A descriptive review of quad-related deaths in Australia (2011-20).

Objective: To assess Australian quad-related deaths during the 2011-20 period in relation to introduction of the Consumer Goods (Quad Bikes) Safety Standard 2019.

Methods: All Australian quad-related deaths retrieved through the National Coronial Information System.

Results: There were 155 cases, with 116 occurring on a farm and 39 in a non-farm context.

Safe play areas on farms in New South Wales.

Objective: To assess the prevalence and security of fenced house yards on NSW farms and rural properties with a view to providing information to increase the development of safe play areas on farms.

Design: A cross-sectional stratified study using computer-assisted telephone interviewing.

Setting: Interviews were conducted in the four rural Area Health Services throughout February to December 2008.

Unintentional injury, psychological distress and depressive symptoms: is there an association for rural Australians?

Purpose: To investigate the association between unintentional injury and mental health in Australian rural communities.

Methods: Using cross-sectional baseline data for a longitudinal study from randomly selected adults in nonmetropolitan Australia, we fitted logistic regression models for the outcomes of domestic or public setting injury and injury in high-risk settings, using prior depression and demographic factors. OR and 99% CI were reported and also calculated for current mental health including psychological distress, depressive symptoms and risky alcohol consumption, comparing those injured with those not.

The psychological impact of chronic environmental adversity: Responding to prolonged drought.

The health effects of chronic environmental adversity have received insufficient attention, particularly those associated with the psychological impact of drought. Resilience or adaptive response to drought has received even less attention than vulnerability factors. This research examined factors associated with drought impact in rural and remote Australian communities.

Agricultural health and safety performance in Australia.

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.

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.

The Australian Rural Health Research Collaboration: building collaborative population health research in rural and remote NSW.

The health problems faced by rural and remote communities are complex and not amenable to simple or short-term solutions. The Australian Rural Health Research Collaboration, which comprises rural research centres, area health services and policy makers in NSW, investigates these problems. Founded in 2002, it has grown to become the leading rural research collaboration in Australia.

Effectiveness of service linkages in primary mental health care: a narrative review part 1.

Background: With the move to community care and increased involvement of generalist health care providers in mental health, the need for health service partnerships has been emphasised in mental health policy. Within existing health system structures the active strategies that facilitate effective partnership linkages are not clear. The objective of this study was to examine the evidence from peer reviewed literature regarding the effectiveness of service linkages in primary mental health care.

Changes in the hearing status and noise injury prevention practices of Australian farmers from 1994 to 2008.

This study compares the hearing status and behaviors of Australian farmers from 1994-2001 with those from 2002-2008. Over this period the authors found (1) there was a 12.5% overall improvement in the proportion of farmers with normal hearing in left ears, with the likelihood of a screening participant having normal hearing improving by almost 9% each year; (2) significant improvements in the mean hearing threshold of both ears from 1 to 6 kHz; (3) significantly higher mean hearing thresholds for 35- to 44-year-old farmers exposed to firearms, chainsaws, workshop tools, heavy machinery, and tractors with cabins compared to nonexposed groups; (4) nonuse of hearing protection devices by young farmers (15 to 24 years old), was associated with hearing loss for those using uncabined tractors.

Climate change and farmers' mental health: risks and responses.

Climate change is exacerbating climate variability, evident in more frequent and severe weather-related disasters, such as droughts, fires, and floods. Most of what is known about the possible effects of climate change on rural mental health relates to prolonged drought. But though drought is known to be a disproportionate and general stressor, evidence is mixed and inconclusive.

Building effective service linkages in primary mental health care: a narrative review part 2.

Background: Primary care services have not generally been effective in meeting mental health care needs. There is evidence that collaboration between primary care and specialist mental health services can improve clinical and organisational outcomes. It is not clear however what factors enable or hinder effective collaboration.

Beyond 50. Challenges at work for older nurses and allied health workers in rural Australia: a thematic analysis of focus group discussions.

Background: The health workforce in Australia is ageing, particularly in rural areas, where this change will have the most immediate implications for health care delivery and workforce needs. In rural areas, the sustainability of health services will be dependent upon nurses and allied health workers being willing to work beyond middle age, yet the particular challenges for older health workers in rural Australia are not well known. The purpose of this research was to identify aspects of work that have become more difficult for rural health workers as they have become older; and the age-related changes and exacerbating factors that contribute to these difficulties.

