Children In Australia Research Articles

PP513 Topic: AS23–Rehabilitation: Early Mobilization/Interdisciplinary Care/Developmental Care/Other: ANZ PARK-PICU STUDY–ACTIVITY LEVELS OF CRITICALLY ILL CHILDREN IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

PP513 Topic: AS23–Rehabilitation: Early Mobilization/Interdisciplinary Care/Developmental Care/Other: ANZ PARK-PICU STUDY–ACTIVITY LEVELS OF CRITICALLY ILL CHILDREN IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

Comparison of Systems and Outcomes for Safeguarding Children in Australia and Norway: A Decade of Rapid Change

ABSTRACTUsing aggregated national data, this paper re‐examines the outcomes of the Australian and Norwegian protective systems during the past decade and compares it to the trends and issues identified in our earlier 2012 study. We outline the context of increased service demand affecting both countries with rapid expansion and reform of their policies and approaches. A convergence has been occurring regarding their focus upon risk and its relationship with family support. However, in Australia, there was an increasing attempt to provide greater support and reduce its rate of investigation of notifications, but there was increasing rates of children in state care, particularly for Indigenous children. In Norway, there is less appetite for risk and consequently far higher rates of investigation, but their propensity for providing a diverse array of family support has been decreasing yet remains far greater than in Australia. Nonetheless, Norway's rate of children in state care is increasing, but not for children under 5 years, whereas Australia is removing far more infant children and having them in care longer, while Norway has far more adolescents in care, particularly in residential care. Within stretched systems, both countries are needing to develop workforce planning and development strategies.

Food Insecurity and Feeding Experiences Among Parents of Young Children in Australia: An Exploratory Qualitative Study

BackgroundResponsive feeding is a reciprocal process between caregiver and child that is primarily child-led. It is linked to the development of positive eating behaviors and food preferences. There is evidence that household chaos, family dynamics, the quality of mealtime routines, financial hardship, and food insecurity can impact the feeding relationship. ObjectiveThis study explored factors influencing feeding experiences among Australian parents with young children experiencing financial hardship, including household chaos and food insecurity. DesignThis qualitative semi-structured interview study was conducted as a component of a larger research program to design and evaluate a parent program to support responsive feeding practices in Australian families experiencing financial hardship and food insecurity. Participants/SettingParticipants were caregivers of a child aged 6 months to 3 years (n = 29), living in Australia, who self-identified as experiencing financial hardship. Interviews were conducted in person and via telephone between August 2021 and January 2022. AnalysisTranscripts were analyzed using the Framework Method of thematic analysis. ResultsFive key themes were generated: family tensions heightened through hardship, making tradeoffs and sacrifices, the unseen mental load, the inescapable impact of COVID-19, and resiliency and being creative. Despite facing multiple hardships and challenges with feeding the family, parents demonstrated resilience and capabilities through creative food resource management and organizational skills. Parents experienced a high mental load through the cognitive and emotional work of planning, adapting, anticipating, and caring for the family’s needs through meals and child feeding. ConclusionsPrograms to support child feeding need to consider the high mental load families with food insecurity experience and how this can impact parents’ capacity. Program content should be contextually sensitive to the experience of food insecurity and consider the constraints inherent in families and communities while building on capabilities and strengths.

Epidemiology and Outcome of AKI in Hospitalised Children in Australia

Epidemiology and Outcome of AKI in Hospitalised Children in Australia

Exploring Australian children's perceptions of a school-provided lunch model using a story completion method.

