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Issue

Vol 136 No 1584: 20 October

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Issue Summary

Editorial
SUMMARY

Mental health and paid parental leave—what does the evidence say?

Kate Eggleston, Katie Douglas, Katherine Donovan, Matthew Tennant, Roger Mulder

Mental health difficulties are common for parents during pregnancy and after the birth of a baby. Rates of parental depression and anxiety are high in New Zealand, and we have a particularly high rate of maternal suicide compared with other countries. This is contributed to by significant inequities in suicide risk for pregnant and postpartum women, and wahine Māori are much more likely to die by suicide than NZ European women. Paid parental leave is protective against poorer mental health outcomes in mothers, including depression, psychological distress and burnout. There are also positive physical and mental health effects for children.

Article
SUMMARY

Retrospective survey of colposcopy experience for wāhine Māori across two time periods (2016 and 2021) in Waitematā and Auckland districts, New Zealand

Karen Bartholomew, Phyu S Aye, Virginia Griffiths, Tayla Schaapveld, Megan Gingell, Selah Hart, Erin Chambers, Marara Metekingi, Billie Baty, Georgina McPherson, Deralie Flower

Wāhine Māori who attended a clinic as follow up for an abnormal smear test (colposcopy clinic) were surveyed about their experience. The survey was done over the phone, and it was done twice, in 2016 and in 2021. Overall, 201 women did the survey, and they reported a positive experience with high scores across both years. This is reassuring to know ahead of the changes to the cervical screening programme in late 2023.

Article
SUMMARY

Alcohol advertising near schools in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland

Sarah Sneyd, Noor Al-Jebouri, Helina Gifawossen, Nathan Cowie, Nicki Jackson

There has long been concern about the exposure of children and young people to alcohol advertising, which places them at risk. This study counted alcohol advertisements within a 500-metre radius of a randomly selected sample of Auckland schools (10%). The findings show that alcohol advertising near Auckland schools is common and there is a need for protections in these areas.

Article
SUMMARY

The unseen casualties of the First World War: insights from a randomly selected military sample

Nick Wilson, Jennifer A Summers, Glyn Harper, George Thomson

This study examined a random sample of the military files of 200 New Zealand World War One (WWI) veterans. It found that these personnel experienced a very high morbidity burden with 94% having at least one new condition diagnosed during their military service (average: 2.4 per individual; range: 0 to 8). The relative severity of these health conditions was reflected by the high level of hospitalisation (89% at least once) and 59% of personnel being deemed no longer fit for military service at some stage. Respiratory conditions affected 33% of personnel, 14% were diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections, 10% had diagnoses suggestive of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and 6% had chemical warfare injuries. In conclusion, the overall morbidity burden of this military force in WWI was very high, and much higher than the previous official estimates.

Article
SUMMARY

The spectrum of paediatric uveitis in New Zealand

Priya D Samalia, Hannah Ng, Sarah Hull, Justin Mora, Joanne L Sims, Rachael L Niederer

Eye inflammation in childhood is uncommon but an important vision-threatening condition. It is important to consider infections as a cause of inflammation in this age group. A large proportion of children will have no symptoms of eye inflammation and many children with eye inflammation will require immunosuppression treatment.

Article
SUMMARY

The use of neonatal bubble Continuous Positive Airway Pressure in a rural hospital setting

Glenn A Barker

This paper shows that specialist breathing machines normally used for unwell babies in Intensive Care Units can also be used in rural hospitals. In a small rural hospital, this machine reduces the time spent holding a face mask on a baby and reduced the need for emergency helicopter transfers to specialist intensive care units.

Article
SUMMARY

Cannabis and methamphetamine in New Zealand: a Kaupapa Māori literature review

Erena Wikaire, Te Hirea Doherty

This Kaupapa Māori study reviewed literature about the experiences of Māori in the context of cannabis and methamphetamine use. Mainstream research often overlooks Māori perspectives or the potential implications of their findings for Māori communities. Several studies seek to establish links between cannabis and methamphetamine use and individual “risk factors” factors. Recent research has started to place greater emphasis on capturing the lived experiences of Māori, adopting a critical lens to analyse findings and exploring the role of systemic institutions within the context of drug-related harm. To effectively address the harms associated with cannabis and methamphetamine use among Māori, future research must explicitly commit to benefitting Māori and employ research approaches consistent with Kaupapa Māori principles. An essential focus should be on prevention, addressing root causes, taking decisive action and not just measurement alone.

