John Condon - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by John Condon

Medical Journal of Australia, 1988

Changes in alcohol and nicotine usage during pregnancy are reported for a sample of 112 pregnant ... more Changes in alcohol and nicotine usage during pregnancy are reported for a sample of 112 pregnant women, 35 of whom smoked cigarettes before pregnancy and 86 of whom drank alcohol before pregnancy. Striking differences were observed among the patterns of cigarette smoking compared with those of drinking. One hundred per cent of drinkers reported a reduced intake of alcohol but only 57% of the smokers reported a decrease in cigarette smoking. Forty per cent of the smokers reported that they had "tried and failed" to cut down on their cigarette consumption yet none of the drinkers reported such a failure. A reduction in drinking during pregnancy was related directly to an antenatal emotional attachment to the fetus and related inversely to feelings of irritability towards the fetus. In the case of smoking, this relationship did not emerge, and it seemed probable that a psychological and a physiological dependence on nicotine may override the effect of an emotional attachment to the fetus. Implications for the prevention of smoking are discussed.

The Medical Journal of Australia, Sep 1, 2006

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, Oct 1, 1993

Recent research addressing the link between psychological factors and risk of coronary heart dise... more Recent research addressing the link between psychological factors and risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) has focused on the areas of hostility and anger and produced sometimes contradictory results. This study makes use of four questionnaire measures of hostility and anger, which were administered to matched groups with and without CHD. Quicker experiences of anger with greater verbal expression best predicted CHD. The difficulties in teasing out the relative contributions of emotional expression, experience and personality using available questionnaires are discussed.

A layer ofanunfilled adhesive resinplaced between thetooth andcomposite restoration has beenshown... more A layer ofanunfilled adhesive resinplaced between thetooth andcomposite restoration has beenshowntoabsorb someofthestress generated inthecomposite during polymerization andto reduce interfacial leakage. Theobjectives ofthis studywere to measurethechangein polymerization contraction stress ofbonded composite asthethickness oftheresin adhesive wassystematically varied, andtocorrelate the effects oftheadhesive thickness andreduced stress onmarginal leakage inclass V cavities. The maximum contraction forceofcomposite (Herculite XRV)wasmeasured inatensilometer asthethickness oftheadhesive bonding agent (Scotchbond MP)wasvaried

Australian family physician, 2005

To identify ways to improve detection and access to treatment. A survey of general practitioners ... more To identify ways to improve detection and access to treatment. A survey of general practitioners and postnatal women across Australia addressing knowledge of, and attitudes to, postnatal depression using case vignettes. General practitioners were significantly more likely to recognise depression than postnatal women, who were likely to seek help for more general or baby related issues. Both GPs and women favoured help from partners and counselling, but GPs significantly favoured antidepressants and women, natural therapies. Women have a low likelihood of presenting for depression, suggesting a role for screening by GPs. Women preferred psychological and social management than drugs for depression perinatally.

The Medical journal of Australia, Jan 20, 2014

To describe the epidemiology, clinical features, management and outcomes of hepatocellular carcin... more To describe the epidemiology, clinical features, management and outcomes of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the Northern Territory over the past decade. An NT-wide epidemiology study covering the period 1991-2010 and a clinical cohort study including patients diagnosed during 2000-2011. HCC diagnoses were provided by the NT Cancer Registry and cross-checked against clinical records. Age-adjusted incidence of HCC; management; clinical features; and median and 1-year survival. There were 145 incident cases of HCC in the NT during 1991-2010, giving an age-adjusted annual incidence of 22.7/100 000 (95% CI, 17.2-26.8) for Indigenous Australians and 4.0/100 000 (95% CI, 2.1-5.8) for non-Indigenous Australians - an incidence rate ratio of 5.9 (95% CI, 4.7-7.4). There was no significant change in annual age-adjusted incidence over this period. The most common causative factors were hepatitis B virus in Indigenous people and hepatitis C virus in non-Indigenous people. Most people were diag...

The Medical journal of Australia, Jan 7, 2006

To examine trends in Northern Territory Indigenous mortality from chronic diseases other than can... more To examine trends in Northern Territory Indigenous mortality from chronic diseases other than cancer. A comparison of trends in rates of mortality from six chronic diseases (ischaemic heart disease [IHD], chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], cerebrovascular disease [CVD], diabetes mellitus [DM], renal failure [RF] and rheumatic heart disease [RHD]) in the NT Indigenous population with those of the total Australian population. NT Indigenous and total Australian populations, 1977-2001. Estimated average annual change in chronic disease mortality rates and in mortality rate ratios. Death rates from IHD and DM among NT Indigenous peoples increased between 1977 and 2001, but this increase slowed after 1990. Death rates from COPD rose before 1990, but fell thereafter. There were non-significant declines in death rates from CVD and RHD. Mortality rates from RF rose in those aged > or = 50 years. The ratios of mortality rates for NT Indigenous to total Australian populations fro...