Social network analysis for farmers' hearing services in a rural community.

This study aimed to define current hearing health service networks for farming families in a major regional centre in New South Wales, in order to identify approaches that can strengthen local service provision. A pilot survey of individuals and agencies that potentially work with farmers was undertaken and a social network analysis completed to assess the self-reported links of agencies with each other. Thirteen agencies with a role in hearing health service provision participated with results indicating that nurse audiometrists, WorkCover NSW and agricultural retailers have the lead role in disseminating relevant information within the network.

Determinants of mental health and well-being within rural and remote communities.

Background: The individual and contextual factors influencing current mental health and well-being within rural communities are poorly understood.

Methods: A stratified random sample of adults was drawn from non-metropolitan regions of NSW, Australia. One-quarter (27.

Improving hearing health for farming families.

Introduction: Occupational noise injury and hearing loss are common features of agricultural workforces internationally. Farmsafe Australia has identified hearing health as one of its 4 key priority goals and targets. Currently, approximately 60-70% of Australian farmers have measurable hearing loss, compared with 27% of those in the general Australian community.

Distress among rural residents: does employment and occupation make a difference?

Objective: This study investigates the relationship between levels of mental health and well-being (in terms of self-reported levels of distress) with employment and occupational status of rural residents, to better inform the provision of mental health services to those in greatest need in rural communities.

Method: A stratified random sample of community residents in rural and remote New South Wales with over-sampling of remote areas as first stage of a cohort study. Psychological distress was measured using Kessler-10, inclusive of additional items addressing functional impairment (days out of role).

Mental health and well-being within rural communities: the Australian rural mental health study.

Objective: This paper outlines the methods and baseline data from a multisite cohort study of the determinants and outcomes of mental health and well-being within rural and remote communities.

Methods: A stratified random sample of adults was drawn in non-metropolitan New South Wales using the Australian Electoral Roll, with the aim of recruiting all adult members of each household. Surveys assessed psychological symptoms, physical health and mental disorders, along with individual-, family/household- and community-level characteristics.

Improving mental health capacity in rural communities: mental health first aid delivery in drought-affected rural New South Wales.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of mental health first aid (MHFA) training in drought-affected rural and remote Australia, as part of a strategy to improve capacity among farming communities to provide early intervention for mental health problems.

Methods: Data were obtained from 99 participants recruited across 12 New South Wales towns, before and after delivery of MHFA seminars emphasising the role of front-line workers from agricultural-related services. Surveys assessed knowledge of, confidence in dealing with, and attitude towards people experiencing mental illness, along with the impact of training on response to mental health problems among target population of farmers and farming families.

An evidence-consultation base for developing child injury prevention priorities for Australian farms.

Issue Addressed: Child injury on farms is a significant public health problem. This article describes the evidence and consultation base for development of a national strategy for child safety on farms in Australia.

Methods: A data profile describing farm child injury was compiled, with evidence for the effectiveness of solutions being defined and the strength of recommendations determined.

Partnerships to promote mental health of NSW farmers: the New South Wales Farmers Blueprint for Mental Health.

Objective: To describe the process and outcome of development of a framework for planning and implementation of a range of interventions aimed at improving the mental health and wellbeing of farmers and farm families in New South Wales (NSW).

Design: In response to a major drought in New South Wales (NSW), key agencies were invited to participate in a longer-term collaborative program aimed at improving the mental health and well-being of the people on NSW farms. These agencies became the NSW Farmers Mental Health Network.

The impact of the research methods support structure on research capacity in rural New South Wales.

Objective: This paper evaluates a Research Methods Support Structure (RMSS) to foster research capacity in the New England region of rural New South Wales.

Methods: A quasi-experimental design with a historical control for comparing changes in the number of research submissions and research approval rates since the RMSS inception in July 1998 until December 2004.

Results: Comparing the two reporting periods, the total number of research submissions increased from 58 to 197, or 9 per year to 30 per year (odds ratio [OR], 3.