The success of Australia’s ‘No Jab,No Pay’ policy at a local level; retrospective clinical audit of a single medical practice assessing incidence of catch-up vaccinations

Vaccination is a vital health care initiative to prevent individual and population infection. To increase vaccination rates the federal government implemented the ‘No Jab, No Pay’ policy, where eligibility for several government benefits required children to be fully vaccinated by removing ‘conscientious objections’ and expanding the age range of children whose families receive benefits. This study assesses the impact of this policy at a local area within a single medical practice community in NSW, Australia. A retrospective clinical audit was performed between 2012 and 2017 on a single general practice's vaccination records for children ≤19 years. Catch-up vaccinations were assessed based on age at vaccination. Incidence of catch-up vaccinations was assessed for each of four years before and two years after the implementation of the ‘No Jab, No Pay’ policy in January 2016, along with the age of children and vaccination(s) given. Catch-up vaccinations were assessed temporally either side of implementation of ‘No Jab, No Pay’. Comparing the average annual vaccination catch-up incidence rate of 6.2% pre-implementation (2012–2015), there was an increase to 9.2% in 2016 (p < .001) and 7.8% in 2017 (p = .027). Secondary outcome measurement of catch-up vaccination incidence rates before (2012–2015) and after (2016–2017) ‘No Jab, No Pay’ implementation showed statistically significant increases for children aged 8–11 years (3.2%–5.6%, p = .038), 12–15 years (7.5%–14.7%, p < .001) and 16–19 years (3.3%–10.2%, p < .001) along with a statistically significant reduction in children aged 1–3 years (11.4%–6.2%, p = .015). Also, catch-up rates for DTPa significantly increased after program implementation. This study demonstrates that the Australian federal government vaccination policy ‘No Jab, No Pay’ was coincident with an increase in catch-up vaccinations within a rural NSW community served by one medical practice, especially for older children.     

Resistin is elevated in cystic fibrosis sputum and correlates negatively with lung function

Background

Resistin is an immunometabolic mediator that is elevated in several inflammatory disorders. A ligand for Toll-like receptor 4, resistin modulates the recruitment and activation of myeloid cells, notably neutrophils. Neutrophils are major drivers of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease, in part due to the release of human neutrophil elastase- and myeloperoxidase-rich primary granules, leading to tissue damage. Here we assessed the relationship of resistin to CF lung disease.

Insufficient knowledge and inapproriate physiotherapy management of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) in lightweight rowers

ObjectiveTo investigate the knowledge and management of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S), from the perspective of lightweight rowers and physiotherapists.DesignSemi-structured individual qualitative interviews.MethodsPhysiotherapists who had worked with lightweight rowers, and current and former lightweight rowers (who had experienced at least one symptom of RED-S), undertook audio-recorded semi-structured telephone interviews. An inductive thematic analysis was performed, facilitated by NVivo software.ResultsTwelve physiotherapists (n = 6 females, 1–20 years of experience managing lightweight rowers) and twelve lightweight rowers (n = 8 females, 1–8 years lightweight rowing experience, intermediate to elite/international level) were interviewed. Five key themes were identified: insufficient knowledge of RED-S, inadequate RED-S education, inappropriate management of RED-S, referral to other health professionals, prioritising performance over health. Participants provided suggestions for improving knowledge and management of RED-S in lightweight rowers, including formal physiotherapy education and training, and targeted education for athletes and coaches.ConclusionsThere was a significant lack of awareness of RED-S amongst physiotherapists and lightweight rowers. Most physiotherapists were not confident discussing or managing RED-S in athletes, and lightweight rowers were dissatisfied with the management they received. Improving RED-S education for physiotherapists and athletes may have important health implications for lightweight rowers.     

