non-English Speaking Background Research Articles

Risk factors for Australian school-age children in socio-economically disadvantaged populations not passing ear and hearing screening.

Retrospective study. This study describes the outcomes of an ear and hearing screening program for children from lower socio-economic backgrounds (n = 2489; mean age 11.0 years, standard deviation 1.74 years) in New South Wales (NSW), Australia, between 2013 and 2016. Screening was conducted in a quiet room, and the test protocol included otoscopy, 226 Hertz (Hz) tympanometry, and pure tone screening at octave frequencies from 500 Hz to 4000 Hz with a referral criterion of 20 decibels hearing level (dB HL) at any one frequency. Outcomes were categorised into 1) pass; 2) middle ear dysfunction only; and 3) did not pass hearing screen (with or without middle ear dysfunction). Multinomial logistic regression was used to investigate risk factors for hearing loss and middle ear dysfunction. The factors examined were age, gender, socio-educational advantage, quarter of year assessed, non-English speaking background (NESB), Aboriginal status and region. Higher risks of middle ear dysfunction were associated with younger age and seasonal variation, with higher risk in winter and spring months (July-September and October-December, compared with January-March). There were no differences between those from NESB and those with English as a first language, between the Aboriginal population and non-Aboriginal population, or between those who resided within or outside a major city. More than one in 10 school-age children from lower socio-economic backgrounds experience hearing loss (11.5%). Targeted ear and hearing screening programs offer an opportunity to identify hearing loss during critical learning years and seasons, mitigating longer-term effects on education, and social and mental health.

“That simply cannot be allowed to happen”. The Western Sydney Wanderers and the paradox of Australian soccer

ABSTRACT The game of soccer in Australia is a paradox for many reasons. While soccer enjoys an enormous following as one of Australia’s largest amateur participation sports at the junior levels, the professional version of the game struggles for media attention in an otherwise very sports-oriented nation. In addition, while it could be described as pan-ethnic in that it has a popular participation rate across most communities, and while it has strong links to Australia’s British heritage and the origins of the game itself, soccer today is largely viewed as un-Australian, ‘existing on the margins of the Australian Anglophone sporting mainstream’ because of its ‘post-war history of association with ethnic communities of non-English speaking background’.

Abstract 9926: A Controlled Study of Frailty and Clinical Outcomes in Acute Care Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

Background: Frailty has multidimensional aetiology. AF may predict frailty and is associated with hospital mortality in epidemiological studies. In geriatric patients receiving acute hospital care, interrelationship between AF, frailty, a predisposition to subacute care and overall mortality is unclear. Aim: To investigate an association between frailty and in-hospital mortality in acute care patients with AF Methods: A retrospective study was conducted to investigate acute geriatric inpatients (>65 years, n=1518) with AF admitted under General Medicine units at three Monash Health affiliated hospitals between July and November 2020. Exclusion criteria were: non-English speaking background, MMSE<25, high-level care requiring residents. Frailty was measured by Rockwood clinical frailty scale. Primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. Results: Prevalence of AF was 19%. Of 294 with AF, 6% were new-onset. Mean age was 82±7 years and 43% were female. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 56±13 % and 30% had regional hypokinesis on transthoracic echocardiogram. Median Rockwood score was 5(IQR 3,6), acute hospital length of stay was 11±15days and 9% died during hospital stay. In comparison, Rockwood score was lower 4 (IQR 3,5) and only 2% died in a control group without AF (P=0.017). On univariate logistic regression, higher Rockwood score was associated with subacute admissions (OR=1.4,P=0.001) whereas, regional hypokinesis (OR=2.5,P=0.048), chronic kidney disease (OR=2.7,P=0.015) and higher Rockwood score (OR=2.9,P<0.0001) were associated with all-cause in-hospital mortality. After adjusting for age, premorbid status, and comorbidities, higher Rockwood score remained predictive of all-cause in-hospital mortality (OR=3.0,P<0.0001) in AF group. Conclusion: Frailty measured by Rockwood scale in acute care patients with AF is associated with in-hospital mortality. All-cause in-hospital mortality is significantly lower in a control group without AF. Prospective controlled studies are warranted to further strengthen the evidence.

