Rates, Patterns And Determinants Of Alcohol’s Harm To Others: A Cross-national Comparative Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$305,856.00
Summary
Alcohol causes harms to drinkers, and others around them, including spouses, children, family, friends, workmates and strangers. Australian and New Zealand work on alcohol’s harm to others is being replicated by the WHO in 7 countries (Chile, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam). We aim to analyse datasets from nine countries and compare the magnitude and patterning of problems across and within cultures – identifying opportunities for reducing harm from others’ drinking.
Prevention Of Multi-drug Resistant Tuberculosis In A High Prevalence Setting: ‘Connecting The DOTS’ In Vietnam
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,382,020.00
Summary
The close contacts of people with multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) have a high risk of developing the disease. The V-QUIN MDR-TB Trial will evaluate the effectiveness of an oral antibiotic (levofloxacin) in preventing drug resistant TB among infected household contacts of TB patients. Household contacts from 10 Provinces in Vietnam will be randomly allocated to receive six-months of either levofloxacin or a placebo, and then followed for two years to see if they develop tuberculosis.
Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) are a major problem for Australian Indigenous people. Accurate diagnosis of ARF allows for early preventive therapy with long acting penicillin, which can prevent RHD from developing or worsening. The aim of this study is to recruit a cohort of children and young people with ARF and apply the latest technologies to their blood samples, with the aim of developing a diagnostic test and open leads for potential new treatments.
Group A Streptococcal Human Challenge Study: Accelerating Vaccine Development
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,018,741.00
Summary
Infection with group A streptococcus (GAS) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, including in the Aboriginal population of Australia. Concerted efforts for vaccine development have been hampered by the absence of a suitable animal model. To address this critical knowledge gap we propose to develop a controlled human infection model of GAS infection. This model will provide a direct pathway for the future appraisal of novel GAS vaccines.
Can One Health Strategies Be More Effectively Implemented Through Prior Identification Of Public Values?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$585,331.00
Summary
Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) are a significant risk to our region. One Health approaches to EIDs emphasize connections between human,animal and ecological health, enhancing capacity for disease prediction and intervention. This project will examine existing EID legislation,identify social and ethical barriers to effective EID risk governance and create a comprehensive statement of values to ensure the acceptability of One Health approaches to EID control to the Australian community.
Cash Transfers And Behaviour Change Communications To Reduce Child Undernutrition In Rural Bangladesh: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial To Determine The Most Effective Combination Of Interventions.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,415,801.00
Summary
Under-nutrition of children remains a major global public health problem. Tackling this problem will require more evidence about what combination of nutrition-specific and nutrition sensitive interventions is most effective in reducing child undernutrition. We plan a large scale trial in rural Bangladesh to compare the effects of communications about nutrition with mobile phones and cash transfers in preventing child malnutrition.
A National Population-based Study Of Rheumatic Heart Disease In Pregnancy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$877,826.00
Summary
Whilst overall a rare disease, Indigenous peoples have disproportionately high rates of rheumatic heart disease (RHD). This study explores the prevalence and distribution of RHD in pregnancy in Australia and New Zealand. It details current management, diagnostic and referral process and risk factors. Key attributes of culturally safe models of care for RHD in pregnancy are explored, particularly as they relate to Indigenous women. Findings will inform policy, guidelines and education resources.