Background: Global warming is expected to bring about an increase in the frequency of heatwaves that may impact population health. Campylobacter and Salmonella which are among the most important causes of foodborne disease globally, are influenced by climate variability. However, the reported effects of heatwaves on these bacterial infections are inconsistent.

Methods: In this ecological time-series analysis conducted on a weekly timescale, all nationally reported cases of Campylobacteriosis and Salmonellosis in Singapore were analysed for their present and lagged associations with 2-day and 3-day heatwaves, absolute humidity and rainfall, in negative binomial regression models adjusted for long-term trend, seasonality, public holidays and population changes.

Results: 6,217 Campylobacteriosis and 21,699 Salmonellosis cases from 2012 to 2024 were included. There was a positive long-term trend in both diseases. Each 2-day heatwave in the present and previous 4 weeks was independently associated with a cumulative 16.2% decreased cumulative risk (RR: 0.838, 95% CI: 0.756 to 0.928) of Campylobacteriosis and a 10.8% increased cumulative risk (RR: 1.108, 95% CI: 1.035 to 1.187) of Salmonellosis in the present week. The direction of effect for heatwaves on both diseases remained consistent when using a 3-day heatwave definition. Campylobacteriosis and Salmonellosis both exhibited 5 within-year peaks. However, only Salmonellosis peaks were of unequal magnitudes. The seasonal peak of Campylobacteriosis coincided with the seasonal trough of Salmonellosis. A 1 g/m³ increase in absolute humidity above the mean of 22 g/m³ was associated with a cumulative 17% increase (RR: 1.17, 95% CI: 1.04 to 1.31) in Salmonellosis over the present and subsequent 4 weeks but no association was observed for Campylobacteriosis.

Conclusion: Heatwaves exhibited opposite but independent effects on Campylobacteriosis and Salmonellosis cases in Singapore. Health authorities should time food safety and health protection measures according to anticipated heatwaves and seasonal disease variations to increase their effectiveness.

Background: Adolescents have heightened nutritional needs to support rapid growth and development, yet many fall short of adequate dietary intake. Their dietary behaviours are shaped by a range of interrelated influences. This study examined multilevel social determinants of health affecting adolescent dietary behaviour in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Methods: A qualitative study was conducted in one public and one private high school in Addis Ababa between January and March 2024. Separate, semi-structured focus group discussions were held with adolescents and teachers, and individual interviews were conducted with parents. Participants included 17 adolescents (aged 15–19 years), 15 teachers, and 6 parents. Thematic analysis was guided by Braun and Clarke’s framework, with themes organised using Story’s multilevel model of influences on adolescent eating behaviour.
Results: Seven key themes emerged, highlighting the complex and interconnected social determinants that shape adolescent dietary behaviours. Individual-level influences included nutrition knowledge and taste preferences. Social environmental factors included parental and peer influences, along with cultural norms. Physical environmental factors such as economic constraints and school food environments shaped food access and choices, while macro-system factors—including media and food marketing—exerted broader systemic influence. While peer and parental support facilitated healthier behaviours, major barriers included peer pressure, economic hardship, lack of healthy school food options, and aggressive marketing of unhealthy foods. Cultural practices also strongly shaped dietary patterns.
Conclusion: This study underscores the need to address multiple levels of social determinants—ranging from household economic capacity to institutional food environments and societal norms—to promote adolescent nutrition in urban Ethiopia. Policy and practice should prioritise school-based food reforms, regulation of food marketing, and culturally sensitive education, while leveraging the positive influence of peers and families to support long-term dietary change.
Keywords: Adolescents, Dietary Behaviour, Social Determinants of Health, Parental Influence, Peer Pressure, Ethiopia, Qualitative Research

Background
Vaping among adolescents has become an increasing public health concern in recent years due to its associated detrimental health outcomes. Understanding the factors associated with adolescent uptake of vaping is essential for informing the development of effective prevention strategies. Given the significant role parents play in influencing their child's behaviour, this study aimed to examine the association between parent and adolescent vaping behaviours.

Methods
A cross-sectional survey, with a sample of 244 parent-adolescent dyads (aged 12–15) residing across Australia was conducted. Study outcomes, including parent and adolescent ever-use of vapes (defined as any lifetime use of vapes) were assessed via a telephone or online survey consisting of modified and validated survey items. Data collection occurred between March 2023 and May 2025. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression were used to analyse study outcomes.

Results
A total of 244 parent-adolescent dyads participated in the study. Forty-eight parents (19.7%) and 50 adolescents (20.5%) reported having ever-used vapes. Adolescents with a parent who reported ever-use of vapes were significantly more likely to report ever-use themselves (OR 2.15; 95%CI 1.06, 4.40; p=0.03) compared to those with a parent who reported never-use. Analysis on the association between factors that potentially influence adolescent vape use (e.g. societal norms) will also be presented.

