Publications by authors named "Robyn Dixon"
Issue Addressed: With the emerging focus on designing health-literate organisations and health care systems, it is essential to understand the health literacy profiles of the medical workforce including medical students, as medical professionals play a key role in within these systems. Medical professionals contribute to good patient health outcomes through enabling access to appropriate health care, provision of quality health information and collaborative shared decision-making, which are fundamental health literacy competencies. The aim of this study is to identify health literacy strengths and weaknesses of medical students enrolled in an Australian Doctor of Medicine programme.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Research indicates that nurses perceive postgraduate education to have a positive effect on their knowledge and practice. Many jurisdictions offer/require new graduate nurses to undertake postgraduate coursework however the consequences of this are not clear.
Objectives: This research aims to determine the impact of completing a postgraduate course in clinical assessment on the capabilities of new graduate nurses.
Article Synopsis
- Low health literacy is linked to negative health outcomes, emphasizing the need for a health literate workforce in healthcare organizations.
- A study examined health literacy among 845 undergraduate student nurses from eight universities, revealing significant year-level and regional differences in their ability to find reliable health information.
- The findings offer insights for educators on students' health literacy upon graduation and highlight the importance of nurse professionals in fostering a health literate system and supporting patient literacy.
Article Synopsis
- The study examined the health literacy levels of health science students in Nepal, who will become future health professionals, to understand their ability to educate patients better.
- Results showed that a majority of participants were young males, many with parents who had university degrees, and most were enrolled in undergraduate programs, reporting moderate skills and support for managing their health.
- The study suggests that universities should implement strategies to enhance students' access to health information and improve their ability to interact with healthcare providers, which could lead to a more health-literate workforce.
Background: Children's formulations containing ibuprofen are frequently used to treat pain and fever. These medications, available over-the-counter, have the potential to cause adverse events if usage/safety information is not adhered to. This study aimed to investigate caregivers' knowledge about the safe use of a commonly purchased children's formulation containing ibuprofen.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- New graduate nurses are essential for the future nursing workforce, and their education during the transition to practice is crucial for effective service delivery.
- Variation in educational programs can significantly affect the transition experience of new graduates.
- A qualitative study highlights the necessity for a more standardized approach to new graduate programs (referred to as Nurse Entry to Practice, or NETP), noting challenges and the need for further research on the impact of postgraduate education on nursing practice and patient care.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates trends and risk factors related to adolescent exposure to family violence in New Zealand over time using surveys from 2001, 2007, and 2012.
- There was no significant change in witnessing emotional violence, but a slight decrease in physical violence was noted, with varying trends across different time periods among adolescents.
- Four distinct groups were identified based on factors like ethnicity, family relationships, food security, and alcohol use, highlighting the need for public health policies that address the social determinants contributing to violence exposure.
Article Synopsis
- The increasing prevalence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) has made it crucial to implement primary prevention programs aimed at promoting long-term behavior changes in youth to reduce future disease risks.
- School-based initiatives are essential in this effort, but their design and evaluation are complex and require a combination of educational and health expertise for effective outcomes.
- To improve the assessment of these programs, there is a need for a multidisciplinary approach that combines educational and health perspectives, ensuring a thorough understanding of both immediate behavior changes and their long-term impact on health metrics.
Background: Mobile technologies (mHealth) have recently been used to deliver behavior change interventions; however, few have investigated the application of mHealth for treatment of ischemic heart disease (IHD). The Heart Exercise And Remote Technologies trial examined the effectiveness of an mHealth intervention to increase exercise behavior in adults with IHD. As a part of this trial, a process evaluation was conducted.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis article explores women's use of physical violence in the context of experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV). Data were drawn from the New Zealand Violence Against Women Study, a cross-sectional household survey conducted using a population-based cluster-sampling scheme. Multinomial logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with women's use of physical violence against their partners when they were being physically hurt.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWomen's Initiation of Physical Violence Against an Abusive Partner Outside of a Violent Episode.
J Interpers Violence
September 2015
This article explores women's use of physical violence against an abusive male partner, outside of the context of a violence episode. Data were drawn from the New Zealand Violence Against Women Study, a cross-sectional household survey conducted using a population-based cluster-sampling scheme. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with women initiating physical violence against their male partners.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- The study examines how ethnicity impacts both immediate and long-term outcomes for mothers and babies, focusing on Maori and non-Maori women.
- The research analyzes hospital records for women under 25, categorizing outcomes by instances of assaults during or after pregnancy and comparing them between ethnic groups.
- Results indicate Maori women face increased risks related to intimate partner violence and healthcare access, with non-Maori women showing higher rates of injury hospitalizations following assaults post-pregnancy.
Objective: We examined the immediate and long-term health outcomes of hospitalised pregnancy-related assault.
