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PubMed2001

The NCI-Ireland consortium: a unique international partnership in cancer care.

The Ireland-Northern Ireland-National Cancer Institute Cancer Consortium was launched in October of 1999, at a conference in Belfast, Northern Ireland, for the development of cancer programs in Ireland and Northern Ireland, where cancer is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity. Cancer services there have undergone major restructuring as a result of several government reports. Specifically, the National Strategy Document for Cancer proposed that cancer treatment services should be centered around primary care services, regional services, and a national coordinating structure where supra-regional centers would deliver specialist surgery, medical and radiation oncology, rehabilitation, and specialist palliative care. Therefore, this was an opportune time to bring the National Cancer Institute (NCI) on board in a determined effort to redevelop and significantly improve services and outcomes for cancer patients throughout the island. During the NCI All Ireland Cancer Consortium, initial major goals were established as follows: A) To share best available technology and enhance clinical research; B) conduct joint clinical research studies involving people from all jurisdictions; C) sponsor formal training exchanges for Irish and American scholars in cancer programs in partner institutions; D) implement the use of teleconferencing, telesynergy, and other information technology capabilities to facilitate education, and E) consolidate the Cancer Registries of Ireland and Northern Ireland and learn more about cancer incidence and trends on the entire island. In the past year, significant advances have been made in all these areas. Plans are already under way for the second NCI All Ireland Cancer Conference which will be held in late 2002 and feature speakers from Ireland, Northern Ireland, the U.S., and other areas. It will be open to all oncologists, researchers, nurses, students, and other health care professionals interested in learning and enhancing cancer care and research.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Patterns of alcohol consumption in middle-aged men from France and Northern Ireland. The PRIME study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the patterns of alcohol consumption in France and Northern Ireland. DESIGN: Four cross-sectional studies. SETTING: Sample of 50-59 y old men living in France and Northern Ireland, consuming at least one unit of alcoholic beverage per week. SUBJECTS: 5363 subjects from France and 1367 from Northern Ireland. INTERVENTIONS: None. RESULTS: Consumption of wine was higher in France whereas consumption of beer and spirits was higher in Northern Ireland. Alcohol drinking was rather homogeneous throughout the week in France, whereas Fridays and Saturdays accounted for 60% of total alcohol consumption in Northern Ireland. In both countries, current smokers had a higher consumption of all types of alcoholic beverages than non-smokers. Similarly, obese and hypertensive subjects had a higher total alcohol consumption than non-obese or normotensive subjects, but the type of alcoholic beverages differed between countries. In Northern Ireland, subjects which reported some physical activity consumed significantly less alcoholic beverages than sedentary subjects, whereas no differences were found in France. Conversely, subjects with dyslipidemia consumed more alcoholic beverages than normolipidemic subjects in France, whereas no differences were found in Northern Ireland. In France, total alcohol, wine and beer consumption was negatively related to socioeconomic status and educational level. In Northern Ireland, total alcohol, beer and spirits consumption was negatively related whereas wine consumption was positively related to socioeconomic status and educational level. CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol drinking patterns differ between France and Northern Ireland, and also according to cardiovascular risk factors, socioeconomic and educational levels. SPONSORSHIP: Merck, Sharp & Dohme-Chibret (France), the NICHSA and the Department of Health and Social Service (Northern Ireland).

Alcohol Drinking↗
PubMed2003

Cancer mortality in Ireland, 1926-1995.