Parent-teacher meetings with refugee-background parents: raising questions about stakeholder positioning

ABSTRACT With a focus on parental engagement strategies, this ‘think piece’ provides insights drawn from the perspectives of parents from Hazara ethnicity and their children as well as English as an Additional Language (EAL) teachers from four public secondary schools in Tasmania, Australia, that participated in the author’s doctoral research. It was found that strategies and practices associated with Parent-Teacher meetings in these schools differentiated between English-speaking and non-English speaking background (NESB) parents. The consequence of being positioned together with other NESB parents as if they were a homogeneous group, overlooked other social identity markers such as ethnicity, class, and gender. Whereas ‘mainstream’ parents met individually with their child’s subject teachers, this was not an option for the Hazara parents unless they could provide their own interpreter. Instead, they were invited to an EAL Parent-Teacher meeting where the EAL teacher and interpreters provided an overview of the children’s reports. It is argued in this paper that to ‘create a learning community with the child at the centre’, teaching staff and refugee background parents need to work together in sharing their experiences and knowledge of the child both at school and at home.

Work and further study after university degree completion for equity groups

ABSTRACT University degree completions by equity groups in Australia have grown. It is, however, unknown whether graduates from equity backgrounds have equitable work and study outcomes. This study uses national graduate survey data linked to student administrative records from 19 participating Australian universities to examine post-degree study and employment outcomes of domestic undergraduates around six months after graduation. The results indicate that graduates from low socioeconomic status background, with disability, or from a non-English speaking background were less likely to be employed after degree completion. However, graduates from nearly all equity groups were more likely to be in further study after undergraduate degree completion relative to graduates from non-equity backgrounds. Academic performance was found to be influential on the graduates’ propensity to be in further study or employment. Participation in further study appears accessible for graduates from equity backgrounds, however, action to address their poorer labour market outcomes is needed.

Trans Women's Responses to Sexual Violence: Vigilance, Resilience, and Need for Support.

Despite experiencing high rates of sexual violence, there is limited research that explores coping and support needs among trans women of color and those from migrant backgrounds. This article examines the impact of sexual violence, as well as responses and support needs in relation to sexual violence, among 31 trans women of color, aged between 18-54years, living in Australia. Women were recruited using purposive and snowball sampling, local LGBTQI + networks, and social media. Study advertisements invited participation from people 18years and older, who identified as a "trans woman of color" or "trans woman from a non-English speaking background," to take part in a study about their lives as trans women of color and experiences of sexual violence. In-depth interviews and photovoice took place between September 2018 and September 2019. Findings were analyzed through thematic analysis, drawing on intersectionality theory. Sexual violence was reported to be associated with fear, anxiety, and depression, and, for a minority of women, self-blame. While women reported hypervigilance and avoiding going out in public as measures to anticipate and protect themselves from sexual violence, they also demonstrated agency and resilience. This included putting time and effort into appearing as a cisgender woman, naming violence, seeking support, rejecting self-blame, and engaging in self-care practices to facilitate healing. Trans women highlighted the need for multi-faceted sexual violence prevention activities to encourage education, empowerment and cultural change across the general population and support services, in order to promote respect for gender, sexuality and cultural diversity.

