Health Promotion & Physical Activity

Knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of African parents in Sydney, Australia towards Human Papillomavirus vaccine

2024-12-30T08:40:15+01:00

Vaccine uptake in children below 18 years of age is dependent on parental consent. This study seeks to report on the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of African parents in Sydney, Australia towards Human Papillomavirus vaccine.

Purpose: To determine the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of African parents in Sydney, Australia on the HPV vaccine.
Materials and methods: A questionnaire directed at African parents of children aged 10 to 15 years old in Sydney Australia was distributed from April 2023 to October 2023.

Results: A total of 31 respondents returned completed questionnaires. The parents had a high level of knowledge on HPV vaccine (74.2%). Perception towards the vaccine was positive with the majority (83.9%) agreeing to vaccine uptake following prior information and expressing willingness for their children to be vaccinated (61.3%). Attitudes towards the vaccine were found to be positive. Majority of the parents were certain that the vaccine was neither against their religious/moral beliefs (71.0%) nor for experimental purposes (64.5%).

Conclusion: Overall, this study revealed that African parents in Sydney, Australia have a high level of knowledge on HPV vaccine, positive perceptions and positive attitudes towards HPV vaccine.

Assessment of selected upper limb ranges of motion in violinists during instrument performance

2025-01-28T15:13:36+01:00

Objective: Playing an instrument is a significant part of a violinist’s life. Daily, they are exposed to specific, forced positions of the upper limbs while playing. Any injuries or overloading of the musculoskeletal system can adversely affect their ability to perform their profession or pursue their passion for playing the violin. The aim of this study was to determine the ranges of motion of selected upper limb joints in violinists during violin playing. A deeper understanding of the biomechanics of playing the instrument can contribute to the development of increasingly effective rehabilitation protocols, facilitate preventive measures, and support the maintenance of musicians’ health and well-being.

Material and methods: Twenty-two violinists were recorded while performing a three-octave G-major scale. After selecting appropriate frames, an assessment of selected ranges of motion was conducted using the Angulus application.

Results: The ranges of motion achieved by violinists largely depend on their adopted playing technique. The greatest range of motion amplitude was observed in the sagittal plane in the shoulder joint and wrist joint of the bow-holding upper limb, as well as in the sagittal plane of the wrist joint of the violin-holding upper limb. The smallest ranges of motion were observed in the horizontal plane of the shoulder joint of the bow-holding upper limb and in the sagittal plane of the shoulder joint of the violin-holding upper limb.

Conclusions: Violinists work on average within the following ranges of motion: in the shoulder joint of the bow-holding upper limb: S: 0-15-87, F: 74-19-0, T: 0-47-63; in the elbow joint: S: 0-39-95; in the wrist joint: S: 34-0-35, F: 19-0-2. For the violin-holding upper limb, the ranges were: in the shoulder joint: S: 0-31-38, F: 22-6-0; in the elbow joint: S: 0-96-106; in the wrist joint: S: 17-0-25.

Factors Influencing Moderate‐to‐Vigorous Intensity Physical Activity Across Different Living Arrangements in Older Adults

2025-03-20T08:19:01+01:00

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in older adults, comparing those living in care facilities with community-dwelling individuals. Additionally, it examined diurnal variations in physical activity across different intensity levels.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 10 older adults residing in a care facility (mean age 84.0 ± 6.2 years) and 17 community-dwelling older adults (mean age 75.7 ± 4.7 years). Participants wore a triaxial accelerometer for 1 week to measure sedentary behavior (SB), light physical activity (LPA), and MVPA. Data were analyzed by dividing the 15-h period (6:00–21:00) into five 3-h intervals to examine activity patterns. Descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, and multiple regression analyses identified factors associated with MVPA.

Results: Compared with community-dwelling older adults, their counterparts in care facilities engaged in significantly less MVPA. Long-term care certification, daily step counts, and time spent in LPA were key factors associated with MVPA. Diurnal patterns revealed that community-dwelling older adults were more active from 9:00–18:00, whereas those in care facilities spent more time in SB, particularly between 9:00 and 12:00.

Conclusions: Long-term care certification, daily step counts, and LPA were key factors influencing MVPA. Furthermore, significant differences in physical activity patterns between institutionalized and community-dwelling older adults highlight the need for tailored activity promotion programs.