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Issue

Vol 123 No 1326: 26 November 2010

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Issue Summary

SUMMARY

Gestational diabetes mellitus in Tonga: insights from healthcare professionals and women who experienced gestational diabetes mellitus

Frances Doran, Kierrynn Davis

Diabetes is epidemic in Tonga. Obesity and lack of physical inactivity (risk factors for diabetes) are common in Tonga and women who experience gestational diabetes during their pregnancy have an added risk of developing diabetes. Even though the rates of gestational diabetes in Tonga are very high there has been little research on the topic. A qualitative study was undertaken to explore gestational diabetes in Tonga with women who experienced gestational diabetes and health professionals who worked in the diabetes area. It was found that during pregnancy women were encouraged to make lifestyle changes to help manage their gestational diabetes but this needs to continue after pregnancy to prevent diabetes. The research also highlighted the need to shift attitudes towards preventive screening for diabetes in Tonga as well as adequate funding of screening supplies.

SUMMARY

Improving school readiness with the Before School Check: early experience in Hawke’s Bay

Russell Wills, Kay Morris Matthews, Cath Hedley, Trish Freer, Helen Morris

The Before School Check is delivered by nurses in the community to 4-year-old children. It includes assessment of vision, hearing, growth, general health, development and behaviour. In Hawkes Bay the programme was implemented as a partnership between the Hawkes Bay District Health Board Public Health Unit, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service and Department of Paediatrics; Hawkes Bay Primary Health Organisation; Ministry of Education Special Education; and community social service organisations. This collaboration meant that referral pathways for children identified with problems worked well and children referred with problems were seen promptly.

SUMMARY

The role of sociocultural factors in obesity aetiology in Pacific adolescents and their parents: a mixed-methods study in Auckland, New Zealand

Tasileta Teevale, David R Thomas, Robert Scragg, Gavin Faeamani, Vili Nosa

Structural not cultural reasons influence obesity for Pacific adolescents and their families in Auckland New Zealand. This study investigated the factors influencing food and physical activity habits of Pacific adolescents and their families and compared the responses of obese and non-obese (healthy weight) adolescents and their parents. The study found cost of food, lack of parental time to prepare healthy foods or monitor eating practices due to being absent from working in shift-type employment, was the main difference between obese and non-obese (healthy weight) adolescents. Both sets of students (obese and healthy weight) and their parents were knowledgeable about healthy foods and eating practices and valued highly the health benefits of physical activity. These cultural factors were less influential on food and physical activity choices and did not protect against obesity-risk for Pacific adolescents. The study recommends structural changes to the food environment, such as the removal of GST on healthy food items, re-instating the Healthy School Food policy and more public investment in school-based physical activity to address Pacific adolescent obesity in New Zealand.

SUMMARY

Association of parent and best friend smoking with stage of adolescent tobacco smoking

Robert Scragg, Marewa Glover, Janine Paynter, Grace Wong, Judith McCool

We found in a large survey of Year 10 (4th form) students during 2002-2006 that smoking by best friend and parents, collectively, explain a high proportion of current Year 10 students who smoke tobacco daily (79%). In contrast, neither parental nor peer-smoking were related to smoking susceptibility among adolescent non-smokers, which suggests other factors, such as risk taking, family conflict or low self-esteem, may be involved in the progression to smoking once children reach adolescence. Given evidence showing the limited success of school-based interventions against the effects of peer-smoking, our findings support efforts to prevent youth tobacco smoking by targeting parents who smoke, particularly before their children reach the teenage years. This may have a double benefit of reducing both adult and adolescent smoking.

SUMMARY

Māori challenges and crown responsibilities: Māori policymaker ideas on smokefree policy options

Heather Gifford, Kiri Parata, George Thomson

Research by Whakauae Research and the University of Otago, looking at what M ori policymakers saw as important for smokefree tamariki, found that Maori politicians and officials were keen on a more Maori-focused and driven approach to tobacco control policy; saw children as drivers of smokefree changes and childrens rights to a smokefree environment one of the catalysts for change; and thought strong national and local indigenous leadership was needed for smokefree environments change. However they also saw an important role for central and local government in driving legislation and regulation; and discussed the need to refresh the smokefree message and deliver this in a more holistic way focusing on health, family and children.

SUMMARY

Body image and body change strategies among Tongan adolescents in Tonga and New Zealand

Marita P McCabe, Kalesita Fotu, Helen Mavoa, Gavin Faeamani

The aim of this study was to evaluate the body image and body change strategies of adolescents from Tonga, and Tongans who are resident New Zealand. In total, 598 Tongans from Tonga and 388 Tongans from New Zealand completed measures of body image, body change strategies and messages about their body. Tongans in Tonga were more likely to receive positive messages about a larger body from adults at school, church and the media, and losing weight from the media. They were also more likely to adopt strategies to lose weight, increase weight and increase muscles. The large body ideal appears to be still valued in Tonga, whereas Tongans also want to lose weight because of media messages to achieve a healthy body weight.