Conclusion
This study found that adolescent vaping was higher among those whose parent had ever-used vapes. These findings suggest a potentially influential role of parents in shaping their child’s behaviour and provide policy makers and practitioners with insight into the factors that should be targeted in future interventions to effectively prevent adolescent vaping uptake.

Arbovirus geographic ranges are expanding globally due to climate change and increased international trade and travel, with key Aedes mosquito vectors now established across all continents.¹ Chandipura virus (CHPV), an emerging rhabdovirus endemic to India, causes acute febrile encephalitis, primarily in children.² In 2024, India experienced its largest CHPV outbreak in two decades, with 245 confirmed and suspected cases reported and a case fatality rate of 33%.² ³ While sandflies (family Psychodidaeare, subfamily Phlebotominae) are considered the primary vector, additional vectors such as mosquitoes and ticks have been identified, and the reservoir species remain unknown.⁴
Our objective was to conduct a PRISMA-guided scoping review to identify evidence of natural CHPV infection in animals and insects as a first step to assessing emergence potential, including in Australia where several rhabdoviruses already circulate in animals. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were searched (March–May 2025) using defined terms. Eligible studies included peer-reviewed primary research detecting CHPV (antigen, RNA, or antibodies) in non-human hosts, excluding experimental studies. Two reviewers independently screened records for eligibility then extracted data on species, location, detection methods, and prevalence.
Of 715 records identified, 390 remained after duplicate removal. Eleven records met inclusion criteria for final synthesis. Preliminary data indicate a wider potential vector and host range than previously recognised, including macaques, cattle, buffalo, pigs, goats, sheep, and a hedgehog (Atelerix spiculus) from the Indian sub-continent and tropical Africa.⁵ ⁶ ⁷ Given the northern distribution of sandflies in Australia, with a susceptible human and livestock population, assessment of incursion pathways and species suitability mapping are the next steps in assessing risk.

1. Kraemer et al. 2015;doi:10.7554/eLife.08347
2. Brisse et al. 2024;doi:10.3390/pathogens13121110
3. WHO 2024 https://www.who.int/emergencies/disease-outbreak-news/item/2024-DON529#:~:text=Situation%20at%20a%20glance,Chandipura%20virus%20(CHPV)%20infection.
4. Garg et al. 2024;doi:10.1016/j.ijmmb.2024.100749
5. Peiris et al. 1993;https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8230174
6. Joshi et al. 2005; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15929402
7. Sapkal et al. 2018;doi:10.2174/1874357901812010044

Seggs Uncensored Zine: Empowers young people to "fact-check their feed" and take control of their sex ed.

Young people are navigating a minefield of online misinformation about sexual and reproductive health, where algorithms often suppress evidence-based content from trusted organisations. At the same time, they’re flooded with harmful myths and unverified advice from influencers and unreliable sources (Limaye et al., 2020).

Sexual Health Victoria (SHV) surveyed 837 young people aged 16–25, revealing a strong demand for raw, fact-based content (SHV, 2023). In response, SHV created the Seggs Uncensored Zine. The use of "seggs" in the title reflects a common tactic among influencers who bypass content filters that censor the word “sex,” offering a subtle reminder for young people to critically evaluate and verify their sources.

The zine is a bright, bold, digital and printed resource that covers 16 critical topics, from sexual consent, anatomy, contraception, through to STI testing and healthy relationships —crafted to cut through the noise and connect with young people in a way that feels real and non-judgmental. The zine ditched the sanitised language and delivered the facts clearly and creatively, which effectively resonated with its intended audience.

The campaign successfully attracted over 11,000 online readers who engaged for over 188 hours online in the first three months. The campaign experienced a 10x industry average click-through rate. In addition to the online reach, SHV also provided over 10,000 physical copies, which were distributed across SHV clinics, Headspace centres, secondary schools, and youth-focused festivals like Midsumma and ChillOut; the campaign reached young people where they were.

By sidestepping digital censorship and directly tackling misinformation, Seggs Uncensored offers a fresh, scalable model for youth-led health communication—one that builds trust, speaks truth and puts power back in young people’s hands.

Link:
https://shvic.org.au/events/seggs-uncensored-zine

References
Limaye, R. J., et al. (2020). The Lancet Digital Health, 2(6), e277–e278.
Sexual Health Victoria. (2023). Internal Research [Unpublished].

