Bernadette Sebar

Framing risk: communication messages in the Australian and Swedish print media surrounding the 2009 H1N1 pandemic.

Background: Australia and Sweden have similar immunisation rates. However, during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic the uptake of immunisation was 60% in Sweden and 18% in Australia. During pandemics, perceptions of risk are largely formed by media communication which may influence the public’s response. Aim: The study aimed to compare the differences in how the media framed the 2009 H1N1 pandemic message and the associated public perceptions of risk as expressed through the uptake of vaccinations in Australia and Sweden. Methods: A qualitative content analysis was conducted on 81 articles from the Australian and Swedish print media: 45 and 36, respectively. Results: The risk of H1N1 was communicated similarly in Australia and Sweden. However, major differences were found in how the Australian and Swedish media framed the pandemic in terms of responsibility, self-efficacy, and uncertainty. In Australia, responsibility was predominantly reported negatively, blaming various organisations for a lack of information, compared to Sweden where responsibility was placed on the community to help protect public health. Furthermore, there was limited self-efficacy measures reported in the Australian media compared to Sweden and Sweden’s media was more transparent about the uncertainties of the pandemic. Conclusions: This study affirms the association between the framing of health messages in the media and the public’s perception of risk and related behaviour. Governments need to actively incorporate the media into pandemic communication planning.

Experiences of Australian Muslim Men in the Workplace: A Field Study of Employment Choices and Consequences

The workplace is an important setting that affects the health of workers, their families, and the population as a whole.2 However, limited research is available on workers from various ethnic and minority groups. A significant ethno-religious minority is the Australian Muslim population.3 There has been little research regarding how Australian Muslims experience contemporary Australian society, including the workplace. This study examines the work experiences of Australian Muslim men in order to understand the various ways in which their health and wellbeing is affected by their work and the workplace. The study was guided by the interpretive qualitative approach with the primary data collection method being in-depth interviews supported by direct observation and review of material culture. The analysis suggests that managing work, family and religious obligations is the defining aspect of the experiences of Australian Muslim men in the workplace. Seeking to balance work, family and religious commitments significantly influences what type of occupations Muslim men work in, under what conditions and ultimately, their health. By investigating the work experiences of Australian Muslim men, the study has increased our understanding of the ways in which their wellbeing is affected by this key setting.

Trust and quality of life: A cross-sectional study of young women:

Background: Trust is increasingly identified as a psychosocial determinant of well-being. However the relationship between trust and well-being outcomes has not been comprehensively examined, particularly in socially and economically transitioning countries such as Iran and among young women. Aims: This cross-sectional study examined the association between trust and the quality of life of young Iranian women. Methods: A total of 391 young Iranian women aged between 18 and 35 years (M: 27.3, standard deviation (SD): 4.8) were recruited through cluster convenience sampling to participate in this cross-sectional study. The measures used included the ‘Trust scale’ adapted from the British General Household Survey (GHS) Social Capital scale, and the Persian version of the WHOQOL-BREF (World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire - brief version). Results: The participants (n = 391, mean age of 27 years) reported a relatively low level of trust. For the participants, trust was positively associated with better quality of life (r = .24, p value: .01). The findings also showed that there is a significant difference between socio-demographic factors such as the level of religiosity, occupation and income with the domains of trust. Conclusion: Policies are needed to improve participation and reciprocity at the level of individuals and informal social groups, including local to broader communities in order to increase the sense of community belonging, improving trust and consequently quality of life.

Reclamation of power and self: a meta-synthesis exploring the process of recovery from anorexia nervosa

Despite considerable investigation on behalf of the academic community, the process of recovery from anorexia nervosa remains enigmatic. The following study sought to enhance current understandings of recovery by synthesising the rich body of qualitative evidence examining the phenomenon from the perspective of those who have experienced it. Following a meta-ethnographic approach to synthesis, the study revealed two core categories related to empowerment and self-reconciliation. These categories describe recovery as a complex and consuming journey, entailing a self-determined search for identity and truth, and the repossession of personal control and power.

Work-life conflict and facilitation among Australian Muslim men

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore work-life conflict and work-life facilitation among employed Muslim men, a growing ethno-religious minority in Australia. Design/methodology/approach – The study is guided by the interpretive paradigm and is qualitative in nature. The primary data collection method was semi-structured in-depth interviews and 20 participants participated in the study. Findings – Australian Muslim men experience both work-life conflict and facilitation simultaneously; however, facilitation is reported more frequently. Work flexibility, work and family support, and religiosity promote work-life facilitation. In contrast, workload and work hours lead to feelings of conflict, with workload being the stronger antecedent. Importantly, religious values and beliefs are an underpinning influence on participants’ experiences. Research limitations/implications – The study is conducted with a small sample and hence, lacks the power to generalise findings to the broader Muslim male popu...

Perceived control and self-efficacy, subjective well-being and lifestyle behaviours in young Iranian women

This study examined whether young Iranian women’s perceived control and self-efficacy, as a component of cognitive social capital, predicts health and well-being. A total of 391 women aged between 18 and 35 years completed a survey including scales measuring control and self-efficacy and health outcomes including quality of life, satisfaction with life and lifestyle behaviours. Statistical analyses indicated that participants had low perceived control and influence over community affairs together with high perceived control over their personal lives. Multiple regression analyses indicated the predictive role of control and self-efficacy for well-being outcomes suggesting the potential role for health interventions targeting control and self-efficacy.