The Lancet, 2012

BACKGROUND: Non-fatal health outcomes from diseases and injuries are a crucial consideration in t... more BACKGROUND: Non-fatal health outcomes from diseases and injuries are a crucial consideration in the promotion and monitoring of individual and population health. The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) studies done in 1990 and 2000 have been the only studies to quantify non-fatal health outcomes across an exhaustive set of disorders at the global and regional level. Neither effort quantified uncertainty in prevalence or years lived with disability (YLDs).METHODS: Of the 291 diseases and injuries in the GBD cause list, 289 cause disability. For 1160 sequelae of the 289 diseases and injuries, we undertook a systematic analysis of prevalence, incidence, remission, duration, and excess mortality. Sources included published studies, case notification, population-based cancer registries, other disease registries, antenatal clinic serosurveillance, hospital discharge data, ambulatory care data, household surveys, other surveys, and cohort studies. For most sequelae, we used a Bayesian meta-regression method, DisMod-MR, designed to address key limitations in descriptive epidemiological data, including missing data, inconsistency, and large methodological variation between data sources. For some disorders, we used natural history models, geospatial models, back-calculation models (models calculating incidence from population mortality rates and case fatality), or registration completeness models (models adjusting for incomplete registration with health-system access and other covariates). Disability weights for 220 unique health states were used to capture the severity of health loss. YLDs by cause at age, sex, country, and year levels were adjusted for comorbidity with simulation methods. We included uncertainty estimates at all stages of the analysis.FINDINGS: Global prevalence for all ages combined in 2010 across the 1160 sequelae ranged from fewer than one case per 1 million people to 350,000 cases per 1 million people. Prevalence and severity of health loss were weakly correlated (correlation coefficient -0·37). In 2010, there were 777 million YLDs from all causes, up from 583 million in 1990. The main contributors to global YLDs were mental and behavioural disorders, musculoskeletal disorders, and diabetes or endocrine diseases. The leading specific causes of YLDs were much the same in 2010 as they were in 1990: low back pain, major depressive disorder, iron-deficiency anaemia, neck pain, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, anxiety disorders, migraine, diabetes, and falls. Age-specific prevalence of YLDs increased with age in all regions and has decreased slightly from 1990 to 2010. Regional patterns of the leading causes of YLDs were more similar compared with years of life lost due to premature mortality. Neglected tropical diseases, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and anaemia were important causes of YLDs in sub-Saharan Africa.INTERPRETATION: Rates of YLDs per 100,000 people have remained largely constant over time but rise steadily with age. Population growth and ageing have increased YLD numbers and crude rates over the past two decades. Prevalences of the most common causes of YLDs, such as mental and behavioural disorders and musculoskeletal disorders, have not decreased. Health systems will need to address the needs of the rising numbers of individuals with a range of disorders that largely cause disability but not mortality. Quantification of the burden of non-fatal health outcomes will be crucial to understand how well health systems are responding to these challenges. Effective and affordable strategies to deal with this rising burden are an urgent priority for health systems in most parts of the world.FUNDING: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Journal of Dental Research, 1997

For the clinical wear of composite filling materials to be reduced, compositional factors such as... more For the clinical wear of composite filling materials to be reduced, compositional factors such as degree of cure, filler level, and silanation level should be optimized. An oral-wear-simulating machine was used to explore the effects of these factors on abrasion and attrition wear as well as on opposing enamel wear. The composites were made from Sr glass (1-2 μm avg) and a 50/50 Bis-GMA/TEGDMA resin. Series I (A-D, E) were light-cured (Triad II) for 9, 12, 25, and 40 sec/side to produce degree of cure (DC) as measured by FTIR of 56, 60, 61, and 63%, respectively. E received an additional heat cure (120°C for 10 min) to reach a DC of 66%. Series II (D, F-I) were filled to 62, 53, 48, 37, and 28 vol%, respectively. In series III (D, J-M), the portion of fillers treated with a silane coupler (MPS) was 100, 80, 60, 40, and 20%, respectively. Samples were cycled 50,000 times against an enamel antagonist in a poppy seed/PMMA slurry in the oral wear simulator to produce abrasion (load = 20...

