First observation of a skate egg case nursery in the Ross Sea.

Areas of importance to Southern Ocean skates are poorly defined. Here, we identify a deepwater skate egg case nursery in a discrete location at ~460 m depth off Cape Adare in the Southern Ocean. This is the first confirmed observation of a skate nursery area in the Ross Sea and only the second observation for the Southern Ocean. The morphology and size of the egg cases were consistent with the genus Bathyraja and most likely belong to the Bathyraja sp. (cf. eatonii). The nursery occurs within the "no take" General Protection Zone of the Ross Sea region marine protected area, where commercial fishing is prohibited.

A 'snap shot' of the health of homeless people in inner Sydney: St Vincent's Hospital.

OBJECTIVES: The poor health profile of people who are homeless results in a disproportionate use of health resources by these people. An in-hospital count of demographic and health data of homeless patients was conducted on two occasions at St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney as an indicator of health resource utilisation for the Sydney region. METHODS: Two in-hospital counts were conducted of homeless patients within the boundaries of St Vincent's Hospital to coincide with the inaugural City of Sydney homeless street counts in winter 2008 and summer 2009. Data collected included level of homelessness, principal diagnosis, triage category, bed occupancy and linkages to services post hospital discharge. RESULTS: Homeless patients at St Vincent's utilised over four times the number of acute ward beds when compared with the state average. This corresponds to a high burden of mental health, substance use and physical health comorbidities in homeless people. There was high utilisation of mental health and drug and alcohol services by homeless people, and high levels of linkages with these services post-discharge. There were relatively low rates of linkage with general practitioner and ambulatory care services. CONCLUSION: Increasing knowledge of the health needs of the homeless community will assist in future planning and allocation of health services.

HIV/AIDS-related knowledge among Malaysian young adults: findings from a nationwide survey.

PURPOSE: HIV/AIDS poses a serious threat to young people, both in Malaysia and throughout the world. A nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about HIV/AIDS among the Malaysian public. This article reports the findings of knowledge about HIV/AIDS among young adults. METHODS: A total of 1075 young adult respondents aged 15-24 years participated in this survey. The response rate was 82.2%. RESULTS: The data indicated that HIV/AIDS knowledge among the respondents was moderate, with a mean knowledge score of 20.1 out of 32 points. The great majority had adequate knowledge of the major routes of HIV transmission, but fewer were aware of other modes of transmission, such as tattooing and piercing, sharing personal items, and breast-feeding from an infected mother. The great majority knew that HIV is not transmitted by mosquito bites, sharing meals, casual contact, and using public swimming pools and toilets. CONCLUSIONS: Misconceptions about HIV/AIDS exist although generally knowledge on HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention was accurate. Education and intervention programs are needed to increase the level of knowledge and awareness of HIV/AIDS. The findings have important implications for the development of primary HIV/AIDS prevention programs for young adults in Malaysia.

HIV/AIDS-Related Knowledge Among Malaysian Young Adults: Findings From a Nationwide Survey.

PURPOSE: HIV/AIDS poses a serious threat to young people, both in Malaysia and throughout the world. A nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about HIV/AIDS among the Malaysian public. This article reports the findings of knowledge about HIV/AIDS among young adults. METHODS: A total of 1075 young adult respondents aged 15-24 years participated in this survey. The response rate was 82.2%. RESULTS: The data indicated that HIV/AIDS knowledge among the respondents was moderate, with a mean knowledge score of 20.1 out of 32 points. The great majority had adequate knowledge of the major routes of HIV transmission, but fewer were aware of other modes of transmission, such as tattooing and piercing, sharing personal items, and breast-feeding from an infected mother. The great majority knew that HIV is not transmitted by mosquito bites, sharing meals, casual contact, and using public swimming pools and toilets. CONCLUSION: Misconceptions about HIV/AIDS exist although generally knowledge on HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention was accurate. Education and intervention programs are needed to increase the level of knowledge and awareness of HIV/AIDS. The findings have important implications for the development of primary HIV/AIDS prevention programs for young adults in Malaysia.