Children in Australia currently bring a packed lunch to school from home. Many children are not consuming a healthy diet at school. There is interest from key stakeholders (e.g. education and the non-government sector, food service and parents/caregivers) to transform the Australian system to a school-provided model to improve children's diets, reduce parental burden and address food insecurity. To facilitate a successful transition to this system, it is important to consider the views of the children. We aimed to explore Australian primary school children's perceptions of a hypothetical school-provided lunch model. To achieve this aim, we undertook a qualitative study using the story completion method. Twenty-one grade-five children, from one public primary school in South Australia, participated in a once-off data collection session. Children were given a brief story stem and asked to complete a story about a hypothetical school-provided lunch scenario. The story data were analysed using thematic analysis. Four main themes were generated: the eating environment, the food provided, processes of the mealtime and time. The desire for choice was an additional overarching theme that cut across all themes. Our study provides the first exploration of South Australian children's perceptions of hypothetical school-provided meals. These insights can be used to co-design an acceptable school food system with children to create a positive eating environment that supports healthy eating habits they can carry forward into adulthood.

Reducing COVID-19 Vaccine Decisional Conflict in Parents of 5-11-Year-Old Children in Australia: A Single Arm Pre-Post Study.

COVID-19 vaccine uptake among 5-11-year-olds is significantly lower than that of the 12+ age group. Some parents may have decided against vaccinating their children for COVID-19; others may be undecided and may be seeking more information to support their decision. We aimed to assess the effect of a decision support tool on parents' level of decisional conflict, vaccine hesitancy, and intention to vaccinate. We conducted a single-arm, cross-sectional online pre-post intervention survey of parents from Victoria, Australia, who had not yet vaccinated their 5-11-year-old child for COVID-19. We measured change in decisional conflict, intention, and hesitancy towards COVID-19 vaccines for children before and after viewing a decision support tool. We used logistic regression to identify characteristics associated with reduced decisional conflict. Between May and September 2022, 108 parents took part in the study. The tool reduced decision conflict in 25% (27/107) of parents, with reduced decisional conflict more likely among parents initially undecided about vaccinating, compared to parents who did not intend to vaccinate their child (OR, 12.58 95% CI 3.21 to 9.30). For most parents, hesitancy (83%, 90/108) and intention (89%, 96/108) remained the same. The decision support tool was modestly effective at reducing decisional conflict, particularly among undecided parents.

Is it time for mandatory airway assessments for emergency medicine trainees?

Emergency Medicine AustralasiaEarly View Trainee Focus Is it time for mandatory airway assessments for emergency medicine trainees? Caroline Venner FACEM, MBBS, BMedSci, MPHTM, Corresponding Author Caroline Venner FACEM, MBBS, BMedSci, MPHTM Staff Specialist, Paediatric Retrieval Fellow [email protected] Gladstone Hospital, Gladstone, Queensland, Australia Children's Health Queensland Retrieval Service, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia Correspondence: Dr Caroline Venner, Gladstone Hospital, Park Street, Gladstone, QLD 4680, Australia. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author Caroline Venner FACEM, MBBS, BMedSci, MPHTM, Corresponding Author Caroline Venner FACEM, MBBS, BMedSci, MPHTM Staff Specialist, Paediatric Retrieval Fellow [email protected] Gladstone Hospital, Gladstone, Queensland, Australia Children's Health Queensland Retrieval Service, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia Correspondence: Dr Caroline Venner, Gladstone Hospital, Park Street, Gladstone, QLD 4680, Australia. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author First published: 02 April 2023 https://doi.org/10.1111/1742-6723.14210Citations: 1Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL No abstract is available for this article.Citing Literature Early ViewOnline Version of Record before inclusion in an issue RelatedInformation

A new era in child maltreatment prevention: call to action.

A new era in child maltreatment prevention: call to action.