Journal of Affective Disorders, 2006

Background: To assess the acceptability of routine screening for perinatal depression. Method: Po... more Background: To assess the acceptability of routine screening for perinatal depression. Method: Postnatal women (n = 860) and health professionals (n = 916) were surveyed after 3 years of routine perinatal (antenatal and postnatal) use of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Results: Over 90% of women had the screening explained to them and found the EPDS easy to complete; 85% had no difficulties completing it. Discomfort with screening was significantly related to having a higher EPDS score. A majority of health professionals using the EPDS was comfortable and found it useful. Limitations: The sample involved only maternity services supporting depression screening. In addition, the response rate from GPs was low. Conclusions: Routine screening with the EPDS is acceptable to most women and health professionals. Sensitive explanation, along with staff training and support, is essential in implementing depression screening.

Internal Medicine Journal, 2012

The performance of co-morbidity indices in measuring outcomes after acute myocardial infarction i... more The performance of co-morbidity indices in measuring outcomes after acute myocardial infarction in Australia Indigenous and non-Indigenous patients * Short title: AMI co-morbidity and survival.

BMC Health Services Research, 2008

Background: A growing body of international literature points to the importance of a system appro... more Background: A growing body of international literature points to the importance of a system approach to improve the quality of care in primary health care settings. Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) concepts and techniques provide a theoretically coherent and practical way for primary care organisations to identify, address, and overcome the barriers to improvements. The Audit and Best Practice for Chronic Disease (ABCD) study, a CQI-based quality improvement project conducted in Australia's Northern Territory, has demonstrated significant improvements in primary care service systems, in the quality of clinical service delivery and in patient outcomes related to chronic illness care. The aims of the extension phase of this study are to examine factors that influence uptake and sustainability of this type of CQI activity in a variety of Indigenous primary health care organisations in Australia, and to assess the impact of collaborative CQI approaches on prevention and management of chronic illness and health outcomes in Indigenous communities. Methods/design: The study will be conducted in 40-50 Indigenous community health centres from 4 States/Territories (Northern Territory, Western Australia, New South Wales and Queensland) over a five year period. The project will adopt a participatory, quality improvement approach that features annual cycles of: 1) organisational system assessment and audits of clinical records; 2) feedback to and interpretation of results with participating health centre staff; 3) action planning and goal setting by health centre staff to achieve system changes; and 4) implementation of strategies for change. System assessment will be carried out using a System Assessment Tool and in-depth interviews of key informants. Clinical audit tools include two essential tools that focus

Australian Health Review, 2012

Objective. To assess whether Indigenous Australians age prematurely compared with other Australia... more Objective. To assess whether Indigenous Australians age prematurely compared with other Australians, as implied by Australian Government aged care policy, which uses age 50 years and over for population-based planning for Indigenous people compared with 70 years for non-indigenous people. Methods. Cross-sectional analysis of aged care assessment, hospital and health survey data comparing Indigenous and non-indigenous age-specific prevalence of health conditions. Analysis of life tables for Indigenous and non-indigenous populations comparing life expectancy at different ages. Results. At age 63 for women and age 65 for men, Indigenous people had the same life expectancy as non-indigenous people at age 70. There is no consistent pattern of a 20-year lead in age-specific prevalence of age-associated conditions for Indigenous compared with other Australians. There is high prevalence from middle-age onwards of some conditions, particularly diabetes (type unspecified), but there is little...

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 1993

The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 1989

Changes in alcohol and nicotine usage during pregnancy are reported from a sample of 40 pregnant ... more Changes in alcohol and nicotine usage during pregnancy are reported from a sample of 40 pregnant women, 28 of whom smoked prior to pregnancy and 32 of whom drank alcohol. Although most women wanted to reduce or stop their intake during pregnancy, the drinkers were far more successful in their attempt than the smokers. Thus, 85% of drinkers achieved or bettered their target behaviour (in terms of consumption), while 53% of smokers 'failed' in their attempt. Women can identify reasons which influence their smoking and drinking behaviour during pregnancy and, in particular, the amount of emotional attachment to the unborn child appears to be important. However, endorsement of a particular reason does not appear to relate in any simple way to actual consumption, and a major disparity between health beliefs and actual behaviour was apparent. Implications for primary prevention programmes and future research are discussed.