Viewpoint
SUMMARY

Planning and executing a national point prevalence study: a blueprint for the future

Sally A Roberts, Ruth Barratt, Arthur J Morris, Nikki Grae

New Zealand-wide data are required to support change and improvement in the care provided. Often this is considered too difficult to achieve due to the cost and logistics. We are sharing our experience so other healthcare groups may consider using this methodology to capture national data.

Clinical Correspondence
SUMMARY

Coronary artery aneurysms: the chest pain "zebra"

Zoe J Clifford, Philippa JT Bowers, Graham D McCrystal

This patient came to hospital with what looked like a heart attack (blockages in the arteries supplying his heart) but we found that he actually had unusual widening in his heart arteries, one of which was blocked with blood clot. We performed a heart bypass to solve his problems.

Letter
SUMMARY

Hapū with Omicron—the Wellington experience. Maternal and neonatal outcomes of pregnant people diagnosed with COVID-19

Judy Ormandy, Noor Al-Shamma, Sara K Filoche

We reviewed the outcomes of pregnant people in Wellington who were diagnosed with COVID-19. Internationally, people who contracted COVID-19 while pregnant had worse pregnancy outcomes and were sicker than those who weren’t pregnant. However, in Wellington most pregnant people with COVID-19 were able to be managed in the community and had pregnancy outcomes similar to the overall Wellington birthing population. Wrap around care, planning and cooperation between community and hospital services and high vaccination rates likely contributed to preventing the adverse outcomes seen overseas.

ALL ARTICLES
SUMMARY
Editorial
Vol 136 No 1584: 20 October

Mental health and paid parental leave—what does the evidence say?

Kate Eggleston, Katie Douglas, Katherine Donovan, Matthew Tennant, Roger Mulder

Becoming a parent is a major life event and, while the birth of a baby is exciting, the postpartum period can be an intensely stressful time for parents.

Article
Vol 136 No 1584: 20 October

Retrospective survey of colposcopy experience for wāhine Māori across two time periods (2016 and 2021) in Waitematā and Auckland districts, New Zealand

Karen Bartholomew, Phyu S Aye, Virginia Griffiths, Tayla Schaapveld, Megan Gingell, Selah Hart, Erin Chambers, Marara Metekingi, Billie Baty, Georgina McPherson, Deralie Flower

In New Zealand, about 160 women develop cervical cancer annually, and about 50 women die from it, accounting for an age standardised mortality rate of 1.6 per 100,000 population.

Article
Vol 136 No 1584: 20 October

Alcohol advertising near schools in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland

Sarah Sneyd, Noor Al-Jebouri, Helina Gifawossen, Nathan Cowie, Nicki Jackson

The extent of alcohol-related harm in Aotearoa New Zealand warrants considerable concern. Alcohol is Aotearoa New Zealand’s most harmful drug, contributing to more than 200 disease and injury conditions and causally linked with seven types of cancer.

Article
Vol 136 No 1584: 20 October

The unseen casualties of the First World War: insights from a randomly selected military sample

Nick Wilson, Jennifer A Summers, Glyn Harper, George Thomson

The First World War (WWI; 1914 to 1918) caused a substantial burden of injury and disease among participating military personnel.

Article
Vol 136 No 1584: 20 October

The spectrum of paediatric uveitis in New Zealand

Priya D Samalia, Hannah Ng, Sarah Hull, Justin Mora, Joanne L Sims, Rachael L Niederer

Paediatric uveitis is uncommon, constituting around 5–10% of all cases of uveitis. It represents a significant challenge, however, to ophthalmologists, as children may present late due to difficulty reporting symptoms, may be asymptomatic in the early stages (especially juvenile idiopathic arthritis [JIA]) and can be difficult to examine.

