Browsing by Author "Jillings, Eloise Katherine Puia"

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Assessment of the effect of blood contamination on the urinary protein to creatinine ratio in the dog : a dissertation presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Veterinary Studies in Veterinary Pathology at Massey University, College of Science, Turitea, Palmerston North, New Zealand
(Massey University, 2007) Jillings, Eloise Katherine Puia
The urine protein to creatinine ratio (UPCR) is a reliable method to assess the total urinary protein loss in the dog from a single urine sample. Interpretation of the urine protein to creatinine ratio has been difficult in the presence of haematuria in the sample and previously the presence of blood in the urine has negated the use or interpretation of the UPCR. In 2 previous studies blood has been added to the urine sample of a single dog to aid interpretation of the UPCR in the presence of blood contamination. In this study blood contamination of urine samples in 21 dogs was assessed to develop guidelines for interpretation of the UPCR in the face of haemorrhage. Blood was added to the urine from the same dog to make samples with blood contamination levels ranging from 0 to 5%. Urine dipstick analysis, microscopic examination and a UPCR was performed on all samples. The current recommended cut off level for UPCR for normal dogs is <0.5. Results greater than 1.0 are considered abnormal, results greater than 2.0 suggests glomerular disease, and UPCR results between 0.5 and 1.0 are questionable. The results of the present study suggest that when urine is visibly red, haemorrhage may be considered as a differential for a UPCR up to 2.0. The practice of attributing proteinuria in non discoloured (yellow) urine samples with microscopic haemorrhage to the blood present should be discontinued, as microscopic haemorrhage that does not result in a visible change in colour of the urine sample from yellow will not substantially increase the UPCR. As such, the UPCR level in yellow urine even in the presence of microscopic haematuria can be considered valid.
Rapua te mea ngaro : exploring the access of Māori to veterinary education in Aotearoa New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
(Massey University, 2021) Jillings, Eloise Katherine Puia
Currently there is no research literature regarding the ethnicity of veterinary applicants, veterinary students, or the veterinary workforce in New Zealand. Recent unpublished data indicates only 2% of veterinarians identify as Māori, despite Māori comprising 16.5% of the New Zealand population. This PhD is the first step in addressing this gap and bringing to light the important issues of Māori representation and inclusion in veterinary education and subsequently the veterinary profession in New Zealand. The thesis has two overarching goals. The first is to explore how the access of Māori to veterinary education, and therefore the veterinary workforce, is influenced by sociodemographic factors under three separate admission processes. The second is to explore the impact of sociodemographic factors and academic achievement prior to admission on the academic success of Māori once selected into the program. The studies in this thesis were conducted with Kaupapa Māori research positioning. The thesis presents a quantitative analysis of veterinary applicant and selected student data from 2003 to 2019. Descriptive statistics and linear and logistic regression are utilised to explore the representation of Māori in the veterinary applicant and selected student cohorts, the association of sociodemographic variables and selection assessments, and academic outcomes of Māori and non-Māori once selected. From this thesis it has been shown that Māori were underrepresented in the veterinary applicant pool and experienced more educational barriers than non-Māori. Māori are also underrepresented in the selected student cohort, and had 0.37 times the odds of selection than non-Māori prior to introduction of an equity process for Māori student selection. Scores on five of the six selection assessments were associated with ethnicity, with Māori receiving lower scores. However, once selected into the veterinary programme, there was no difference in the academic outcomes of Māori and non-Māori. Introduction of the equity process for Māori was not associated with a decrease in academic outcomes post-selection, and introduction of non-academic criteria into the selection process was associated with an improvement in academic outcomes. The veterinary profession is not representative of New Zealand. Māori underrepresentation is also seen in the veterinary applicant and selected student cohorts. This needs to be addressed for reasons of Indigenous rights, social justice, social mobility, and to ensure the veterinary profession benefits from Māori worldviews and therefore is relevant to a growing Māori population. Enacting initiatives aimed to widen access to the veterinary programme, with the eventual goal of improving representation of Māori in the veterinary workforce, needs to be a priority for Massey University, the sole provider of veterinary education in Aotearoa, and the wider profession.