BACKGROUND: Investigation of long time series of cancer data can still be very useful in helping to identify Cancer Control priorities and achievements. Since the partition of Ireland into the independent Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, which remained part of the United Kingdom, cancer mortality data have been published in an essentially similar format in both countries. The information presented here will contribute to providing a basis for the collaborative Cancer Research programme initiated recently. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cancer mortality data have been assembled and analysed separately for the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland: the data have then been combined to present mortality rates for the whole of Ireland, covering the period from 1926 to 1995. Several rubrics had to be aggregated to provide data continuously over the time span (e.g. colon and rectum and cervix and body of the uterus). When data were only available in 10-year classes of age, the EM algorithm was employed to obtain 5-year age-specific rates. All rates presented are age-standardised, employing the World Standard Population. RESULTS: In women, the death rate from all neoplasms combined increased very slightly from 117 per 100 000 in 1946-1950 to 120 per 100 000 in 1991-1995. In men, the death rate increased from 127 per 100 000 to 172 per 100 000 over the same time period. The overall cancer death rate in Ireland is currently similar to the European average in men, although in women it is among the top fifth of national cancer mortality rates in European countries. While cancer is a major cause of death in Ireland, there is no evidence of an evolving epidemic building up: the death rates from most forms of cancer are declining towards the end of the time period considered. CONCLUSIONS: As demonstrated by falling death rates from Hodgkin's disease and testicular cancer, major treatment advances appear to have been incorporated effectively into clinical practice in Ireland. Progress is apparent in tobacco control and further initiatives in this area must be undertaken since tobacco appears to be the only major new carcinogen introduced recently into the Irish environment during the period covered by this study. Effective population-based screening programmes for cervix and breast cancer and, more controversially, consideration of a National Prostate Cancer Screening programme, offer scope for further improvement in mortality. Examination of this long time series of mortality data from Ireland provides information about the evolving cancer pattern and provides the necessary background to evaluate the impact of the cross-border cancer research activities now being launched.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Foot and mouth disease: the perspective of farmers in Ireland.

The first outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) recorded in Ireland since 1941 was successfully eliminated due to four main factors, as follows: --the willingness of the farmers in Cooley to sacrifice themselves in the national interest --decisive action was taken rapidly once the first outbreak was declared --geographical location of the Meigh and Proleek outbreaks which enabled the authorities to effectively seal off and regionalise the area, thus protecting exports from the rest of the country --national awareness and willingness at all levels, from Government to the general public, to take whatever action was necessary to keep FMD out of Ireland. The author recounts the story, from the perspective of a farmer, of the outbreak of FMD that occurred in Ireland in 2001, from the first confirmed case in Meigh, County Armagh, through Proleek and the cull, into dealing with the aftermath in terms of compensation payments, premia payments, the evolving human tragedy and lessons learned. Major policy issues must be addressed at both a national and European Union level to prevent outbreaks of FMD in Europe in the future. At a national level, the dual animal health status between Northern Ireland and Great Britain and between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland must not be allowed to re-emerge. Some regulation loopholes allowed FMD to enter Ireland. The Government of Ireland handled the initial FMD crisis very well, with the co-operation of farmers and the public in general.

Agriculture↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Critical reading using the READER acronym by experienced general practitioners (G.P.s) and by G.P. registrars in southern and Northern Ireland.

The READER acronym describes a simple easily applied method of critical reading, an important skill for general practitioners (GPs). The aim of the study was to evaluate an abstract using the READER method, and to compare the appraisal by GP registrars in Southern Ireland with those of GP registrars in Northern Ireland and those previously recorded by experienced GPs at the Conference of Teachers of the Irish College of General Practitioners. General practice registrars (n = 41) in Southern Ireland participated in a critical reading workshop at which they appraised the abstract of a sample paper using the READER model for critical appraisal. A group of GP registrars (n = 10) in Northern Ireland, and experienced GPs (n = 35) at the Conference of Teachers of the Irish College of General Practitioners evaluated the complete paper using a similar methodology. There was no statistically significant difference between scores recorded by GP registrars in Southern Ireland and their Northern Irish counterparts, nor was there a statistically significant difference with experienced GP teachers. The READER model for critical reading provides GP registrars with a useful tool for critical evaluation of medical literature. GP registrars in Southern Ireland, Northern Ireland, and experienced GP's from the Conference of Teachers in Ireland recorded similar results and the study appraised, while dealing with an intervention in one practice in south west England, appeared relevant and applicable to participants from other locations in a different health care system.