Droughts are critical climate-related stressors with growing implications for public health. A systematic method is presented to classify drought exposure using high-resolution climatic data, enabling targeted climate adaptation and public health research. The approach is demonstrated by linking drought categories to participant data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey, illustrating population-level exposure across nine waves from 2007 to 2023, with applicability to multiple health outcomes where spatial-temporal analysis is critical. Gridded rainfall and temperature data from the Australian Water Availability Project (AWAP) at 5 km resolution were used from 1950 to 2024. The Standardised Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) was calculated on a six-month scale using the Thornthwaite method for estimating potential evapotranspiration. Drought exposure was assessed at the Statistical Area Level 1 (SA1) for 24 months preceding each survey wave. Two complementary methods were applied to operationalise drought: a duration-based approach identified drought periods as five or more consecutive months with SPEI ≤ -1, while an intensity-based approach quantified cumulative drought severity using a threshold from the literature. Several indicators relevant to public health were derived from these, including total drought months, number of drought cycles, and standardised intensity per cycle. Survey participants were categorised into mutually exclusive exposures: Extreme, Severe, Mild, Normal, and Wet. The Extreme category reflected both prolonged drought (above the 90th percentile of drought months) and high intensity (below the 10th percentile of standardised intensity). These exposure categories are designed to be epidemiologically meaningful, sensitive to climatic variability, and suitable for integration with individual-level health data. This exposure classification framework supports longitudinal analysis of climate-related health impacts and offers a replicable approach for other population-based studies and health impact assessments. The method enables the identification of populations at risk and informs the design of public health responses to the impacts of drought.

Background: Rural-to-urban migration is a major driver of rapid urbanisation in low-and middle-income countries (LMICS), as individuals pursue better employment, education, and escape from rural hardships. However, significant gaps remain in understanding its long-term effects on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among rural-to-urban migrants. Hence, this study aimed to compare HRQoL and associated factors including demographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviours, metabolic conditions, mental health status among male sibling pairs residing in either urban or rural settings.
Methods: A sibling-pair comparative study was conducted in rural Pirganj (Thakurgaon district) and Dhaka, Bangladesh. A total of 164 male sibling pairs (n = 328), aged 18–60, were included. In each pair, one sibling had permanently migrated to Dhaka and lived there for at least one year, while the other remained in rural Pirganj. Data on socio-demographic, dietary intake, physical activity, smoking status, metabolic conditions (diabetes, hypertension, lipid profile, obesity) and mental health were assessed. HRQoL was assessed by SF12, with Physical Component Score (PCS) and the Mental Component Score (MCS) were analysed. Paired t-tests and McNemar test for paired proportions were used to compare for continuous and categorical variables, respectively.
Results: The PCS and MCS of HRQoL scores were significantly lower among migrant siblings than their rural counterparts (PCS: 49.3 vs. 51.5, P = 0.001; MCS: 52.8 vs. 55.1, P = 0.006). In comparison, the key factors significantly associated with both PCS and MCS were never being married, never having smoked, a sedentary lifestyle (PCS: coefficient (β) =--2.07, 95%CI: -3.74 to -0.40, P = 0.015; MCS: β = -3.29 95%CI: -5.82 to -0.75, P = 0.011), and a high-risk waist circumference PCS: β =-1.89, 95%CI: -3.50 to -0.27, P = 0.022; MCS: β = -2.27 95%CI: -4.38 to -0.15, P = 0.036).
Conclusions: This study highlights significant disparities in HRQoL between migrant and rural siblings. Targeted interventions are essential to address health inequalities and support progress toward SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequality), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Objectives: To summarise existing evidence on the impact of temperature, on the transmission of arboviral infections such as Ross River virus (RRV) and Barmah Forest virus (BFV) infections in different geographical regions of Australia and to identify knowledge gaps.

Methods: We conducted a systematic search across three databases PubMed, Embase and Scopus from inception until March 2025. Eligible studies included peer reviewed studies published in English, and those that quantitatively assessed the impact of temperature on RRV or BFV infections.

Results: From 406 studies identified, 30 studies were eligible for inclusion. Overall, studies reported a positive association between high temperatures and an increased risk of RRV and BFV notifications in Australia. Geographical variations were observed with maximum temperature associated with higher notifications of RRV infections in coastal Australia, while minimum temperature increased the risk of RRV infections in inland regions, and for BFV infections across both regions.

Conclusions: Studies reported a positive association between temperature and RRV/BFV notifications, with spatial variations observed in different regions of Australia.

Implications for public health: Given most studies were carried out in coastal regions, there is a need to undertake further exploration in inland regions in Australia, at a smaller spatial scale to implement tailored prevention strategies.