Methods: A retrospective review of hospital records was conducted using data from the New Zealand Ministry of Health's National Minimum Data Set of hospital discharges. The hospital records of pregnant women admitted to a public hospital in New Zealand between 2001 and 2006 were included in this investigation.
Article Synopsis
- Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of death in New Zealand, prompting a focus on improving cardiac health management, especially coronary artery disease and related events.
- The study involved twelve nurses from a rural healthcare setting in Northland, examining their perceptions of cardiac rehabilitation through two focus groups.
- Five key themes emerged regarding cardiac rehabilitation, offering insights into current practices and highlighting areas for future service improvements in this specific rural context.
Prevalence of weight-related concerns and behaviours among New Zealand young people.
J Paediatr Child Health
November 2012
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates how common weight loss behaviors and concerns are among adolescents in New Zealand.
- Over a third of males and 65% of females attempted to lose weight in the past year, with unhealthy methods reported by 10% of males and 29% of females.
- These unhealthy behaviors are more frequent among older adolescents, those who are overweight, and individuals from high-deprivation areas, indicating a need for further research on this issue.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates weight-control strategies and family support among young individuals in New Zealand who successfully lost weight and maintained it.
- Approximately 51% of the participants who attempted weight loss reported maintaining it for at least 6 months, with those experiencing long-term success often having healthier eating and exercise habits.
- Findings highlight the role of family support, indicating that higher parental involvement in promoting healthy lifestyles may contribute to sustained weight loss among adolescents.
Article Synopsis
- Adolescents excluded from mainstream education often have significant mental health challenges, and this study explores the effectiveness of a computerized Cognitive Behavioural Therapy program (SPARX) tailored for them.
- Results showed that students using SPARX experienced significant improvements in depression symptoms compared to those in a waitlist control group, with 78% achieving remission after 5 weeks.
- The findings suggest that SPARX is a viable treatment option for addressing depression in this vulnerable population, with benefits that persist over time.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates the prevalence of self-reported pregnancy among sexually active high school students in New Zealand, finding that 10.6% reported being pregnant or causing a pregnancy.
- There are notable ethnic disparities, with Māori (15.3%) and Pacific Island (14.1%) students reporting the highest rates.
- The research indicates that students who reported pregnancies faced greater barriers to accessing health care, primarily due to concerns about privacy, uncertainty about how to seek care, and transportation issues.
Background: Postoperative respiratory complications following cardiac surgery may increase morbidity, mortality and length of stay. Non-invasive respiratory support therapies can be used prophylactically or curatively to reduce respiratory complications. One system, nasal high flow oxygen therapy, is in use in many intensive care units (ICUs) however there is a lack of information regarding its clinical utility and efficacy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDespite increasing interest, little is known about the beliefs and views of the public in relation to the use of economic incentives as a means to promote healthy eating. This study explores views of ethnically and socioeconomically diverse shoppers regarding acceptability of economic incentives to promote healthier food purchases, and factors likely to affect the success of such schemes. Six focus groups (n = 36 participants; 14 Māori, 12 Pacific, 10 non-ethnic specific low income), were held in Auckland, New Zealand, in October 2009.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAim: To describe the changes in the health and well-being of secondary school students from 2001 to 2007.
Methods: A total of 9107 secondary school students were randomly selected to participate in a comprehensive health and well-being survey using Internet tablets conducted in 2007. Comparisons are made with the first health and well-being survey conducted in 2001.
Interpretation of two nutrition content claims: a New Zealand survey.
Aust N Z J Public Health
February 2010
Objective: To determine how various population groups in New Zealand interpret the nutrition content claims '97% fat free' and 'no added sugar' on food labels.
Methods: A survey of adult supermarket shoppers was conducted at 25 Auckland supermarkets over a six-week period in 2007. Supermarkets were located in areas where greater than 10% of the resident population were known to be Māori, Pacific or Asian, based on 2001 Census meshblock data.
Article Synopsis
- Active Video Games (AVGs) can boost heart rate and oxygen consumption, making them a potential tool for combating childhood inactivity and obesity.
- Both children and parents view AVGs positively for enhancing activity and fitness, but there are barriers to consistent use, including high costs and limited playing space at home.
- The long-term engagement with AVGs varies by game content and age, with younger kids finding them more suitable than teenagers, suggesting that addressing these barriers is crucial for maximizing their effectiveness.
Objective: Effective nutrition labels are part of a supportive environment that encourages healthier food choices. The present study examined the use, understanding and preferences regarding nutrition labels among ethnically diverse shoppers in New Zealand.
Design And Setting: A survey was carried out at twenty-five supermarkets in Auckland, New Zealand, between February and April 2007.