Tony Lower

‘Weddings, parties, anything…’, a qualitative analysis of ecstasy use in Perth, Western Australia

This study investigates the patterns of use, the meanings associated with use, the perception of risk and the strategies adopted to reduce these risks for a sample of ecstasy users in Perth, Western Australia. The sample was purposively chosen to represent the heterogeneous nature of ecstasy users in Perth. Data were collected from 31 ecstasy users and 157 h of participant observation in a variety of settings. The study found that users exhibited a reasonable degree of control over their consumption, incorporating a series of risk reduction strategies. Application of these strategies was inconsistent, with a large percentage of the sample indulging in occasional binges, spontaneous purchases, polydrug use and purchasing from unknown individuals in clubs/pubs. As users became more experienced, they tended to become less concerned about the risks associated with use and exhibited greater risk taking behaviour. Understanding the beliefs and events that influence the adoption (or non-adoption) of harm reduction strategies and the heterogeneous nature of ecstasy users is important for future health promotion interventions and policy.

Development of competency-based University health promotion courses

The Curtin University Centre for Health Promotion Research, in conjunction with the Australian Association of Health Promotion Professionals (AAHPP), the National Heart Foundation of Australia and the Health Department of Western Australia, co-ordinated a project to ascertain competencies required for personnel working in health promotion.

Mortality patterns of Australian male farmers and farm managers

OBJECTIVE To compare the all-cause and specific-cause death rates of Australian male farmers and farm managers aged 25-74 years, with other Australian men. METHODS Data were extracted from the Australian Bureau of Statistics Death Registration Collection covering the calendar years of 1999-2002. Denominator data for male farmers and farm managers were drawn from the 2001 Australian Population Census. Direct age-standardized death rates were calculated and compared with the general Australian male population. RESULTS The 4025 male farmers or farm managers who died in this period represented 3.35% of all male deaths in the 25-74 year age range. The all-cause death rate for farmers and farm managers (730/100,000) was 33% higher than that of the Australian male population of the same age (549/100,000) (standardized mortality ratio (SMR)=1.33). Causes of death related to neoplasms (SMR=1.37), circulatory disease (SMR=1.40) and all external causes (SMR=1.37), were all statistically higher than the comparison population. Within these groupings, ischaemic heart disease (SMR=1.39), other circulatory disease (SMR=1.42), prostate cancer (SMR=2.40), lymphohaematopoietic cancer (SMR=1.80) and transport injuries (SMR=2.06), were all significantly higher. CONCLUSION These data indicate that Australian male farmers and farm managers are a disadvantaged group in terms of health status. The elevated rates of all-cause and specific-cause mortality compared with the Australian comparison population, illustrate both the need and scope for further investigation of these issues.

Knowledge, Awareness, and Use of the UV Index Amongst the West Australian Public

The ultraviolet (UV) index provides an opportunity to warn people about the degree of hazard that exists on a particular day and subsequently lead to the adoption of sun protective behaviors. While the UV index has been promoted in Australia for some time, little research has been conducted into the understanding and use of the index. As such, a random telephone survey of 501 adults was conducted in December 1999 to gather data into the publics understanding and use of the UV index in Perth, Australia. A high awareness of the UV index existed among the respondents, with 90% indicating they had heard of the term UV index. However, only 5% indicated they had noticed the UV index/forecast for that particular day. The results indicate that a campaign to increase awareness of the UV index by the public is not warranted, but that efforts should be focused on developing tools to communicate behavior change messages linked to the UV index levels. The research was conducted with funding from Healthway, Health Promotion Foundation of Western Australia.

Work-Related Injuries and Fatalities on Dairy Farm Operations—A Global Perspective

ABSTRACT Agriculture is among the most hazardous sectors for workers globally, and dairy farming has been associated with a high risk of injury among workers in several countries. The purpose of this paper is to provide an update on what is known about modern dairy farms and related injuries and fatalities in different regions of the world. As in other sectors of agriculture, fatalities appear to be associated with heavy equipment usage, whereas injuries occur at higher rates with animal production, specifically cattle and milk production. Dairy farming is associated with higher rates of injury as compared with other industrial sectors, but a lack of work-related injury reporting continues to be an issue in several countries. Worker fatality associated with heavy equipment use is not a new observation (e.g., tractors); however, manure-handling systems, livestock handling, and quad bike operation continue to be associated with worker injuries and fatalities on modern farms. Opportunities exist for improvement of safety-related equipment to reduce injury and fatality risk during worker interactions with large animals and farm equipment.

The Culture of Safety on Australian Farms

Abstract The concept of developing a culture of safety in industry is becoming more important in the prevention of occupational injury and death. Little information is available on the safety culture in farming even though injury and death rates in this industry are some of the highest in Australia. This paper explores the attitudes and beliefs of a small sample of farmers regarding the development of a safety culture and investigates their reluctance to adopt State regulations for occupational health and safety. Findings reveal that, while a culture of safety exists, farmers define this in a way that reflects their autonomy and socially constructed identity. Economic pressures drive the culture, on the one hand, and the experience of injury on the other.

Australian quad bike fatalities: what is the economic cost?

Objective : To determine the economic costs associated with all quad bike‐related fatalities in Australia, 2001 to 2010.

Quad bike related injury in Victoria, Australia

Objective: To enumerate and describe fatal and hospital‐treated injury associated with quad bike use in Victoria.

Agricultural Health and Safety Performance in Australia

ABSTRACT This study aimed to determine the proportion of Australian farming enterprises with systems and processes that meet current regulatory and industry standards for health and safety. Data from 683 farming enterprises were drawn from a nationally stratified random sample representing seven commodity sectors: beef cattle, cotton, dairy, horticulture, grain growing, sheep, and sugar cane. Results indicated low levels of implementation for farm health and safety plans as well as induction for new workers and contractors. Improvements to control major safety hazards are required for farm machinery and implements, farm vehicles, reducing exposure of children to hazards, and the use of helmets when riding quad bikes, motorbikes, and horses. There were considerable variations between commodity sectors. There remains significant scope to enhance the safety of farmers in Australia.

Changes in Expanded Program for Immunization coverage for mother and child in Krakor, Cambodia 1996–1998

We evaluated a training intervention aimed at enhancing the roles of health centre staff, Village Health Volunteers (VHVs) and Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) within the Expanded Program for Immunization (EPI) in the district of Krakor, Cambodia. We conducted population‐based surveys to determine the coverage of the EPI at baseline (1996) and after the intervention (1998), using data from health cards for mothers and their children and history data. Statistically significant changes over the 2‐year period were apparent for tetanus, BCG, polio and DTP, supporting the positive impact the training intervention had on immunization coverage in the district.