulance callouts for Australia.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to retrieve and synthesise evidence published from 1 January 2011 to 31 May 2023 about the association between heatwaves and the likelihood of ambulance callouts in Australia. Different heatwave definitions were used ranging from excess heat factor to heatwave defined as a continuous period with temperatures above certain defined thresholds (which varied based on study locations).</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>We included nine papers which met the inclusion criteria for the review. Eight were eligible for the meta-analyses. The multilevel meta-analyses revealed that the likelihood of ambulance callouts for all causes and for cardiovascular diseases increased by 10% (95% confidence interval: 8%, 13%) and 5% (95% confidence interval: 1%, 3%), respectively, during heatwave days.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Exposure to heatwaves is associated with an increased likelihood of ambulance callouts, and there is a dose–response association between heatwave severity and the likelihood of ambulance callouts.</p></div><div><h3>Implications for public health</h3><p>The number of heatwave days are going to increase, and this will mean an increase in the likelihood of ambulance callouts, thereby, spotlighting the real burden that heatwaves place on our already stressed healthcare system. The findings of this study underscore the critical need for proactive measures, including the establishment of research initiatives and holistic heat health awareness campaigns, spanning from the individual and community levels to the healthcare system, in order to create a more resilient Australia in the face of heatwave-related challenges.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":8620,"journal":{"name":"Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health","volume":"48 1","pages":"Article 100115"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1326020023052925/pdfft?md5=a188b47440e1c6b3ce2d0b01e9cdefa8&pid=1-s2.0-S1326020023052925-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139575059","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Deadly places: The role of geography in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander COVID-19 vaccination","authors":"Gustavo Hermes Soares,&nbsp;Joanne Hedges,&nbsp;Brianna Poirier,&nbsp;Sneha Sethi,&nbsp;Lisa Jamieson","doi":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100130","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anzjph.2024.100130","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><p>The objective of this study was to investigate the geospatial distribution of COVID-19 vaccination rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples across Local Government Areas in Australia.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>We described the patterns of COVID-19 vaccination across jurisdictions, identified clusters with different levels of vaccination uptake, and assessed the relationship between contextual factors and vaccination (spatial error model, spatial lag model, and geographic weighted regression).</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>The proportion of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population that received at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine by the last week of June 2022 ranged from 62.9% to 97.5% across Local Government Areas. The proportion of the overall population who is Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander (β = 0.280, standard deviation [SD] = 1.92), proportion of the total labour force employed (β =0.286, SD = 0.98), and proportion of individuals who speak an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander language (β =0.215, SD = 0.15) had, on average, the strongest effects on COVID-19 vaccination rates.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>Findings underscore the extent to which area-level demographic influence the COVID-19 vaccination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.</p></div><div><h3>Implications for public health</h3><p>Findings can inform vaccination strategies that prioritise geographic areas with higher vulnerability to promote equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":8620,"journal":{"name":"Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health","volume":"48 1","pages":"Article 100130"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1326020024000050/pdfft?md5=3729884b2cae9f5b21fc29340d96ffc0&pid=1-s2.0-S1326020024000050-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139726971","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Distress, waitlists and unmet needs: parents’ reports of child psychological difficulties in Aotearoa New Zealand","authors":"Amy Kercher,&nbsp;Seona Beattie,,&nbsp;Liesje Donkin,&nbsp;Daniel Shepherd","doi":"10.1016/j.anzjph.2023.100120","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anzjph.2023.100120","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><p>Demand for children’s mental health services has increased in New Zealand, yet little is known of young children’s experience of psychological difficulties and treatment. This study investigated psychological symptoms and treatment experiences among primary-aged children.</p></div><div><h3>Method</h3><p>An online survey of parents assessed children’s anxiety, depression, attentional, emotional, conduct and peer problems, and experiences seeking psychological treatment.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>Based on 382 parental reports, between 24.9 and 34.6% of children experienced abnormal-range symptoms. Older children had higher distress, depression, and anxiety. Boys had more conduct, hyperactivity, and peer problems. Ethnicity was not associated with the incidence of symptoms, but parents of Pākeha/European children reported greater impact than Māori parents. One-third of children had been referred for assessment; more often older children, and those with higher hyperactivity, impact, and anxiety. Parents reported difficulties accessing assessment, common barriers included waitlists (53%), cost (43%), and not knowing who to contact (36%). Following intervention, only 51% of parents reported improvements.</p></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><p>NZ primary-aged children are experiencing more symptoms of psychological distress than previously reported and extensive difficulties accessing treatment.</p></div><div><h3>Implications for Public Health</h3><p>There is a need for further screening and increased access to treatment to prevent worsening mental health outcomes in children.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":8620,"journal":{"name":"Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health","volume":"48 1","pages":"Article 100120"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2024-01-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1326020023052974/pdfft?md5=fd63e361ed318ffb0d6a26821c905900&pid=1-s2.0-S1326020023052974-main.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139419221","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}