Nurturing the Citizens of the Future: Milk Stations and Child Nutrition in Puerto Rico, 1929–60

Between the 1930s and 1960s Puerto Rico was transformed from a marginal United States territory into an industrialised ‘showcase of development’. This article investigates the organisation of milk station programmes on the island during this crucial period and how these reflected the circulation of child welfare knowledge, nutrition expertise and public health practices. During the Depression, these perspectives fostered a recast of the eugenic regeneration ideologies motivating medical assessments of and sanitary interventions with Puerto Rico’s rural poor since the nineteenth century. Innovations in nutrition knowledge and an emerging rural hygiene movement highlighted the negative health effects of the island’s monocrops economy. In this context, the nourishment of children’s bodies assumed symbolic and instrumental significance for the reconfiguration of colonial and developmental models promoted by the new Popular Democratic Party (PPD). The experience of public health professionals in relief work during the 1930s contributed to the articulation of food and nutrition as key elements of this party’s populist discourse. Programmes like milk stations became part of strategies to rear and manage the labour force needed in the industrial development model promoted by the PPD. From the perspective of poor Puerto Ricans, however, they were part of the materialisation of its promise of social justice for the poorer classes.     

The Second Victim Phenomenon: How Are Midwives Affected?

Perinatal care providers are likely to encounter adverse events such as intrapartum emergencies, traumatic births, or maternal or fetal deaths. As a result of being directly or indirectly involved in an adverse event, health care providers can be considered second victims. The experience of the second victim phenomenon can lead to significant physical, psychological, and psychosocial sequelae that can negatively impact the provider's personal and professional life for either a short or long duration of time. When health care providers experience an adverse event, they may manifest symptoms of guilt, shame, blame, flashbacks, nightmares, insomnia, isolation, helplessness, and hopelessness, thereby becoming the second victim. Following an adverse event, health care providers who experience second victim phenomenon experience stages of recovery that influence subsequent professional and personal well‐being. Persons who experience the second victim phenomenon can incorporate self‐care behaviors to assist with recovery. Health care organizations have a responsibility to implement efficacious support programs that promote the provider's recovery and a return to safe and full function in the workplace.     

The relative risk of noncervical high-risk human papillomavirus-related (pre)malignancies after recurrent cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3: A population-based study

Women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 (CIN3) have a long-lasting increased risk for noncervical high-risk human papillomavirus (hrHPV)-related (pre)malignancies. The aim of our study was to estimate this risk in women with recurrent CIN3 compared to women without a history of CIN3 and women with a single episode of CIN3. Women with a CIN3 diagnosis between 1990 and 2010 were obtained from the Dutch Pathology Registry (PALGA) and matched with a control group of women without CIN3. Analysis has been conducted in a subset of women with recurrent CIN3, defined as reoccurrence minimally 2 years post-treatment. Cases of noncervical hrHPV-related (pre)malignancies of the anus, vulva, vagina and oropharynx were identified until 2015 and incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were estimated. Then, 1,797 women with recurrent CIN3 were included with a median age of 34 years (range 18–76) and 31,594 person-years of follow-up. Women with recurrent CIN3 had an increased risk of developing noncervical hrHPV-related (pre)malignancies compared to women without CIN3 with an IRR of 25.96 (95%CI 6.32–106.58). The IRR was 2.48 (95% CI 1.87–3.30) compared to women with a single episode of CIN3. Studies on posttreatment follow-up and prophylactic hrHPV vaccination are warranted.     

Long-term health and socioeconomic outcome of obstructive sleep apnea in children and adolescents

BackgroundThere is limited information about the long-term outcome of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) diagnosed in children and adolescents for educational and social factors. Here, we estimate the long-term socioeconomic outcome and health care costs of OSA.MethodsThe historical case-control cohort study included Danish individuals with OSA diagnosed in childhood or adolescence between 1994 and 2015. Health care costs and socioeconomic data were obtained from nationwide administrative and health registers. A total of 5419 were diagnosed during this period; of these we traced 1004 patients who we compared with 4085 controls (mean index age, 10.2 years; Standard Deviation (SD), 5.6 years) until the age of 20 years. Controls were matched for age, gender, and residency.ResultsComparing the OSA patient and control groups at age 20 years we found: 1) lower parental educational level; 2) significantly lower educational level also after adjustment for parental educational level; 3) lower school grade-point averages; 4) lower employment rate and lower income, which was not fully compensated when transfer payments were considered; and 5) patients' initial health care costs were higher due to higher morbidity. Patients showed higher mortality rates than controls (Hazard Ratio (HR) = 7.63, 95% CI = 4.87–11.95, P < 0.001).ConclusionsOSA in children and adolescent is associated with a significant influence on morbidity, mortality, educational level, grading, social outcome, and welfare consequences.     