Prevalence and Associations of General Practice Registrars' Management of Atopic Dermatitis: A Cross-Sectional Analysis from the Registrar Clinical Encounters in Training Study.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory condition which imposes substantial burden upon patients and their families. As a frequent primary care presentation, general practice (GP) trainees must develop adequate skills in AD diagnosis and management. We aimed to explore the prevalence and associations of GP registrars' management of patients with AD. This study used data from the Registrar Clinical Encounters in Training (ReCEnT) project, an ongoing cohort study of the clinical and educational experience of Australian GP registrars. Registrar, patient, and consultation factors were independent variables in multivariable logistic regression with outcome factor 'diagnosis/problem being AD'. From 2010-2019, 2,783 registrars (96% response rate) provided data from 381,180 consultations. AD was encountered in 0.6% of consults. AD was more likely to be seen in patients aged 0-1 years and patients from a non-English speaking background. AD was less likely to be seen in Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander patients. Learning goals were more likely to be generated for AD and these consultations were associated with registrars seeking information or assistance. AD was strongly associated with a medication being prescribed, of which the most prescribed medications were mild or moderate potency topical corticosteroids. Our findings suggest that, similar to other dermatological presentations, registrars find AD challenging to manage. There may be some gaps in AD management knowledge and application.

Interparental Conflict Across the Early Parenting Period: Evidence From Fathers Participating in an Australian Population-Based Study

Current evidence about the prevalence of interparental conflict (IPC) during early parenthood is primarily based on mothers’ reports. Drawing upon Australian longitudinal data from 4136 fathers, the aims of the study were to: (a) report on the extent to which fathers report IPC across six biennial time intervals when their children were aged 6–12 months to 10–11 years, (b) identify trajectories of IPC over time and (c) identify postnatal factors (at the initial time point) associated with high risk trajectories of IPC. One in 10 fathers reported high IPC at each time interval. A high and increasing pattern of IPC was observed for 6% of fathers. Factors associated with this trajectory were fathers being from a non-English speaking background and high postnatal psychological distress reported by mothers and fathers. These findings underscore the importance of early intervention for some families experiencing IPC in the early years of their children’s lives.

Peer Mentoring for First-Year Pre-Service Teachers via a Blended Community to Support Literacy Development

This article investigates how the second-year pre-service teachers mentored first-year pre-service teachers to develop their literacy skills via a blended community. While some researchers have investigated blended learning, such research has not focused on how face-to-face and online modes work together to support student learning. Using a qualitative approach, the cohort, consisting of 164 first-year pre-service teachers and five second-year peer mentors, participated in the study. A blended community was found to be significant where peer mentors were able to provide both face-to-face and online support to assist in literacy development. It was observed that within the community, that Non-English-Speaking Background (NESB) and English as a Second Language (ESL) pre-service teachers had particular needs which could be addressed by mentors.

Slow and uneven progress: The representation of non‐English‐speaking background employees in the Australian Public Service

AbstractThis paper examines the employment representation of non‐English‐speaking background (NESB) immigrants in the Australian public sector. It explores the extent to which the (federal) Australian Public Service (APS) legislation for managing diversity and equity has influenced employment outcomes of NESB employees in the APS. Drawing from APS Commission reports and APS Statistical Bulletins from 2001 to 2015, our findings indicate that the general representation of APS employees from NESB (first‐ and second‐generation immigrants) is trending slowly upward. However, first‐generation NESB immigrants’ representation had only increased from 3.1% in 2001 to 5.1% in the decade to 2011. These proportions are well below the broader workforce representation of first‐generation NESB employees of 16%. The NESB group also remains significantly under‐represented at the executive level, indicating limited impact by the Australian Public Service Act (PSA) on the employment outcomes of employees from NESB. Such findings raise serious questions around low levels of cultural diversity in the APS. Our study indicates that progress towards increasing such diversity remains slow and problematic. We draw on institutional theory to help explain why this may be the case, and suggest future directions for research and policy.

Management of plantar heel pain in general practice in Australia.

