Mairin Boland - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Mairin Boland

Research paper thumbnail of Managing pandemic (H1N1) 2009

Research paper thumbnail of Emerging advantages and drawbacks of telephone surveying in public health research in Ireland and the U.K

BMC public health, 2006

Telephone surveys have been used widely in public health research internationally and are being i... more Telephone surveys have been used widely in public health research internationally and are being increasingly used in Ireland and the U.K. This study compared three telephone surveys conducted on the island of Ireland from 2000 to 2004, examining study methodology, outcome measures and the per unit cost of each completed survey. We critically examined these population-based surveys which all explored health related attitudes and behaviours. Over the period from 2000 to 2005 the percentage of calls which succeeded in contacting an eligible member of the public fell, from 52.9% to 31.8%. There was a drop in response rates to the surveys (once contact was established) from 58.6% to 17.7%. Costs per completed interview rose from 4.48 euro to 15.65 euro. Respondents were prepared to spend 10-15 minutes being surveyed, but longer surveys yielded poorer completion rates. Respondents were willing to discuss issues of a sensitive nature. Interviews after 9 pm were less successful, with compla...

Research paper thumbnail of Outbreak of hepatitis A infection associated with the consumption of frozen berries, Ireland, 2013 - linked to an international outbreak

Research paper thumbnail of Child-resistant containers for preventing childhood poisoning

Research paper thumbnail of Consequences of legislative changes to methadone prescribing in Ireland

International Journal of …, 2003

In 1998 new regulations [Misuse of Drugs (Supervision of Prescription and Supply of Methadone) Re... more In 1998 new regulations [Misuse of Drugs (Supervision of Prescription and Supply of Methadone) Regulation, 1998; Government Publications, Dublin] obligated General Practitioners (GPs) in Ireland to have undergone a period of training before they could ...

Research paper thumbnail of A Cluster of Legionnaires' Disease and Associated Pontiac Fever Morbidity in Office Workers, Dublin, June-July 2008

Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2010

Research paper thumbnail of Urban-rural variation in mortality and hospital admission rates for unintentional injury in Ireland

Injury Prevention, 2005

Study objective: To investigate the association between cold periods and coronary events, and the... more Study objective: To investigate the association between cold periods and coronary events, and the extent to which climate, sex, age, and previous cardiac history increase risk during cold weather. Design: A hierarchical analyses of populations from the World Health Organisation's MONICA project. Setting: Twenty four populations from the WHO's MONICA project, a 21 country register made between 1980 and 1995. Patients: People aged 35-64 years who had a coronary event.

Research paper thumbnail of A cluster of leptospirosis cases in canoeists following a competition on the River Liffey

Epidemiology and Infection, 2004

On 6 November 2001, a possible case of leptospirosis was notified in a canoeist following a white... more On 6 November 2001, a possible case of leptospirosis was notified in a canoeist following a white-water event on the River Liffey. It emerged that a second race participant was also a possible case. An outbreak control team coordinated the epidemiological investigation, laboratory investigation, environmental assessment, communication and control measures. A cluster of six laboratory-confirmed cases of leptospirosis, serologically Leptospira interrogans serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae was found. The attack rate was 9 . 2% (6/65). Fever, chills, red eyes and shortness of breath were significantly associated with being a confirmed case. Five cases were hospitalized. Swallowing more than one mouthful of water was associated with an increased risk of developing leptospirosis. Increased rainfall and release of hydroelectric water may have contributed to this outbreak. A multidisciplinary approach and use of the Internet and e-mail facilitated rapid and effective communication.

Research paper thumbnail of Influenza in hospitalized children in Ireland in the pandemic period and the 2010/2011 season: risk factors for paediatric intensive-care-unit admission

Epidemiology and Infection, 2013

Influenza causes significant morbidity and mortality in children. This study&... more Influenza causes significant morbidity and mortality in children. This study's objectives were to describe influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 during the pandemic, to compare it with circulating influenza in 2010/2011, and to identify risk factors for severe influenza defined as requiring admission to a paediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Children hospitalized with influenza during the pandemic were older, and more likely to have received antiviral therapy than children hospitalized during the 2010/2011 season. In 2010/2011, only one child admitted to a PICU with underlying medical conditions had been vaccinated. The risk of severe illness in the pandemic was higher in females and those with underlying conditions. In 2010/2011, infection with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 compared to other influenza viruses was a significant risk factor for severe disease. An incremental relationship was found between the number of underlying conditions and PICU admission. These findings highlight the importance of improving low vaccination uptake and increasing the use of antivirals in vulnerable children.

