Lisa Vaughan - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Lisa Vaughan

Research paper thumbnail of Evaluation of the Good Start Program for Maori and Pacific Island Children: Final Report

Research paper thumbnail of What does a multicultural health worker workforce bring to a culturally competent program

Research paper thumbnail of Using systems thinking and the Intervention Level Framework to analyse public health planning for complex problems: Otitis media in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children

PloS one, 2018

Middle ear disease (otitis media) is endemic among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children... more Middle ear disease (otitis media) is endemic among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Australia and represents an important cause of hearing loss. The disease is the result of a mix of biological, environmental and host risk factors that interact in complex, non-linear ways along a dynamic continuum. As such, it is generally recognised that a holistic, systems approach is required to reverse the high rates of otitis media in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. The objective of this paper is to examine the alignment between efforts designed to address otitis media in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Queensland, Australia and core concepts of systems thinking. This paper's overall purpose is to identify which combination of activities, and at which level, hold the potential to facilitate systems changes to better support ear health among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. We began with a review of documents identified in con...

Research paper thumbnail of Hey, We Are the Best Ones at Dealing with Our Own': Embedding a Culturally Competent Program for Māori and Pacific Island Children into a Mainstream Health Service in Queensland, Australia

Journal of racial and ethnic health disparities, Jan 13, 2017

We present the results of one component of an external evaluation of Good Start Program (GSP), a ... more We present the results of one component of an external evaluation of Good Start Program (GSP), a community-based program for the prevention of chronic disease among Maori and Pacific Island (MPI) communities living in the state of Queensland, Australia. An evaluation of the GSP was undertaken using a mixed methods approach. This paper reports on the qualitative component where interview and focus group data was collected, using Talanoa, a culturally tailored research methodology. Respondents included school students, community groups, teachers and parents, as well as the Good Start implementation team. The five broad themes that emerged from this evaluation related to (i) components of cultural-competence and (ii) perceived impact of the program. The views of all participants reinforced the importance of culturally appropriate programs and highlighted how the multicultural health workers (MHWs) contributed to the program's perceived success. The challenges in understanding restr...

Research paper thumbnail of Charting Availability of Processed and Unprocessed Foods in School Neighbourhood Nutrition Environments in an Urban Australian Setting

Journal of environmental and public health, 2017

School Neighbourhood Nutrition Environments (SNNEs) can facilitate or impede healthy eating. This... more School Neighbourhood Nutrition Environments (SNNEs) can facilitate or impede healthy eating. This study describes the SNNEs surrounding 6 Good Start Program (GSP) schools in 5 suburbs in Logan, Queensland. Relative density of healthy and unhealthy food outlets was calculated for SNNEs surrounding GSP (6) and non-GSP (10) schools within the 5 suburbs. Relative accessibility of minimally processed and highly processed food and drink in SNNEs of the 6 GSP schools was determined using shelf measurements of snack foods. Unhealthy outlets greatly outnumber healthy outlets (mean relative density 15.6%, median 19.1%). The majority of outlets stock predominantly highly processed food and drink. Study areas are dominated by unhealthy food outlets and highly processed food.

Research paper thumbnail of Evaluation of the Good Start Program: a healthy eating and physical activity intervention for Maori and Pacific Islander children living in Queensland, Australia

BMC Public Health, 2017

Background: Reducing the prevalence of obesity and chronic disease are important priorities. Maor... more Background: Reducing the prevalence of obesity and chronic disease are important priorities. Maori and Pacific Islander communities living in Australia have higher rates of obesity and chronic disease than the wider Australian population. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of the Good Start program, which aims to improve knowledge, attitudes and practices related to healthy eating and physical activity amongst Maori and Pacific Islander communities living in Queensland. Methods: The intervention was delivered to children aged 6-19 years (N = 375) in schools by multicultural health workers. Class activities focused on one message each term related to healthy eating and physical activity using methods such as cooking sessions and cultural dance. The evaluation approach was a quantitative uncontrolled pre-post design. Data were collected each term pre-and post-intervention using a short questionnaire. Results: There were significant increases in knowledge of correct servings of fruit and vegetables, knowledge of sugar and caffeine content of common sugar-sweetened drinks, recognition of the consequences of marketing and upsizing, and the importance of controlling portion size (all P < 0.05). There was also increases in knowledge of physical activity recommendations (P < 0.001), as well as the importance of physical activity for preventing heart disease (P < 0.001) and improving self-esteem (P < 0.001). In terms of attitudes, there were significant improvements in some attitudes to vegetables (P = 0.02), and sugar-sweetened drinks (P < 0.05). In terms of practices and behaviours, although the reported intake of vegetables increased significantly (P < 0.001), the proportion of children eating discretionary foods regularly did not change significantly, suggesting that modifying the program with an increased emphasis on reducing intake of junk food may be beneficial. Conclusion: The study has shown that the Good Start Program was effective in engaging children from Maori and Pacific Island backgrounds and in improving knowledge, and some attitudes and practices, related to healthy eating and physical activity. The evaluation contributes valuable information about components and impacts of this type of intervention, and considerations relevant to this population in order to successfully change behaviours and reduce the burden of chronic disease.

