Identifying risk factors and implications for beach drowning prevention amongst an Australian multicultural community

Multicultural communities in Australia are recognised as a priority area for drowning prevention, but no evidence-based study has addressed their knowledge of beach safety. This study used an online survey tool to identify and examine risk factors relating to swimming ability, beach visitation characteristics and behaviour, and beach safety knowledge of the Australian Southern Asian community to assist in the development of future beach safety interventions. Data was obtained through 249 online and in-person surveys of people aged > 18 years. Most respondents reported poor swimming ability (80%), often swam in in the absence of lifeguards (77%), did not understand the rip current hazard (58%), but reported that they entered the water (76%) when visiting beaches. Close to one-quarter (28%) had not heard, or didn’t know the purpose, of the red and yellow beach flags, which identify lifeguard supervised areas on Australian beaches. Length of time living in Australia is an important beach safety consideration for this community, with minimal differences in terms of gender and age. Those who have lived < 10 years in Australia visit beaches more frequently and are less likely to have participated in swimming lessons, be able to swim, heard of the flags or swim between them, understand rip currents, or have participated in a beach safety program. Very few (3%) respondents received beach safety information from within their own community. The importance of beach safety education and swimming lessons within the Southern Asian community should be prioritised for new and recent migrants to Australia.

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Characteristics and beach safety knowledge of beachgoers on unpatrolled surf beaches in Australia

10.5194/nhess-2021-318 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Lea Uebelhoer ◽

William Koon ◽

Mitchell D. Harley ◽

Jasmin C. Lawes ◽

Robert W. Brander

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Social Media ◽

New South ◽

Hazard Identification ◽

Rip Current ◽

Beach Safety ◽

Factors Associated ◽

South Wales ◽

Safety Interventions ◽

Safety Knowledge

Abstract. The majority of drowning deaths on Australian beaches occur significant distances away from lifeguard services. This study uses results of 459 surveys of beachgoers at five beaches unpatrolled by lifeguards in New South Wales, Australia to improve understanding of who visits these beaches and why, and to identify risk factors associated with their beach safety knowledge and behaviour. Many unpatrolled beach users were infrequent beachgoers and weak swimmers, with poor rip current hazard identification skills, who did not observe safety signage that was present, and yet intended to enter the water to swim despite being aware that no lifeguards were present. The survey found that the main reasons beachgoers visited unpatrolled beaches were because they were conveniently close to their holiday accommodation, or they represented a quieter location away from crowds. Future beach safety interventions in Australia need to extend beyond the standard ‘swim between the flags’ message in recognition that people will always frequent unpatrolled beaches. Future beach safety interventions for unpatrolled beaches should be tailored towards the varied types of demographic beach users, such as domestic tourist families, males, and day visitors attracted by social media.

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Surveying rip current survivors: preliminary insights into the experiences of being caught in rip currents

Natural Hazards and Earth System Science ◽

10.5194/nhess-12-1201-2012 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 1201-1211 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

