Local Government Area Level Research Articles

Economic and social indicators between coal mining LGAs and non-coal mining LGAs in regional Queensland, Australia

Coal mining is deemed beneficial for the national economy, although it might not be the case at regional level. Main benefits from coal mining at national level include exports, government royalty, employment, and income. At regional level, coal mining can increase stress not only on the environment but also on public services, housing, and job markets. Little is known on whether coal mining brought positive changes to the regions over time.This paper examines selected socio-economic indicators between coal mining and non-mining local government areas (LGAs) in Queensland, Australia. This study differs from other research in three important ways. First, this study is focusing on coal mining activities, instead of the overall mining sector, and focusing on regional Queensland. Coal mining is the largest contributor to the total direct expenditure of the minerals and energy sector in Queensland. By limiting the observations to LGA level in one state, which is Queensland, this study has advantage of fewer confounding factors that are correlated with each other such as institution and political environment. Second, this study examines the effect of coal mining through the business cycle of expansion, downturn, and recovery by employing census time-series data for about one decade, starting 2006 up to 2016. Therefore, this study provides a better understanding of the effect of coal mining over time. Third, this study looks at socio-economic indicators that are less discussed in the regional development literature in relation to mining impacts such as housing, low income, and public service indicators.

Interoperability of Surveillance Data Collection Tools (District Health Information System 2 and District Vaccine Data Management Tools) in Enugu State, Nigeria, From 2015-2018

Background Over the years, Nigeria has used District Vaccine Data Management Tool (DVDMT) for surveillance data collection including routine immunization. In 2012, Nigeria adopted District Health Information Software (DHIS2), a Java driving online real-time tool for data collection. In 2015, Enugu State commenced the use of DHIS2 alongside the traditional DVDMT as surveillance data capturing tools. Objective The objective was to carry out an evaluation of the two surveillance data tools to assess surveillance attributes, interoperability, effect in decision making, and preference of use. Methods We quantitatively and qualitatively assessed surveillance attributes of Enugu State’s DHIS2 and DVDMT from 2015 to 2018 using adapted CDC guidelines (2001). We administered semi-structured questionnaires to all 17 local immunization officers from the 17 local government areas (districts) to assess surveillance attributes. We carried out desk review at all levels, key informants done with 6 purposefully selected stakeholders, and focused group discussion carried out with 6 randomly selected heads of surveillance at local governments areas. We recorded proportions, interoperability, effect in decision making, and preference of use. Results Average completeness of data is 100% in both DHIS2 and DVDMT systems (target 90%). Eligibility is 100% in DHIS2 and 85% in DVDMT (target 80%). Timeliness of reporting is 100% and 80% in DHIS2 and DVDMT, respectively (target 80%). All stakeholders accepted both tools and agreed that they are simple and flexible. In addition to collection of all data recorded by DVDMT, DHIS2 captures vaccine utilization. Data collection and transmission of DVDMT and DHIS2 are carried out by the same surveillance personnel at health facility and local government area levels. Apart from vaccine utilization both tools can complement each other in case of missed data as they record the same thing. All key informants opined that it is double work managing the two tools and also agreed that DHIS2 is better than DVDMT in decision making because it has features for data visualization and real-time reporting. The focused group discussion agreed that both tools are good, although DVDMT is easier to work with as DHIS2 requires computer proficiency of current users alongside hardware management of the Java-enabled phones used in data capture and transmission. However, they also agreed that DHIS2 usage is less time consuming and opined they will prefer to use DHIS2 as the only data capturing tool in Enugu State if proper capacity building is done. Conclusions The DHIS2 and DVDMT surveillance data tools in Enugu State is meeting all its targets based on surveillance attributes, though DHIS2 provides better quality data. There is a good understanding and synergy in operation of the two systems in all levels and intermittently data from both tools can be compared. DHIS2 can enable prompt decision making than DVDMT as data can be assessed and visualized in real time. Surveillance officers prefer the use of DHIS2 as the only surveillance tool in Enugu State, although proficiency is a challenge. We recommended a gradual phase out of DVDMT for data capturing in Enugu State, while capacity building of users for DHIS2 should be addressed.