SUMMARY

SIDS-related knowledge and infant care practices among Māori mothers

David Tipene-Leach, Lynne Hutchison, Angeline Tangiora, Charlotte Rea, Rebecca White, Alistair Stewart, Edwin Mitchell

Whilst it is known that Maori have high SIDS rates and that SIDS is related to cigarette smoking in pregnancy, to prone sleeping of the infant and to co-sleeping where there was cigarette smoking in pregnancy, there has not been any quantification of this in recent times. This paper does that. In addition, it is not known whether Maori mothers hear the messages around the prevention of SIDS and if they do, whether they follow them. The paper comments on information known, quantifies the above risky behaviours and discusses present SIDS prevention activities.

ALL ARTICLES
SUMMARY

Gestational diabetes mellitus in Tonga: insights from healthcare professionals and women who experienced gestational diabetes mellitus

Frances Doran, Kierrynn Davis

Poorer mental health in many New Zealand smokers: national survey data from the ITC Project

Nick Wilson, Deepa Weerasekera, Sunny Collings, Richard Edwards, Frederieke S van der Deen

A response to the article Task Manager: an innovative approach to improving hospital communication after hours""

Yvonne Williams, John Morton, Roxanne McKerras

Medical image. Aortic aneurysm in a girl with Takayasu’s arteritis

Selim Doganay, Ercan Kocakoc, Yasar Sen

The prevention of sepsis in compound fractures

E Overton. Answer to NZMJ about Ron Jones’ research

Improving school readiness with the Before School Check: early experience in Hawke’s Bay

Russell Wills, Kay Morris Matthews, Cath Hedley, Trish Freer, Helen Morris

The role of sociocultural factors in obesity aetiology in Pacific adolescents and their parents: a mixed-methods study in Auckland, New Zealand

Tasileta Teevale, David R Thomas, Robert Scragg, Gavin Faeamani, Vili Nosa

Wilfrid Christie Mills

Moving forward with healthcare prioritisation

David Hadorn

Association of parent and best friend smoking with stage of adolescent tobacco smoking

Robert Scragg, Marewa Glover, Janine Paynter, Grace Wong, Judith McCool

Medical image. A medical emergency following chicken pox

Tilak de Almeida, Charaka Goonasekera, Jon Skinner, Fraser Maxwell

Preventing cardiovascular disease: a review of the effectiveness of identifying the people with familial hypercholesterolaemia in New Zealand

Lauretta A Muir, Peter M George, Andrew D Laurie, Nicola Reid, Lisa Whitehead

Māori challenges and crown responsibilities: Māori policymaker ideas on smokefree policy options

Heather Gifford, Kiri Parata, George Thomson

A case of oesophageal varices and portal hypertension in an HIV-positive patient with no evidence of cirrhosis

Sara Temelkovski, James Irwin, Jim Brooker

Body image and body change strategies among Tongan adolescents in Tonga and New Zealand

Marita P McCabe, Kalesita Fotu, Helen Mavoa, Gavin Faeamani

The B4School Check—addressing the new morbidity in child health

Pat Tuohy

Has the time come for a universal varicella (chicken pox) vaccination in New Zealand?

Tony Walls, Elizabeth Wilson

Decision Making in Medicine: An Algorithmic Approach (3rd edition; SB Mushlin, HL Greene, eds)

David Cole

William Henley Bird

Heart Foundation: Grants Awarded November 2010

SIDS-related knowledge and infant care practices among Māori mothers

David Tipene-Leach, Lynne Hutchison, Angeline Tangiora, Charlotte Rea, Rebecca White, Alistair Stewart, Edwin Mitchell

Thornley S, McRobbie H, Jackson G. The New Zealand sugar (fructose) fountain: time to turn the tide?

Love bites—an unusual cause of blunt internal carotid artery injury

Teddy Y Wu, Jonathon Hsiao, Edward H Wong

The Māori Affairs Select Committee Inquiry and the road to a smokefree Aotearoa

Tony Blakely, George Thomson, Nick Wilson, Richard Edwards, Heather Gifford

SUMMARY

Gestational diabetes mellitus in Tonga: insights from healthcare professionals and women who experienced gestational diabetes mellitus

Frances Doran, Kierrynn Davis

Diabetes is epidemic in Tonga. Obesity and lack of physical inactivity (risk factors for diabetes) are common in Tonga and women who experience gestational diabetes during their pregnancy have an added risk of developing diabetes. Even though the rates of gestational diabetes in Tonga are very high there has been little research on the topic. A qualitative study was undertaken to explore gestational diabetes in Tonga with women who experienced gestational diabetes and health professionals who worked in the diabetes area. It was found that during pregnancy women were encouraged to make lifestyle changes to help manage their gestational diabetes but this needs to continue after pregnancy to prevent diabetes. The research also highlighted the need to shift attitudes towards preventive screening for diabetes in Tonga as well as adequate funding of screening supplies.