D. Drozdzewski ◽

W. Shaw ◽

D. Dominey-Howes ◽

R. Brander ◽

T. Walton ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Swimming Ability ◽

Rip Current ◽

Rip Currents ◽

Beach Safety ◽

Demographic Groups ◽

Safety Message ◽

Informed Group ◽

Safety Knowledge

Abstract. This paper begins a process of addressing a significant gap in knowledge about people's responses to being caught in rip currents. While rip currents are the primary hazard facing recreational ocean swimmers in Australia, debate exists about the best advice to give swimmers caught in rip currents. Such surf rescue advice – on what to do and how to respond when caught in a rip – relies on empirical evidence. However, at present, knowledge about swimmers reactions and responses to rip currents is limited. This gap is a considerable barrier to providing effective advice to beach goers and to understanding how this advice is utilised (or not) when actually caught in the rip current. This paper reports the findings of a pilot study that focussed on garnering a better understanding of swimmers' experiences when caught in rip currents. A large scale questionnaire survey instrument generated data about rip current survivors' demographics, knowledge of beach safety and their reactions and responses when caught in a rip current. A mix of online and paper surveys produced a total of 671 completed surveys. Respondents were predominantly an informed group in terms of rip current knowledge, beach experience and had a high self-rated swimming ability. Preliminary insights from the survey show that most respondents recalled a "swim across the rip/parallel to the beach" message when caught in the rip and most escaped unassisted by acting on this message. However, while nearly a quarter of respondents recalled a message of "not to panic", short answer responses revealed that the onset of panic inhibited some respondents from recalling or enacting any other type of beach safety message when caught in the rip current. Results also showed that despite the research sample being younger, competent and frequent ocean swimmers, they were more likely to swim at unpatrolled beaches and outside of the red and yellow safety flags. Moreover, they were still caught in a rip current and they panicked. The findings of this study have significant implications for a range of demographic groups of differing beach safety knowledge and swimming ability who may be caught in rip currents behave, we know very little about how beach goers may respond to being caught in them.

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Drowning Risk Analysis Comparing Surf Bather Subgroups

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app112412047 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (24) ◽

pp. 12047

Author(s):

Damian Morgan ◽

Joan Ozanne-Smith

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Risk Analysis ◽

Mortality Data ◽

Swimming Ability ◽

Rip Currents ◽

Risk Markers ◽

Prevention Strategies ◽

Water Exposure ◽

Cardio Vascular ◽

Male To Female

The study assessed the utility of risk analysis for advancing knowledge on drowning risk factors. The setting was unintentional drowning of surf bathers in Australia. Bathers reported earlier exposure to selected risk factors (swimming ability, wave height associated with rip currents and surf bathing experience) and were observed for water exposure (in minutes). These data were then assembled in mathematical models. The analysis forecast relative drowning risk pertaining to risk markers representing selected surf bather subgroups (gender, age and water activity). Contextualized through previous study findings, comparison of results with a gold standard obtained from mortality data generated new surf bather drowning hypotheses suitable for future testing by rigorous analytical epidemiologic designs. The hypotheses were: (1) The male to female comparative surf bather drowning rate is explained primarily by differences in crude water exposure; (2) the association of cardio-vascular medical conditions with surf bather drowning is stronger for older surf bathers compared to younger surf bathers; and (3) other risk contributors to surf bather drowning are: Poorly calibrated perception of bathing ability (overconfidence) and use of alcohol. Nonetheless, drowning rates appear generally consistent with time exposure to water. The study findings may also support drowning prevention strategies targeting risk marker subgroups.

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Suicide Risk Assessment in Australian Emergency Departments: Assessing Clinicians’ Disposition Decisions

Psychiatry Journal ◽

10.1155/2014/943574 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

T. J. Weiland ◽

A. Cotter ◽

G. A. Jelinek ◽

G. Phillips

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Emergency Departments ◽

Suicide Risk ◽

Online Survey ◽

Suicide Risk Assessment ◽

Survey Tool ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Factors Influencing ◽

Self Harm ◽

Level Of Risk

Objective. To determine (1) the uniformity of disposition decisions made by clinicians working in Australian emergency departments (EDs) using vignettes describing patients presenting with deliberate self-harm or suicide risk; (2) factors associated with these decisions; (3) factors associated with confidence in these decisions.Methodology. We validated and distributed by email an online survey tool to Australian emergency clinicians via their colleges. Participants were presented with five vignettes and asked to rate the level of risk and protective factors for suicide, the patient’s disposition (admit/discharge/review), factors influencing this decision, their confidence in the decision, and factors that would have improved their confidence.Results. Percentages of participants choosing the modal disposition decision for each scenario ranged from 58.6% (136/232) to 92.4% (220/238), demonstrating uniformity in clinicians’ disposition decisions. Predictors of disposition were consistently level of risk factors perceived and, infrequently, clinician factors including age and years experience. Confidence in disposition decisions was high across scenarios. Clinicians reported patient, clinician, contextual and decision support factors relevant to an Australian emergency context affected their disposition decisions and confidence in decisions.Conclusion. Emergency clinicians are uniform and confident in their disposition decisions for patient vignettes where there is risk of suicide or self harm.