Analysis of Post-Consumer Solid Textile Waste Management among Households in Oyo State of Nigeria

This research work viewed issues relating to post-consumers’ solid textile waste management among households from a sociological perspective. The study was carried out in Oyo state of Nigeria. It specifically identified sources of post-consumer solid textiles waste, assessed waste management practices in the study area and, examined knowledge of respondent’s on impact of post-consumers solid textile waste on the environment. Eight Local Government Areas were randomly selected from the state and, multistage random sampling procedure was applied in selecting 880 households for the study. Solid wastes generated by each of this household were collected twice a week. Sensitive and micro-census calibrated scale machine and weighing balance was employed in taking weight of the sorted textile wastes. Calibrated cylinder of radius 10 cm and height 40 cm was used in taking volume of the shredded waste. Mean value of post-consumer solid textile waste generated by individual was 0.11 kg ± 0.08, of volume 354 cm3 per day. Major identified waste disposal systems practiced by the respondents were open land surface dumping and open air burning. The respondents (100%) strongly agreed that, wastes are often discards indiscriminately in the street by individuals. Level of awareness on danger created by poor waste disposal system among 78% of the respondents was low. None of the respondents have training on waste management neither is there any accessible training center in the studied area. Part of procedures to solve environmental problems can be by raising levels of awareness of individual household’s, markets and institutional sectors on danger posed by poor handling of textile wastes to life and the environment, and be trained on waste management techniques. A functional and practically ideal waste management scheme should be established by the various organs of government mostly at the Local Government Area levels, and some investors could also be encouraged in instituting such schemes. Research institutes in the country should develop appropriate technologies and trainings on waste management. Apart from salvaging the environment, such schemes will also provide job to cushion poverty mitigation in Nigeria.

Bubble Formation and Networks in Housing Markets

This paper proposes a framework for analysing speculative bubbles in housing markets. The formation of bubbles is investigated at the sub-city level, and a bubble index is constructed showing the timeline and the intensity of speculation. The city level bubble network is examined in detail, with the global connectivity index predicting either exacerbating or autonomous bubbles, and the individual connectivity index identifying systematically important sub-markets. We illustrate our approach by using local government area level data of the Sydney and Melbourne housing markets from January 2005 to April 2016. Evidence of high intensity speculation is found in both markets from mid-2013 to the end of the sample period. While the Melbourne bubble network is an autonomous one, speculative bubbles in the Sydney market are highly interconnected, and show a spreading tendency from 2014 to 2015.

Mapping Trachoma in Kaduna State, Nigeria: Results of 23 Local Government Area-Level, Population-Based Prevalence Surveys

ABSTRACTIntroduction: To prepare for global elimination of trachoma by 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends mapping of trachoma at district-level to enable planning of elimination activities in affected populations. The aim of our study was to provide data on trachoma for each local government area (LGA) of Kaduna State, Nigeria, as such data were previously unavailable.Method: As part of the Global Trachoma Mapping Project (GTMP), a population-based cross-sectional trachoma survey was conducted in each of the 23 LGAs of Kaduna State, between May and June 2013. The protocols of the GTMP were used.Results: The prevalence of trachomatous inflammation – follicular (TF) in children aged 1–9 years was between 0.03% and 8% across the LGAs, with only one LGA (Igabi) having a TF prevalence ≥5%. The LGA-level prevalences of trichiasis in persons aged 15 years and older were between 0.00% and 0.78%. Eleven LGAs had trichiasis prevalences of 0.2% and over in adults; a threshold equivalent to 1 case per 1000 total population. The LGA-level proportion of households with access to improved water sources ranged from 9% to 96%, while household access to latrines ranged from 5% to 99%.Conclusion: Kaduna State has generally hypoendemic trachoma, but a few trichiasis surgeries are still required to attain the WHO elimination targets. Better access to improved water and sanitation is needed.