Background and Aims: Current smoking prevalence among NSW adults born in non-English speaking countries in 2023 was 13% (95% CI: 10.8-15.2) compared to 9.6% (95% CI: 7.2-11.9) among those born in English speaking countries. Understanding similarities and differences of the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse community in relation to smoking is important when planning anti-tobacco initiatives and social marketing campaigns. Arabic-speaking people were of particular interest due to their high smoking prevalence and use of shisha.
Methods: The Cancer Institute Tobacco Tracking Survey (CITTS) is a cross-sectional continuous tracking survey of people in NSW who smoke or recent quitters aged 18 and over, with 40 people interviewed each week for 50 weeks of the year. Data collected from 2019/20-2024/25 for those aged 18-44 years was analysed to compare knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of Arabic-speaking people to those who only spoke English at home.
Results: Arabic smokers mainly used traditional cigarettes (70% vs 74% of those who only spoke English at home) but reported much higher use of shisha (51% compared to 12% of those who only spoke English at home) (P<0.001). They were less likely to perceive smoking-related illness to be severe (88% agreement vs 93%; P=0.03) and were less likely to have used pharmaceutical cessation supports such as nicotine replacement therapy (11% vs 21%, P=0.03). These results highlight the importance of engaging the Arabic-speaking community to ensure that anti-tobacco initiatives and campaigns reach and encourage smoking cessation.

Background
Vaping amongst adolescents is a critical public health issue associated with serious adverse health outcomes and an increased risk of subsequent tobacco use. Text-message based interventions have demonstrated effectiveness in improving adolescent health behaviours. This study aimed to examine the acceptability of a suite of theory-informed text-messages sent to parents and adolescents to prevent adolescent uptake of vaping.

Methods
Parents and adolescents (aged 12-15 years) were recruited as part of a larger factorial randomised controlled trial (RCT) being conducted to assess the potential effectiveness of text-messages in preventing adolescent vaping. Participants allocated to the intervention condition received one text-message per week for 12-weeks. The development of the text-messages was informed by the Theory of Triadic Influence and a comprehensive co-design approach with parents, adolescents, parenting and e-cigarette experts, health promotion officers, behavioural scientists and Aboriginal health program managers. Each text-message targeted factors associated with adolescent vaping. Acceptability of the text-messages were assessed via an online or telephone survey using validated survey items with parents and adolescents at 6-month follow-up. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics.

Results
Thirty adolescents and 35 parents were included in the study sample. The text-messages were reported to be highly acceptable amongst both parents and adolescents. The majority of parents agreed the messages were acceptable (94%, n=33) and would recommend them to other parents (91%, n=32). Amongst adolescents, 77% (n=23) agreed the messages were acceptable and 73% (n=22) would recommend them to their peers. In addition, 86% of parents (n=30) reported that the text-messages improved their ability to discuss vaping with their adolescent.

Conclusion
Findings of this study indicate that text-message interventions are an acceptable approach, amongst both parents and adolescents, for communicating information aiming to prevent adolescent vaping. The effectiveness of the program in reducing adolescent susceptibility is currently being evaluated.

Introduction: Colonoscopy is the important diagnostic step following a positive bowel cancer screening test. Previous research has found elevated cancer risks for LGBTQ+ communities, lower participation in screening, and systemic barriers in healthcare access, but little is known about LGBTQ+ peoples experiences and access to colonoscopy. We aimed to: 1) explore the beliefs, behaviours, and experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals regarding colonoscopy services; and 2) assess healthcare professionals' attitudes, knowledge, and confidence in delivering services to LGBTQ+ patients.

Methods: Online surveys were open November 2024-Feb 2025: one targeting NSW LGBTQ+ people aged 45-75 years with a positive bowel cancer screening test in past 5 years, and a second targeting NSW health care professionals involved in referring, triaging for, or delivering, colonoscopy services. In-depth interviews and qualitative focus groups were conducted January-February 2025, informed by emerging survey findings.

Results: Completed surveys were received from 29 LGBTQ+ individuals and 21 healthcare professionals that met the criteria. Follow-up interviews were held 10 community members and 5 clinicians. Barriers to colonoscopy identified among LGBTQ+ people were engagement, low awareness, perceived low risk, negative healthcare experiences, and competing health priorities. While most participants felt safe in colonoscopy settings, over 25% were concerned that their LGBTQ+ identity might affect care quality. Trans and gender diverse participants particularly valued the opportunity to disclose their gender, highlighting the vulnerability of the colonoscopy procedure which brought additional concerns for them. Healthcare professionals were confident in providing patient-centred care but lacked specific knowledge of LGBTQ+ patient needs, with many expressing interests in further training to improve cultural competence.

Implications for public health: Evidence-based recommendations to enhance LGBTQ+ inclusion in colonoscopy services were developed which include embedding LGBTQ+ inclusivity in procedures, strengthening links to LGBTQ+ support, updating models of care, and developing targeted training, resources and social marketing initiatives.