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Low Back Pain in Commercial Airline Pilots

Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance ◽

10.3357/amhp.5656.2020 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 91 (12) ◽

pp. 940-947

Author(s):

Matthias Albermann ◽

Maria Lehmann ◽

Christian Eiche ◽

Joachim Schmidt ◽

Johannes Prottengeier

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Low Back Pain ◽

Back Pain ◽

Online Survey ◽

German Population ◽

Low Back ◽

Airline Pilots ◽

Acute Low Back Pain ◽

Commercial Airline ◽

Negative Effect

BACKGROUND: In their working life, airline pilots are exposed to particular risk factors that promote nonspecific low back pain (LBP). Because of the varying incidence internationally, we evaluated the point prevalences of acute, subacute, and chronic nonspecific LBP, as well as the current prevalences in German airline pilots. Furthermore, we compared the prevalence to the general German population and to European counterparts.METHODS: An anonymous online survey of 698 participating German airline pilots was evaluated. The impairment between groups was analyzed. Prevalences from our data were compared to existing data.RESULTS: The following point prevalences were found: 8.2% acute, 2.4% subacute, 82.7% chronic LBP; 74.1% of all individuals were suffering from current LBP when answered the questionnaire. A total time spent flying greater than 600 h within the last 12 mo was significantly related to acute nonspecific LBP. Individuals with any type of LBP were significantly impaired compared to those unaffected. It was found that German airline pilots suffer more often from current LBP than the general population and have a higher point prevalence of total LBP than their European counterparts.CONCLUSIONS: The evaluation showed a surprisingly high, previously unidentified, prevalence of nonspecific LBP in German airline pilots. Why German airline pilots suffer more often from LBP remains uncertain. The number of flying hours appears to have a negative effect on developing acute low back pain, but causation cannot be concluded. Other risk factors could not be confirmed.Albermann M, Lehmann M, Eiche C, Schmidt J, Prottengeier J. Low back pain in commercial airline pilots. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2020; 91(12):940947.

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Comparison of prevalence and risk factors of somatization between Chinese health care workers and non-health care workers during COVID-19 outbreak

BMC Psychiatry ◽

10.1186/s12888-021-03294-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Xiuli Song ◽

Yongjie Zhou ◽

Wenwang Rao ◽

Xiangyang Zhang

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Health Care ◽

Health Care Workers ◽

Online Survey ◽

Medical Service ◽

Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Related Factors ◽

Dimension Score ◽

Care Workers ◽

High Prevalence

Abstract Background This study aimed to compare prevalence and risk factors of somatization (SOM) between health care workers and non-health care workers during COVID-19 outbreak in China. Methods From 14 February to 29 March 2020, an online survey was performed in both 605 health care workers and 1151 non-health care workers. Based on the somatization dimension score of the Symptom Checklist-90, participants were divided into non-SOM group and SOM group. Results Health care workers had higher prevalence rate of SOM (p < 0.001) than non-health care workers, with an OR of 1.70 (95% CI, 1.22–2.36, p = 0.002). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that in non-health care workers, the risk factors of SOM included other ethnicities, insomnia, and suicide, while in health care workers, the risk factors included working 6–8 h per day, and working ≥10 h per day during COVID-19 outbreak. Conclusions Our research suggests that both non-health care workers and health care workers have a relatively high prevalence of somatization. However, the related factors for somatization in both groups are significantly different, showing that medical service-related factors are associated with somatization in health care workers, while demographic and clinical factors are associated with somatization in non-health care workers.

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Are telephone consultations here to stay in rheumatology?

