Drug driving from a user's perspective

The bulk of research into drug driving in Australia has been undertaken from a road safety orientation where drug driving is viewed within the broader context of road safety and driver behaviour. Such a specific focus precludes the broader behavioural, contextual and cultural issues associated with substance use. This study aimed to address this issue by focusing on drug driving behaviour within the context of illicit substance use. A series of focused interviews were conducted with 211 illicit drug users from urban and regional centres. A consistent theme identified in the interviews was that drug driving was not necessarily viewed as risky behaviour but rather as an outcome of illicit substance use. Further, some interviewees saw their drug use as enhancing their driving skills and frequently the motor vehicle was viewed as a safe place to use. Overall there was agreement among interviewees that the likelihood of being apprehended for drug driving by police was minimal; this perception was reinforced by past experience. The lack of concern for detection of drug driving behaviour suggests that research should continue into the development and implementation of enforcement programs and roadside detection.     

Improvement in men inpatients in an alcoholism rehabilitation unit: a week-by-week comparison

The Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), a 53-item psychiatric symptom checklist, was administered to 57 alcoholic inpatients on days 2, 10, 18 and 26 of their 28-day stay in an alcoholism rehabilitation unit at a Veterans Administration hospital. The results of the test show a steady decline in the patients' psychiatric symptomatology from week 1 to week 4 with the most dramatic improvement evidenced between weeks 1 and 2.     

Endoscopic balloon dilatation as a therapeutic option in the management of intestinal strictures resulting from Crohn's disease

Endoscopic balloon dilatation was undertaken in seven patients who presented with obstructive symptoms resulting from Crohn's disease. Five patients had strictures from recurrent disease at the site of an ileotransverse anastomosis, one had duodenal stenosis and one a colonic stricture. The procedures were performed under intravenous sedation on one to four occasions (median 2) and were uncomplicated. Sustained improvement over an 18-24-month follow-up period was achieved in five patients, but dilatation was unsuccessful in two cases. Endoscopic balloon dilatation is a safe and effective option in selected patients with intestinal strictures resulting from Crohn's disease and may overcome the need for surgery.     

Trends in physical activity behaviours and attitudes among South Australian youth between 1985 and 2004

Rising youth obesity is a serious public health concern. There is a widespread view that declining physical activity is contributing to this trend. A total of 929 young South Australians (age = 9–15 years) were surveyed in 1985 and 2004 on usual physical activity in several contexts, including attitudes to physical activity. Eight of 10 South Australian schools participating in the 1985 Schools Health and Fitness Survey were revisited in 2004. Comparisons were made on: organised sport, active transport, physical education (PE), playground activity, vigorous physical activity (VPA), total leisure-time physical activity (LTPA), and attitudes to PE and school sport. The questionnaire and method of administration were identical in both surveys. There were no differences between surveys in club and school sport participation, walking to school, and reported enjoyment of PE and school sport. In 2004 fewer children rode to school, but PE classes were more frequent. The percentage of children who ‘sit and talk’ during school breaks had increased, with a decreased percentage of older girls who ‘run around’ during school breaks. There was a significantly higher LTPA in MET.min in 2004 for boys, which was particularly evident at higher percentiles. There were no changes in mean or distribution of LTPA for the whole sample or girls. The percentage of respondents reporting ≥3 bouts of VPA in the previous week rose from 51% (1985) to 76% (2004). There is no consistent evidence of declining physical activity among South Australian youth. It is apparent that physical activity in some contexts has declined, while in other contexts levels are the same or higher than in 1985. This underscores the complex nature of physical activity and the influences on this behaviour.     

A qualitative investigation of seniors' and caregivers' views on pain assessment and management.

The literature suggests that pain in the elderly, especially among seniors with dementia, is under-assessed and under-treated.This qualitative study solicited the perspectives of seniors, front-line nursing staff, nursing-home administrators, and informal caregivers of seniors with dementia on the current status of pain assessment and management. The views of these participants complement the research findings reported in the literature. While some of their explanations and potential solutions concerning under-treatment of pain in seniors echo views that have been presented in the literature, the participants also pointed to factors and avenues that have been given less formal consideration (e.g., systemic barriers to effective assessment and treatment of pain).They also highlighted the need for pain-control strategies beyond medication. The implications of these findings are discussed.