Browsing by Author "Reddy R"

Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
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    Audiological Service Delivery and Uptake in New Zealand Regional Areas.
    (MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2023-11-28) Boseley H; Welch D; Reddy R; Silberberg M
    Background: In New Zealand, as in many places, a significant proportion of the population lives outside the main urban centres. People living in regional areas have similar needs for audiological services as those living in urban centres; however, economic and geographical barriers can be a barrier to accessible services. The objective of this research was to explore factors that influence equitable audiological service provision and user uptake of services in regional areas of New Zealand. Methods: Fifteen participants who represented either audiological service users living in rural or non-urban areas (regional) or audiological service providers in these areas were recruited. Semi-structured interviews were conducted virtually and on average took forty minutes to complete. The interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis to identify themes and subthemes related to audiological service delivery and uptake. Results: Seven themes were identified. These are related to service provision, geographical barriers, and cultural appropriateness. Conclusions: This study provides a basis for understanding the challenges of delivering and accessing audiological services in non-urban areas in New Zealand, and in principle elsewhere. There is scope for future research to further understand policy directions needed to achieve equitable audiological service provision in regional areas.
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    Enhancing health outcomes for Māori elders through an intergenerational cultural exchange and physical activity programme: a cross-sectional baseline study
    (Frontiers Media S.A., 2023-12-12) Oetzel JG; Zhang Y; Nock S; Meha P; Huriwaka H; Vercoe M; Tahu T; Urlich J; Warbrick R; Brown G; Keown S; Rewi P; Erueti B; Warbrick I; Jackson A-M; Perry T; Reddy R; Simpson ML; Cameron MP; Hokowhitu B; Rashedi V
    BACKGROUND: The study offers baseline data for a strengths-based approach emphasizing intergenerational cultural knowledge exchange and physical activity developed through a partnership with kaumātua (Māori elders) and kaumātua service providers. The study aims to identify the baseline characteristics, along with correlates of five key outcomes. METHODS: The study design is a cross-sectional survey. A total of 75 kaumātua from six providers completed two physical functioning tests and a survey that included dependent variables based in a holistic model of health: health-related quality of life (HRQOL), self-rated health, spirituality, life satisfaction, and loneliness. RESULTS: The findings indicate that there was good reliability and moderate scores on most variables. Specific correlates included the following: (a) HRQOL: emotional support (β = 0.31), and frequent interaction with a co-participant (β = 0.25); (b) self-rated health: frequency of moderate exercise (β = 0.32) and sense of purpose (β = 0.27); (c) spirituality: sense of purpose (β = 0.46), not needing additional help with daily tasks (β = 0.28), and level of confidence with cultural practices (β = 0.20); (d) life satisfaction: sense of purpose (β = 0.57), frequency of interaction with a co-participant (β = -0.30), emotional support (β = 0.25), and quality of relationship with a co-participant (β = 0.16); and (e) lower loneliness: emotional support (β = 0.27), enjoyment interacting with a co-participant (β = 0.25), sense of purpose (β = 0.24), not needing additional help with daily tasks (β = 0.28), and frequency of moderate exercise (β = 0.18). CONCLUSION: This study provides the baseline scores and correlates of important social and health outcomes for the He Huarahi Tautoko (Avenue of Support) programme, a strengths-based approach for enhancing cultural connection and physical activity.
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    Health effects of transport noise
    (Taylor and Francis Group, 2023-04-26) Welch D; Shepherd D; Dirks KN; Reddy R
    The relationship between transport noise and health outcomes is complex, in part because of the large number of factors involved as well as the range of health impacts, both direct and indirect. To enable the reader to come to grips with the complexity, we have divided the health outcomes into groups: those that are more directly linked to transport noise exposure and those that are more indirectly linked. Four health outcomes, namely annoyance, cognitive disruption, sleep problems, and noise-induced hearing loss, can be directly attributable to transport noise exposure. Less direct outcomes are stress, mental health, metabolic health, cardiovascular health, and overall health-related quality of life. Stress may occur as a direct response to noise, or may occur in response to the aforementioned direct effects. The stress response is a survival mechanism in the short term, but in the long term, stress may lead to systemic health conditions, namely metabolic and cardiovascular outcomes, and to mental health conditions. Finally, a global health outcome that incorporates all of the more direct outcomes is health-related quality of life. Other exposures associated with transport noise that may explain parts of the health outcomes need to be acknowledged, including exposure to social inequities, air pollution, and vibration. These may all be more likely to be experienced by people who are exposed to transport noise in the community and may thus influence the outcomes. Finally, transport noise appears to have more impact on health in those who are noise sensitive, thus noise sensitivity is a key moderator of all the effects observed.
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    Kaumātua Mana Motuhake Pōi: a study protocol for enhancing wellbeing, social connectedness and cultural identity for Māori elders.