Research paper thumbnail of Dietary guidelines for good diabetes care

Practice Nursing, 2004

Lisa Vaughan explains the importance of good diet in effective diabetes management

Research paper thumbnail of Dietary guidelines for the management of diabetes

Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)

This article outlines contemporary guidelines for the dietary management of diabetes, with the ai... more This article outlines contemporary guidelines for the dietary management of diabetes, with the aim of reducing inconsistencies in dietary recommendations.

Research paper thumbnail of Bangladeshi women's experiences of infant feeding in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets

Maternal & Child Nutrition, 2015

This study examined the main factors that influence Bangladeshi women living in London's decision... more This study examined the main factors that influence Bangladeshi women living in London's decisions to partially breastfeed their children, including the influence of older women within the community. Fifty-seven women of Bangladeshi origin living in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets took part in seven discussion groups between April and June 2013. Five groups were held with women of child-bearing age and two groups with older women in the community. A further eight younger women and three older women took part in one-on-one interviews. Interviews were also carried out with eight local health care workers, including public health specialists, peer support workers, breastfeeding coordinators and a health visitor. The influences on women's infant feeding choices can be understood through a 'socio-ecological model', including public health policy; diverse cultural influences from Bangladesh, London and the Bangladeshi community in London; and the impacts of migration and religious and family beliefs. The women's commitment to breastfeeding was mediated through the complexity of their everyday lives.The tension between what was 'best' and what was 'possible' leads them not only to partially breastfeed but also to sustain partial breastfeeding in a way not seen in other socio-cultural groups in the United Kingdom.

Research paper thumbnail of Embedding Education into Diabetes Practice

Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, 2006

Research paper thumbnail of Deadly ears deadly kids deadly communities framework: Evaluation report

The Deadly Ears Deadly Kids Deadly Communities (DEDKDC) Framework was initiated in 2009, and was ... more The Deadly Ears Deadly Kids Deadly Communities (DEDKDC) Framework was initiated in 2009, and was aligned to the Queensland government’s whole of government close the gap plan, “Making tracks: a state-wide plan towards addressing the gap in health outcomes for Indigenous Queenslanders 2009–2013”. The Framework targets a reduction in the significant rates of otitis media (OM) in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. OM is the result of an interaction between medical and environmental causes. As such, the Framework aims to reduce both the incidence and impact of conductive hearing loss associated with OM by intervening at a number of different levels, from the local to the national, and across different sectors.

Research paper thumbnail of Evaluation of the Good Start Program for Maori and Pacific Island Children: Final Report

Research paper thumbnail of What does a multicultural health worker workforce bring to a culturally competent program

Research paper thumbnail of Using systems thinking and the Intervention Level Framework to analyse public health planning for complex problems: Otitis media in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children

PloS one, 2018

Middle ear disease (otitis media) is endemic among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children... more Middle ear disease (otitis media) is endemic among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Australia and represents an important cause of hearing loss. The disease is the result of a mix of biological, environmental and host risk factors that interact in complex, non-linear ways along a dynamic continuum. As such, it is generally recognised that a holistic, systems approach is required to reverse the high rates of otitis media in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. The objective of this paper is to examine the alignment between efforts designed to address otitis media in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Queensland, Australia and core concepts of systems thinking. This paper's overall purpose is to identify which combination of activities, and at which level, hold the potential to facilitate systems changes to better support ear health among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. We began with a review of documents identified in con...

Research paper thumbnail of Hey, We Are the Best Ones at Dealing with Our Own': Embedding a Culturally Competent Program for Māori and Pacific Island Children into a Mainstream Health Service in Queensland, Australia

Journal of racial and ethnic health disparities, Jan 13, 2017

We present the results of one component of an external evaluation of Good Start Program (GSP), a ... more We present the results of one component of an external evaluation of Good Start Program (GSP), a community-based program for the prevention of chronic disease among Maori and Pacific Island (MPI) communities living in the state of Queensland, Australia. An evaluation of the GSP was undertaken using a mixed methods approach. This paper reports on the qualitative component where interview and focus group data was collected, using Talanoa, a culturally tailored research methodology. Respondents included school students, community groups, teachers and parents, as well as the Good Start implementation team. The five broad themes that emerged from this evaluation related to (i) components of cultural-competence and (ii) perceived impact of the program. The views of all participants reinforced the importance of culturally appropriate programs and highlighted how the multicultural health workers (MHWs) contributed to the program's perceived success. The challenges in understanding restr...