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution related to biomass combustion is an established driver of poor health outcomes. While interventions such as face masks and portable air cleaners (PACs) reduce exposure, the health benefits and cost effectiveness of these interventions are not well understood. To better recognise these factors, we modelled the benefits and costs of face masks and PACs across eight capital cities in Australia. We used historic daily PM2.5 concentrations coupled with fire activity and temperature data to create a statistically representative year of data. We used established concentration-response functions for long-term exposure to PM2.5 to estimate reductions in mortality risk and monetised them using the value of a statistical life. We calculated intervention costs by considering investment and operating expenses. We calculated the PM2.5 reduction potential and the benefit-cost ratio (BCR) as measures to compare interventions, using Monte Carlo simulation to account for uncertainty. All interventions were found to have a BCR above 1 (i.e. health benefits outweigh costs). Despite being the least effective intervention for reducing personal PM2.5 exposure, surgical masks had the greatest BCR, compared to P2/N95 masks, home-made PACs and branded PACs (BCR > 84 surgical masks; BCR > 33 P2/N95 masks; BCR > 2.5 home-made PACs; BCR > 1.3 branded PACs), due to the very low unit cost of surgical masks. Overall, the health benefits of using face masks and/or PACs outweighed the economic costs in all capital cities in Australia. This finding encourages national policy to subsidise PACs across affected communities during extreme biomass pollution events.

Background: Many countries are moving towards a plural health service delivery model where private and public healthcare providers are contracted to provide healthcare to achieve Universal Health Coverage. Participation is seen as key to ensuring accountable, responsive health systems and an important component of the right to health, as outlined in General Comment 14 on the Right to Health Many countries have participatory structures in public facilities, but little is known about participation in plural health systems. This scoping review aimed to identify participatory spaces in plural health systems and consider their effectiveness in health governance.

Methods: We searched Lilacs, Scielo, EbscoHost, Pubmed, Scopus and Google Scholar for articles in English and Portuguese published after 1990. We identified 3667 articles. After removing duplicates, reading titles, keywords and abstracts, we included 40 articles in the review.

Results: The review confirmed a gap in formal mechanisms for participation in plural health systems. Brazil and Thailand stood out as exceptions. Both countries have participatory structures at national, regional, provincial and local levels in the form of meetings and conferences where policy decisions and benefits packages are discussed. In Thailand, citizens are represented in the main medical scheme board and implementation agency, while Brazil has health councils at both municipal level and private and public facilities. In Columbia medical aid schemes are required to form user committees. While the literature on Columbia’s user committees indicates that they were not very effective, literature on Brazil and Thailand’s participation shows that citizens were able to influence policy, benefit packages and health governance.

Conclusion: Countries implementing a plural health service provider model will need to consider the role of participation. This could be based on a model that incorporates experiences from the Brazilian and Thai health systems and a human rights framework for participation.

Background: Emergency nurses play a critical frontline role in disaster response. Their preparedness and knowledge in managing CBRN casualties are essential for effective emergency response and patient outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the basic knowledge of medical response for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) preparedness among emergency nurses.

Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized a structured questionnaire to assess CBRN preparedness knowledge among emergency nurses in Saudi Arabia, covering key competencies, including symptom recognition, contamination detection, personal protective equipment (PPE), patients’ decontamination, and triage protocols. Data analysis included both descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results: The study included 183 emergency nurses, predominantly female (68.9%) and aged 31-45 years (59.0%). Only 23% had prior CBRN training, and these nurses scored significantly higher than their untrained peers (8.36 ± 3.15 vs. 6.6 ± 2.52; p = 0.030). The overall mean knowledge score was low at 7.02 ± 2.74 (out of 19). Knowledge levels across competencies ranked from highest to lowest as follows: triage protocols (44.26%), PPE usage (42.08%), decontamination techniques (40.98%), symptom recognition (35.85%), and contamination detection (32.79%). Knowledge of symptom recognition and PPE usage was lowest for chemical agents (25.57% and 36.07%) compared to biological agents (41% and 39.34%) and radiological agents (41% and 50.82%), respectively.

Conclusion: Emergency nurses demonstrated low CBRN knowledge, with pronounced weaknesses across all evaluated domains, particularly for chemical agents. Targeted training, policy support, and integration of CBRN content into nursing education and professional development are essential to improve preparedness and response capabilities.

Keywords: CBRN; emergency nursing; preparedness; disaster response, knowledge.

Background
Collaboration between community members, researchers and health promotion is an important driving factor in solving complex health problems such as youth vaping. Participation of young people in developing solutions draws on their lived experiences, and is essential to ensuring optimal design. We summarise the co-design methods used in developing a vaping cessation tool for young people and the influence that these had on the creation of the Pave smartphone app.