Article
Vol 136 No 1584: 20 October

The use of neonatal bubble Continuous Positive Airway Pressure in a rural hospital setting

Glenn A Barker

In Western healthcare settings, 3–8% of all births will require some form of neonatal resuscitation with respiratory support. In Australasia, 2.9–3.7% of all live births will be admitted to a level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), with over 90% of these admissions for ongoing respiratory support.

Article
Vol 136 No 1584: 20 October

Cannabis and methamphetamine in New Zealand: a Kaupapa Māori literature review

Erena Wikaire, Te Hirea Doherty

Prior to European arrival in New Zealand, traditional Māori health systems (Rongoā Māori), derived from mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge systems), maintained community wellbeing in an admirable state of flourishing. Māori health has been heavily impacted by colonisation, the broader determinants of health and systemic factors that prevent access to equitable health and wellbeing.

Viewpoint
Vol 136 No 1584: 20 October

Planning and executing a national point prevalence study: a blueprint for the future

Sally A Roberts, Ruth Barratt, Arthur J Morris, Nikki Grae

At any one time in New Zealand district hospitals, 6.6% of adult patients, or one in every 15 patients, has a healthcare-associated infection (HAI).

Clinical Correspondence
Vol 136 No 1584: 20 October

Coronary artery aneurysms: the chest pain "zebra"

Zoe J Clifford, Philippa JT Bowers, Graham D McCrystal

Coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs) are defined as entire wall dilatation to 1.5 times the size of the adjacent normal vessel. The incidence of CAAs is 0.8% and is more commonly seen in males, those with coronary artery disease (CAD) or previous myocardial infarction.

Letter
Vol 136 No 1584: 20 October

Hapū with Omicron—the Wellington experience. Maternal and neonatal outcomes of pregnant people diagnosed with COVID-19

Judy Ormandy, Noor Al-Shamma, Sara K Filoche

International research demonstrated that pregnant people had more severe illness and pregnancy outcomes when infected with COVID-19. However, much of these data were obtained prior to the availability of vaccinations.

100 Years Ago in the NZMJ
Vol 136 No 1584: 20 October

The Subconscious Mind.

NZMJ, 1923

During the war psychoneurosis caused a great wastage of man power. Much light has been thrown on the working of the unconscious by recent medical and psychological investigations into the nature of certain pathological states.

Editorial
SUMMARY

Mental health and paid parental leave—what does the evidence say?

Kate Eggleston, Katie Douglas, Katherine Donovan, Matthew Tennant, Roger Mulder

Mental health difficulties are common for parents during pregnancy and after the birth of a baby. Rates of parental depression and anxiety are high in New Zealand, and we have a particularly high rate of maternal suicide compared with other countries. This is contributed to by significant inequities in suicide risk for pregnant and postpartum women, and wahine Māori are much more likely to die by suicide than NZ European women. Paid parental leave is protective against poorer mental health outcomes in mothers, including depression, psychological distress and burnout. There are also positive physical and mental health effects for children.

Article
SUMMARY

Retrospective survey of colposcopy experience for wāhine Māori across two time periods (2016 and 2021) in Waitematā and Auckland districts, New Zealand

Karen Bartholomew, Phyu S Aye, Virginia Griffiths, Tayla Schaapveld, Megan Gingell, Selah Hart, Erin Chambers, Marara Metekingi, Billie Baty, Georgina McPherson, Deralie Flower

Wāhine Māori who attended a clinic as follow up for an abnormal smear test (colposcopy clinic) were surveyed about their experience. The survey was done over the phone, and it was done twice, in 2016 and in 2021. Overall, 201 women did the survey, and they reported a positive experience with high scores across both years. This is reassuring to know ahead of the changes to the cervical screening programme in late 2023.

Article
SUMMARY

Alcohol advertising near schools in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland

Sarah Sneyd, Noor Al-Jebouri, Helina Gifawossen, Nathan Cowie, Nicki Jackson

There has long been concern about the exposure of children and young people to alcohol advertising, which places them at risk. This study counted alcohol advertisements within a 500-metre radius of a randomly selected sample of Auckland schools (10%). The findings show that alcohol advertising near Auckland schools is common and there is a need for protections in these areas.