Research paper thumbnail of Charting Availability of Processed and Unprocessed Foods in School Neighbourhood Nutrition Environments in an Urban Australian Setting

Journal of environmental and public health, 2017

School Neighbourhood Nutrition Environments (SNNEs) can facilitate or impede healthy eating. This... more School Neighbourhood Nutrition Environments (SNNEs) can facilitate or impede healthy eating. This study describes the SNNEs surrounding 6 Good Start Program (GSP) schools in 5 suburbs in Logan, Queensland. Relative density of healthy and unhealthy food outlets was calculated for SNNEs surrounding GSP (6) and non-GSP (10) schools within the 5 suburbs. Relative accessibility of minimally processed and highly processed food and drink in SNNEs of the 6 GSP schools was determined using shelf measurements of snack foods. Unhealthy outlets greatly outnumber healthy outlets (mean relative density 15.6%, median 19.1%). The majority of outlets stock predominantly highly processed food and drink. Study areas are dominated by unhealthy food outlets and highly processed food.

Research paper thumbnail of Evaluation of the Good Start Program: a healthy eating and physical activity intervention for Maori and Pacific Islander children living in Queensland, Australia

BMC Public Health, 2017

Background: Reducing the prevalence of obesity and chronic disease are important priorities. Maor... more Background: Reducing the prevalence of obesity and chronic disease are important priorities. Maori and Pacific Islander communities living in Australia have higher rates of obesity and chronic disease than the wider Australian population. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of the Good Start program, which aims to improve knowledge, attitudes and practices related to healthy eating and physical activity amongst Maori and Pacific Islander communities living in Queensland. Methods: The intervention was delivered to children aged 6-19 years (N = 375) in schools by multicultural health workers. Class activities focused on one message each term related to healthy eating and physical activity using methods such as cooking sessions and cultural dance. The evaluation approach was a quantitative uncontrolled pre-post design. Data were collected each term pre-and post-intervention using a short questionnaire. Results: There were significant increases in knowledge of correct servings of fruit and vegetables, knowledge of sugar and caffeine content of common sugar-sweetened drinks, recognition of the consequences of marketing and upsizing, and the importance of controlling portion size (all P < 0.05). There was also increases in knowledge of physical activity recommendations (P < 0.001), as well as the importance of physical activity for preventing heart disease (P < 0.001) and improving self-esteem (P < 0.001). In terms of attitudes, there were significant improvements in some attitudes to vegetables (P = 0.02), and sugar-sweetened drinks (P < 0.05). In terms of practices and behaviours, although the reported intake of vegetables increased significantly (P < 0.001), the proportion of children eating discretionary foods regularly did not change significantly, suggesting that modifying the program with an increased emphasis on reducing intake of junk food may be beneficial. Conclusion: The study has shown that the Good Start Program was effective in engaging children from Maori and Pacific Island backgrounds and in improving knowledge, and some attitudes and practices, related to healthy eating and physical activity. The evaluation contributes valuable information about components and impacts of this type of intervention, and considerations relevant to this population in order to successfully change behaviours and reduce the burden of chronic disease.

Research paper thumbnail of Dietary guidelines for good diabetes care

Practice Nursing, 2004

Lisa Vaughan explains the importance of good diet in effective diabetes management

Research paper thumbnail of Dietary guidelines for the management of diabetes

Nursing standard (Royal College of Nursing (Great Britain) : 1987)

This article outlines contemporary guidelines for the dietary management of diabetes, with the ai... more This article outlines contemporary guidelines for the dietary management of diabetes, with the aim of reducing inconsistencies in dietary recommendations.

Research paper thumbnail of Bangladeshi women's experiences of infant feeding in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets

Maternal & Child Nutrition, 2015

This study examined the main factors that influence Bangladeshi women living in London's decision... more This study examined the main factors that influence Bangladeshi women living in London's decisions to partially breastfeed their children, including the influence of older women within the community. Fifty-seven women of Bangladeshi origin living in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets took part in seven discussion groups between April and June 2013. Five groups were held with women of child-bearing age and two groups with older women in the community. A further eight younger women and three older women took part in one-on-one interviews. Interviews were also carried out with eight local health care workers, including public health specialists, peer support workers, breastfeeding coordinators and a health visitor. The influences on women's infant feeding choices can be understood through a 'socio-ecological model', including public health policy; diverse cultural influences from Bangladesh, London and the Bangladeshi community in London; and the impacts of migration and religious and family beliefs. The women's commitment to breastfeeding was mediated through the complexity of their everyday lives.The tension between what was 'best' and what was 'possible' leads them not only to partially breastfeed but also to sustain partial breastfeeding in a way not seen in other socio-cultural groups in the United Kingdom.

Research paper thumbnail of Embedding Education into Diabetes Practice

Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, 2006

Research paper thumbnail of Deadly ears deadly kids deadly communities framework: Evaluation report

The Deadly Ears Deadly Kids Deadly Communities (DEDKDC) Framework was initiated in 2009, and was ... more The Deadly Ears Deadly Kids Deadly Communities (DEDKDC) Framework was initiated in 2009, and was aligned to the Queensland government’s whole of government close the gap plan, “Making tracks: a state-wide plan towards addressing the gap in health outcomes for Indigenous Queenslanders 2009–2013”. The Framework targets a reduction in the significant rates of otitis media (OM) in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. OM is the result of an interaction between medical and environmental causes. As such, the Framework aims to reduce both the incidence and impact of conductive hearing loss associated with OM by intervening at a number of different levels, from the local to the national, and across different sectors.