Association of food allergy in children with vitamin D insufficiency: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Current literature regarding the association of vitamin D insufficiency and food allergy is contradicting. The purpose of our study was to investigate this association. This is a systematic review and meta-analysis according to the PRISMA statement. PubMeD and Scopus databases were systematically searched for case-control studies investigating the association between pediatric food allergy and vitamin D insufficiency. Our search yielded 806 studies. Ten final studies were considered eligible for qualitative and quantitative analysis. Children with vitamin D insufficiency were found to have 68% more probability to present a food allergy episode (adjusted pooled OR: 1.68, 95% CI [1.25-2.27], p-value: 0.001). In their second year of life they were 4 times more likely to present a food allergy episode (adjusted pooled OR: 4.06, 95% CI [1.93-8.56], p-value: < 0.001), and 56% more probable to develop food sensitization (OR: 1.56, 95% CI [1.15-2.11], p-value: < 0.004). Children in Australia with vitamin D insufficiency were almost 4 times more likely to develop egg sensitization (adjusted OR: 3.79, 95% CI [1.19-12.08], p-value: 0.024). Children with vitamin D insufficiency were almost twice as likely to have peanut sensitization (OR: 1.96, 95% CI [1.08-3.57], p-value: 0.028). Conclusion: Decreased maternal vitamin D levels and infant vitamin D insufficiency appear to increase the incidence of food allergies, particularly in the second year of life. To confirm this association, multicenter longitudinal studies are required. What is Known: • In newborns and young children, vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are prevalent. • The exact role of vitamin D in atopic diseases remains controversial. What is New: • Decreased maternal vitamin D levels and infant vitamin D insufficiency appear to increase the incidence of food allergies. This association is more evident in the second year of life.

Recognize and Support Caregiving Youth in Your Care.

Recognize and Support Caregiving Youth in Your Care.

Causes and Effects of Obesity on Health of Children in Australia

WHO defines obesity as an abnormal or increased fat accumulation where Body mass index (BMI) is significant. Obesity in children is rising in many countries like the USA, the UK, and Australia. Thus, the study examined the causes and effects of obesity on the Health of Children in Australia. The study reviewed the literature to make conclusions. Based on the findings from the previous studies, it was established that obesity in children is caused by poor food choices, inadequate or low physical activity and family eating habits. Sociocultural factors, family, environmental aspects, metabolism, genetics, and short sleep patterns are also factors that contribute to children's obesity. The effects of obesity are that it increases the risks of developing a variety of chronic health problems, like coronary heart disease, hypertension, cancer, sleep apnea, gallstones and osteoarthritis. Obese children also perform academically poorly in school compared to those of normal weight. Childhood obesity can profoundly affect physical health, social and emotional well-being, and self-esteem. The study concluded that children who are obese tend to stay obese in adulthood and&nbsp;are prone&nbsp;to increased risk for diabetes and cardiac problems at a younger age. Obesity has been on the rise among children in Australia. Obese children perform poorly academically than the recommended normal-weight children, with a negative relationship noted between obesity and cognitive skills. It is recommended that a comprehensive approach is required to prevent and reduce childhood obesity. This includes professional medical assistance and lifestyle interventions to increase energy intake, physical activity, and behavioural change.&nbsp;In addition, it is recommended that policies be developed to help intervene in how the increase in weight among children can be reduced. The school should ensure they expose the children to regular exercise to reduce their weight and remain fit Keywords: Obesity, Health, Children, Australia

Parent-Reported Barriers and Enablers to Establishing Sun Safety Practices with Young Children in Australia

ABSTRACT This study investigated parent-reported barriers and enablers to establishing sun safety practices with young children (0–4 years; N = 423) living in Australia. An online survey examined parent/child adherence to recommended sun safety practices and barriers and enablers to establishing sun safety practices. Adherence to different sun safety practices varied across age groups. Lack of child cooperation was the most commonly-endorsed barrier while child compliance was the most commonly-endorsed facilitator. Young children’s lack of cooperation with sun safety practices represents a major obstacle for parents. In conclusion, the development and testing of family-based intervention approaches to reduce child resistance and promote cooperation is warranted.

Effectiveness of 7-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Against Invasive Pneumococcal Disease in Medically At-Risk Children in Australia: A Record Linkage Study.