SUMMARY

Improving school readiness with the Before School Check: early experience in Hawke’s Bay

Russell Wills, Kay Morris Matthews, Cath Hedley, Trish Freer, Helen Morris

The Before School Check is delivered by nurses in the community to 4-year-old children. It includes assessment of vision, hearing, growth, general health, development and behaviour. In Hawkes Bay the programme was implemented as a partnership between the Hawkes Bay District Health Board Public Health Unit, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service and Department of Paediatrics; Hawkes Bay Primary Health Organisation; Ministry of Education Special Education; and community social service organisations. This collaboration meant that referral pathways for children identified with problems worked well and children referred with problems were seen promptly.

SUMMARY

The role of sociocultural factors in obesity aetiology in Pacific adolescents and their parents: a mixed-methods study in Auckland, New Zealand

Tasileta Teevale, David R Thomas, Robert Scragg, Gavin Faeamani, Vili Nosa

Structural not cultural reasons influence obesity for Pacific adolescents and their families in Auckland New Zealand. This study investigated the factors influencing food and physical activity habits of Pacific adolescents and their families and compared the responses of obese and non-obese (healthy weight) adolescents and their parents. The study found cost of food, lack of parental time to prepare healthy foods or monitor eating practices due to being absent from working in shift-type employment, was the main difference between obese and non-obese (healthy weight) adolescents. Both sets of students (obese and healthy weight) and their parents were knowledgeable about healthy foods and eating practices and valued highly the health benefits of physical activity. These cultural factors were less influential on food and physical activity choices and did not protect against obesity-risk for Pacific adolescents. The study recommends structural changes to the food environment, such as the removal of GST on healthy food items, re-instating the Healthy School Food policy and more public investment in school-based physical activity to address Pacific adolescent obesity in New Zealand.

SUMMARY

Association of parent and best friend smoking with stage of adolescent tobacco smoking

Robert Scragg, Marewa Glover, Janine Paynter, Grace Wong, Judith McCool

We found in a large survey of Year 10 (4th form) students during 2002-2006 that smoking by best friend and parents, collectively, explain a high proportion of current Year 10 students who smoke tobacco daily (79%). In contrast, neither parental nor peer-smoking were related to smoking susceptibility among adolescent non-smokers, which suggests other factors, such as risk taking, family conflict or low self-esteem, may be involved in the progression to smoking once children reach adolescence. Given evidence showing the limited success of school-based interventions against the effects of peer-smoking, our findings support efforts to prevent youth tobacco smoking by targeting parents who smoke, particularly before their children reach the teenage years. This may have a double benefit of reducing both adult and adolescent smoking.

SUMMARY

Māori challenges and crown responsibilities: Māori policymaker ideas on smokefree policy options

Heather Gifford, Kiri Parata, George Thomson

Research by Whakauae Research and the University of Otago, looking at what M ori policymakers saw as important for smokefree tamariki, found that Maori politicians and officials were keen on a more Maori-focused and driven approach to tobacco control policy; saw children as drivers of smokefree changes and childrens rights to a smokefree environment one of the catalysts for change; and thought strong national and local indigenous leadership was needed for smokefree environments change. However they also saw an important role for central and local government in driving legislation and regulation; and discussed the need to refresh the smokefree message and deliver this in a more holistic way focusing on health, family and children.

SUMMARY

Body image and body change strategies among Tongan adolescents in Tonga and New Zealand

Marita P McCabe, Kalesita Fotu, Helen Mavoa, Gavin Faeamani

The aim of this study was to evaluate the body image and body change strategies of adolescents from Tonga, and Tongans who are resident New Zealand. In total, 598 Tongans from Tonga and 388 Tongans from New Zealand completed measures of body image, body change strategies and messages about their body. Tongans in Tonga were more likely to receive positive messages about a larger body from adults at school, church and the media, and losing weight from the media. They were also more likely to adopt strategies to lose weight, increase weight and increase muscles. The large body ideal appears to be still valued in Tonga, whereas Tongans also want to lose weight because of media messages to achieve a healthy body weight.

SUMMARY

SIDS-related knowledge and infant care practices among Māori mothers

David Tipene-Leach, Lynne Hutchison, Angeline Tangiora, Charlotte Rea, Rebecca White, Alistair Stewart, Edwin Mitchell

Whilst it is known that Maori have high SIDS rates and that SIDS is related to cigarette smoking in pregnancy, to prone sleeping of the infant and to co-sleeping where there was cigarette smoking in pregnancy, there has not been any quantification of this in recent times. This paper does that. In addition, it is not known whether Maori mothers hear the messages around the prevention of SIDS and if they do, whether they follow them. The paper comments on information known, quantifies the above risky behaviours and discusses present SIDS prevention activities.

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