ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to compare the incidence of anatomical variations displayed on computerized tomography scans of individuals that identify as Polynesian or New Zealand Europeans. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of computerized tomography of the paranasal sinuses. All scans were examined for a number of anatomical variations and the prevalence directly compared according to ethnic group. SETTING: All scans were performed at a tertiary referral center (Dunedin Public Hospital). SUBJECTS: Participants underwent computerized tomography of the paranasal sinuses for various indications. Ethnicity was determined from the electronic hospital record. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the prevalence of anatomical variations between Polynesians and New Zealand Europeans. Our study results are comparable with other studies of Caucasian paranasal sinus anatomy. CONCLUSIONS: When performing endoscopic sinus surgery on those with Polynesian ethnicity, there are no specific anatomical variations to take into account.
Subject(s)
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander , Paranasal Sinuses/diagnostic imaging , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Chi-Square Distribution , Ethnicity , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , New Zealand , Paranasal Sinuses/anatomy & histology , Polynesia , Retrospective StudiesABSTRACT
AIM: To estimate the frequency of walking to school among primary school children and examine associated factors. METHOD: In-class survey of Years 1-6 children attending Dunedin primary schools, November 2004, and a take home, written questionnaire for parents and caregivers. RESULTS: On study day, 34.5% of children walked to school and 36.8% intended to walk home. Overall, 1157 completed caregiver questionnaires were returned (68%) indicating that 47.5% of children walked to or from school less than three times per week. The strongest predictor of walking was proximity to school (<1 km OR 29.3, 1-2 km OR 7.7, 2-3 km OR 3.0, >3 km OR 1.00). Other predictors were not having a car in the household (OR 10.9), attending a (low socioeconomic) decile 2 to 4 school (2.35), having three or more adults in the household (1.85), being in a higher school year (1.72), having non-New Zealand European ethnicity (>1.41), having a parent who had walked to school (1.35), and being male (1.33). CONCLUSIONS: This study established a baseline for the percentage of Dunedin primary school children walking to school. Key potentially modifiable predictors of walking were proximity to school and not having a car in the household. These findings have implications for health, transport and educational policies.