Abstracting and Indexing↗
PubMed1997

Phenylketonuria and the peoples of Northern Ireland.

The comparison of regional patterns of recessive disease mutations is a new source of information for studies of population genetics. The analysis of phenylketonuria (PKU) mutations in Northern Ireland shows that most major episodes of immigration have left a record in the modern genepool. The mutation 165T can be traced to the Palaeolithic people of western Europe who, in the Mesolithic period, first colonised Ireland. R408W (on haplotype 1) in contrast, the most common Irish PKU mutation, may have been prevalent in the Neolithic farmers who settled in Ireland after 4500 BC. No mutation was identified that could represent European Celtic populations, supporting the view that the adoption of Celtic culture and language in Ireland did not involve major migration from the continent. Several less common mutations can be traced to the Norwegian Atlantic coast and were probably introduced into Ireland by Vikings. This indicates that PKU has not been brought to Norway from the British Isles, as was previously argued. The rarity in Northern Ireland of IVS12nt1, the most common mutation in Denmark and England, indicates that the English colonialization of Ireland did not alter the local genepool in a direction that could be described as Anglo-Saxon. Our results show that the culture and language of a population can be independent of its genetic heritage, and give some insight into the history of the peoples of Northern Ireland.

Archaeology↗
PubMed2006

Influence of mammographic screening on trends in breast-conserving surgery in Ireland.

Debate exists about the influence of screening on breast cancer surgery. We compared rates and odds of mastectomy and breast-conserving surgery (BCS) during 1994-1999 between Northern Ireland, which has had organized mammographic screening (age group 50-64) since 1993, and the Republic of Ireland, where large-scale screening did not begin until 2000. Trends in BCS were similar in both populations: significant increases in BCS rates for age groups 20-49 and, especially, 50-64, and significant increases in mastectomy rates for age group 65+ only. Use of BCS among surgical patients was significantly higher in Northern Ireland (46%) than the Republic of Ireland (35%) and, in Northern Ireland, was significantly higher in age group 50-64 than other age groups. Geographic and age-related variations were substantially, but not wholly, explained by tumour characteristics and screen-detection status. Among Northern Ireland women aged 50-64, BCS use among screen-detected cases, even after adjustment for tumour characteristics, was 40-50% higher and increased more rapidly during 1994-1999 than among other cases. However, trends in BCS in Northern Ireland were not explained by changes in screen-detection status or tumour characteristics. Our findings are consistent with expectations that mammographic screening, together with modern treatment guidelines, should lead to reduced use of mastectomy and increased (proportional) use of BCS. But similar trends occurred in the absence of large-scale screening (in the Republic of Ireland), and surgical treatment of screen-detected cases did not reflect tumour characteristics alone.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Regional variations in oral cancer incidence in Ireland.

Oral cancer has anecdotally been held to have a regional distribution in Ireland, with higher incidence rates in western areas. The first all-Ireland data sets on oral cancer incidence rates were recently published by cancer registries in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, for the years 1994-1998 and 1994-1997 respectively. The objective of this study was to analyse these rates according to the 12 health administrative regions on the island of Ireland. All rates were standardised to the world population using standard methodology, and were examined separately for lip, intra-oral, salivary and pharyngeal cancers for men and for women. Rates were mapped to highlight any regional variations. In general, the anecdotal evidence for higher incidences in the west of Ireland has not been borne out, except for lip cancers in men, which in turn is reflected in the slight western preponderance in the distribution of all oral cancers. The incidences of intra-oral cancers in both men and women were highest in the regions that include the two large conurbations (Belfast and Dublin). We conclude that the anecdotal evidence for a higher incidence of oral cancer in the west of Ireland was probably based on the distorting effect of the high incidences of lip cancer in men in these regions.

Female↗
PubMed2003

Smoking, atopy and certain furry pets are major determinants of respiratory symptoms in children: the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood Study (Ireland).