Studies have described general practitioner (GP) management of plantar heel pain from some countries; however, there is limited information from Australian general practice. To describe patient and GP characteristics, and management actions for plantar heel pain in Australian general practice. Secondary analysis of data from the Bettering the Evaluation and Care of Health (BEACH) dataset. Data were summarised using descriptive analysis and robust 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated around point estimates. Multivariate logistic regression identified predictors of plantar heel pain management. From 1,568,100 encounters between April 2000 and March 2016, plantar heel pain was managed at 3007 encounters. GPs manage plantar heel pain approximately once every 500 encounters, which extrapolates to 271,100 encounters in 2015-2016. Patient factors independently associated with plantar heel pain encounters included female sex (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.17-1.34 cf. males), being aged 45-64 (OR 3.44, 95% CI 2.94-4.01 cf. aged 75+) and patients from a non-English speaking background (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.07-1.39). Plantar heel pain was frequently managed using medication (45.1 per 100), with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs the most common (22.8 per 100). GPs also commonly provided counselling/advice/education (32.4 per 100), and referrals for diagnostic imaging (19.1 per 100) and to podiatrists (12.0 per 100). Plantar heel pain is a frequently managed foot condition in Australian general practice. GPs use medication, counselling and education, diagnostic imaging and referral to podiatrists for management. Further research is required to understand the drivers of these management actions and whether they are effective.

Urgent Need of Integrated Health and Social Care to Alleviate High Psychological Distress in People with Disabilities: A Cross-Sectional National Representative Survey in Australia.

ObjectiveTo investigate factors in association with high psychological distress in people with disabilities.MethodsWe used the 2015 national survey on disability in Australia to derive the representative study population of 7936 people with disabilities aged 18+ years. The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) was used to define high psychological distress (scores ≥22). The explanatory variables included socioeconomic status, physical health, social relationships and environment factors. Adjusted Odds Ratios (ORs) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs) were evaluated using weighted Logistic regression models with lasso techniques.ResultsApproximately 21 in 100 study participants experienced high psychological distress. The risk of high psychological distress decreased with age and high educational attainment. Having non-English speaking background (2.31; 1.87–2.85) and need for assistance in cognitive or emotional tasks (3.25; 2.65–3.98) were independently significantly associated with high psychological distress in people with disabilities. Delay seeing a GP was associated with a 2-fold risk increase.ConclusionIntegrated healthcare and social support are warranted with appropriate targeting to improve mental health outcomes in people with disabilities.

Block Mode Study: Opportunities and Challenges for a New Generation of Learners in an Australian University

This article is an update on a university-wide overhaul of its pedagogy, curriculum and delivery to support the expanding non-traditional, new generation learners while enhancing opportunity and success for traditional learners. The Block Model developed by Victoria University (VU), Australia for its undergraduate cohort, was a bold response to support all students including its high proportion of First-in-family (FiF), low socio-economic status (LSES), and non-English-speaking background (NESB) students. In this radical new hybrid Block model, students study one unit/subject at a time over four weeks. The article reports on preliminary results after two years of implementing the VU Block Model. While both traditional and new-generation cohorts significantly improved their performance, there was a higher improvement in the pass rates of LSES, NESB and FiF students, compared to the improvements in the traditional cohorts of students. These initial results confirm the value of the institution-wide strategy to expand opportunity and enhance success for all.

Protocol for the Adaptation of a Direct Observational Measure of Parent-Child Interaction for Use With 7-8-Year-Old Children.

