http://hdl.handle.net/2440/33616 Rural Clinical School 2013-05-20T19:43:22Z http://hdl.handle.net/2440/76105 Title: Who uses complementary and alternative therapies in regional South Australia?: evidence from the Whyalla Integrational Study of Health Author: D'Onise, Katina; Haren, Matthew Timothy; Misan, Gary Michael H.; McDermott, Robyn A. Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and service use for people with a chronic disease in rural and regional Australia, where reported prevalence of CAM use is higher. METHODS: Data were from the Whyalla Intergenerational Study of Health, a population representative cross sectional study of 1146 people recruited in 2008–2009. Self-reported chronic disease diagnosis and health service use including CAM use were collected. Complementary and other medicines were recorded at a clinic visit in a reduced sample (n = 722) and SF36 data were collected by questionnaire. RESULTS: Around 32% of respondents reported complementary medicine use and 27% CAM service use. There was no difference in the overall prevalence of CAM use among those with and without a chronic disease (OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.7–1.3). Greater age- and sex-adjusted use of complementary medicines was associated with the ability to save money (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.17–2.63), but not with any other socioeconomic position indicator. Those who reported using prescribed medication were more likely to report using complementary medicines (OR 2.09, 95% CI 1.35–3.24). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of CAM use in this regional community appeared lower than reported in similar communities outside of South Australia. Mainstream medicine use was associated with complementary medicine use, increasing the risk of an adverse drug interaction. This suggests that doctors and pharmacists should be aware of the possibility that their clients may be using complementary medicines, and the need for vigilance regarding potential side effects and interactions between complementary and mainstream therapies. WHAT IS KNOWN ABOUT THIS TOPIC?: The prevalence of complementary and alternative therapy use in Australian rural and regional communities is high relative to urban communities. WHAT DOES THIS PAPER ADD?: The prevalence of complementary and alternative therapy use in a regional South Australian community is lower than reported elsewhere. In this community, mainstream medicine use was associated with an increased chance of complementary medicine use. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTITIONERS?: Doctors and pharmacists should be aware of the possibility that their clients may be using complementary medicines, and the need for vigilance regarding potential side effects and interactions between complementary and mainstream therapies. 2012-12-31T13:30:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2440/75396 Title: Anthropometric estimates of total and regional body fat in children aged 6-17 years Author: Flavel, Nicole; Olds, Tim; Buckley, Jonathan David; Haren, Matthew Timothy; Petkov, John Abstract: Aim:  To develop prediction equations for total and regional (trunk, abdominal, arms and legs) body fat using surface anthropometric measures in children aged 6–17 years. Methods:  This was a cross-sectional correlation study of 70 Caucasian children aged 6–17 years recruited from a larger randomly sampled population-based study. The independent variables included age, mass, height, body mass index, waist and hip girth, and skinfold thicknesses at eight sites. Subscapular/triceps skinfold ratio was also calculated and entered as an independent variable. The dependent variables were total body percentage fat, and fat mass for total body, trunk, abdominal region of interest, arms and legs measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Partial least squares regression was used to determine the best predictive equation for fat percentage or fat mass in each body region in each sex. Results:  Sex-specific prediction equations were developed with high coefficients of determination (r²), ranging from 0.869 to 0.936 in boys and from 0.900 to 0.979 in girls, absolute bias was low, and limits of agreement were narrow. Conclusion:  Equations were developed, which were able to predict total and regional body fat of Caucasian children aged 6–17 years using surface anthropometric measurements with high predictive accuracy. 2011-12-31T13:30:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2440/72850 Title: Understanding rural and remote health: a framework for analysis in Australia Author: Bourke, Lisa; Humphreys, John S.; Wakerman, John; Taylor, Judith Estelle 2011-12-31T13:30:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2440/71635 Title: Point-of-Care Testing and Creatinine Measurement Author: Shephard, Mark Douglas Samuel Abstract: This paper reviews the current status of point-of-care testing (PoCT) devices that are available for measuring whole blood or serum/plasma creatinine globally and within Australasia. Information on non-analytical specifications and analytical performance is provided using data sourced from recently published literature, external quality assurance programs and evaluative work by the author’s unit. The limitations of current devices are summarised. 2010-12-31T13:30:00Z