BACKGROUND: Environmental, cultural and health care differences may account for variation among countries in the prevalence of asthma and respiratory symptoms in teenagers. OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence of respiratory symptoms and the level of diagnosis, and to compare determinants of asthma and severe wheeze in two countries. METHODS: Self-completion questionnaires based on the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) protocol were provided to school children in Ireland (Republic and Northern Ireland). In the Republic of Ireland, all children in classes largely aged 13-14 years from 30 post-primary schools were selected by random sampling stratified by school size, composition and Health Board in Spring 1995. In Northern Ireland, all children largely aged 13-14 years of age from 26 post-primary schools were selected by random sampling stratified by school type, composition and Education and Library Board in Spring 1996. RESULTS: Questionnaires were completed by 2,364 children from Northern Ireland and 2,671 from the Republic, about 90% of those eligible to participate. The prevalences of wheeze at various levels of severity, of diagnosed asthma and of treated wheeze were very similar in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. A significant proportion of those reporting more severe symptomatology (four or more attacks of wheeze in the past 12 months and/or one or more nights disturbed and/or moderate or greater disruption of daily activities and/or speech restriction due to wheeze) had been neither diagnosed nor treated for asthma (20-37%). To investigate the determinants of the more severe symptomatology of asthma or treated wheeze a series of stepwise multiple regression analyses was performed. A history of atopy, cigarette smoking, the possession of a furry pet other than a dog or cat and age were each independently associated with severe wheeze, whilst atopy, a furry pet (as above) and gender were each independently associated with asthma or treated wheeze. CONCLUSIONS: Cigarette smoking is closely associated with the reporting of significant respiratory symptoms together with atopy and exposure to furry pets. Some 20-37% of severe symptoms were neither diagnosed nor treated as asthma.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

An evaluation of energy intakes and the ratio of energy intake to estimated basal metabolic rate (EI/BMRest) in the North/South Ireland Food Consumption Survey.

OBJECTIVE: To examine energy intakes (EI), their ratio to estimated basal metabolic rate (BMR(est) and the contribution of food groups to energy intake in the North/South Ireland Food Consumption Survey. DESIGN AND SETTING: Random sample of adults from the populations of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Food intake data were collected using a 7-day food diary. Body weight and height were measured and EI/BMR(est) was calculated from reported energy intake and estimated basal metabolic rate. Dieting practices were assessed as part of a self-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Mean energy intake in men was 11.0 MJ and in women was 7.6 MJ, which is comparable to reported energy intakes in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland over a decade ago. Mean EI/BMR(est) was 1.38. This increased to 1.42 after the exclusion of dieters and those who were unwell, but still remained less than the established cut-off of 1.53. EI/BMR(est) was significantly (P<0.05) higher in men than in women and decreased significantly (P<0.05) with increasing BMI in both sexes. The four food groups that contributed 50% of energy in men and women were meat and meat products, breads and rolls, potatoes and potato products, and biscuits, cakes, pastries and puddings. CONCLUSIONS: Energy intakes have not changed remarkably in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland in the last 10 years, but the mean EI/BMR(est) of 1.38 suggests that energy underreporting occurred. EI/BMR(est) was lower in women and in the overweight/obese. Additional multivariate analysis of the data is needed to identify more clearly subgroups of the population reporting lower than expected energy intakes and to evaluate the effect of low energy reporting on the consumption of various foods and food groups.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Legislation for smoke-free workplaces and health of bar workers in Ireland: before and after study.