    (BioMed Central, 2020-10-02) Hokowhitu B; Oetzel JG; Simpson ML; Nock S; Reddy R; Meha P; Johnston K; Jackson A-M; Erueti B; Rewi P; Warbrick I; Cameron MP; Zhang Y; Ruru S
    BACKGROUND: The Aotearoa New Zealand population is ageing accompanied by health and social challenges including significant inequities that exist between Māori and non-Māori around poor ageing and health. Although historically kaumātua (elder Māori) faced a dominant society that failed to realise their full potential as they age, Māori culture has remained steadfast in upholding elders as cultural/community anchors. Yet, many of today's kaumātua have experienced 'cultural dissonance' as the result of a hegemonic dominant culture subjugating an Indigenous culture, leading to generations of Indigenous peoples compelled or forced to dissociate with their culture. The present research project, Kaumātua Mana Motuhake Pōī (KMMP) comprises two interrelated projects that foreground dimensions of wellbeing within a holistic Te Ao Māori (Māori epistemology) view of wellbeing. Project 1 involves a tuakana-teina/peer educator model approach focused on increasing service access and utilisation to support kaumātua with the greatest health and social needs. Project 2 focuses on physical activity and cultural knowledge exchange (including te reo Māori--Māori language) through intergenerational models of learning. METHODS: Both projects have a consistent research design and common set of methods that coalesce around the emphasis on kaupapa kaumatua; research projects led by kaumātua and kaumātua providers that advance better life outcomes for kaumātua and their communities. The research design for each project is a mixed-methods, pre-test and two post-test, staggered design with 2-3 providers receiving the approach first and then 2-3 receiving it on a delayed basis. A pre-test (baseline) of all participants will be completed. The approach will then be implemented with the first providers. There will then be a follow-up data collection for all participants (post-test 1). The second providers will then implement the approach, which will be followed by a final data collection for all participants (post-test 2). DISCUSSION: Two specific outcomes are anticipated from this research; firstly, it is hoped that the research methodology provides a framework for how government agencies, researchers and relevant sector stakeholders can work with Māori communities. Secondly, the two individual projects will each produce a tangible approach that, it is anticipated, will be cost effective in enhancing kaumātua hauora and mana motuhake. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australia New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry ( ACTRN12620000316909 ). Registered 6 March 2020.
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    Priority Health Needs and Challenges in New Zealand Pacific Communities-A Qualitative Analysis of Healthcare Delivery during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
    (MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2023-08-09) Reddy R; Sluyter J; Kiadarbandsari A; Ofanoa M; Heather M; Fa'alau F; Nosa V; Younis MZ
    BACKGROUND: The Pacific community in New Zealand experienced an increased risk of COVID-19 transmission due to delayed contact tracing, along with a disproportionate prevalence of health challenges. The community is representative of a diverse population who proudly identify with the vibrant Pacific Island nations of Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands, Niue, Fiji, etc. Pacific communities in New Zealand face a higher burden of health challenges compared to other groups. These challenges include obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, mental health disorders, respiratory issues, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, disabilities, and chronic conditions. Concerns were raised regarding the oversight of Pacific community views in the initial pandemic response planning. Pacific healthcare professionals expressed concerns about inadequate state support and the need for active involvement in decision making. METHODS: This article reports thematic analyses of text data gained from open-ended questions from a purposive anonymous online survey completed by Pacific healthcare professionals in New Zealand. RESULTS: The participants shared their experiences and opinions, which generated four major themes highlighting priority health needs and challenges. These themes included the necessity for a culturally appropriate healthcare plan, adequate resourcing, addressing discrimination, and emphasising a united and collaborative effort for consistency. The research's limitation is the narrow scope of open-ended questions in the questionnaire survey. However, conducting semi-structured face-to-face interviews can provide more in-depth data and offer further insights beyond the four broad themes identified in the analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The findings can inform the development of future research to provide more in-depth data and offer further insights beyond the four broad themes identified in the analysis. This will help develop future tailored healthcare delivery plans that address specific Pacific community needs.
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    Translation, adaptation, and cross-cultural validation into Brazilian portuguese of the hearing protection assessment questionnaire (HPA)
    (Sociedade Brasileira de Fonoaudiologia, 2023-05-01) Bramati L; Gonçalves CGDO; Marques JM; Reddy R; Welch D; Lacerda ABDM
    PURPOSE: The aim of the present study is to translate, adapt, and cross-culturally validate the Brazilian Portuguese version of the questionnaire Hearing Protection Assessment Questionnaire (HPA). METHODS: The original instrument, developed in English, seeks to assess barriers and supports related to the use of hearing protection devices (HPD), as well as workers' knowledge, habits and attitudes towards occupational noise. The translation, adaptation, and cross-cultural validation of the questionnaire consisted of five steps: Translation of the questionnaire from English to Portuguese; 2) Reverse translation from Portuguese to English; 3) Analysis of the instrument by three experts in the field; 4) Pre-test of the questionnaire with ten workers; 5) Application of the instrument to 509 workers in a meatpacking industry after the pre-employment medical exam. RESULTS: The results indicate the construction and content validity of the Brazilian Portuguese version for use with a working population and its internal consistency. CONCLUSION: This study resulted in the translation, cultural adaptation, and validation of the Hearing Protection Assessment Questionnaire (HPA), in order to be used to assess the use of individual hearing protection in the occupational field, called Hearing Protection Assessment Questionnaire (HPA).