Methods
Co-design activities were conducted throughout the life of the project, including:
• Formative research with 24 focus groups of young people to understand their vaping cessation support needs and preferred modes of support
• Product development research using the KANO methodology with 30 young people to understand which features were essential to the solution
• Developmental research with 6 focus groups of young people to further inform the design of a smartphone app, including exploration of content and design
• Ongoing engagement with a youth advisory group for consultation
• Establishment of a research panel of 50 young people to conduct user testing and research activities to provide ongoing validation.

Results
The co-design activities with young people identified that a technology-based solution in the form of a smartphone app was favoured to support vaping cessation, and that the app needed to provide the ability to track progress, connect with others and support services, and features to distract from cravings. The Pave app was launched in February 2025 and has reached over 2000 downloads (as of 20 March 2025) with positive feedback from the target audience.

Background: Housing density is expected to increase across Greater Sydney as part of strategies to deal with projected population growth, urban sprawl and growing pressure on housing targets.
Aim: To understand the potential health and wellbeing impacts of higher density living, by exploring the lived experiences of current residents in medium and high-density dwellings in Northern Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD).
Methods: This citizen science project had a cross-sectional design. Community members living in medium and high-density dwellings located in selected Level 1 Statistical Areas (approx. 600 residents), in 9 local councils located in NSLHD, were invited to submit text and photo content about aspects of their apartment, building or neighbourhood that they felt had a impact on their physical or mental health and wellbeing. Text and image data were coded by two independent researchers for sentiment and analysed thematically. Findings were presented back to community members and their feedback sought regarding interpretation.
Results: Fifty-nine community members submitted 283 texts or photos. The main themes related to positive associations between their neighbourhood or dwelling with health and wellbeing were around plentiful amenities; public and outdoor spaces as assets; neighbourhood walkability; sense of community; and intergenerational appeal. Themes that had more negative associations with health and wellbeing related to pollution (noise, air, litter); barriers to social interactions; and perceptions of safety and hazards.
Conclusion: Residents of higher density neighbourhoods in Northern Sydney have mostly positive perceptions of their local neighbourhood, dwellings and impacts on their health and wellbeing. Future planning around increasing density should take into consideration the features valued by current residents of higher density areas, which will require the attention of local and higher levels of government.

Background:
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) presents a growing public health concern in Azerbaijan, contributing significantly to morbidity and healthcare burden. Effective self-management is essential to prevent complications and improve the quality of life among individuals with T2DM. Health literacy (HL) is recognized globally as a key driver of successful self-management; however, research in this area within Azerbaijan remains limited. To date, no comprehensive studies have examined the relationship between HL and diabetes self-management in the Azerbaijani population. This study aimed to fill this gap by investigating the associations between HL, self-management behaviors, and clinical outcomes among T2DM patients in outpatient settings.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted with 534 T2DM patients recruited from three outpatient clinics in Baku, Azerbaijan in 2024. Clinical data, including HbA1c levels, were extracted from medical records. HL and diabetes self-management behaviors were assessed using validated questionnaires. Linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to explore associations between HL, self-management behaviors, and clinical outcomes. It was reviewed and approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the University of Wollongong [Number 2023/018].
Results:
The majority of participants were female (62.9%), middle-aged (45.5%), had diabetes for over five years (56.9%), were on hypoglycaemic medications (63.3%), had not received prior self-management education (76.2%) and had poor glycemic control (HbA1c ≥7% in 73.3%). Both HL and self-management levels were generally low. Higher HL scores were significantly associated with improved self-management behaviors, particularly in diet and physical activity, which were in turn linked to better clinical outcomes.
Conclusion:
These findings highlight the urgent need to enhance HL and self-management support in Azerbaijan. HL was a significant predictor of diabetes management behaviors and outcomes. Finally, culturally sensitive health communication strategies would be essential to improve patient engagement, build trust, and address misinformation in current diabetes care.

Background

Frailty prevalence is increasing and impacts over 20% of community-dwelling older people. Frailty is associated with negative consequences to healthy ageing, including reduced quality of life, increased risk of disability, health care utilisation and death. Primary health care professionals (PHCPs) are well positioned to identify and manage frailty early in a patient’s frailty trajectory. Adelaide PHN designed the “Early Intervention Initiatives to Support Healthy Ageing and Frailty” to support people aged 65 years and over (55+ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders) at risk of frailty.

Methods

Sixteen general practices were commissioned to participate in a frailty quality improvement (QI) activity, facilitated by Bollen Health. The QI activity involved a 3-month sprint methodology to identify gaps, develop QI plans, utilise a healthy ageing QI toolkit, develop a network of neighbouring multidisciplinary professionals, adopt care planning and social prescribing for patients with (or at risk of) frailty. A mixed-methods research evaluation will explore implementation of frailty identification and management with general practices underpinned by the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance implementation outcomes.

