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Various reasons have been proposed for the outbreaks, including the crowded working conditions, the cold working environment, workers not wearing masks properly or not at all, and the need for workers to talk loudly over the background noise of machinery. The occurrence of a high incidence of infection in meat factories within a short period is, I believe, more likely to be the result of workers being infected from the same source simultaneously rather than by person-to-person transmission. There might have been a series of introductions, followed by infection from the contaminated environment, followed by person-to-person transmission.

Self-report measures are frequently used to assess change in physical activity (PA) levels. Given the limited data from adolescent populations, the primary objective of this study was to examine the responsiveness of a single item measure (SIM) of PA for adolescents to detect change in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) using accelerometer data as the reference measure. A secondary objective was to provide further data on the validity of the measure at one point in time. The validity of the SIM to determine the number of days ≥60 minutes of MVPA was based on data from 200 participants (62% female; age: 14.0 ± 1.6 years) and analysis of change was based on data from 177 participants (65% female; age: 14.0 ± 1.6 years). Validity of change in days ≥60 minutes of MVPA was examined through agreement in classification of change between the SIM and accelerometry as the reference measurement and Spearman’s correlation. Cohen’s d and standardised response means were used to assess the responsiveness to change of the measure. The responsiveness of the SIM and accelerometer data were comparable and modest (0.27–0.38). The correlation for change in number of days ≥60 minutes MVPA between the SIM and accelerometery was low (r = 0.11) and the accuracy of the SIM for detecting change, using accelerometry as the reference, was only marginally above chance (53%). Therefore, the adolescent version of the SIM is adequate for assessing PA at a single time point but not recommended for assessing change.

This study developed and validated the Spatial Methodology Appraisal of Research Tool (SMART) using group concept mapping with discipline experts. The 16-item tool comprises four domains: (1) methods preliminaries, (2) data quality, (3) spatial data problems, and (4) spatial analysis methods. Validity testing demonstrated excellent content validity and expert agreement. Future studies will assess its usability and reliability to ensure consistent results. Its application in spatial epidemiology and health geography will enable more rigorous and transparent evidence synthesis. This contribution represents a significant step forward in improving the standards of quality appraisal in spatial research.

Background Gambling and gambling-related harm attract significant researcher and policy attention. The liberalisation of gambling in most western countries is strongly associated with a marked rise in gambling activity and increases in gambling-related harm experienced at the population level. Programs to address gambling-related harm have traditionally focused on individuals who demonstrate problematic gambling behaviour, despite clear evidence of the effectiveness of a public health approach to high-risk activities like gambling. Little is known about the availability or efficacy of programs to address gambling-related harm at a population level. Methods The Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation commissioned a rapid evidence review of the available evidence on programs designed to reduce gambling-related harm at a population level. The review was conducted using a public health and harm reduction lens. MEDLINE, ProQuest Central and PsychInfo databases were searched systematically. Included studies were published in English between 2017 – 2023 from all countries with gambling policy contexts and public health systems comparable to Australia’s; included primary data; and focused on primary and/or secondary prevention of gambling-related harm or problems. Results One hundred and sixty-seven articles were eligible for inclusion. Themes identified in the literature included: risk and protective factors; primary prevention; secondary prevention; tertiary prevention; target population group; and public health approach. The evidence review revealed a gap in empirical evidence around effective interventions to reduce gambling-related harm at the population level, particularly from a public health perspective. Conclusions Addressing gambling-related harm requires a nuanced, multi-layered approach that acknowledges the complex social, environmental, and commercial nature of gambling and associated harms. Moreover, evidence demonstrates community programs to reduce gambling-related harm are more successful in reducing harm when based on sound theory of co-design and address the social aspects that contribute to harm.

Self-report measures are frequently used to assess change in physical activity (PA) levels. Given the limited data from adolescent populations, the primary objective of this study was to examine the responsiveness of a single item measure (SIM) of PA for adolescents to detect change in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) using accelerometer data as the reference measure. A secondary objective was to provide further data on the validity of the measure at one point in time. The validity of the SIM to determine the number of days ≥60 minutes of MVPA was based on data from 200 participants (62% female; age: 14.0 ± 1.6 years) and analysis of change was based on data from 177 participants (65% female; age: 14.0 ± 1.6 years). Validity of change in days ≥60 minutes of MVPA was examined through agreement in classification of change between the SIM and accelerometry as the reference measurement and Spearman's correlation. Cohen's d and standardised response means were used to assess the responsiveness to change of the measure. The responsiveness of the SIM and accelerometer data were comparable and modest (0.27-0.38). The correlation for change in number of days ≥60 minutes MVPA between the SIM and accelerometery was low (r = 0.11) and the accuracy of the SIM for detecting change, using accelerometry as the reference, was only marginally above chance (53%). Therefore, the adolescent version of the SIM is adequate for assessing PA at a single time point but not recommended for assessing change.