Impact of geographic area level on measuring socioeconomic disparities in cancer survival in New South Wales, Australia: A period analysis

BackgroundArea-based socioeconomic measures are widely used in health research. In theory, the larger the area used the more individual misclassification is introduced, thus biasing the association between such area level measures and health outcomes. In this study, we examined the socioeconomic disparities in cancer survival using two geographic area-based measures to see if the size of the area matters. MethodsWe used population-based cancer registry data for patients diagnosed with one of 10 major cancers in New South Wales (NSW), Australia during 2004–2008. Patients were assigned index measures of socioeconomic status (SES) based on two area-level units, census Collection District (CD) and Local Government Area (LGA) of their address at diagnosis. Five-year relative survival was estimated using the period approach for patients alive during 2004–2008, for each socioeconomic quintile at each area-level for each cancer. Poisson-regression modelling was used to adjust for socioeconomic quintile, sex, age-group at diagnosis and disease stage at diagnosis. The relative excess risk of death (RER) by socioeconomic quintile derived from this modelling was compared between area-units. ResultsWe found extensive disagreement in SES classification between CD and LGA levels across all socioeconomic quintiles, particularly for more disadvantaged groups. In general, more disadvantaged patients had significantly lower survival than the least disadvantaged group for both CD and LGA classifications. The socioeconomic survival disparities detected by CD classification were larger than those detected by LGA. Adjusted RER estimates by SES were similar for most cancers when measured at both area levels. ConclusionsWe found that classifying patient SES by the widely used Australian geographic unit LGA results in underestimation of survival disparities for several cancers compared to when SES is classified at the geographically smaller CD level. Despite this, our RER of death estimates derived from these survival estimates were generally similar for both CD and LGA level analyses, suggesting that LGAs remain a valuable spatial unit for use in Australian health and social research, though the potential for misclassification must be considered when interpreting research. While data confidentiality concerns increase with the level of geographical precision, the use of smaller area-level health and census data in the future, with appropriate allowance for confidentiality

Availability of Facilities and Equipment for Sports Administration at the Local Government Areas of Delta State, Nigeria

Sports facilities and equipment are fundamental to sports development and achievements globally. In Nigeria, the responsibility lies with the three tiers of governments (Federal, State and Local Governments) to provide facilities and equipment for sports administration, competitions, recreation and educational purposes. The extent to which sports facilities and equipment are provided at the local government level is not known. Justification for government’s heavy spending on sports at the local government area level is also not known. This study was therefore carried out to establish the extent to which sports facilities and equipment are provided for sports development at the local government areas of Delta State, Nigeria. Efforts at providing at the grassroots level, which is their responsibility need to be ascertained in terms of the extent to which they are provided. It is in this regard that this paper examined the extent to which sports facilities and equipment are available towards sports development at the Local Government Areas of Delta State, Nigeria. The study adopted the descriptive survey design. The sample size for the study is 400 determined through the whole sample sampling technique comprised of Local Government Sports Committee members, sports officers in all the Local Education Authorities and Sports Officers in the Ministry of Education offices in the 25 Local Government Areas of Delta State. A self structured questionnaire and checklist were used to elicit data. The results showed that Local Governments of Delta State provided facilities and equipment for soccer, athletics, badminton, volleyball, and general playing field to a high extent while the extent of provision of facilities and equipment for the other sports was low. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2015.v4n2p307

Bayesian Geostatistical Model-Based Estimates of Soil-Transmitted Helminth Infection in Nigeria, Including Annual Deworming Requirements

BackgroundThe acceleration of the control of soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections in Nigeria, emphasizing preventive chemotherapy, has become imperative in light of the global fight against neglected tropical diseases. Predictive risk maps are an important tool to guide and support control activities.MethodologySTH infection prevalence data were obtained from surveys carried out in 2011 using standard protocols. Data were geo-referenced and collated in a nationwide, geographic information system database. Bayesian geostatistical models with remotely sensed environmental covariates and variable selection procedures were utilized to predict the spatial distribution of STH infections in Nigeria.Principal FindingsWe found that hookworm, Ascaris lumbricoides, and Trichuris trichiura infections are endemic in 482 (86.8%), 305 (55.0%), and 55 (9.9%) locations, respectively. Hookworm and A. lumbricoides infection co-exist in 16 states, while the three species are co-endemic in 12 states. Overall, STHs are endemic in 20 of the 36 states of Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja. The observed prevalence at endemic locations ranged from 1.7% to 51.7% for hookworm, from 1.6% to 77.8% for A. lumbricoides, and from 1.0% to 25.5% for T. trichiura. Model-based predictions ranged from 0.7% to 51.0% for hookworm, from 0.1% to 82.6% for A. lumbricoides, and from 0.0% to 18.5% for T. trichiura. Our models suggest that day land surface temperature and dense vegetation are important predictors of the spatial distribution of STH infection in Nigeria. In 2011, a total of 5.7 million (13.8%) school-aged children were predicted to be infected with STHs in Nigeria. Mass treatment at the local government area level for annual or bi-annual treatment of the school-aged population in Nigeria in 2011, based on World Health Organization prevalence thresholds, were estimated at 10.2 million tablets.Conclusions/SignificanceThe predictive risk maps and estimated deworming needs presented here will be helpful for escalating the control and spatial targeting of interventions against STH infections in Nigeria.

