Interrater and intrarater reliability of ultrasonographic measurements of acromion-greater tuberosity distance in healthy people.

Acromion-greater tuberosity (AGT) distance could potentially be used to assess rotator cuff tears and shoulder subluxation in patients with poststroke hemiplegia. The aim of this study was to assess the interrater and intrarater reliability of ultrasonographic measurements of AGT distance in healthy people prior to testing on patient populations. Twenty healthy individuals (9 male, 11 female) with a mean age of 21 years (SD ± 2) were recruited.

The moral universe of injecting drug users in the era of AIDS: sharing injecting equipment and the protection of moral standing.

Recent work on HIV counselling suggests that the protection of the moral status of the recipient is a key factor in the successful uptake of advice. This study suggests it may be equally important in the uptake of health promotion messages. A discourse analysis of the talk of 20 young injecting drug users (IDUs) identified a contradiction between their asserted self-identity as careful and socially responsible injectors, and their admission of risky lending and borrowing of injecting equipment.

Purchasing a cycle helmet: are retailers providing adequate advice?

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the selling of cycle helmets in retail stores with particular reference to the adequacy of advice offered about the fit and securing of helmets.

Methods: All 55 retail outlets selling cycle helmets in Christchurch, New Zealand were studied by participant observation. A research entered each store as a prospective customer and requested assistance to purchase a helmet.

Hepatitis C seroprevalence amongst injecting drug users attending a methadone programme.

Aim: To study the seroprevalence of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) amongst a population of injecting drug users and to examine the relationship between potential risk factors and HCV infection.

Methods: A sample of 116 clients attending a methadone treatment clinic in Christchurch took part in this study. Blood samples were analysed to detect antibodies to HCV and to test for HCV RNA: Serum transaminases were also measured.

Heterosexual behaviour and HIV risk in New Zealand: data from a national survey.

The pattern of any future major heterosexual epidemic of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) will depend partly on sexual behaviour and condom use among heterosexuals. This survey was designed to provide information on patterns of sexual behaviour in New Zealand. A national sample aged 18 to 54 was selected using a random method and telephone interviews were administered to 2361 people, using a questionnaire based on the protocol developed by the Global Program on AIDS of the World Health Organization.

AIDS policy response in New Zealand: consensus in crisis.

Typically, Western governments have aimed to construct consensus over HIV/AIDS policy. The history of policy formation in New Zealand is examined, and is found to reflect the general pattern. There was a deliberate strategy designed to establish the broadest possible consensus.

Knowledge, attitudes and activities of male clients of female sex workers: risk factors for HIV.

Aims: To examine HIV related knowledge, attitudes and practices amongst male clients of female sex workers in New Zealand.

Methods: A sample of 30 clients were contacted in the commercial sex areas of the three main urban centres. A brief structured interview was undertaken by a fully trained interviewer who was herself a sex worker.

The New Zealand Partner Relations Survey: methodological results of a national telephone survey.

Objective: To implement and evaluated a national survey of sexual behaviour using computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI).

Design: A two-stage stratified national sample survey in which households were selected by random digit-dialing (RDD), with a single eligible interviewee per selected household, followed by subsample surveys of non-contacts and refusals to determine eligibility.

Methods: A 15-minute questionnaire based on the Global Programme on AIDS (GPA)/World Health Organization (WHO) protocol was administered by telephone to a nationally representative sample of 2361 respondents in the 18-54-year age group.

Postpolio syndrome in New Zealand: a survey of 700 polio survivors.

Aims: To examine the experience of postpolio syndrome amongst a group of survivors of polio currently resident in New Zealand.

Methods: A sample of 700 responded to a request for volunteers to take part in a postal survey concerning their experience of polio and postpolio symptoms.

Results: The mean age of respondents was 59 years.

Sexual practices, sexually transmitted diseases and other risk factors for HIV among injecting drug users.

Data were collected from 814 clients attending anonymously for counselling before tests for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection at the Burnett Clinic in Auckland. Just over 10 per cent of clients (n = 83) reported ever having injected drugs. This group was matched according to age, gender, ethnicity and sexual orientation with an equal sized control group drawn from clients who had not injected drugs.

Sexually transmitted diseases amongst a sample of people seeking HIV testing.

Aims: To examine the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases according to gender, age, sexual orientation, sexual behaviour and drug use.

Methods: Data were collected from 814 clients attending anonymously for HIV testing at the Burnett Centre in Auckland. During pretest counselling clients were asked questions designed to assess their risk of HIV infection including a detailed history of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Changes in sexual practices and some HIV related attitudes in New Zealand: 1987-9.

Two fully national samples of 1000 New Zealanders aged 16-60 were interviewed in 1987 and in 1989 about their sexual practices and related attitudes to HIV/AIDS matters. The data were gathered by means of a self completed questionnaire which was part of a larger interview undertaken in the respondents' own homes. Precautions were taken to ensure confidentiality, anonymity and privacy.

Knowledge about HIV/AIDS amongst the New Zealand public: 1987-9.

Surveys of knowledge about AIDS were carried out in 1987 and again in 1989 amongst national samples of 1000 adult New Zealanders. During this period there was a general increase in knowledge about AIDS and a decrease in misconceptions about it. By 1989 97% of the sample knew that the virus could be transmitted through heterosexual activity and 99% knew the risks of needle sharing.

Infection control procedures among New Zealand general practitioners: changes since the emergence of HIV infection.

A random sample of 1000 general practitioners in New Zealand were surveyed to assess their infection control procedures in the surgery, particularly since the emergence of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Forty three per cent of the sample routinely used surgical gloves for minor surgical procedures, 8% used gloves for venepuncture, and 7% for blood glucose testing. Thirty two per cent reported a change in glove use since the emergence of HIV infection.

AIDS and general practice.

Using a postal questionnaire, a random sample of 1000 general practitioners throughout New Zealand were surveyed about their contacts with patients concerning AIDS or HIV infection and about their needs for information on AIDS related matters. A response rate of 86% was achieved. Almost all doctors (95%) had had some contact with patients concerning AIDS during the previous 12 months and 86% had had at least one request for the HIV antibody test.

Trends in private medical insurance ownership: lessons for the public sector.

Data on ownership of private medical insurance were collected from a fully national sample of over 1000 adults. Findings were compared with those of a study undertaken in 1981. Private medical insurance was owned by 40% of the sample, an increase from the 35% ownership in the earlier study.

Mammographic screening for breast cancer: prospects for New Zealand.

The Cancer Society and the Department of Health invited a working group to make recommendations on screening by mammography. Mammography offers the best opportunity for preventing deaths from breast cancer. Randomised trials suggest that mortality can be reduced by about 30% in women over 50; the value of routine mammography in younger women is still uncertain.