Rheumatology Advances in Practice ◽

10.1093/rap/rkaa071 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Sabrina R Raizada ◽

Natasha Cleaton ◽

James Bateman ◽

Diarmuid M Mulherin ◽

Nick Barkham

Keyword(s):

Older Patients ◽

Online Survey ◽

Vulnerable Groups ◽

Age Group ◽

Telephone Consultation ◽

Survey Tool ◽

Face To Face ◽

Vulnerable Patients ◽

Number Of Patients

Abstract Objectives During the COVID-19 pandemic, face-to-face rheumatology follow-up appointments were mostly replaced with telephone or virtual consultations in order to protect vulnerable patients. We aimed to investigate the perspectives of rheumatology patients on the use of telephone consultations compared with the traditional face-to-face consultation. Methods We carried out a retrospective survey of all rheumatology follow-up patients at the Royal Wolverhampton Trust who had received a telephone consultation from a rheumatology consultant during a 4-week period via an online survey tool. Results Surveys were distributed to 1213 patients, of whom 336 (27.7%) responded, and 306 (91.1%) patients completed all components of the survey. Overall, an equal number of patients would prefer telephone clinics or face-to-face consultations for their next routine appointment. When divided by age group, the majority who preferred the telephone clinics were <50 years old [χ2 (d.f. = 3) = 10.075, P = 0.018]. Prevalence of a smartphone was higher among younger patients (<50 years old: 46 of 47, 97.9%) than among older patients (≥50 years old: 209 of 259, 80.7%) [χ2 (d.f. = 3) = 20.919, P < 0.001]. More patients reported that they would prefer a telephone call for urgent advice (168, 54.9%). Conclusion Most patients interviewed were happy with their routine face-to-face appointment being switched to a telephone consultation. Of those interviewed, patients >50 years old were less likely than their younger counterparts to want telephone consultations in place of face-to-face appointments. Most patients in our study would prefer a telephone consultation for urgent advice. We must ensure that older patients and those in vulnerable groups who value in-person contact are not excluded. Telephone clinics in some form are here to stay in rheumatology for the foreseeable future.

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Patterns and predictors of serious surf-related injuries in Hawaii

Trauma ◽

10.1177/1460408620983628 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 146040862098362

Author(s):

Ashley Marumoto ◽

Adam Guzman ◽

William B. Harris ◽

John Vossler ◽

Sidney Johnson

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Public Awareness ◽

Leisure Activity ◽

Severe Injury ◽

Spine Injury ◽

Inherent Risk ◽

Risk Of Injury ◽

Safety Interventions ◽

Associated Risk Factors ◽

Irreversible Injury

Introduction Surfing is a popular leisure activity with inherent risk of injury that many participants fail to mitigate. There is a paucity of literature reporting severe surf-related trauma and associated risk factors. Methods A retrospective observational study of registry data from Honolulu’s main trauma center assessing surf-related injuries and risk factors for severe injury was performed between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2018. Results Spine (35.1%), face (17.5%), and head (12.3%) injuries were the most common injuries identified in this cohort. A number of predictors for severe injury as well as serious spine injury were identified. Major risk factors for severe injury and serious spine injury included location of injury on Maui (Severe injury: OR 6.79, 95%CI 1.43–40.35, p = 0.0217; serious spine injury: OR 7.27, 95%CI 1.39–58.24, p = 0.0308) and being from one of the 48 contiguous states (severe injury: OR 3.33, 95%CI 1.10–10.98, p = 0.0388; serious spine injury: OR 2.95, 95%CI 1.08–8.46, p = 0.0379). Conclusion Understanding the nature of surf-related injuries and who is at risk can help to inform safety interventions that may prevent severe, sometimes irreversible injury. Efforts should be made to increase public awareness to the potential risk of surf-related activities.

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Burnout amongst neurosurgical trainees in the UK and Ireland

Acta Neurochirurgica ◽

10.1007/s00701-021-04873-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Nadia Liber Salloum ◽