Assessment of the quality of tuberculosis surveillance data in six selected states in Southern Nigeria

Introduction: Tuberculosis (TB) data are used to evaluate the effectiveness of TB program interventions, identify deficiencies, and inform policies and programs. These data are also used for advocacy, resource mobilization, and allocation, both nationally and internationally. This study is aimed at verifying the reliability of the data collated and submitted from the direct observation therapy strategy (DOTS) facilities to the National TB Program (NTP) in some selected states in Southern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A total of 29 facilities providing TB services were purposively selected from six states in Southern Nigeria, based on the treatment success rate as reported in 2009. In each selected facility, the following records were reviewed for concordance: Patient treatment cards and facility TB register, facility TB register and facility laboratory register, facility TB register and local government area (LGA) TB register, and LGA TB register and TB quarterly reports. Furthermore, a total of 273 patients were selected for interview to validate the information contained in the treatment cards. Results: Agreement between the data sources was relatively high, though higher in some states than the others. Agreement between patient treatment card and facility TB register, and facility TB register and laboratory register were 97% and 85%, respectively. The lowest concordance was observed between the facility TB register and the LGA TB register. All the patients interviewed confirmed the information as recorded in their treatment cards. Conclusion: The study revealed that NTP data in Southern Nigeria is fairly reliable; however, there are variations observed among the states and at various levels. This study underlines the need to improve TB surveillance data in some states, particularly at the facility and at the LGA levels.

Personal and food hygiene practices of subsistence food vendors operating in Kano metropolis, northwestern Nigeria

Background: Foodborne diseases are on the increase throughout the world due to poor attention given to personal and food hygiene measures by both lawmakers and people in charge of food preparation, especially in the developing countries. Objective: To examine the knowledge and practices of food vendors operating in urban Kano on personal and food hygiene. Materials and Methods: We used a descriptive cross-sectional design to study a random sample of 380 food vendors in Kano metropolis. Data were collected using pretested interviewer administered semi-structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Epi Info® software, version 3.5.1. Results: The mean age of the food vendors was 27.78 ± 7.63 years. The majority (61.1%) of them were men (53.2%), married (61.8%), and had at least secondary education (51.1%). More than two-thirds (89.7%) had fair knowledge of personal hygiene, although there were deficiencies in some of the key hygiene areas, but 62.4% and 36.6% had good and fair knowledge of food hygiene, respectively. Most of the food vendors had good practices of personal hygiene (93.2%). Paradoxically, only 17.1% had good practice of food hygiene. Furthermore, more than half (54.2%) showed bad workplace hygiene practices. Conclusion: Food vendors operating in Kano generally knew about personal and food hygiene, but this was not reflected in their hygienic practices. It is the statutory responsibility of the environmental health officers to safeguard and implement food hygiene laws in Nigeria. But despite the available structure and personnel at the local government area level, the laws are still inactive. The health authorities at the state and federal levels should empower the environmental health officers with the necessary policy and logistic support they require to fully implement the laws in Kano and Nigeria as a whole. The laws should also be reviewed to ensure more severe penalty for offenders.

Development of a master health facility list in Nigeria.