骨外固定器行胫骨迁移治疗血栓闭塞性脉管炎的护理

目的总结利用骨外固定器行胫骨迁移治疗血栓闭塞性脉管炎的护理经验.方法对35例血栓闭塞性脉管炎37条患肢应用骨外固定器迁移胫骨治疗.术前积极处理患肢、有效的心理护理,术后严密观察,做好骨外固定器迁移胫骨的护理.结果 32例间歇性跛行距离增加;27例夜间静息痛均得到缓解;7例足趾缺血坏死中除3例术后患肢缺血加重截肢外,余4例患肢供血改善,坏死区域结痂愈合;总有效率91.9%.结论全面、准确地评估患者,完善术前准备及术后正确迁移指导可提高骨外固定器行胫骨迁移治疗血栓闭塞性脉管炎的有效性.     

第2足趾腓侧皮瓣移植的应用解剖及在手部皮肤缺损中的应用

目的探讨第2足趾腓侧皮瓣移植的应用解剖及临床应用的适应证、手术方法和优缺点等。方法新鲜成人尸体足左、右各10只,经灌注、解剖、测量,了解皮瓣的血供范围和相关血管、神经的外径。临床应用17例修复手部皮肤缺损,了解皮瓣的成活及功能恢复情况。结果灌注剂可达整个第2足趾及相邻趾蹼,测得第2足趾跖趾关节处腓侧固有动脉、趾背静脉分别为(1.0±0.2)mm、(0.9±0.2)mm;临床应用17例移植皮瓣全部成活,手、足部均无感染。经半年以上随访,被修复手指外观、颜色接近正常,供足无疼痛和植皮破溃现象发生。结论第2足趾腓侧皮瓣血供可靠,口径适于吻合,质地好,适于手指皮肤确实的修复。     

幼兔缺血预处理在心肌保护第二窗期对未成熟心肌Bcl-2基因mRNA表达的影响

目的　观察幼兔心脏缺血预处理 2 4h对未成熟心肌缺血 /再灌注后Bcl -2mRNA表达的影响 ,探讨未成熟心肌保护第二窗形成的作用机理。方法　 18只 3～ 4周龄幼兔 ,随机分为 3组 ,每组 6只 :Ⅰ组 ,正常对照组 ;Ⅱ组 ,缺血 /再灌注损伤组 ;Ⅲ组 ,缺血预处理组。建立活体心脏缺血 /再灌注损伤模型 ,Maclab/8s系统监测左心室发展压 (LVDP)、左室压上升及下降最大速率 (+dp/dtmax,-dp/dtmax)变化 ,原位免疫杂交 (ISH)方法检测心肌细胞内Bcl-2mRNA的表达。结果　缺血再灌注前 ,各组间LVDP、±dp/dtmax无显著性差异 (P >0 .0 5) ;再灌注 1h后 ,Ⅱ组的LVDP、+dp/dtmax和 -dp/dtmax恢复率分别为 (42 .81± 12 .56) %、(3 0 .67± 16.2 2 ) %和 (2 9.49± 10 .13 ) % ;Ⅲ组LVDP、+dp/dtmax及 -dp/dtmax恢复率分别为 (84.15± 13 .56) %、(69.49± 10 .3 6) %和 (58.3 7± 12 .45) % ,两组间有显著性差异 (P <0 .0 1)。Ⅱ组、Ⅲ组Bcl -2mRNA表达阳性细胞面积百分数分别为 (8.3± 2 .5) %、(76.3±13 .5) % ,两组间有显著性差异 (P <0 .0 1)。结论　缺血预处理可上调Bcl -2mRNA表达 ,参与未成熟心肌保护第二窗的形成 ,促进未成熟心肌缺血 /再灌注后心室功能恢复