ObjectiveParenting sensitivity and mutual parent-child attunement are key features of environments that support children’s learning and development. To-date, observational measures of these constructs have focused on children aged 2–6 years and are less relevant to the more sophisticated developmental skills of children aged 7–8 years, despite parenting being equally important at these ages. We undertook a rigorous process to adapt an existing observational measure for 7–8-year-old children and their parents. This paper aimed to: (i) describe a protocol for adapting an existing framework for rating parent-child interactions, (ii) determine variations in parents’ sensitive responding and parent-child mutual attunement (‘positive mutuality’) by family demographics, and (iii) evaluate the psychometric properties of the newly developed measure (i.e., inter-rater reliability, construct validity).MethodParent-child dyads completed one home visit, including a free-play observation and parent questionnaire. Dyads were provided with three toy sets: LEGO® Classic Box, Classic Jenga®, and animal cards. The Coding of Attachment-Related Parenting (CARP) was adapted for use with 7–8-year-old children, and rating procedures were streamlined for reliable use by non-clinician/student raters, producing the SCARP:7–8 Years. Trained staff rated video-recorded observations on 11 behaviors across two domains (five for parents’ sensitive responding, six for parent-child positive mutuality).ResultsData were available for 596 dyads. Consistently strong inter-rater agreement on the 11 observed behaviors was achieved across the 10-week rating period (average: 87.6%, range: 71.7% to 96.7%). Average ICCs were 0.77 for sensitive responding and 0.84 for positive mutuality. These domains were found to be related but distinct constructs (r = 0.49, p < 0.001). For both domains, average ratings were strongly associated with the main toy used during the observation (p < 0.001, highest: cards, lowest: LEGO®). Adjusted multivariate linear regression models (accounting for toy choice) revealed that less sensitive responding was associated with younger parent (p = 0.04), male parent (p = 0.03), non-English speaking background (p = 0.04), and greater neighborhood disadvantage (p = 0.02). Construct validity was demonstrated using six parent-reported psychosocial and parenting measures.ConclusionThe SCARP: 7–8 Years shows promise as a reliable and valid measure of parent-child interaction in the early school years. Toy selection for direct observation should be considered carefully in research and practice settings.

Using Participatory Methods to Engage Diverse Families in Research about Resilience in Middle Childhood.

Resilience entails drawing on resources to navigate adversity; few measures exist to explore how children cope with adversity in varying cultural contexts. We aimed to develop a socially-inclusive measure of child resilience by (1) co-designing methods to engage diverse families, and (2) identifying resilience factors. We used a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach to recruit Aboriginal families, refugee families, and families from hospital outpatient clinics. To triangulate findings and codesign methods, we held discussion groups with 21 service providers. Codesigned group-based visual methods were employed in discussion groups with 97 parents and 106 children (5-12 years). Participants identified culturally-meaningful resilience factors such as loving family, speaking their home language (for families of Non-English speaking backgrounds). We discuss differences and commonalities across participant groups. Co-designing research that is both rigorous and inclusive is critical for gleaning culturally-meaningful data from diverse families.

Factors influencing patient decision delay in activation of emergency medical services for suspected ST-elevation myocardial infarction

The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with time delay to emergency medical services for patients with suspected ST-elevation myocardial infarction. This observational study involved 1994 suspected ST-elevation myocardial infarction patients presenting to the emergency medical services in Melbourne, Australia, between October 2011-January 2014. Factors associated with delays to emergency medical services call of >1 h and emergency medical services self-referral were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. The time of symptom onset was reported for 1819 patients (91.2%), the median symptom onset-to-call time was 52 min (interquartile range=17-176). Of all emergency medical services calls, 17% were referred by healthcare professionals. Compared to self-referred patients, patients who presented to a general practitioner or hospital had higher odds of delay >1 h to emergency medical services activation (adjusted odds ratio 7.76; 95% confidence interval 5.10-11.83; and 8.02; 3.65-17.64, respectively). The other factors associated with emergency medical services call delays of >1 h were living alone, non-English speaking background, a history of substance abuse, less severe symptoms, symptom onset at home and at rest, and self-treatment. Emergency medical services self-referred patients were more likely to be older than 75 years, have a history of ischemic heart disease or revascularization, more severe symptoms, and symptom onset at home, with activity, during the weekends and out-of-hours. Almost one-fifth of emergency medical services calls for suspected ST-elevation myocardial infarction were healthcare referrals, and this was associated with increased delays. A wide range of factors could influence a patient's decision to directly and rapidly seek emergency medical services. More efforts are needed to educate at-risk populations about early self-referral to the emergency medical services.