IntroductionRoutine Health Information Systems (RHIS) are increasingly transitioning to electronic platforms in several developing countries. Establishment of a Master Facility List (MFL) to standardize the allocation of unique identifiers for health facilities can overcome identification issues and support health facility management. The Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) recently developed a MFL, and we present the process and outcome.MethodsThe MFL was developed from the ground up, and includes a state code, a local government area (LGA) code, health facility ownership (public or private), the level of care, and an exclusive LGA level health facility serial number, as part of the unique identifier system in Nigeria. To develop the MFL, the LGAs sent the list of all health facilities in their jurisdiction to the state, which in turn collated for all LGAs under them before sending to the FMOH. At the FMOH, a group of RHIS experts verified the list and identifiers for each state.ResultsThe national MFL consists of 34,423 health facilities uniquely identified. The list has been published and is available for worldwide access; it is currently used for planning and management of health services in Nigeria.DiscussionUnique identifiers are a basic component of any information system. However, poor planning and execution of implementing this key standard can diminish the success of the RHIS.ConclusionDevelopment and adherence to standards is the hallmark for a national health information infrastructure. Explicit processes and multi-level stakeholder engagement is necessary to ensuring the success of the effort.

Gaming machine density is correlated with rates of help-seeking for problem gambling: a local area analysis in Victoria, Australia

Local environment plays an important role in understanding gambling as a public health issue. This study uses help-seeking as an outcome measure for a local area analysis of problem gambling in Victoria, Australia. We used a cross-sectional ecological design to investigate the extent to which gaming industry and demographic, economic, and social factors are associated with rates of telephone and face-to-face counselling for problem gambling at the local government area level. Electronic gaming machine density was independently correlated with both types of help-seeking, with a range of local factors controlled. This study supports previous research that has consistently found an association between gaming machine density and problem gambling, using gaming machine expenditure as a proxy measure of harm. We build on previous work by confirming that this relationship exists when gambling harm is measured through two types of help-seeking.

Spatial Analysis of Community-OnsetStaphylococcus aureusBacteremia in Queensland, Australia

To investigate and describe the relationship between indigenous Australian populations, residential aged care services, and community-onset Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) among patients admitted to public hospitals in Queensland, Australia. Ecological study. We used administrative healthcare data linked to microbiology results from patients with SAB admitted to Queensland public hospitals from 2005 through 2010 to identify community-onset infections. Data about indigenous Australian population and residential aged care services at the local government area level were obtained from the Queensland Office of Economic and Statistical Research. Associations between community-onset SAB and indigenous Australian population and residential aged care services were calculated using Poisson regression models in a Bayesian framework. Choropleth maps were used to describe the spatial patterns of SAB risk. We observed a 21% increase in relative risk (RR) of bacteremia with methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA; RR, 1.21 [95% credible interval, 1.15-1.26]) and a 24% increase in RR with nonmultiresistant methicillin-resistant S. aureus (nmMRSA; RR, 1.24 [95% credible interval, 1.13-1.34]) with a 10% increase in the indigenous Australian population proportion. There was no significant association between RR of SAB and the number of residential aged care services. Areas with the highest RR for nmMRSA and MSSA bacteremia were identified in the northern and western regions of Queensland. The RR of community-onset SAB varied spatially across Queensland. There was increased RR of community-onset SAB with nmMRSA and MSSA in areas of Queensland with increased indigenous population proportions. Additional research should be undertaken to understand other factors that increase the risk of infection due to this organism.

Electric Vehicles and the Smart Grid: Spatial Modelling of Impacts and Opportunities

In this paper we present a novel composite methodology for obtaining spatial projections of the impacts and opportunities arising from the integration of plug-in electric vehicles with future smart electricity grids. We link models of future plug-in electric vehicle uptake, travel by household members, household electricity demand, and recharge of electric vehicles. The analysis is disaggregated in each case to a mesh block or local government area level; vehicle usage and household energy demand fluctuate on a hourly, daily and seasonal basis, subject also to the longer-term trends projected for uptake of the new technology. A similarly fine grain is applied with respect to socio-economic variables. The uptake model combines features of choice modelling, multi-criteria analysis and technology diffusion theory; in this case it was applied to four competing technologies (BEV, PHEV, HEV, ICE), and calibration revealed seven major determinants of uptake: performance, annual costs, purchase cost, household income, driving distance, demographic suitability, and risk or inconvenience. The travel model projects likely patterns of vehicle usage and travel duration based on existing patterns of private vehicle usage. The household demand model includes detailed representation of housing type and usage of electrical appliances. The charge-discharge model embodies plausible algorithms for managing household electricity usage in conjunction with electric vehicle batteries. In the paper we describe the various models and report projected impacts of electric vehicles on peak electrical grid loads for the Australian state of Victoria. The impacts are presented on a spatial basis, to the level of individual mesh blocks and network feeders, under a range of energy management scenarios.

