Better Methods To Collect Self-report Data On Alcohol Use Behaviours From Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Australians
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,211,435.00
Summary
This project will develop, refine and trial a tablet computer tool for assessing drinking among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. This tool will ‘speak’ to the person (in local language if needed) and use an engaging touchscreen display; it will add up amount consumed if a person shares alcohol or drinks from non-standard containers. The tool will help provide accurate survey data for service planning and community feedback, and can be adapted for healthcare screening.
Prevalence Of Dementia In The Torres Strait And Common Health Issues Of Later Life In The Torres Strait
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$365,000.00
Summary
The aim of the project is to assess the prevalence of dementia in people aged 45 years and over living in Torres Strait Islander communities and identify potential risk and protective factors associated with dementia risk. An additional aim is to revalidate a culturally appropriate cognitive assessment tool, the Kimberley Indigenous Cognitive Assessment (KICA) for use in the Torres Strait.
Povidine-iodine Ear Wash And Oral Cotrimoxazole For Chronic Suppurative Otitis Media In Aboriginal Children: A 2x2 Factorial Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,261,802.00
Summary
Many Aboriginal children in remote communities have severe ear infection. Acute infection with eardrum perforation often leads to long term discharge of pus (chronic suppurative otitis media) usually causing significant hearing loss. This trial will determine the benefit of antiseptic ear washes and a long course of oral antibiotics. We will assess the impact on ear health and hearing.
Optimising Intervention Strategies To Reduce The Burden Of Group A Streptococcus In Aboriginal Communities
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$856,896.00
Summary
Skin sores are highly prevalent in remote Australian Indigenous communities and can lead to invasive infections and rheumatic heart disease. We will develop mathematical models to understand the transmission of skin sores, allowing us to define the optimal extent (household, community, region), timing and triggers for interventions to interrupt transmission. This will guide public health policy in reducing the prevalence of skin sores and scabies, and their accompanying disease burden.
Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Health Workers’ And Liaison Officers’ Role In Quality Acute Health Care Services
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,571,334.00
Summary
This project will explore the role of and give voice to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Liaison Officers in acute health care services (hospitals), from the point of view of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who use health care (patients) and the health professionals who work with them. The project team will explore these issues using interviews, patient journeys and surveys across three hospitals.
Modelling The Impact Of Strategies To Control Gonorrhoea And Minimise The Threat Of Antimicrobial Resistance In Remote Indigenous And Other High Risk Populations
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$467,079.00
Summary
Gonorrhoea is a serious public health issue in Australia. Notification rates are disproportionately high among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and men who have sex with men, and there is evidence of an emerging epidemic in the general heterosexual population. Additionally, available treatments are under threat from resistant strains. We will use mathematical modelling to evaluate strategies for controlling gonorrhoea and for minimising the threat of antimicrobial resistance.
The Transition From Hospital To Home: A Longitudinal Study Of Indigenous Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$888,851.00
Summary
The six-month transition period following discharge from hospital after a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is critical. During the transition period, key sentinel events may influence health and wellbeing. The research will investigate key sentinel events during the transition period following TBI in the first longitudinal study with Indigenous Australians. This study will provide the first systematic evidence regarding the support Indigenous Australians need to successfully transition back into the
Improving Systems And Quality Of Cancer Care In Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Settings
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$640,096.00
Summary
We propose to study the patterns of care of Indigenous people with cancer at the primary health care (PHC) setting. Working collaboratively with PHC centres, we will examine what systems or processes are in place to identify such patients in the PHC centres, and make recommendations for improvements. Our primary focus is identifying factors that are modifiable, particularly those related to follow up/communication between the tertiary and the PHC systems, and management of comorbidities.
A Novel Hepatitis B Virus Genotype In Indigenous Australians: Impact On Vaccine Efficacy And Clinical Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,100,960.00
Summary
We have recently identified a novel Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype (C4) circulating in Northern Territory (NT) Indigenous communities. Concurrently, epidemiological studies suggest that the HBV vaccine may not be working well and that there are high rates of liver cancer due to HBV in these communities. Our project will determine if HBV/C4 is linked to poor vaccine responses and accelerated liver disease, with implications for HBV vaccine strategy and clinical management of HBV/C4 infections.
Cannabis Withdrawal Among Indigenous Inmates In North Queensland
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$285,920.00
Summary
In withdrawal, many Indigenous cannabis users ‘stress out’ leading to violence and self harm. Among Indigenous prisoners in a north Queensland corrective centre, 69% have been cannabis users and 57% of these suffered ‘stressing out’. We will investigate and address cannabis withdrawal symptoms by documenting their onset and severity and by devising culturally acceptable, low-cost resources and support to assist new inmates to manage ‘stressing out’.