Screening for cancer of the cervix, breast and bowel can reduce morbidity and mortality. Low participation rates in cancer screening have been identified among migrant communities internationally. Attempting to improve low rates of cancer screening, the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland developed a pilot Cancer Screening Education Program for breast, bowel and cervical cancer. This study determines the impact of education sessions on knowledge, attitudes and intentions to participate in screening for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities living in Brisbane, Queensland. Seven CALD groups (Arabic-speaking, Bosnian, South Asian (including Indian and Bhutanese), Samoan and Pacific Island, Spanish-speaking, Sudanese and Vietnamese) participated in a culturally-tailored cancer screening education pilot program that was developed using the Health Belief Model. A pre- and post-education evaluation session measured changes in knowledge, attitudes and intention related to breast, bowel and cervical cancer and screening. The evaluation focussed on perceived susceptibility, perceived seriousness and the target population's beliefs about reducing risk by cancer screening. There were 159 participants in the three cancer screening education sessions. Overall participants' knowledge increased, some attitudes toward participation in cancer screening became more positive and intent to participate in future screening increased (n=146). These results indicate the importance of developing screening approaches that address the barriers to participation among CALD communities and that a culturally-tailored education program is effective in improving knowledge, attitudes about and intentions to participate in cancer screening. It is important that culturally-tailored programs are developed in conjunction with communities to improve health outcomes.

AbstractObjective:To examine differences in eating and physical activity behaviours among ethnic groups in Queensland, Australia, and differences in those behaviours due to the duration of residency in Australia.Design:Cross-sectional study using baseline data collected for the Living Well Multicultural–Lifestyle Modification Program between October 2014 and June 2017.Setting:Culturally and linguistically diverse communities (CALD), including Afghani, Somali, Burmese, Pacific and South Sea Islander, Sri Lankan, Sudanese and Vietnamese, living in Queensland, Australia.Participants:People were recruited if they were ≥18 years old and living in the targeted CALD communities.Results:Burmese/Vietnamese, on average, had better eating scores in line with Australian dietary guidelines, compared with Afghani/Arabic-speaking (difference = 2·05 points, 95 % CI 1·39, 2·72), Somali/Sudanese (difference = 1·53 points, 95 % CI 0·79, 2·28) and Pacific Islander (difference = 1·46 points, 95 % CI 0·79, 2·13). Association between ethnicity and meeting the physical activity guideline was not significant. Those who stayed in Australia longer than a year were less likely to meet the physical activity guideline than those staying <1 year (OR = 0·51, 95 % CI 0·31, 0·84). There was no significant association between duration of residency in Australia and eating scores.Conclusions:Eating behaviours were significantly different among the ethnic groups in Queensland with Burmese/Vietnamese and Sri Lankan/Bhutanese having the healthiest diets. All ethnic groups were less likely to meet the physical activity guideline compared with the general Australian population. People with duration of residency of at least 1 year in Australia were less likely to meet the physical activity guideline compared with those who had shorter stays.

Very little is known about the cardiometabolic risk of migrants who settle in Australia.This study investigated differences in cardiometabolic risk markers among ethnic groups attending a tailored healthy lifestyle program in Queensland, Australia; and differences in these markers between those living in Australia for shorter versus longer periods of time. Baseline data collected between October 2014 and June 2017 from the Living Well Multicultural-Lifestyle Modification Program were used.People living in ethnic communities in Queensland who were ≥18 years old, and not underweight were eligible to participate. Independent variables were ethnicity and length of time in Australia. Outcomes were cardiometabolic risk markers including BMI, waist circumference, weight-to-height ratio (WHtR) and hypertension. Analyses were done separately for each independent variable. Linear and logistic regressions were run for continuous and binary outcomes with differences/Odds ratios reported respectively. Multivariable analyses showed that Burmese/Vietnamese had an average BMI lower than Afghani/Arabic (3.7 points), Somalian/Sudanese (4.7 points) andPacific Islander (11.6 points) (p < 0.001) respectively. Differences in waist circumference between Burmese/Vietnamese with Sri Lankan/Bhutanese, Afghani/Arabic, Somalian/Sudanese and Pacific Islander were 6.3, 8.4, 9.1 and 24.0 cm (p < 0.01) respectively. Although Burmese/Vietnamese also had lower average WHtR compared to the others, the differences were not significant for Somalian/Sudanese. Moreover, Sri Lankan/Bhutanese and Pacific Islander were more likely to be hypertensive compared to Burmese/Vietnamese (p < 0.05). Immigrants living in Australia >5years had on average 1.2 points higher BMI, 2.4cm larger waist circumference, and 0.02 points higher WHtR (p < 0.05) compared to those living for ≤5 years. Long-stay immigrants were also more likely to be hypertensive than short-stay immigrants (p < 0.01). In conclusion, cardiometabolic risk is significantly different among ethnic groups in Queensland with Pacific Islanders having the highest risk. Immigrants living in Australia >5 years had higher risks compared to those living in Australia for shorter periods of time. K E Y W O R D SBMI, cardiometabolic risk, ethnicity, immigrant, waist circumference, weight-to-height ratio e450 |

Issue Some migrant groups have higher risks of deaths and chronic diseases due to barriers associated with socioeconomic disadvantage, social isolation, racism, language, poor access to health services and low levels of health literacy. However, few culturally tailored interventions have targeted ethnic groups in Australia. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the Living Well Multicultural‐Lifestyle Management Program (LWM‐LMP) in Queensland, Australia. Methods The LWM‐LMP was originally co‐designed with the targeted communities. Participants aged ≥18 years were eligible to participate without a fee. The evaluation was a quasi‐experimental design without a control group, with data collected at baseline, the end of the programme and after‐programme follow‐up at week 14. The programme lasted 8 weeks with one group‐based session of 120 minutes delivered each week in local community venues. Each session also included time to undertake physical activity (PA). Eating and PA behaviours were self‐reported. Weight, height, waist circumference and blood pressure were measured using standard protocols. Results Participants were more likely to consume ≥2 servings of fruit/day, five servings of vegetable/day, low‐fat milk, processed meat, fast food, hot chips/fries, salty snacks, sweet snacks, sweet beverages less than once per week and meet the PA recommendation of ≥150 minutes/wk (P < .001) at week 8. Weight, BMI, waist circumference, waist‐to‐height ratio and blood pressure were also improved at week 8. Many of the changes were sustained at week 14. Conclusions The LWM‐LMP was effective in improving participants’ lifestyle behaviours and cardiometabolic indicators. So what Engaging targeted communities in designing interventions focussed on healthy personal behaviours helps with delivery and implementation. Behavioural interventions should be culturally tailored to increase their effectiveness.

Based on data from three imported mpox cases in South Korea, the overall attack rate was determined to be 1%, while a secondary attack rate of 14% was estimated in the high-exposure group.