Incidence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 in Nigeria, 2005-2008

Outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 occurred in Nigeria between December 2005 and July 2008. We describe temporal and spatial characteristics of these outbreaks at State and Local Government Area (LGA) levels. A total of 25 of 37 States (67.6%; Exact 95% CI: 50.2-82.0%) and 81 of 774 LGAs (10.5%; Exact 95% CI: 8.4-12.8%) were affected by HPAI outbreaks over the period from 2005 to 2008. The incidence risk of HPAI outbreak occurrence at the State level was 5.6% (0.7-18.7%) for 2005, 50.0% (30.7-69.4%) for 2006, 54.5% (29.9-80.3%) for 2007 and 0% for 2008. Only very few LGAs experienced HPAI outbreaks within the affected States. The incidence risk of HPAI outbreak occurrence on a LGA level was 0.3% (0.0-0.9%) for 2005, 6.6% (4.9-8.6%) for 2006, 4.2% (2.9-6.0%) for 2007 and 0% for 2008. The mean period between farmers noticing HPAI outbreaks and reporting them to veterinary authorities, and between reporting HPAI outbreaks and the depopulation of infected premises, was for both 4.5 days; both periods also had medians of 1 day. We have estimated the spatially smoothed incidence risk for the whole outbreak period and identified the existence of a large corridor in the western part of Nigeria and a smaller corridor in south-eastern part, where the risk of HPAI occurrence was lower than in the rest of the country. The effect of HPAI control policies on the outbreaks patterns are discussed, as well as possible reasons why HPAI did not become endemic in Nigeria.

Awareness and knowledge of disease surveillance and notification by health-care workers and availability of facility records in Anambra state, Nigeria.

Background:Disease surveillance and notification (DSN) is part of the Health Management Information System (HMIS) which comprises databases, personnel, and materials that are organized to collect data which are utilized for informed decision making. The knowledge about DSN is very important for the reporting of notifiable diseases.Objective:The aim of this study is to examine the awareness and knowledge of health-care workers about DSN, and availability of facility records in Anambra State, Nigeria.Materials and Methods:The study was a descriptive cross-sectional one in which relevant data were collected from health-care workers selected by a multistage sampling technique. Qualitative information was also elicited by key informant interviews, whereas an observational checklist, preceded by a desk review was used to examine the availability of facility records.Results:Although 89.8% of the health-care workers were aware of the DSN system, only 33.3, 31.1, and 33.7% of them knew the specific uses of forms IDSR 001, IDSR 002, and IDSR 003 (IDSR: Integrated Diseases Surveillance and Response), respectively. Knowledge of use of the various forms at the facility and local government area (LGA) levels were generally low, although the observational checklist revealed that IDSR 001 and IDSR 002 forms were predominantly found in primary health-care facilities. HMIS forms were less likely to be available in secondary health-care facilities (χ2=7.67, P=0.005).Conclusions:Regular training and retraining of concerned health-care workers on DSN at the LGA level is recommended. This should run concurrently with adequate and regular provision of IDSR forms, copies of the standard case definitions, and other necessary logistics to the health-care facilities by the local and state governments.

Spatial Patterns and Socioecological Drivers of Dengue Fever Transmission in Queensland, Australia

Background: Understanding how socioecological factors affect the transmission of dengue fever (DF) may help to develop an early warning system of DF.Objectives: We examined the impact of socioecological factors on the transmission of DF and assessed potential predictors of locally acquired and overseas-acquired cases of DF in Queensland, Australia.Methods: We obtained data from Queensland Health on the numbers of notified DF cases by local government area (LGA) in Queensland for the period 1 January 2002 through 31 December 2005. Data on weather and the socioeconomic index were obtained from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology and the Australian Bureau of Statistics, respectively. A Bayesian spatial conditional autoregressive model was fitted at the LGA level to quantify the relationship between DF and socioecological factors.Results: Our estimates suggest an increase in locally acquired DF of 6% [95% credible interval (CI): 2%, 11%] and 61% (95% CI: 2%, 241%) in association with a 1-mm increase in average monthly rainfall and a 1°C increase in average monthly maximum temperature between 2002 and 2005, respectively. By contrast, overseas-acquired DF cases increased by 1% (95% CI: 0%, 3%) and by 1% (95% CI: 0%, 2%) in association with a 1-mm increase in average monthly rainfall and a 1-unit increase in average socioeconomic index, respectively.Conclusions: Socioecological factors appear to influence the transmission of DF in Queensland, but the drivers of locally acquired and overseas-acquired DF may differ. DF risk is spatially clustered with different patterns for locally acquired and overseas-acquired cases.

