Prevention Of Group A Streptococcal Disease In The Developing World: Investigating Innovative Control Strategies For Rheumatic Heart Disease And Impetigo
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$178,614.00
Summary
Group A streptococcal diseases, including rheumatic heart disease and impetigo, are major causes of illness globally, mostly in developing countries. This proposal is a comprehensive investigation into new ways of curbing these diseases, including using ultrasound screening for rheumatic heart disease, community wide treatment for impetigo and laboratory testing for new vaccines. The studies will be done in Fiji and will be relevant for other developing countries and for Indigenous Australians.
Group A streptococcal diseases, including rheumatic heart disease, are major causes of illness globally, mostly in developing countries. This proposal is an investigation into how best to tackle control these diseases. It focuses on 1) a novel way to detect rheumatic heart disease in its earliest phases using ultrasound, 2) using a single drug once per year to stop streptococcal skin sores by controlling scabies infestation in whole communities and 3) developing a new vaccine that is applicable ....Group A streptococcal diseases, including rheumatic heart disease, are major causes of illness globally, mostly in developing countries. This proposal is an investigation into how best to tackle control these diseases. It focuses on 1) a novel way to detect rheumatic heart disease in its earliest phases using ultrasound, 2) using a single drug once per year to stop streptococcal skin sores by controlling scabies infestation in whole communities and 3) developing a new vaccine that is applicable across all regions of the world.Read moreRead less
Investigation Of The Epidemiology And Care Of Rheumatic Heart Disease Patients In Resource Poor Settings And At Risk Populations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$192,534.00
Summary
This project aims to Investigate of the impact of Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) patients in resource poor settings and at risk populations with a focus on the Asia Pacific region. Studies will be undertaken to contribute to the understanding of the burden of disease in the Asia Pacific; to determine the impact of RHD on young pregnant women; to evaluate complications and outcomes of RHD patients who have had heart surgery in Fiji and trial an intervention to improve clinical management.
Improving Health Services Around The Time Of Childbirth In Places Where Death Rates Are High And Home-births Common
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$119,335.00
Summary
In settings close to Australia where death rates among mothers and newborns remain high, it is common for childbirth to take place outside of health facilities. This research will develop feasible options for countries aiming to simultaneously improve care in first-line health facilities (which often takes some years), and simultaneously provide some limited services in the home that can reduce deaths immediately.
Does Mass Drug Administration For Scabies Result In Control Of Serious Bacterial Complications? A Proof Of Concept Towards Global Elimination.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$883,760.00
Summary
Scabies is common skin disease in developing countries, in particular in the Pacific region. In Fiji, one in two children suffer from the infestation, which affects over 20% of the population. A recent study conducted in Fiji on 2000 people showed that mass drug administration (MDA) with oral ivermectin is a safe and effective way to reduce the burden of scabies in the community. We will expand the MDA program to 100,000 people, the largest study of MDA ivermectin for scabies ever undertaken.
Implementing Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine In Pacific Island Countries
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$181,065.00
Summary
Despite the bacteria, the pneumococcus, being the most common reason why children die from pneumonia worldwide, the uptake of pneumococcal vaccine to prevent this disease has been slow, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. I will work with Pacific governments, the Asia Development Bank Bank, UNICEF and other regional organisations, and health economists to lead the design of the implementation plan of PCV into Pacific island countries.
Mobility and HIV risk across the Papua New Guinea/Indonesia border. This project will seek to understand HIV risk amongst those who cross the border between Papua New Guinea and Indonesia for traditional activities, business or leisure.
Risky business: a qualitative investigation into Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) risk and vulnerability among sex workers in three Pacific countries. This interview based research will investigate the sex work and HIV prevention issues in three Pacific countries (Palau, Tonga and Tuvalu). The study will provide evidence needed to develop interventions and services that respond to the local context and circumstances of the sex work order, and guide an effective response in these countries.
Cluster Randomised Trial Comparing One Versus Two Doses Of Ivermectin For Mass Drug Administration To Control Scabies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$540,512.00
Summary
Scabies is a common skin disease in developing countries, in particular in the Pacific region. In the Western Province of Solomon Islands, one in two children suffer from the infestation, and 20% of the population. We know that mass drug administration with two doses of oral ivermectin is effective to reduce the burden of scabies in the community. We now propose a study to determine whether one single dose is as effective. This would have major public health benefits.