OBJECTIVES: To compare exposure to secondhand smoke and respiratory health in bar staff in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland before and after the introduction of legislation for smoke-free workplaces in the Republic. DESIGN: Comparisons before and after the legislation in intervention and control regions. SETTING: Public houses in three areas in the Republic (intervention) and one area in Northern Ireland (control). PARTICIPANTS: 329 bar staff enrolled in baseline survey; 249 (76%) followed up one year later. Of these, 158 were non-smokers both at baseline and follow-up. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Salivary cotinine concentration, self reported exposure to secondhand smoke, and respiratory and sensory irritation symptoms. RESULTS: In bar staff in the Republic who did not themselves smoke, salivary cotinine concentrations dropped by 80% after the smoke-free law (from median 29.0 nmol/l (95% confidence interval 18.2 to 43.2 nmol/l)) to 5.1 nmol/l (2.8 to 13.1 nmol/l) in contrast with a 20% decline in Northern Ireland over the same period (from median 25.3 nmol/l (10.4 to 59.2 nmol/l) to 20.4 nmol/l (13.2 to 33.8 nmol/l)). Changes in self reported exposure to secondhand smoke were consistent with the changes in cotinine concentrations. Reporting any respiratory symptom declined significantly in the Republic (down 16.7%, -26.1% to -7.3%) but not in Northern Ireland (0% difference, -32.7% to 32.7%). After adjustment for confounding, respiratory symptoms declined significantly more in the Republic than in Northern Ireland and the decline in cotinine concentration was twice as great. CONCLUSION: The smoke-free law in the Republic of Ireland protects non-smoking bar workers from exposure to secondhand smoke.

Cotinine↗
PubMed1990

Colorectal cancer in the north and south of Ireland 1950-1984.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Northern Ireland has the highest standardised mortality ratios for colon cancer in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland has some of the highest mortality rates for cancer in the world. The aim of the study therefore was to investigate trends in colorectal cancer in the north and south of Ireland over the period 1950 to 1984. DESIGN: The study was a cohort analysis of deaths from colorectal cancer for ages 35-74 years by five year age groups, divided by sex. SETTING: This was a population study involving all cases reported to the Registrar General of Northern Ireland and the Eire Vital Statistics and Central Statistical Office during the study period. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: As in mainland Britain, rectal cancer mortality declined in the north and the south during the study period, but the fall began sooner for males than females. Colon cancer mortality fell in the late 1950s but subsequently rose to its previous high levels. CONCLUSIONS: The observation that there were declines in mortality in the north and south of Ireland in the late 1950s does not support the hypothesis that altered diet due to war rationing in Great Britain and Northern Ireland underlay the fall in British colon cancer mortality after the war. The very high standardised mortality ratios for colon cancer in Northern Ireland highlight a continuing major public health problem in the region.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Social gradients in years of potential life lost in Ireland.