Background It is vital that health service delivery and health interventions address patients’ needs or preferences, are relevant for practice and can be implemented. Involving those who will use or deliver healthcare in priority-setting can lead to health service delivery and research that is more meaningful and impactful. This is particularly crucial in rural communities, where limited resources and disparities in healthcare and health outcomes are often more pronounced. The aim of this study was to determine the health and healthcare priorities in rural communities using a region-wide community engagement approach. Methods This multi-methods study was conducted in five rural communities in the Grampians region, Western Victoria, Australia. It involved six concept mapping steps: (1) preparation, (2) generation (brainstorming statements and identifying rating criteria), (3) structuring statements (sorting and rating statements), (4) representation of statements, (5) interpretation of the concept map and (6) utilization. Community forums, surveys and stakeholder consultations with community members and health professionals were used in Step 2. An innovative online group concept mapping platform, involving consumers, health professionals and researchers was used in Step 3. Results Overall, 117 community members and 70 health professionals identified 400 health and healthcare issues. Six stakeholder consultation sessions (with 16 community members and 16 health professionals) identified three key values for prioritizing health issues: equal access for equal need, effectiveness and impact (number of people affected). Actionable priorities for healthcare delivery were largely related to access issues, such as the challenges navigating the healthcare system, particularly for people with mental health issues; the lack of sufficient general practitioners and other health providers; the high travel costs; and poor internet coverage often impacting technology-based interventions for people in rural areas. Conclusions This study identified actionable health and healthcare priorities from the perspective of healthcare service users and providers in rural communities in Western Victoria. Issues related to access, such as the inequities in healthcare costs, the perceived lack of quality and availability of services, particularly in mental health and disability, were identified as priorities. These insights can guide future research, policy-making and resource allocation efforts to improve healthcare access, quality and equity in rural communities.

To identify the challenges adult community sport participants anticipate when returning to sport in Victoria, Australia, post a COVID‐19 shutdown. Using online concept mapping, participants brainstormed challenges to returning to community sport, sorted them into groups and rated them for impact and ability/capacity to overcome. Analysis included multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis. Forty‐five community sport participants representing 24 sports identified 69 unique challenges to returning to sport. Eight clusters/questions participants need answered emerged from the sorting data (mean cluster impact and ability/capacity rating out of 5): Will we have enough participants? (3.32, 2.89); How do we stay safe? (3.31, 3.35); How will our sport change? (3.17, 2.85); How can we stay together? (3.15, 3.01); Will I be physically ready? (3.15, 3.05); What about the money? (2.86, 2.53); What about me? (2.65, 3.13); and What about the facilities? (2.49, 2.45). Participants perceived paradoxical challenges to returning to sport after COVID‐19 shutdown, which revolved around staying safe, staying connected and accessing meaningful sport activities. Sport organisations and public health practitioners should address the participant‐centred challenges identified in this study to maximise the public health benefits of participants returning to community sport.

To explore the challenges that Victorian sporting organisations experience when developing, delivering or scaling non‐traditional social sport products to engage insufficiently active people. Online Concept Mapping was used to gather qualitative data and analyse it quantitatively. A total of 68 participants (27 organisations) brainstormed 158 challenges. The research team synthesised these to 71 unique challenges for participants to sort into groups and rate for importance (0–5) and ease of overcoming (0–5). A nine‐cluster solution – Deliverers; Capacity to drive the product; Facilities and partnerships; Product development; Sustainable business model; Marketing to insufficiently active; Attracting the insufficiently active; Clubs and volunteers; and Shifting traditional sport culture – was considered most appropriate. Participants rated the Deliverers challenges as the most important (mean=3.52), and the Marketing to insufficiently active challenges as the easiest to overcome (2.72). Key ingredients to successfully developing and delivering non‐traditional sport opportunities for insufficiently active populations are: recruiting appropriate product deliverers; building the capacity of delivery organisations and systems; and developing products relevant to the delivery context that align with the needs and characteristics of the target population. A system‐wide response is required to address the challenges associated with sport organisations developing, scaling and delivering innovative social sport products for insufficiently active populations.

IntroductionThis study aimed to identify facilitators for implementing injury prevention initiatives in youth handball, and to assess stakeholders’ perceptions of their importance and feasibility.Materials and MethodsFour stakeholder groups — coaches, administrators, health staff and players — participated in this mixed-method concept mapping study. Participants (n=224; 19% coaches, 22% health staff, 63% players, 18% administrators) first provided statements about facilitators for implementing injury prevention initiatives in youth handball, then grouped them (n=47), before rating them (n=57) for importance and feasibility (5-point Likert scales). Stakeholder-specific cluster maps and Go-Zone scatter plots were created. Statements rated above average for both importance and feasibility were considered as prioritized (Go-Zone 1). Results87 unique statements were generated during brainstorming. Multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis resulted in similar sorting data clustering patterns for coaches, health staff, and administrators, incorporating federation strategies, club strategies, and coach and athlete education/knowledge. All clusters were rated >3 on average ratings of importance by all stakeholder groups. Six statements were in Go-Zone 1 for all stakeholder groups, including three statements about coach knowledge and education. Players’ statement importance and feasibility ratings had limited overlap with other stakeholder groups’ Go-Zone 1 statements. Players’ Go-Zone 1 statements mainly addressed individual load management and practical training setup. ConclusionCoach knowledge and education, alongside collaboration among stakeholder groups, are essential when implementing injury prevention initiatives in youth handball. Stakeholder groups have varying perspectives, underscoring the importance of understanding and addressing these diverse viewpoints when implementing initiatives.