COVID-19 in one region of New Zealand: a descriptive epidemiological study.

Objective: To describe the epidemiology of COVID-19 in one region of New Zealand in the context of the national lockdown and provide a reference for comparing infection dynamics and control measures between SARS-Cov-2 strains.  Methods: Epidemiological linking and analysis of COVID-19 cases and their close contacts residing in the geographical area served by the Southern District Health Board (SDHB).  Results: From 13 March to 5 April 5 2020, 186 cases were laboratory-confirmed with wild-type Sars-Cov-2 in SDHB.

Acute respiratory infection risk associated with exposure to outdoor PM{{10}} emissions from domestic heating.

Aim: Woodsmoke exposure has known adverse respiratory health effects. However, most studies are based on exposure in developing countries or developed cities. Woodburners are commonly used for domestic heating in New Zealand, and in some areas they impact air quality.

Achieving Consensus in the Measurement of Psychological Adjustment to Cleft Lip and/or Palate at Age 8+ Years.

Background: Consensus regarding optimal outcome measurement has been identified as one of the most important, yet most challenging developments for the future of cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) services. In 2011, a process began to adopt a shared conceptual framework and to identify a set of core outcome measures for the comprehensive assessment of psychological adjustment.

Objectives: The aim of the current article is to outline the collaborative process used to achieve consensus in the academic and clinical measurement of psychological adjustment to CL/P from the age of 8 years onward.

Promoting Psychosocial Adjustment in Individuals Born With Cleft Lip and/or Palate and Their Families: Current Clinical Practice in the United Kingdom.

Objectives: The importance of psychosocial aspects of care has received growing recognition in recent years. However, the evidence base for psychosocial intervention remains limited. Specialist clinicians working in cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) services hold a wealth of knowledge and experience yet to be elicited.

Achieving Consensus in the Measurement of Psychological Adjustment to Cleft Lip and/or Palate.

Background: Psychological adjustment to cleft lip/palate is multifaceted and can fluctuate over time and across different situations. Consequently, a comprehensive understanding of adjustment is difficult to capture, and the challenge of achieving consensus among researchers and clinicians regarding key constructs and processes is considerable. Numerous measures have been used in research and clinical audit, resulting in conflicting findings and difficulties in evidencing the value of psychological intervention.

Validity and reliability of the munsell soil color charts for assessing human skin color.

Background: Skin pigmentation is a key factor for ultraviolet radiation exposure-related cancers and can make a significant contribution to the patterns of other diseases. For surveys, and to appropriately target cancer control activities, valid and reliable measures of skin color are required.

Methods: Validity and reliability of the Munsell Soil Color Charts were investigated for skin color assessment.

The Effectiveness of Psychosocial Intervention for Individuals With Cleft Lip and/or Palate.

Objective: The aim of this review was to assess the effectiveness of different psychological interventions for children and adults with cleft lip and/or palate and their parents.

Design: We searched six databases including MEDLINE and EMBASE to June 2013 and checked bibliographies. We included research that evaluated any psychological intervention in studies in which at least 90% of the participants had cleft lip and/or palate or were parents of those with cleft lip and/or palate.

Questionnaire items to assess skin color and erythemal sensitivity: reliability, validity, and "the dark shift".

Background: Skin pigmentation is a key factor for UV radiation exposure related cancers. To appropriately target cancer control activities related to this exposure and for better representation in epidemiologic studies, a valid and reliable assessment of skin color is required.

Methods: The validity and reliability of two self-report measures were assessed: skin color and erythemal sensitivity.

Preliminary assessment of Apache hopefulness: Relationships with hopelessness and with collective as well as personal self-esteem.

Hopelessness is central to prominent mental health problems within American Indian (AI) communities. Apaches living on a reservation in Arizona responded to diverse expressions of hope along with Hopelessness, Personal Self-Esteem, and Collective Self-Esteem scales. An Apache Hopefulness Scale expressed five themes of hope and correlated negatively with Hopelessness and positively with both Collective and Personal Self-Esteem.

Are workers or their workplaces the key to occupational sun protection?

Issue Addressed: High levels of sun exposure and skin cancer are experienced by outdoor workers. To develop effective preventive strategies it is important to understand which factors predict sun protection use.

Methods: Outdoor workers (n=74) in Central Otago, New Zealand, completed a questionnaire and recorded sun protection practices for five consecutive working days, January-March 2007.