This paper extends research on rural crime beyond North America by analysing associations between census measures of community structures and officially reported crime in rural New South Wales (Australia). It employs social disorganisation theory to examine variations in crime rates between different kinds of rural communities. A typology of rural communities was developed from cluster analysis of demographic, economic and social structural measures of rural local government areas (LGAs) in NSW. Six distinct types of rural communities were found to have unique crime characteristics. Structural measures were statistically associated with four types of crime.Overall, the findings support social disorganisation theory. Crime generally decreased across an urban-rural continuum, and more cohesive and integrated community structures had less crime. One highly disorganised type of small community had extremely high crime. These analyses demonstrate how specific structures of rural places are linked to rural crime.

Objective To ascertain the importance rural Australians attribute to different factors of accessibility in their decision to consult a general practitioner. Design Survey by interview or delivery‐and‐collection questionnaire (participant's choice) based on the method of paired comparisons. Setting and participants All residents of 10 small rural communities in north‐west New South Wales aged over 16 years in July and August 1996. Main outcome measures Rank order and relative importance of residents' preferences for choosing to consult a particular doctor. Results Social accessibility or acceptability considerations were more important than geographical proximity in the choices of rural residents to consult a particular doctor. Elderly people, in particular, attributed most significance to acceptability and continuity of care. Geographical proximity ranked most highly for young and middle‐aged people and men living in isolated communities. Conclusions For rural inhabitants, geographical distance is not the sole or even the most important determinant in their choice of general practice care; rather, they will seek the services of a GP with whom they feel comfortable. Incentives programs designed to recruit and retain more GPs in rural practice must acknowledge the importance of attracting acceptable doctors. This requires that rural doctors acquire suitable clinical and communication skills to meet the diverse needs of their patients, as well as an understanding of rural culture.

This paper extends research on rural crime beyond North America by analysing associations between census measures of community structures and officially reported crime in rural New South Wales (Australia). It employs social disorganisation theory to examine variations in crime rates between different kinds of rural communities. A typology of rural communities was developed from cluster analysis of demographic, economic and social structural measures of rural local government areas (LGAs) in NSW. Six distinct types of rural communities were found to have unique crime characteristics. Structural measures were statistically associated with four types of crime.Overall, the findings support social disorganisation theory. Crime generally decreased across an urban-rural continuum, and more cohesive and integrated community structures had less crime. One highly disorganised type of small community had extremely high crime. These analyses demonstrate how specific structures of rural places are linked to rural crime.

Following an earlier paper, which classified tropical rainfall stations using 34 variables and a single clustering approach, this paper compares the results with those utilizing three other methods. A variety of measures were used to assess 'performance' of the methods. Three of the methods (Ward, Average Lmkage, and Lance-Williams) produced very similar results, and even the other one (Centroid) showed a reasonably similar pattern. The similarity in results from the different methods suggests that the station groups obtained are meaninghl. However, minor differences are worthy of consideration when climatological interpretation is undertaken at a later stage of the project.

Objectives To identify the preferences of rural Australians for health care services and to relate their attitudes towards health care services in general and preventive health care services in particular to their sociodemographic characteristics and their degree of geographic access to available services. Design Both an interview and a delivery‐and‐collection questionnaire survey were conducted. The method of paired comparisons was used to determine the structure of preferences for a set of health care services. Setting The study area comprised the small rural settlement of Nyngan, and the surrounding farming lands in the Bogan Shire, New South Wales. Participants A random sample of 20% of residents was surveyed in October 1989. Ma;n outcome measures: In the absence of any studies on the attitudes of rural Australians towards health care services, no a priori hypotheses were formulated. Both the rank order of preferences and a preference interval shOWing the “distance” between the preferences were calculated. Results The results show the overwhelming importance attributed to curative medical services compared to those oriented to preventive health care. In particular, the services provided by the doctor are indisputably the most highly valued of all health care services. The attitudes of rural residents to particular preventive services varied, with those’ services most relevant to immediate needs being the ones most highly valued. Conclusions The felt need for health care among country people centres on the adequate provision of doctors and hospitals; preventive services which address the longer‐term health care needs of country people may best be prOVided by closely integrating them with curative medical services.