Article
SUMMARY

The unseen casualties of the First World War: insights from a randomly selected military sample

Nick Wilson, Jennifer A Summers, Glyn Harper, George Thomson

This study examined a random sample of the military files of 200 New Zealand World War One (WWI) veterans. It found that these personnel experienced a very high morbidity burden with 94% having at least one new condition diagnosed during their military service (average: 2.4 per individual; range: 0 to 8). The relative severity of these health conditions was reflected by the high level of hospitalisation (89% at least once) and 59% of personnel being deemed no longer fit for military service at some stage. Respiratory conditions affected 33% of personnel, 14% were diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections, 10% had diagnoses suggestive of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and 6% had chemical warfare injuries. In conclusion, the overall morbidity burden of this military force in WWI was very high, and much higher than the previous official estimates.

Article
SUMMARY

The spectrum of paediatric uveitis in New Zealand

Priya D Samalia, Hannah Ng, Sarah Hull, Justin Mora, Joanne L Sims, Rachael L Niederer

Eye inflammation in childhood is uncommon but an important vision-threatening condition. It is important to consider infections as a cause of inflammation in this age group. A large proportion of children will have no symptoms of eye inflammation and many children with eye inflammation will require immunosuppression treatment.

Article
SUMMARY

The use of neonatal bubble Continuous Positive Airway Pressure in a rural hospital setting

Glenn A Barker

This paper shows that specialist breathing machines normally used for unwell babies in Intensive Care Units can also be used in rural hospitals. In a small rural hospital, this machine reduces the time spent holding a face mask on a baby and reduced the need for emergency helicopter transfers to specialist intensive care units.

Article
SUMMARY

Cannabis and methamphetamine in New Zealand: a Kaupapa Māori literature review

Erena Wikaire, Te Hirea Doherty

This Kaupapa Māori study reviewed literature about the experiences of Māori in the context of cannabis and methamphetamine use. Mainstream research often overlooks Māori perspectives or the potential implications of their findings for Māori communities. Several studies seek to establish links between cannabis and methamphetamine use and individual “risk factors” factors. Recent research has started to place greater emphasis on capturing the lived experiences of Māori, adopting a critical lens to analyse findings and exploring the role of systemic institutions within the context of drug-related harm. To effectively address the harms associated with cannabis and methamphetamine use among Māori, future research must explicitly commit to benefitting Māori and employ research approaches consistent with Kaupapa Māori principles. An essential focus should be on prevention, addressing root causes, taking decisive action and not just measurement alone.

Viewpoint
SUMMARY

Planning and executing a national point prevalence study: a blueprint for the future

Sally A Roberts, Ruth Barratt, Arthur J Morris, Nikki Grae

New Zealand-wide data are required to support change and improvement in the care provided. Often this is considered too difficult to achieve due to the cost and logistics. We are sharing our experience so other healthcare groups may consider using this methodology to capture national data.

Clinical Correspondence
SUMMARY

Coronary artery aneurysms: the chest pain "zebra"

Zoe J Clifford, Philippa JT Bowers, Graham D McCrystal

This patient came to hospital with what looked like a heart attack (blockages in the arteries supplying his heart) but we found that he actually had unusual widening in his heart arteries, one of which was blocked with blood clot. We performed a heart bypass to solve his problems.

Letter
SUMMARY

Hapū with Omicron—the Wellington experience. Maternal and neonatal outcomes of pregnant people diagnosed with COVID-19

Judy Ormandy, Noor Al-Shamma, Sara K Filoche

We reviewed the outcomes of pregnant people in Wellington who were diagnosed with COVID-19. Internationally, people who contracted COVID-19 while pregnant had worse pregnancy outcomes and were sicker than those who weren’t pregnant. However, in Wellington most pregnant people with COVID-19 were able to be managed in the community and had pregnancy outcomes similar to the overall Wellington birthing population. Wrap around care, planning and cooperation between community and hospital services and high vaccination rates likely contributed to preventing the adverse outcomes seen overseas.

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