Summer studentships health research
Thursday, 26 January 2012
Students from the University of Otago, Christchurch and other tertiary institutions in Canterbury will present the results of their summer research projects on Friday January 27 at the Christchurch Netball Centre (9am-1.30pm).
The 38 studentships are supported by sponsors with a grant of $5000 for each student. This is often the first chance for many medical and science students to experience health research under supervision of a clinician or scientist, which may then lead to a research career.
Three prizes of $500 each from the Lions Club of Selwyn, Canterbury Scientific, and the Christchurch Radiology Group are awarded for the best presentations in the categories of community, clinical and laboratory research. A further $500 is awarded for the best overall presentation by the Canterbury branch of the NZ Federation of Graduate Women.
Some of the 38 student projects are highlighted below.
The impact of Christchurch earthquakes on smoking status
Student: Nicholas Erskine
Supervisors: Associate Professor Lutz Beckert, Dr Bronwen Rhodes
Sponsor: The Asthma Foundation
Following the Christchurch earthquakes 23.8% of people who were not smoking in August 2010 had started smoking again, 29 having smoked more than 100 cigarettes since the first earthquake on September 4. In addition 34% of smokers said they had increased consumption of cigarettes and 76% said this was because of the earthquakes. Of those who decreased smoking, 9.5% said it was because of earthquakes. The most common reasons given for increased smoking were earthquake stress, a general desire to smoke more, influence of friends, family and work stress.
Predictors of mental health effects of earthquakes
Student: Kate Eggleston
Supervisors: Dr Caroline Bell, Dr Sandy McLeod
Sponsor: University of Otago, Divisional Scholarship
141 studies of earthquakes were reviewed for significant risk factors as predictors of mental health effects of earthquakes. Females were found to be at greater risk of health effects following earthquakes, but the role of other demographic factors is more uncertain. Severity of exposure to the earthquake is important, as are post-earthquake variables such as social support. The main predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder are: female gender, psychiatric history, low education, exposure to the earthquake, fear and lack of social support.
Exercise and cancer:a systematic review
Student: Annabel Ludeke
Supervisors: Associate Professor Lisa Whitehead, Professor Bridget Robinson, Dr Sarah Gunningham, Dr Margaret Currie.
Sponsor: Cancer Society, Canterbury/West Coast, Cancer Soc. Rangiora
A review of 49 international studies demonstrated many beneficial effects of exercise to alleviate treatment side-effects in breast and bowel cancer patients. The most common and effective exercise was a home based walking regime, although other regimes varied from lymphatic drainage therapy to yoga. Exercise not only had positive physical effects, but also improved depression, anxiety, fatigue, self esteem and overall quality of life during and after treatment.
The use of interpreter services in general practice in Canterbury
Student: Kara Seers
Supervisors: Dr Lynley Cook, Dr Gillian Abel and Dr Philip Schluter
Sponsor: Partnership Health Canterbury
Language difficulties can pose a barrier to effective medical diagnosis and treatment. Partnership Health Canterbury provides fully funded interpreter services for GPs in Canterbury, but at present under 1% of general practices actually use the service. Five key barriers were identified in a survey of general practices in Canterbury: practical issues, the culture of general practice, knowledge of the service, perceptions of need, lack of policy and technical factors. The study concluded that interpreter services are significantly underused by general practices in Canterbury.
For programme and summaries contact
Virginia Irvine
Research Manager
University of Otago, Christchurch
Tel 03 364 3630
Mob 021 364 038
Virginia.irvine@otago.ac.nz
www.otago.ac.nz/christchurch
For a list of Otago experts available for media comment, please go to www.otago.ac.nz/mediaexpertise