Research paper thumbnail of Trends in medical student use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs in an Irish university, 1973–2002

Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 2006

Research paper thumbnail of Self-rated health and quality of life in adults attending regional disability services in Ireland

Disability and Health Journal, 2009

There is limited background information on self-rated health in people with disability in Ireland... more There is limited background information on self-rated health in people with disability in Ireland. This paper examines self-rated health scores and dimensions of functioning in people attending disability services and compares scores to the general population in Ireland, which has not been done before. Face-to-face interviews were carried out with 247 adults with intellectual disability and 180 with physical or sensory disability attending regional residential, day activity, or training disability centres in the East Coast Area of Ireland. EuroQol ED-5Q was used to assess five dimensions of functioning and quality of life, supplemented by questions taken from the national population study on general health, mental health, and quality of life. Clients with intellectual disability scored their quality of life significantly higher than the adult general population. They scored their mental health significantly lower compared with clients with physical/sensory disability. Compared to clients with intellectual disability, and to the general population, clients with physical or sensory disability scored their quality of life significantly lower. They had more problems in all EuroQol ED-5Q dimensions (mobility; self-care; being able to carry out one's usual activities; pain; and anxiety) than both the general population and clients with intellectual disability. These results give an insight into self-rated health and quality of life of regional disability services attendees. Findings provide an indicator of health needs and provide a baseline to measure the impact of interventions. Further elucidation of the relationship between functional impairment and quality of life in those with disability is needed. Factors affecting self-rating of health in people with intellectual disabilities need further exploration.

Research paper thumbnail of Staff support for the Health Service Executive (HSE) global health programme

Irish medical journal

The Global Health programme (GHP) within the Health Service Executive (HSE) aims to improve healt... more The Global Health programme (GHP) within the Health Service Executive (HSE) aims to improve health in developing countries by creating partnerships between Irish and developing world healthcare institutions. To ascertain the level of interest among HSE staff for the GHP a web-based survey was conducted. 1,028 responses were received. Medical professionals, 202 (27.7%) composed the largest category of respondents. The majority, 503 (69.3%) of respondents wished to actively participate in the GHP. 237 (23.1%) staff had previous experience of working in the developing world. This survey highlighted a number of themes respondents considered important for successful partnerships including: reciprocal staff exchange, joint scientific research, the avoidance of "brain drain" and utilising the Internet to link institutions. Less than 1% (2/203) of comments expressed a negative view of the GHP.

Research paper thumbnail of Managing pandemic (H1N1) 2009

Research paper thumbnail of Emerging advantages and drawbacks of telephone surveying in public health research in Ireland and the U.K

BMC public health, 2006

Telephone surveys have been used widely in public health research internationally and are being i... more Telephone surveys have been used widely in public health research internationally and are being increasingly used in Ireland and the U.K. This study compared three telephone surveys conducted on the island of Ireland from 2000 to 2004, examining study methodology, outcome measures and the per unit cost of each completed survey. We critically examined these population-based surveys which all explored health related attitudes and behaviours. Over the period from 2000 to 2005 the percentage of calls which succeeded in contacting an eligible member of the public fell, from 52.9% to 31.8%. There was a drop in response rates to the surveys (once contact was established) from 58.6% to 17.7%. Costs per completed interview rose from 4.48 euro to 15.65 euro. Respondents were prepared to spend 10-15 minutes being surveyed, but longer surveys yielded poorer completion rates. Respondents were willing to discuss issues of a sensitive nature. Interviews after 9 pm were less successful, with compla...

Research paper thumbnail of Outbreak of hepatitis A infection associated with the consumption of frozen berries, Ireland, 2013 - linked to an international outbreak

Research paper thumbnail of Child-resistant containers for preventing childhood poisoning

Research paper thumbnail of Consequences of legislative changes to methadone prescribing in Ireland

International Journal of …, 2003

In 1998 new regulations [Misuse of Drugs (Supervision of Prescription and Supply of Methadone) Re... more In 1998 new regulations [Misuse of Drugs (Supervision of Prescription and Supply of Methadone) Regulation, 1998; Government Publications, Dublin] obligated General Practitioners (GPs) in Ireland to have undergone a period of training before they could ...

Research paper thumbnail of A Cluster of Legionnaires' Disease and Associated Pontiac Fever Morbidity in Office Workers, Dublin, June-July 2008

Journal of Environmental and Public Health, 2010

Research paper thumbnail of Urban-rural variation in mortality and hospital admission rates for unintentional injury in Ireland

Injury Prevention, 2005

Study objective: To investigate the association between cold periods and coronary events, and the... more Study objective: To investigate the association between cold periods and coronary events, and the extent to which climate, sex, age, and previous cardiac history increase risk during cold weather. Design: A hierarchical analyses of populations from the World Health Organisation's MONICA project. Setting: Twenty four populations from the WHO's MONICA project, a 21 country register made between 1980 and 1995. Patients: People aged 35-64 years who had a coronary event.