Findings

General practices engaged with 306 patients for frailty identification and management throughout the 3-month sprint. Quality of life and loneliness was measured for general practice patients, with analysis in progress. Barriers to implementation described by PHCP were lack of time, limited knowledge of frailty interventions and low patient motivation. Preliminary qualitative experiences from general practice patients will also be presented.

Conclusion

This initiative equips PHCPs with strategies to improve frailty identification, management, enhancing patient care and promoting healthy ageing. Increased awareness and targeted interventions can help patients mitigate frailty’s impact, improving their overall health and quality of life.

Background: Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) populations experience a higher burden of chronic disease than the general population,¹ and programs must be designed to meet their unique needs. Group-based health interventions offer a valuable approach for supporting chronic disease management in CALD communities.²
Objective: To identify key considerations reported in the literature when designing and implementing group-based health programs for CALD populations.
Methods: A scoping review was conducted using systematic methods. Fifty-eight systematic reviews on group-based interventions for CALD communities were sourced from an umbrella review and included primary studies were sourced. Recurring considerations were identified and synthesised narratively.
Results: Several important considerations emerged from 87 included studies across three overarching domains as follows: (1) Content development – reliance on previous research and literature, expert guidance, target population involvement and adaptation for low literacy; (2) Cultural inclusivity – the use of culturally matched facilitators, incorporating participants’ preferred language, integration of cultural ideas, values and activities, family involvement, gender sensitivity; and (3) Facilitating participation – reducing logistical barriers through measures like providing transport, childcare, snacks, incentives, phone call reminders and accessible venues.
Conclusion: This review identifies common design features and implementation strategies relevant to delivering group-based interventions for CALD communities and offers practical guidance for public health program developers and researchers. These findings can inform inclusive, culturally tailored interventions and support health equity efforts in diverse settings.

1 Lindert, J., Ehrenstein, O. S. v., Priebe, S., Mielck, A. & Brähler, E. Depression and anxiety in labor migrants and refugees – A systematic review and meta-analysis. Social science & medicine (1982) 69, 246-257 (2009). https://doi.org:10.1016/j.socscimed.2009.04.032
2 Korenhof, S. A. et al. The effect of a community-based group intervention on chronic disease self-management in a vulnerable population. Frontiers in Public Health 11, 1221675 (2023).

Introduction
The rising prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) highlights the urgent need for effective prevention of HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in Nepal, where HIV/AIDS remains a major concern among adolescents. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) towards people living with HIV are crucial for preventing its spread. This study aimed to assess the KAP related to STIs and HIV/AIDS among higher secondary students in Nepal.

Methods
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 224 conveniently selected students from three colleges in the Parbat district of Nepal. Data were collected via self-administered questionnaires, with reliability and validity ensured through pre-testing. The collected data was entered in Epi data version 3.1 and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS), version 16.

Results
Slightly more participants were male (53.6%) than female (46.4%), with most (92.8%) aged 15–20 years. The majority were from the Management faculty (51.3%), followed by science (25.9%), Education (16.1%), and Humanities (6.7%). Teachers (94.2%) were the main source of HIV/AIDS information, followed by television (63.4%), health professionals (45.1%), radio (42.4%), and friends (39.7%). Public discussions were satisfactory, but interpersonal communication was mostly limited to close friends (55%). Most students knew HIV transmission methods, yet 54.9% mistakenly believed mosquito bites could transmit HIV. HIV/AIDS was commonly linked to girl trafficking (85.3%) and lack of sex education (82.1%). Among those reporting premarital sex, 86.2% always used condoms, 6.2% often, and 7.6% never. A significant association was found between gender and knowledge (p = 0.007), but not with condom use (p = 0.408), faculty and knowledge (p = 0.947), or knowledge, attitude, and practice (p > 0.05).

Conclusions
Our study reveals gaps in HIV/AIDS prevention understanding among higher secondary students in Nepal, despite positive attitudes and awareness, highlighting the need for improved education and interventions.

This presentation titled 'Change the story: your role in preventing violence against women' will enable public health practitioners to consider how their work in all fields of public health practice can support action in preventing violence against women in Australia.

Aligned with the conference theme 'workforce development' - this session will draw on the key Our Watch framework 'Change the Story.’

It will provide an opportunity to 1) develop knowledge and understanding of the gendered drivers of violence against women 2) explore actions to address the gendered drivers (e.g. challenge harmful stereotypes) in all fields of public health practice.

