HIV and HCV prevalence among trawler crew

Recreational drug use within the employees of the mariculture and seafood industry in South Australia

A study of recreational drug use among workers in the Port Lincoln mariculture and seafood industries was conducted by self report questionnaire. High rates of cannabis and alcohol use were revealed during the shore based fish farming season. The occupational health and safety implications of these findings in one of Australia's most dangerous industries are significant. Further research could inform the development of industry specific harm minimisation policies.

Uncertain knowledge: a national survey of high school students' knowledge and beliefs about hepatitis C

OBJECTIVE

Hepatitis C (HCV) has recently emerged as an important public health issue. This study documents young people's hepatitis C (HCV) knowledge, risk perceptions and sources of information.

METHOD

Australia, 1997; nationally representative survey; sample of students in Years 10 and 12 in government secondary schools (n = 3,550).

RESULTS

Students' knowledge about HCV was found to be extremely poor. Of the seven questions on hepatitis, only one was answered correctly by more than half the students. Few could differentiate between hepatitis A, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Only a small number (12%) perceived themselves to be at risk of hepatitis and fewer than half (41%) had sought advice about hepatitis.

CONCLUSION

There is a need for more HCV education and health promotion for secondary school students.

IMPLICATIONS

Some lessons from HIV education can be readily transferred to this new epidemic but others cannot. There is a danger that HIV and HCV will be conflated in education programs.