Reducing Unintended Pregnancies Among Female Sex Workers In Kenya Using MHealth: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$92,161.00
Summary
This research aims to reduce the high rates of unintended pregnancy experienced by female sex workers (FSW) in Kenya. It involves the development of a health promotion program delivered by mobile phone (mHealth intervention) to improve FSWs’ knowledge of SRH and reduce their risk of unintended pregnancy. The intervention will be trialled with 860 FSWs from 86 sex work venues in Mombasa. If effective, it can be implemented to improve women’s health in many and diverse settings.
School Versus Community-based Albendazole Deworming For Control Of Soil Transmitted Helminths In School-age Children In The Philippines – A Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,336,408.00
Summary
Intestinal parasites are a global health problem. The World Health Organization recommends regular distribution of deworming drugs, targeting school aged children. This is effective for the children receiving the drugs but does not have an impact in the wider community. We aim to determine the best strategy for delivery of deworming drugs, to achieve the maximum benefit both for children and wider community, by directly comparing the benefits of a school-targeted vs a community-mass approach.
An investigation of ethnicity, socio-economic status and social networks as drivers of childhood obesity and body image among children and adolescents. This study addresses the problem of obesity and overweight in children and adolescents in Australia. It aims to build a longitudinal picture of relevant social, behavioural and environmental factors and includes a unique study of the role of social networks in determining and reinforcing understandings and prevalence of obesity and overweight.
Risky Business: Improving Understanding Of Young People’s Risky Alcohol Consumption, Drug Use And Sexual Behaviour.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$299,564.00
Summary
Increasing numbers of young Australians engage in high-risk alcohol and drug use and sexual behaviour, and experience preventable health outcomes such as injuries, violence and sexually transmitted infections. Despite growing concern, we lack understanding about why young adults take risks, which groups are most at risk, and how different drugs, contexts and settings contribute. Using unique datasets and novel analytical strategies I will generate new knowledge to inform public health responses.
Epidemiology Of Allergic Diseases And The Role Of Early Life Eczema
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$416,306.00
Summary
Eczema prevents our children from getting a healthy start to life, increases their risk of developing asthma and hay-fever, and we don’t know how to prevent this condition. Dr. Lowe will help identify causes and the outcomes of eczema and allergic diseases in early life, by using a number of important research projects. This research includes an intervention trial that aims to prevent the development of allergic disease and sensitisation, which Dr Lowe leads
A Randomised Controlled Trial Of Daily Antibacterial Mouthwash To Reduce Pharyngeal Gonorrhoea Among Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$376,730.00
Summary
Gonorrhoea is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI) among gay men, and the throat is the commonest site of infection. There is early data to suggest Listerine mouthwash can be used to prevent gonorrhoea. Our study will examine whether men use Listerine every day will reduce the risk of gonorrhoea in the throat compared those who use another mouthwash product which does not have an effect on gonorrhoea.
HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis In Men Who Have Sex With Men: Investigating Impacts On HIV Incidence And Novel Methods Of Engagement
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$318,768.00
Summary
HIV infections are increasing in gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM) in Australia and Indonesia. A promising new HIV prevention strategy is HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which involves HIV-negative individuals taking one pill containing HIV treatments per day to prevent infection. PrEP is highly effective when taken correctly. Access to PrEP is currently very limited. Studies to investigate the best ways to implement PrEP services are required in Australia and Indonesia.
New Technologies To Reduce The Population Burden Of Sexually Transmitted Infections
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$772,605.00
Summary
I propose a five year program of public health research on the evaluation of innovative technologies to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and their adverse consequences in populations at highest risk; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, youth, men who have sex with men and people in high STI-burden resource-limited countries. My research over the next five years will lead to substantial improvements in the health of people at greatest risk of STIs.
Does Vitamin D Supplementation Reduce Mortality For Older Adults?: A Pilot Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$443,311.00
Summary
Studies suggest that people with low vitamin D may have increased risks of some chronic diseases and early death. This has prompted calls to introduce population-wide vitamin D supplementation, although there is no good evidence from clinical trials. In a landmark 2008 report, the International Agency for Research on Cancer called for randomised trials of high-dose vitamin D supplementation. We plan to pilot such a trial, to inform implementation of a large-scale chemoprevention trial.
Reducing The Burden Of Disease Due To Hazardous Alcohol Consumption
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$652,765.00
Summary
I am a behavioural scientist interested in the causes and prevention of hazardous alcohol consumption. I propose a program of research examining methods in behavioural science, risk factors for hazardous drinking, the development and evaluation of interventions to reduce hazardous drinking, and the evaluation of policies affecting the supply and promotion of alcohol. I lead a research team with strong collaborations with leading scientists in Australia and other countries.