The learning objectives for this presentation include:
1) Develop knowledge and awareness of key frameworks and concepts in the primary prevention of violence against women

2) Identify opportunities for addressing the gendered drivers of violence against women in all fields of public health practice

4) Highlight key Our Watch frameworks and practice resources that support public health practice, including embedding intersectionality into practice. This includes a snapshot of critical frameworks such as:

a. Change the story: A shared framework for the primary prevention of violence against women in Australia (2nd ed.)
b. Changing the landscape: A national resource to prevent violence against women and girls with disabilities
c. Changing the picture: A national resource to support the prevention of violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their children
d. Men in focus: Unpacking masculinities and engaging men in the prevention of violence against women
e. Growing with change: Developing an expert workforce to prevent violence against women.

3) Raise the profile of Our Watch and the available training, resources and tools to support effective public health practice.

Over the past decade, new HIV notifications in Australia have significantly declined, particularly due to the availability of PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis). This reduction is mainly driven by decreased HIV acquisitions among MSM, but women's new infection rates remain unchanged.
We interviewed 25 cis- and transgender women recruited via social media, GP practices, and other organisations. Participants included both PrEP-naïve and PrEP-experienced women, identifying as straight and queer. Five women were currently taking PrEP, and two naïve participants initiated PrEP after their interview and were reinterviewed about their experience. Discussions focused on perceived HIV risk and awareness of PrEP as a prevention method for women. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis with Nvivo.
Participants had heard of PrEP but had limited detailed knowledge, especially about its availability for women. Information typically came from gay male friends and family. Several women felt their sexual behaviours might place them at risk of HIV and reported facing barriers to accessing care. Generally, women were positive about PrEP for HIV prevention. Some concerns about PrEP were identified, but structural elements of the healthcare system that restricted PrEP information and access for women were the main issues. Transwomen in our sample were less concerned as they were already linked to sexual health services through gender-affirming treatments.
Although current PrEP prescribing guidelines include prevention of heterosexual transmission (including for women), challenges remain with current approaches related to the source of care, sexual orientation, and gendered assumptions around HIV. To achieve HIV transmission elimination in Australia by 2025, it is crucial to provide information about PrEP to women and enable their access where indicated.

Abstract
Migrants from East African countries settling in Western nations often face substantial disadvantages due to their socioeconomic backgrounds. Research indicates that their health knowledge and access to healthcare services are significantly impacted during the settlement process. This study aims to examine the social determinants influencing health inequity among East African migrants in Australia.
Using an ethnographic approach, the study identifies five key determinants contributing to health inequities: cultural beliefs, structural barriers, language and communication challenges, limited social support networks, and systemic issues within the healthcare system. These factors play a critical role in shaping migrants’ interactions with health services and their overall health outcomes. Addressing these social determinants is essential to improving health outcomes and enhancing the living conditions of East African migrants in Australia, that requires changes in both policy and practice to bridge these disparities through culturally responsive and inclusive model of care.
Policy recommendations include eliminating systemic and structural barriers by expanding interpreter services, mandating cultural competency training for healthcare professionals, and ensuring equitable access to health information and care. Additionally, community-based initiatives that foster social connections and enhance health literacy among migrant populations are imperative. In practice, healthcare providers must be equipped to engage with diverse cultural perspectives, build trust, and collaborate with community leaders. Embedding cultural responsiveness within health systems is critical to enable equitable health outcomes for East African migrants in Australia.

Youth mental health is increasingly recognised as a critical public health issue shaped by intersecting social, cultural, and environmental determinants. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, many young people are facing ongoing psychological distress, academic uncertainty, social isolation, and digital fatigue. These challenges are particularly pronounced among culturally diverse and international youth populations with limited access to mental health support.

This abstract examines how community-based public health strategies can strengthen mental health outcomes for youth. Drawing on literature and field-based observations, three key approaches are discussed: (1) embedding mental health literacy into educational settings, (2) fostering safe, inclusive spaces for peer-led support, and (3) co-designing mental health programs with young people to ensure cultural and social relevance.

Youth-led awareness initiatives, school-based prevention models, and community outreach in multilingual settings demonstrate that building mental resilience requires more than clinical services—it demands social connectedness and empowerment. The presentation reflects on how public health professionals can reframe mental health as a shared societal responsibility, grounded in equity, prevention, and inclusion.

A holistic public health response must include schools, families, peer networks, and community leaders. By strengthening early intervention pathways and destigmatising mental health through culturally aware public health efforts, we can support the well-being of youth populations and build healthier societies for the future.

References:
• Kieling, C., Baker-Henningham, H., Belfer, M., et al. (2011). Child and adolescent mental health worldwide: Evidence for action. The Lancet, 378(9801), 1515–1525. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(11)60827-1
• Patel, V., Saxena, S., Lund, C., et al. (2018). The Lancet Commission on global mental health and sustainable development. The Lancet, 392(10157), 1553–1598. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31612-X
• World Health Organization. (2021). Mental health of adolescents. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/adolescent-mental-health