A Randomised Controlled Trial Of A Web-based, Organisational Systems Change Intervention To Increase Childcare Service Adherence To Dietary Guidelines
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,044,145.00
Summary
To improve children's health, leading health agencies recommend that childcare services provide foods to children consistent with dietary guidelines. The majority of Australian childcare services however do not provide foods that meet these guidelines. Using the highest quality research design, this study will test the effectiveness of a web-based intervention in supporting childcare services to improve the nutritional quality of food provided to children in care.
Sleep Health And Sleep Problems In Early Childhood: What Role Does Childcare Play?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,644.00
Summary
Sleep is significant for young children’s health and development and impacts on family functioning. Increasingly childcare is part of the young child’s sleep environment. This study focuses on the role of childcare in supporting sleep health and identifying sleep, and associated behavioural problems, in the early years of life. The study responds to the policy, practice and legislative demand for evidence to guide appropriate provision for sleep and rest in the childcare context.
Improved Hygiene Measures For Australian Child Care Centres: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$440,573.00
Summary
Roughly fifty percent of young Australian children receive care outside their home. As greater numbers of women choose to continue working after childbirth, the proportion of children exposed to group care in the first few years of life will continue to increase. In developed countries child care attendance has been shown to be the most important modifiable risk factor for respiratory tract infections and otitis media. A previous study in nine Darwin child care centres demonstrated high rates of ....Roughly fifty percent of young Australian children receive care outside their home. As greater numbers of women choose to continue working after childbirth, the proportion of children exposed to group care in the first few years of life will continue to increase. In developed countries child care attendance has been shown to be the most important modifiable risk factor for respiratory tract infections and otitis media. A previous study in nine Darwin child care centres demonstrated high rates of respiratory tract infections, otitis media, antibiotic use and colonisation with both penicillin-sensitive and penicillin-resistant pneumococci. This study will assess the impact of simple hygiene measures on rates of pneumococcal colonisation, respiratory infection, otitis media, and pneumococcal antibiotic resistance. Twenty child care centres will be randomised to receive additional training and education in the prevention of spread of respiratory infection or routine care. Outcomes measures will include the number of new infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae, reported illnesses, and rates of otitis media and nasal discharge documented by fortnightly examination with video recording and tympanometry. Efficacy of the intervention will be estimated at the end of the school year (9 months after the intervention) to avoid bias associated with changes in the child care environment that occur over the school holidays. The centres randomised to routine care will receive the full intervention at the completion of the study and all centres will be re-assessed 6 months .Read moreRead less
Model of care: A family focussed approach to promote child protection. Childhood neglect and abuse is an issue for all Australians. Models of best practice for child protection services are essential to protect the well-being of these children. This project will draw upon information from consumers and workers to provide a framework for a sustainable model of best practice for child protection that is transferable to other settings. A further benefit of this study is that it will provide insight ....Model of care: A family focussed approach to promote child protection. Childhood neglect and abuse is an issue for all Australians. Models of best practice for child protection services are essential to protect the well-being of these children. This project will draw upon information from consumers and workers to provide a framework for a sustainable model of best practice for child protection that is transferable to other settings. A further benefit of this study is that it will provide insight into occupation health and safety issues associated with working in long term relationships with vulnerable families. Read moreRead less
A study investigating the feasibility of implementing a national approach to child and family health services. Understanding and strengthening the way in which universal health services are provided to pregnant women, children and families has the potential to impact over a million Australian families annually. The findings of this study will have national application as federal, state and territory governments work towards implementing a national approach to child and family health services. Th ....A study investigating the feasibility of implementing a national approach to child and family health services. Understanding and strengthening the way in which universal health services are provided to pregnant women, children and families has the potential to impact over a million Australian families annually. The findings of this study will have national application as federal, state and territory governments work towards implementing a national approach to child and family health services. The findings will inform effective multidisciplinary collaboration and service integration, address service gaps and duplication and lead to increased access to services. This study will generate new knowledge about characteristics of organisations, service delivery and professions that facilitate or hinder innovation.Read moreRead less
Population Outcomes And Cost-effectiveness Of Universal Newborn Hearing Vs Risk Factor Screening At Age 5 Years.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$540,423.00
Summary
Universal newborn hearing screening (UNHS) is being widely implemented because it is thought to greatly improve outcomes for children with congenital deafness. However, it is also very costly. Between 2003-5, all New South Wales babies were offered UNHS, while Victorian babies were offered a risk-factor screening and referral program. This two-year 'natural experiment' paves the way for a unique population effectiveness and cost-effectiveness study of UNHS as the children reach 5 years of age.
The emotional and social burden of caring for a young child with complex health needs. The National Agenda for Early Childhood and the Stronger Families and Community Strategy provide a framework for achieving efficient and effective outcomes in early childhood. This project will contribute to those strategies by gaining an understanding of the currently unknown issues faced by the group of families of young infants and children with complex health needs in a variety of geographic, community and ....The emotional and social burden of caring for a young child with complex health needs. The National Agenda for Early Childhood and the Stronger Families and Community Strategy provide a framework for achieving efficient and effective outcomes in early childhood. This project will contribute to those strategies by gaining an understanding of the currently unknown issues faced by the group of families of young infants and children with complex health needs in a variety of geographic, community and service settings, and the government supported services required. The identification of risk and resilience factors will enable the early detection of children at 'high-risk' and provide the opportunity to implement preventative and early intervention programs.Read moreRead less
Improving Outcomes Of Preschool Language Delay In The Community: Randomised Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$927,327.00
Summary
7-15% of preschool children have language delay, so are vulnerable to poor lifelong academic, social and economic outcomes. Small trials suggest that intervention helps. This randomized trial aims to find out the population costs and benefits of optimized intervention for 4 year olds following systematic identification of language delay. Because we have studied the 1500 participants since infancy, the trial could also shed light on why some children respond better than others to treatment.
Early Human Capability – Measurement, Intervention, Results.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$320,891.00
Summary
It is well recognised that child health and development has consequences for health later in adulthood. However, despite the fact that billions of dollars are being spent on early childhood initiatives, we do not have a fit-for-purpose tool to measure the effectiveness and impact of interventions, particularly in marginalised and poor communities.This project seeks to trial a new instrument within existing large scale impact evaluations of early childhood programs in China, Tonga and Australia.
Improving Child Health And Development In Resource-constrained Settings: A Multi-component Study To Inform Policy And More Effective Interventions
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$314,644.00
Summary
This Fellowship will provide innovative, robust evidence of the magnitude of malnutrition and compromised development among children in a large number of low- and middle-income countries and the impact of modifiable social determinants on these profoundly important public health problems. This will inform policy making and the development of effective interventions in disadvantaged groups worldwide.