Browsing by Author "Patel H"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    Knowledge of Osteoporosis and Lifestyle Behaviours Impacting Peak Bone Mass among Young Adults
    (LIDSEN Publishing Inc., 2021-01-11) Patel H; Denison H; Zafar S; Teesdale-Spittle P; Dennison E; Marks R
    Osteoporosis is a major public health problem through its association with fragility fracture. Low peak bone mass (PBM) is a major contributor to later osteoporosis risk. Despite this, most studies concentrate on older people when the window of opportunity to impact PBM has passed. This study aimed to understand what adolescents and young adults understand about PBM, the risk of osteoporotic fracture and how lifestyle factors impact PBM. Such information may inform educational interventions to reduce future risk of fracture, and provide important public health benefits. New Zealand university students were approached to participate in this study. Nine focus groups of a total of 44 adolescents and young adults, mean age 22.9 (± 4.02) years of different ethnicities (29 female 15 male), were conducted using a semi-structured approach with open-ended questions and prompts. Transcripts were thematically coded using an inductive content analysis approach. Participants reported poor knowledge of PBM and factors impacting risk of osteoporotic fracture. There was a general awareness of the positive and negative impacts of many lifestyle behaviours such as physical activity, diet, tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption on health in general, but not specifically how these impact PBM and good bone health in later life. We conclude that in a cohort of New Zealand University students, current knowledge of osteoporosis and lifestyle factors that impact PBM is limited. Educational interventions in young adults are now warranted to improve PBM and prevent osteoporosis in late adulthood.
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    Knowledge, attitudes and awareness of the human papillomavirus among health professionals in New Zealand
    (PLOS, 31/12/2018) Sherman SM; Bartholomew K; Denison HJ; Patel H; Moss EL; Douwes J; Bromhead C
    BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection that is implicated in 99.7% of cervical cancers and several other cancers that affect both men and women. Despite the role that HPV plays in an estimated 5% of all cancers and the evolving role of HPV vaccination and testing in protecting the public against these cancers, preliminary research in New Zealand health professionals suggest knowledge about HPV may not be sufficient. METHODS: A total of 230 practice nurses, smear takers and other clinical and laboratory staff who attended a range of training events completed a cross-sectional survey between April 2016 and July 2017. The survey explored four broad areas: demographics and level of experience, HPV knowledge (general HPV knowledge, HPV triage and test of cure (TOC) knowledge and HPV vaccine knowledge), attitudes towards the HPV vaccine and self-perceived adequacy of HPV knowledge. RESULTS: The mean score on the general HPV knowledge questions was 13.2 out of 15, with only 25.2% of respondents scoring 100%. In response to an additional question, 12.7% thought (or were unsure) that HPV causes HIV/AIDS. The mean score on the HPV Triage and TOC knowledge questions was 7.4 out of 10, with only 9.1% scoring 100%. The mean score on the HPV vaccine knowledge questions was 6.0 out of 7 and 44.3% scored 100%. Only 63.7% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that they were adequately informed about HPV, although 73.3% agreed or strongly agreed that they could confidently answer HPV-related questions asked by patients. Multivariate analyses revealed that knowledge in each domain predicted confidence in responding to patient questions. Furthermore, the number of years since training predicted both HPV knowledge and Triage and TOC knowledge. DISCUSSION: Although overall level of knowledge was adequate, there were significant gaps in knowledge, particularly about the role of HPV testing in the New Zealand National Cervical Screening Programme. More education is required to ensure that misinformation and stigma do not inadvertently result from interactions between health professionals and the public.
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    Understanding the Barriers and Enablers to Sporting Activity in Relation to Bone Health: A Qualitative Narrative Study among Adolescents and Young Adults in New Zealand
    (Longdom Publishing, 2020-07-29) Patel H; Denison H; Teesdale-Spittle P; Dennison E
    Background: Sports participation may be considered a method of reducing the risk of fragility fracture in later life by maximizing Peak Bone Mass (PBM) in the growing years. However, sports participation typically declines during late adolescence and adulthood. This qualitative study aims to identify barriers and facilitators to engaging with regular weight bearing sporting activity in adolescents and young adults in New Zealand. Methods: 44 adolescents and young adults aged 17 to 33 participated in nine focus groups. The study was conducted using a semi-structured approach with open-ended questions and prompts. Transcripts were thematically coded using an inductive content analysis approach. Results: The three main barriers to sports participation that emerged were a) structural (disorientation in a new living environment, facilities, access to healthcare), b) social (financial and time constraints) and c) personal (social pressures and lack of an understanding of why sporting activity matters for bone health) while enablers of sports participation included a) supportive environments, b) access to health checks including support to avoid injury and c) education to better understand benefits of recreational sporting activity. Conclusions: Current awareness of osteoporosis and lifestyle factors that impact PBM is limited. Educational interventions are now warranted and urgently required.
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    What are the barriers to adoption of a lifestyle associated with optimal peak bone mass acquisition? A qualitative study of young adults in New Zealand
    (MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2022-02-08) Zafar S; Denison H; Patel H; Dennison E; Longo UG
    Objective: This study aimed to investigate the barriers to adopting lifestyle factors other than physical activity important for optimal peak bone mass (PBM) acquisition—namely, dietary factors, avoidance of cigarette smoking, and keeping alcohol consumption within recommended limits. Materials and Methods: University students and staff aged 18–35 years were recruited. Six semi-structured, in-depth focus group interviews were conducted with a total of 28 participants. The interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed. A thematic approach for data analysis using a constant comparative method was performed using NVivo software. Results: Three major themes emerged: socio-cultural barriers (peer pressure and cultural norms); personal barriers (time, cost, and diet preferences); and other barriers (medical illness and lack of symptoms associated with low bone mass density). Conclusions: We identified several barriers to adoption of lifestyle behaviours that might be beneficial to PBM acquisition. These data might facilitate the development of public health interventions designed to help young adults embrace osteoprotective lifestyles, and hence reduce the burden of osteoporotic fracture in later life.