BACKGROUND: The study of mortality differentials by class or socio-economic group is underdeveloped in Ireland in comparison to other countries. The work that has been done has used a standardized mortality ratio (SMR) methodology to measure deaths. There has been no previous work exploring the social gradient in years of potential life lost (YPLL) in Ireland. METHODS: The aim is to investigate socio-economic mortality differentials for men aged between 15 and 69 in Ireland, using YPLL as a measure of premature mortality. The design is a mortality trends study. The study is based on mortality data supplied by the Central Statistics Office in Ireland and population data taken from the Census for the years 1981 and 1991. The data covers all male deaths aged 15-69 in the years 1981 and 1991. Social position is measured by a 12-category socio-economic group (SEG) framework and by a more aggregate four-category occupational classification system. RESULTS: When age at death is taken into account through YPLL, injury and poisoning is a major cause of premature mortality in Ireland for all socio-economic groups. The results also show significant differentials in YPLL by 12-category SEG in Ireland. There was a widening of the social gap during the period 1981 to 1991 as measured by the YPLL ratio between lower manual/upper non-manual occupational groups. The use of YPLL as a measure of premature mortality highlights the importance of respiratory disease and injury and poisoning as the major sources of health inequality in 1981 and 1991. CONCLUSIONS: YPLL is an important indicator of general mortality and for monitoring mortality differentials by socio-economic group. Current health inequalities as measured by YPLL are unacceptably high in Ireland. A comprehensive government strategy to reduce inequalities in mortality is required, having the primary objective of improving the economic and social circumstances of people in the lower manual occupational category. There is also a need to develop measurable priorities and programmes for the reduction of premature mortality in the injury and poisoning category for all social groups, and especially for people in the lower manual group. This means action now to prevent future deaths from road accidents, accidents at work and suicides.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Sampling description and procedures used to conduct the North/South Ireland Food Consumption Survey.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this survey was to establish a database of habitual food and drink consumption in a representative sample of Irish adults, aged 18-64 years. The present paper describes the sampling protocol, response rate and characteristics of the survey population in terms of sex and age groups, seasonality, geographical location, marital status, social class, socio-economic status and education level. DESIGN: A cross-sectional food consumption survey was carried out. In the Republic of Ireland, a nationally representative sample of adults was randomly selected with a validated two-stage clustered design, using the electoral register as the sampling frame. This method produced a self-weighting or 'epsem' sample of individuals, where each adult who was registered to vote had an equal opportunity of being selected. Similarly, in Northern Ireland, a two-stage random sampling procedure was used. The sampling frame was the electoral register, and the sample was stratified by urban/rural and by an index of material deprivation, to ensure representation of each sector of the community. The recruitment procedure was the same in the North and South. An introductory letter with an information leaflet was posted to each selected individual and these were followed up by a visit from a fieldworker, who invited participation in the survey. SETTING: Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland between 1997 and 1999. RESULTS: The response rate, which is the percentage of the total number of people who completed a 7-day food diary (n=1379) out of the total eligible sample (n=2177), was 63%. Non-respondents and dropouts constituted 34% and 3%, respectively, of the total eligible sample. Compared with the most recent census figures available, the sample was generally found to be representative in terms of sex and age group profiles, geographical location, marital status, seasonality, social class, socio-economic group and education level. Data on sex and age group and geographical location were collected from non-respondents for comparison with the survey sample. There were no apparent differences between them. CONCLUSION: The North/South Ireland Food Consumption Survey has established a relational database of habitual food and drink consumption, in addition to data on habitual physical activity, anthropometric measurements, socio-demographic factors, lifestyle, health status indicators and attitudes, in a nationally representative sample of the population of the island of Ireland.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Macronutrient intakes and food sources in Irish adults: findings of the North/South Ireland Food Consumption Survey.

OBJECTIVE: To describe macronutrient intakes and food sources of the adult population in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland and to assess adherence of this population to current dietary recommendations. DESIGN: A cross-sectional food consumption survey collected food intake data using a 7-day food diary. SETTING: Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland between October 1997 and October 1999. SUBJECTS: One thousand three hundred and seventy-nine adults aged 18-64 years (662 males and 717 females). RESULTS: Mean daily energy intakes in men were 11 MJ per day, 15.5% was derived from protein, 34.8% from fat, 43.5% from carbohydrate and 5.9% from alcohol. Corresponding figures for women were 7.6 MJ per day, 15.6%, 35.6%, 45.1% and 3.5%. When alcohol energy was excluded the contribution of fat and carbohydrate to energy did not differ between men and women. When compared with existing dietary recommendations, 93% of men and 86% of women had protein intakes above the Population Reference Intake. Two approaches were used to assess adherence to the fat and carbohydrate dietary recommendations: (1) the proportion of individuals in the population attaining these dietary targets and (2) the proportion of the population that was included in a 'compliers' group which had a group mean equal to these dietary targets. Thirty-three per cent of men and 34% of women met the target of 35% of food energy from fat and 78% of men and 80% of women comprised the 'compliers' group having a group mean of 35% of food energy from fat. Twenty-three per cent of men and 27% of women met the target of 50% of food energy from carbohydrate and 56% of men and 62% of women made up the 'compliers' group. Meat and meat products were the main source of fat (23%) and protein (37%), and bread and rolls (25%) were the main source of carbohydrate. CONCLUSION: A reduction in dietary fat intake remains an important public health issue in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. An increase in carbohydrate intake and attention to the rise in alcohol intake is also warranted.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

The role of the community pharmacist in drug abuse: a comparison of service provision between Northern Ireland and England/Wales.