Phillip Correia Copley ◽

Marco Mancuso-Marcello ◽

John Emelifeonwu ◽

Chandrasekaran Kaliaperumal

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Workplace Bullying ◽

Online Survey ◽

Medical Profession ◽

Leisure Activities ◽

Attrition Rates ◽

Workplace Stressors ◽

Potential Risk Factors ◽

The Uk ◽

Enhance Patient Care

Abstract Introduction Burnout is becoming an increasingly recognised phenomenon within the medical profession. This study aims to investigate the presence of burnout amongst neurosurgical trainees in the UK and Ireland as well as investigating potential exacerbating and protective factors. Method An online survey was sent to all neurosurgical trainees in the UK and Ireland via the British Neurosurgical Trainees’ Association (BNTA) mailing list. Responding participants anonymously completed the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) and answered questions about known risk factors for burnout including workplace environment, workplace bullying, time spent on leisure activities and sleep and reported likelihood of leaving neurosurgery. We also collated data on responders’ demographics. We compared CBI scores for participants with and without risk factors to determine correlation with CBI. Results There were 75 respondents (response rate 42%) from a range of ages and all training grades, 72% of whom were male. The median CBI score was 38.85 (IQR 17.76). Participants showed a higher degree of personal and workplace burnout (median CBIs of 47.02, IQR 25.00; and 49.14, IQR 19.64, respectively) compared with patient-related burnout (median CBI 18.67, IQR 25.00). Participants with the following self-reported risk factors were significantly more likely to have higher CBIs: workplace bullying (p = 0.01), getting on less well with colleagues (p < 0.05), working longer hours (p < 0.05) and insufficient sleep, exercise and leisure time (all p < 0.01). Those with higher CBI scores were more likely to consider leaving neurosurgical training (p = 0.01). Conclusion We identified a high burnout incidence in a cohort representative of UK neurosurgical trainees, although our results may have been skewed somewhat by selection bias. We determined potential risk factors for burnout related to specific workplace stressors and time for non-work activities. In the future, changes to training curricula should address these issues, aiming to improve training, enhance patient care and reduce attrition rates.

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Blood Donation-Related Adverse Reactions: Results of an Online Survey among Donors in Germany (2018)

Transfusion Medicine and Hemotherapy ◽

10.1159/000516049 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-11

Author(s):

Stefano Orru’ ◽

Kay Poetzsch ◽

Marcus Hoffelner ◽

Margarethe Heiden ◽

Markus B. Funk ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Whole Blood ◽

Online Survey ◽

Adverse Reactions ◽

Blood Donation ◽

Age Groups ◽

Female Gender ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Logistic Analysis ◽

German Legislation

Introduction: According to German legislation, reports of suspected serious adverse reactions (AR) associated with the donation of blood and its components are continuously being evaluated by the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut. This survey aimed at providing a more complete picture of the AR associated with the donation of blood and blood components. Materials and Methods: Eligible donors had the opportunity to anonymously report all AR occurring during or after their last donation by completing an online questionnaire. Reported AR were classified according to the Standard for Surveillance of Complications Related to Blood Donation. Donors’ self-assessment of AR seriousness was compared with the official severity classification as laid down by German legislation. Besides a descriptive statistical analysis, a multiple logistic analysis was performed to identify risk factors for AR. Results: A total of 8,138 data records were evaluated. Slightly more males (57.9%) participated in the survey and, except for donors aged ≥60 years, all age groups were equally represented. The majority of participants were whole blood donors (85.4%), repeat donors (97.2%), and stayed under observation in the blood establishment (BE) for more than 5 min (63.1%) after donation. Most participants did not report any reaction (72.5%), whereas 2,237 reported at least one AR (27.5%), 475 of whom underwent apheresis and 1,762 donated whole blood. Most AR occurred after leaving the BE (64.4%). Only a minority of participants required medical treatment (5.1%) or assessed the experienced AR as serious (3.9%). The most frequently reported donor AR were haematoma and other local reactions (57.6%). Vasovagal reactions without and with loss of consciousness were developed in 17 and 2% of the participants, respectively, whilst 7.6% experienced citrate reactions. New AR (i.e., allergic reactions and symptoms associated with iron deficiency) were reported as well. The occurrence of AR was linked to risk factors (i.e., female gender, young age, first-time donation, and thrombocytapheresis). Discussion: This survey yielded a more comprehensive AR spectrum, revealed a prolonged time to symptom onset, and identified risk factors for AR. This novel information could be implemented in an amended informed consent addressing common and rare AR.

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