BackgroundChildren with chronic medical conditions are at higher risk of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), but little is known about the effectiveness of the primary course of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) in these children.MethodsA cohort born in 2001–2004 from two Australian states and identified as medically at-risk (MAR) of IPD either using ICD-coded hospitalizations (with conditions of interest identified by 6 months of age) or linked perinatal data (for prematurity) were followed to age 5 years for notified IPD by serotype. We categorized fully vaccinated children as either receiving PCV dose 3 by <12 months of age or ≥1 PCV dose at ≥12 months of age. Cox proportional hazard modeling was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs), adjusted for confounders, and vaccine effectiveness (VE) was estimated as (1-HR) × 100.ResultsA total of 9220 children with MAR conditions had 53 episodes of IPD (43 vaccine-type); 4457 (48.3%) were unvaccinated and 4246 (46.1%) were fully vaccinated, with 1371 (32.3%) receiving dose 3 by 12 months and 2875 (67.7%) having ≥1 dose at ≥12 months. Estimated VE in fully vaccinated children was 85.9% (95% CI: 33.9–97.0) against vaccine-type IPD and 71.5% (95% CI: 26.6–88.9) against all-cause IPD.ConclusionThis is the first population-based study evaluating the effectiveness of PCV in children with MAR conditions using record linkage. Our study provides evidence that the VE for vaccine-type and all-cause IPD in MAR children in Australia is high and not statistically different from previously reported estimates for the general population. This method can be replicated in other countries to evaluate VE in MAR children.

The Correlation of Wealth Between Parents and Children in Australia

AbstractWe present the first estimates of intergenerational wealth mobility for Australia. The rank correlation is 0.253, compared to 0.306 for the United States using comparable methods. This correlation varies greatly by child age when wealth is observed, from 0.1 before age 30, to 0.5 after age 40. This sharp increase with age is stronger than for other countries, is not explained by sample selection bias and is not specific to particular types of wealth. We also argue that neither income mobility nor wealth mobility, as operationalised in empirical work, align neatly with the wealth concept in the Becker &amp; Tomes framework.

Anxiety Trajectories in Adolescents and the Impact of Social Support and Peer Victimization.

This paper examines whether adolescents can be reliably categorized into subgroups based on their patterns of anxiety levels over time and whether low levels of social support from parents, peers, and their school, and high levels of peer victimization, predict a pattern of increasing anxiety. Participants were 3392 youth from the Longitudinal Study of Australia's Children (LSAC). Youth-reported anxiety was measured at three occasions at ages 12/13years, 14/15years, and 16/17years, with social support and victimization assessed at age 12/13years. Anxiety trajectories were identified using latent class growth mixture modelling, and predictors of class membership were examined using multinomial logistic regression analyses. Three discrete classes of anxiety trajectories were identified. Most youth fell within a stable-low anxiety symptom class (89.5% males; 78.2% females), with smaller percentages in low-increasing (5.6% males; 14.4% females) or high-decreasing (4.9% males; 7.4% females) classes. Low support from parents and teachers, low sense of school belonging, and high peer victimization predicted membership of the low-increasing anxiety trajectory class, irrespective of gender. Social support did not moderate the effect of peer victimization upon the risk of developing anxiety, with peer victimization remaining a risk factor even when adolescents experienced good social support from parents, peers, and school. The findings highlight the need for screening in early adolescence to identify those who are experiencing low social support and high peer victimization and are thus at increased risk of developing anxiety problems. These youth could then be offered targeted intervention to reduce the likelihood of anxiety development.

The Correlation of Wealth between Parents and Children in Australia

The Correlation of Wealth between Parents and Children in Australia

Treatment of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in a Nonendemic Country: A Case Series of Children in Australia.

We describe 4 cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis in children in Australia. Treatment is challenging given lack of firm guidelines and limited access to conventional modalities used in endemic countries. Topical paromomycin or oral fluconazole were effective outpatient-based first-line treatments, however, topical paromomycin use was limited by expense to import or compound locally.