AIM: The aim of the present research was to establish the current extent of pharmacists' contact with illicit drug users in Northern Ireland, their willingness to provide services for this group and to compare the findings with data from a 1995 national survey of community pharmacies in England and Wales. METHOD: The questionnaire developed by the National Addiction Centre for research in England/Wales was used to collect data. It was mailed on two occasions (March and April 1999) together with a covering letter and a prepaid return envelope to all community pharmacies in Northern Ireland (n = 507). A final reminder letter was included in the local wholesalers' medical delivery for the attention of the pharmacist in May 1999. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The extent to which Northern Ireland pharmacists had contact with and provided services to illicit drug users compared to pharmacists in England/Wales. RESULTS: A response rate of 67.5% was achieved. Respondents in Northern Ireland were providing fewer services to drug users than those in England/Wales. Respondents reported dispensing methadone for the treatment of addiction/misuse to only 9 patients, while only 17 pharmacists had been asked to sell injecting equipment in the previous week and no pharmacist was participating in a needle exchange scheme. However, most respondents indicated their willingness to provide such services. Barriers towards the provision of services were, however, highlighted e.g. the need for training and the establishment of support systems. CONCLUSION: Pharmacists in Northern Ireland are in a position to contribute to the policy agenda in Northern Ireland for drug misuse, prevention, treatment and harm minimisation--roles which the survey indicates they are willing to embrace. However, training programmes, support systems and adequate remuneration packages must be established before they will be in a position to participate fully.

England↗
PubMed2005

Prevalence of diarrhoea in the community in Australia, Canada, Ireland, and the United States.

BACKGROUND: Studies in several countries have estimated the prevalence of diarrhoea in the community. However, the use of different study designs and varying case definitions has made international comparisons difficult. METHODS: Similar cross-sectional telephone surveys were conducted in Australia, Canada, Ireland (including Northern Ireland), and the United States over 12 month periods between 2000 and 2002. Each survey asked about diarrhoea in the four weeks before the interview. For this comparative analysis, uniform definitions were used. RESULTS: Questionnaires were completed for 6087 respondents in Australia, 3496 in Canada, 9903 in Ireland, and 14,647 in the United States. In the four weeks prior to interview, at least one episode of diarrhoea was reported by 7.6% of respondents in Canada, 7.6% in the United States, 6.4% in Australia, and 3.4% in Ireland. The prevalence of diarrhoea was consistently higher in females. In all countries, the prevalence of diarrhoea was highest in children <5 years and lowest in persons > or =65 years of age. When diarrhoea and vomiting was considered, the prevalence was almost identical in the four studies (range: 2.0-2.6%). Despite different health care structures, a similar proportion of respondents sought medical care (approximately one in five). Antibiotic usage for the treatment of diarrhoea was reported by 8.3% of respondents in the United States, 5.6% in Ireland, 3.8% in Canada, and 3.6% in Australia. CONCLUSIONS: Diarrhoea is a common illness among persons in the community in Australia, Canada, Ireland, and the United States. With similar methodologies and a standard case definition, age and sex patterns and health care seeking behaviour were remarkably consistent between countries.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

An update on orthodontic manpower in ireland.

There has been considerable debate in Europe over the past few years on manpower requirements in orthodontics. In some countries today the need for orthodontic care cannot be accommodated due to lack of professional manpower whereas in others a surplus of orthodontic treatment facilities exists. The aim of the present study was to establish a baseline for orthodontic demographics in the Republic of Ireland. The number of orthodontists currently practising in Ireland was identified together with the number of Irish graduates currently on training programmes. Population figures were obtained from the Central Statistics Office. The orthodontic manpower situation has altered dramatically in the Republic of Ireland over the past 20 years. The number of 12-year-olds per orthodontist has reduced over the past 18 years from 2773 in 1980 to 890 in 1998. The age profile of the orthodontists presently practising in Ireland is low with an expected retirement over the next 20 years of only 28 of the 69 orthodontists identified. This study provides baseline information on orthodontic manpower in Ireland, and will facilitate Ireland's participation in similar or comparative studies in the future.

Birth Rate↗