Double disadvantage? The slow progress of non-English-speaking migrant women in accessing good jobs in Australia

ABSTRACT In this paper, primary and secondary sector employment corresponds broadly to 'good' and 'bad' jobs. Previous studies indicate that non-English-speaking background (NESB) migrant women are under-represented in 'good jobs' but none of those studies evaluates their chance of finding 'good jobs' in Australia. This study estimates their probability of getting good jobs and compares this with that of Australian-born women. The probability of securing good jobs for each of these groups is also estimated separately, based on a new general probit model, after classifying women into primary and secondary sector employment from their occupational categories and incomes using 2016 Australian Census data. It showed that NESB migrant women had significantly lesser probability of securing primary sector employment compared to Australian-born women. While this difference is narrowing over time, NESB migrant women's progress in accessing 'good jobs' has been slow. Improving English proficiency, education, recognition of overseas qualifications and experience can significantly increase their chances of attaining good jobs. This study provides an exact estimate of the probability of securing good jobs for both groups and the relevance of different determinants for this difference so that proper actions can be taken to improve the employment situation of NESB migrant women.

Skilled migrant employees' perceptions of support from line managers

PurposeThis paper explores the experiences of non-English-speaking background (NESB) skilled employees working in Australian workplaces, their perceptions of managers' actions and how a lack of employee involvement and participation (EIP) practices and performance appraisal (PA) is perceived regarding career progression.Design/methodology/approachThis exploratory research project is based on 26 semi-structured interviews with skilled migrant NESB employees based in Australia. Social exchange theory (SET) and labour market segmentation theory (LMST) are applied to help explain macro- and micro-level influences on NESB employees and their relationships with their line managers and the workforce.FindingsParticipants perceived line managers to be highly communicative and approachable; however, they indicated how a lack of EIP in decision-making and in their PA affected career progression opportunities for NESB employees. While they were satisfied overall with their jobs, the research indicated a need for improved practices and support from the broader organisation in these two identified areas.Originality/valueThere is relatively little research on how the challenges of an increasingly diverse workforce are managed, particularly from NESB employees' perspective. Therefore, this research fills a gap concerning NESB employees' experience in Australian organisations.

Bridging disciplinary knowledge: the challenge of integrating EAP in business education

The growing market of international students puts increasing pressure on higher education providers to also provide language support, as students from non-English speaking background face the dual challenge of developing their English language proficiency alongside their subject content. However, there is little research on how knowledge about language is actually integrated with content knowledge in practice or how such an integration can be supported by curriculum design. Using a case study of a popular academic language support program implemented in an Australian university, this paper examines the relationship between academic literacy and business ethics as two distinct forms of disciplinary knowledge, to investigate how the complexity of their integration is managed dynamically in the classroom. In this study, we draw on Legitimation Code Theory to analyze the role of language in constructing discipline-specific knowledge. Our findings suggest that students do not automatically understand the relevance of language support and that shifting knowledge practices during classroom interaction can enhance students' motivation as well as help students to relate their knowledge about language to the discipline.

Migrant aged-care workers in Australia: do they have poorer-quality jobs than their locally born counterparts?

AbstractMigrants make up a significant and growing proportion of the aged-care workforce in Australia. Using data from the 2016 National Aged Care Workforce Census and Survey, we investigate employment conditions for Australian-born and overseas-born frontline workers working in residential and home-based aged care, focusing on two key poor job quality indicators. We find that migrant home care workers from non-English-speaking background (NESB) countries are the most likely to be employed on a casual basis and to report hours-related underemployment. Migrant residential care workers from English-speaking background (ESB) countries are more likely to be casual while NESB migrants are more likely to be underemployed. Controlling for a range of employment and socio-demographic characteristics, we find that being an NESB migrant is significantly associated with both casual status and underemployment. Generally, while this association lessens with years spent in Australia, exposure to casual employment is amplified over time for NESB migrants in the residential sector. Holding a temporary visa increased the likelihood of casual employment for residential care workers and underemployment for home care workers. Working for a for-profit employer was also associated with poorer job quality. Further policy shifts in Australia towards temporary migration and increased marketisation of aged care may impact on the working conditions of migrant aged-care workers.