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Research

Who is at risk of a respiratory syncytial virus hospitalisation? A linked, population-based birth cohort analysis in children aged less than 5 years

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of acute lower respiratory infections globally in children under five years. With the development of RSV prevention strategies, understanding risk factors and relation to age and population is useful for deciding the type of program implemented.

Research

Evaluating the Introduction of Humidified High-Flow Nasal Cannula Therapy Into an Australian Aeromedical Service Within a Paediatric Population: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Humidified high flow (HHF) oxygen is increasingly used to treat acute respiratory illnesses in children; however, use during aeromedical transfer is not well described. This was a retrospective cohort study. Children who were transferred from rural locations and were initiated on HHF prior to transfer between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2018 were identified from the Royal Flying Doctors Service database. Clinical variables prior to transfer, during flight and after transfer were collected from medical records and flight records. 

Research

Co-occurring Neurodevelopmental Conditions in Children: Advocating for Transdiagnostic Approach to Assessments

Approximately 8% of all children experience developmental and mental health conditions. Similarities in characteristics across neurodevelopmental conditions-such as difficulties in communication and language, social interaction, motor coordination, attention, activity regulation, behavior, mood, and sleep-make it challenging to attribute these characteristics exclusively to specific diagnoses and assessments. The purpose of this study was to identify symptomatic domains across neurodevelopmental conditions in children and to explore dimension reduction for transdiagnostic assessment. 

Research

Complete genome sequence of Burkholderia cenocepacia bacteriophage Karil-mokiny-1

Burkholderia cepacia complex causes life-threatening respiratory infections. Here, a bacteriophage with activity against B. cenocepacia was isolated from wastewater. It has a genome size of 70,144 bp and has the taxonomic classification Irusalimvirus. It has no genes associated with lysogeny, bacterial resistance, or virulence. 

Research

Pathways to Adolescent Pregnancy in Southeast Asia: Qualitative Evidence From Lived Experiences of Girls in Four Countries

Historically, adolescent pregnancy has been conceptualized as an outcome of child marriage, but in Southeast Asia, the contexts and drivers of adolescent pregnancy are less well-understood. This study examines the relationship between adolescent pregnancy and child marriage and explores the drivers of pregnancy in Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic and Malaysia among adolescents who have experienced pregnancy.

Research

Assessing Clinical Deterioration in Children With Dark-Coloured Skin: A Scoping Review

Background: Signs of clinical deterioration may appear differently in children with dark-coloured skin. How to assess children in this cohort is currently poorly defined. Aim: To explore available information on the assessment of clinical deterioration in children with dark-coloured skin and identify research deficits.

Research

The Heart Health Yarning Tool: Co-Designing a Shared Decision-Making Tool With Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Risk Management

Due to the ongoing impact of colonisation, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people live with a greater burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) than non-Indigenous Australians. Shared decision-making (SDM) is recognised as an essential component of person-centred care. However, there has been a lack of tools to support clinician communication and SDM to address CVD prevention in this important 'at-risk' population.

Research

Subcutaneous Infusion of Benzathine Penicillin G Is Acceptable and Preferred Over Intramuscular Injections for Syphilis in Western Australian Sexual Health Clinic Attendees

Controlling the syphilis epidemic in Australia is a public health priority. Regular intramuscular (IM) injections of benzathine penicillin G (BPG) are the current standard of care for late latent syphilis in Australia; however, repeated IM BPG injections are painful, and treatment completion rates are low. Early-phase clinical trials have demonstrated the tolerability and safety of high-dose subcutaneous infusions of BPG (SCIP), where the total treatment dose can be delivered at a single visit. Here we describe the experiences and preferences of attendees of Western Australian sexual health clinics in the Perth metropolitan region who have syphilis and were treated with SCIP.

Research

Streptococcus pyogenes Surveillance Through Surface Swab Samples to Track the Emergence of Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome in Rural Japan

Japan recently experienced a record surge in streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. Our environmental surveillance study reveals that Streptococcus pyogenes persists seasonally, peaking in autumn and winter in rural Japan. The dominant emm1 M1UK sublineage and csrS mutations heighten virulence, highlighting the urgent need for targeted surveillance and interventions.

Research

A modular approach to forecasting COVID-19 hospital bed occupancy

Monitoring the number of COVID-19 patients in hospital beds was a critical component of Australia's real-time surveillance strategy for the disease. From 2021 to 2023, we produced short-term forecasts of bed occupancy to support public health decision-making.