Revealing the link between licensed outlets and violence: Counting venues versus measuring alcohol availability

Associations between alcohol-related harms and numbers of outlets at the neighbourhood level have been demonstrated; however, the degree to which alcohol consumption or sales plays a part in levels of violence is not clear. This has contributed to uncertainty regarding the actual mechanisms by which outlet density may influence levels of violence. This ecological cross-sectional study investigated the effect of outlet numbers and alcohol sales on the risk of assault in Western Australia. For 2000/2001, information on type, number and wholesale alcohol purchases of all licensed outlets in operation, police-reported assault offences, socioeconomic/demographic data were obtained from official sources. Multivariate negative binomial regression was applied to at local government area level in order to assess associations between outlet density, alcohol sales and violence occurring in both licensed and domestic settings. Average alcohol sales volume per off-site outlet was significantly associated with all measures of assault. Numbers of on-site outlets significantly predicted violence with the exception of assaults occurring at residential premises. Alcohol sales from off-site outlets predicted violence occurring at on-site outlets. The link between on-site outlets and violence may be primarily underpinned by negative amenity effects while off-site outlet effects occur via increased availability. Alcohol sales volumes from off-site outlets influence levels of violence, which occur at both licensed and residential settings. The substantial and wide-ranging effects of liquor stores on alcohol-related harms may have been underestimated in the literature and by policy makers.

Are we still ‘Flying Blind?’ Crime Data and Local Crime Prevention in New South Wales

Numerous authors and commentators have highlighted the importance of crime data for effective local crime prevention planning, practice and its evaluation. Understanding the exact nature of a crime problem is central to preventive efforts and determining the success of associated interventions. Despite the significant amount of data provided by the New South Wales (NSW) Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research, access to relevant local crime data continues to be an impediment to effective crime prevention planning practice in NSW. Data is often only available at the local government area level, which is generally too large for effective crime prevention planning. Spatial, temporal and other critical data is also often unavailable. Further, police are generally cautious about providing crime data to external agencies. In the continuing absence of a data sharing protocol or framework, local crime prevention efforts will continue to ‘fly blind’ (Weatherburn 2004) in New South Wales.

Emergency preparedness and the capability to identify outbreaks: A case study of Sabon Gari Local Government Area, Kaduna state

Background : Widespread outbreaks, particularly of communicable diseases and weak surveillance systems, across the African sub-region led to the adoption of Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response (IDSR) as a regional strategy for strengthening national surveillance systems and effective response to priority communicable diseases. One of the goals of IDSR is to improve the ability of Local Government Areas (LGAs) to detect and respond to diseases and conditions that lead to high morbidity and mortality. The aim of the study was to assess the emergency preparedness and capability to identify outbreaks in Sabon Gari LGA. Methodology : A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out in Sabon Gari LGA in October 2007. Key informant interviews of the key personnel conducted using structured interviewer administered questionnaires were used to obtain information about the emergency preparedness and the capability of the LGA to identify outbreaks. The results obtained were compared to the recommendations of the National Technical Guidelines for IDSR 2002. Results : There were no prepositioned stock of drugs and vaccines available; 8% of staff was trained in disease surveillance. There is a budget line available for emergency response. The LGA relies on reports from health facilities and communities to identify outbreaks; no threshold or markers are used. No form of analysis is carried out on data collected at the LGA level. Timeliness of monthly reporting for May and June 2007 was 26.5 and 22.5% respectively; completeness of monthly reporting was 32.7%. Conclusion: The emergency preparedness and capability to identify outbreaks in Sabon Gari LGA is poor based on the selected criteria from the National Technical Guidelines for IDSR; less than 50% of the criteria are met. There is a need for Sabon Gari LGA to fully adopt the National Technical Guidelines on IDSR to be better positioned to prepare for and identify outbreaks.