Research paper thumbnail of A cluster of leptospirosis cases in canoeists following a competition on the River Liffey

Epidemiology and Infection, 2004

On 6 November 2001, a possible case of leptospirosis was notified in a canoeist following a white... more On 6 November 2001, a possible case of leptospirosis was notified in a canoeist following a white-water event on the River Liffey. It emerged that a second race participant was also a possible case. An outbreak control team coordinated the epidemiological investigation, laboratory investigation, environmental assessment, communication and control measures. A cluster of six laboratory-confirmed cases of leptospirosis, serologically Leptospira interrogans serogroup Icterohaemorrhagiae was found. The attack rate was 9 . 2% (6/65). Fever, chills, red eyes and shortness of breath were significantly associated with being a confirmed case. Five cases were hospitalized. Swallowing more than one mouthful of water was associated with an increased risk of developing leptospirosis. Increased rainfall and release of hydroelectric water may have contributed to this outbreak. A multidisciplinary approach and use of the Internet and e-mail facilitated rapid and effective communication.

Research paper thumbnail of Influenza in hospitalized children in Ireland in the pandemic period and the 2010/2011 season: risk factors for paediatric intensive-care-unit admission

Epidemiology and Infection, 2013

Influenza causes significant morbidity and mortality in children. This study&... more Influenza causes significant morbidity and mortality in children. This study's objectives were to describe influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 during the pandemic, to compare it with circulating influenza in 2010/2011, and to identify risk factors for severe influenza defined as requiring admission to a paediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Children hospitalized with influenza during the pandemic were older, and more likely to have received antiviral therapy than children hospitalized during the 2010/2011 season. In 2010/2011, only one child admitted to a PICU with underlying medical conditions had been vaccinated. The risk of severe illness in the pandemic was higher in females and those with underlying conditions. In 2010/2011, infection with influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 compared to other influenza viruses was a significant risk factor for severe disease. An incremental relationship was found between the number of underlying conditions and PICU admission. These findings highlight the importance of improving low vaccination uptake and increasing the use of antivirals in vulnerable children.

Research paper thumbnail of Trends in medical student use of tobacco, alcohol and drugs in an Irish university, 1973–2002

Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 2006

Research paper thumbnail of Self-rated health and quality of life in adults attending regional disability services in Ireland

Disability and Health Journal, 2009

There is limited background information on self-rated health in people with disability in Ireland... more There is limited background information on self-rated health in people with disability in Ireland. This paper examines self-rated health scores and dimensions of functioning in people attending disability services and compares scores to the general population in Ireland, which has not been done before. Face-to-face interviews were carried out with 247 adults with intellectual disability and 180 with physical or sensory disability attending regional residential, day activity, or training disability centres in the East Coast Area of Ireland. EuroQol ED-5Q was used to assess five dimensions of functioning and quality of life, supplemented by questions taken from the national population study on general health, mental health, and quality of life. Clients with intellectual disability scored their quality of life significantly higher than the adult general population. They scored their mental health significantly lower compared with clients with physical/sensory disability. Compared to clients with intellectual disability, and to the general population, clients with physical or sensory disability scored their quality of life significantly lower. They had more problems in all EuroQol ED-5Q dimensions (mobility; self-care; being able to carry out one's usual activities; pain; and anxiety) than both the general population and clients with intellectual disability. These results give an insight into self-rated health and quality of life of regional disability services attendees. Findings provide an indicator of health needs and provide a baseline to measure the impact of interventions. Further elucidation of the relationship between functional impairment and quality of life in those with disability is needed. Factors affecting self-rating of health in people with intellectual disabilities need further exploration.

Research paper thumbnail of Staff support for the Health Service Executive (HSE) global health programme

Irish medical journal

The Global Health programme (GHP) within the Health Service Executive (HSE) aims to improve healt... more The Global Health programme (GHP) within the Health Service Executive (HSE) aims to improve health in developing countries by creating partnerships between Irish and developing world healthcare institutions. To ascertain the level of interest among HSE staff for the GHP a web-based survey was conducted. 1,028 responses were received. Medical professionals, 202 (27.7%) composed the largest category of respondents. The majority, 503 (69.3%) of respondents wished to actively participate in the GHP. 237 (23.1%) staff had previous experience of working in the developing world. This survey highlighted a number of themes respondents considered important for successful partnerships including: reciprocal staff exchange, joint scientific research, the avoidance of "brain drain" and utilising the Internet to link institutions. Less than 1% (2/203) of comments expressed a negative view of the GHP.