Educational Policies and Schooling for Arabic Speaking Refugee Children in Australia and Turkey

This paper aims to compare refugee settlement and education policies between two geographically and culturally distinct nations, Australia and Turkey. Due to its geographical position in the Middle East, Turkey now hosts millions of refugees especially following the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011. Australia also has a long history of hosting and supporting refugees from many countries and the Arabic-speaking nations are no exception. Conducting a comparative historical analysis, this study aims to fill the gap in our knowledge about the education policies and practices of both countries. Based on the expectations and needs of refugee students, it emerges that new policy practices and approaches backed by adequate academic and financial resources are required in both countries.

Trajectories of Asthma-Symptoms and Their Association with Family Environmental Factors Among Children in Australia

Background: Asthma is one of the largest health burdens, yet contributors to asthma-symptoms trajectories are understudied in Australian children. We assessed the trajectories of asthma-symptoms and their association with several family environmental factors over the childhood period in Australia. Methods: Asthma-symptoms, family environmental factors and sociodemographic data (2004-2018) were obtained from the ‘Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC)’. Group-based trajectory modelling was applied to identify asthma symptoms trajectories, and multivariable logistic regression models used to assess associations between these and environmental factors. Findings: Of 5,107 children in the LSAC cohort, 3,846 were included in our final analysis. We identified three distinct symptom trajectories: ‘Low/no (69%)’, ‘Transient high (17%)’, and ‘Persistent high (14%)’ from age 0-1 to 14-15 years. Compared with the 'Low/no' group, children exposed to persistently bad external dwelling conditions (RR:1·31, 95% CI:1·10; RR:1·19, 95% CI:1·00,1·43); high & increasing cluttered homes (RR:1·13, 95% CI:1·01,1·29; RR:1·35, 95% CI:1·18,1·55); and high prevalence of maternal smoking (RR:1·40, 95% CI:1·23,1.60; RR:1·26, 95% CI:1·10,1·44), were at increased risk being classified as transient high and persistent high trajectories of asthma-symptoms. Exposure to tobacco smoke inside the home increased the risk of being in the persistent high trajectory group (RR:1·30, 95% CI:1·12,1·50). Interpretation: Poor home environment increased the risk of asthma-symptoms over childhood. Improving the home environment and reducing tobacco smoke exposure may facilitate a favourable asthma-symptoms trajectory in childhood. Funding: None to declare. Declaration of Interest: The authors have no interests to declare. Ethical Approval: This study was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of The Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS).

Establishing Healthy Personal Hygiene Habits with Young Children in Australia: A Cross-Sectional Mixed Methods Study

AbstractEffective and consistent engagement in personal hygiene practices is important for preventing the acquisition and transmission of communicable diseases in childhood. This study aimed to investigate trends in adherence to recommended hygiene practices and identify factors contributing to difficulties in establishing good hygiene habits with young children (0–4 years) in Australia. A self-selected community sample of parents (N = 426) completed an online survey assessing children's adherence to recommended hygiene practices and barriers and enablers of establishing good personal hygiene habits. Parents reported interest in receiving information/tips on children's personal hygiene (yes/no) and nominated topics of interest. Less than half of children in any age group consistently (always/almost always) covered coughs and sneezes, washed hands after toileting, or washed hands before meals or when dirty. Children's non-compliance (i.e. resistance, refusal) was the most commonly reported barrier to establishing good personal hygiene habits, while children's compliance (i.e. cooperative behaviour, following or complying with caregivers’ instructions) was the most commonly cited enabler. Despite low levels of adherence, less than half (41.2%) of parents wanted information/tips on children's hygiene. Results suggest a disconnect between parents’ knowledge about recommended hygiene practices and actual behaviour. Development and testing of approaches to behaviour change that incorporate evidence-based strategies to manage children's resistance and support parents to encourage the development of healthy hygiene habits is warranted.