Australian Muslim men balancing work, family and religion:a positive look at a negative issue

Purpose This study explores how Australian Muslim men cope with potential conflict and achieve feelings of balance between their work, family and religious roles. Design/methodology/approach The study is guided by the interpretive paradigm and is qualitative. Data is collected from participants via semi-structured in-depth interviews (n=20) and analysed using thematic analysis. Findings Personal coping strategies (e.g. making permanent changes and time management) seem more effective in coping with immediate conflict and achieving work-life balance as opposed to external ones (e.g. supervisor support). Although some of the strategies mirror existing research, their extent of use and reasons for usage by Muslim men are different. Muslim men use these strategies in a preventive manner to actively achieve work-life balance rather than just cope with episodic work-life conflict. Research limitations/implications The study is conducted with a small sample and the findings may not be generalizable to non-practising Australian Muslim men. To date, research has not clearly articulated how people who do not experience work-life conflict, make decisions to achieve balance. This study has a positive look at a negative issue by indicating that workers can go beyond coping with conflict and explore avenues to achieve work-life balance. The findings underscore the importance of preventive coping in achieving work-life balance and caution researchers about investigating how people cope with immediate work-life conflict only. Originality/value In addition to work and family roles, this study focuses on religious commitments, with religion being a largely overlooked concept within the work-family coping literature.

Reflections of inequalities: the construction of HIV/AIDS in Africa in the Australian print media.

Abstract The HIV/AIDS pandemic in sub-Saharan Africa prompted industrialised nations to initiate a coordinated global response, which to date has been inadequate in reducing the pandemic’s impact in Africa. To better understand this response, this article explores the portrayal of the pandemic in the Australian print media using critical discourse analysis to unpack the discourses surrounding the construction of the pandemic. In particular, it examines how issues of power, ideology, causation and responsibility are expressed and utilised to validate certain stances and responses. The findings demonstrate that the media presents a particular perspective on the pandemic that favours the agendas of industrialised nations. Linguistic devices uncovered racist, medical and development discourses that give voice to industrialised nations and silence those from sub-Saharan Africa, limiting discussion on alternative responses. These findings highlight the utility of critical discourse analysis in understanding power structures that construct and influence responses to public health issues.

“Becoming the man you always wanted to be”: Exploring the representation of health and masculinity in Men's Health magazine

ISSUE ADDRESSED Mens health and lifestyle magazines are a popular medium through which hegemonic ideals of masculinity are displayed, influencing the way men behave and think about health (Crawshaw, 2007, Soc Sci Med, 65, 1606; Stibbe, 2004, Men Masc, 7, 31). METHODS This study conducted a critical discourse analysis of Australias most popular mens health and lifestyle magazine, Mens Health, in order to understand how health is presented to men. Six issues were examined, from April 2016 to September 2016. RESULTS Three themes supporting hegemonic masculine discourses were revealed: a forged physique, (hetero)sexual prowess and career dominance. A fourth theme, the new man, was also identified revealing a shift in attitudes towards nutrition and style. CONCLUSIONS Despite this shift in the representation of masculinity, hegemonic ideals remain dominant in the construction of Australian masculinity in this popular mens health and lifestyle magazine. SO WHAT?: This study highlights the utility of Mens Health magazine in promoting health and brings into question whether the current representation of masculinity works towards improving or decreasing the health of Australian men.

S87– Barriers and enablers to implementing the StrokeLink program Linking evidence to practice for stroke care in Queensland, Australia

1. Identify how to integrate evidence-based guidelines into video-supported online tools. 2. Identify how to use video material to engage guideline users. METHODS: The “Spotting the Sick Child” website uses hundreds of video clips of children to demonstrate evidencebased features of disease, injury, and risk factors for deterioration. It has been distributed to health-care professionals who come into contact with acutely unwell children. As well as sections on assessment, communication, and symptom-based disease recognition, participants are invited to observe a child on presentation to an Emergency Department to their eventual discharge or admission. The National institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines on the feverish child, vomiting and diarrhea, and urinary tract infection are embedded in the site. RESULTS: The site receives approximately 9000 hits a month, with health-care professionals from nearly 40 countries accessing the product. The site engages health-care professionals with an average time of 53 minutes spent on the main section. Data collection is ongoing, but initial feedback from product testing shows participants enjoy the interactive aspect of the patient journey and case study. DISCUSSION (CONCLUSION): Evidence-based guidelines disseminated using websites must be accessible and user friendly in order for health-care professionals to make time to use them. Simulating the patient journey and presenting signs and symptoms as visual material appears to engage the user. We hope to promote discussion on how best to measure the learner outcomes with this type of educational platform. TARGET AUDIENCE(S): 1. Clinical researcher 2. Developer of guideline-based products 3. Medical educator 4. Medical providers and executives 5. Allied health professionals 6. Nurses