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Understanding women's experiences of unplanned pregnancy and abortion. The economic, health and social costs to the Australian community of unplanned pregnancies and abortions constitute a public health concern of undoubted significance. Debates in both policy and public arenas are hampered by a lack of comprehensive reliable evidence about incidence of abortion and the factors underlying decisions to terminate unwanted pregnancies. Further, there is considerable variation among Australian stat ....Understanding women's experiences of unplanned pregnancy and abortion. The economic, health and social costs to the Australian community of unplanned pregnancies and abortions constitute a public health concern of undoubted significance. Debates in both policy and public arenas are hampered by a lack of comprehensive reliable evidence about incidence of abortion and the factors underlying decisions to terminate unwanted pregnancies. Further, there is considerable variation among Australian states regarding abortion-related legislation. The data generated from this project will establish an evidence base, inform potential legislative change and monitor any effects, and improve delivery of appropriate health services and strategies to prevent unplanned pregnancies and their adverse consequences.
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A study of contemporary family, social and cultural influences on first-time mothers' decisions about infant feeding and early parenting practices. Children who are never breastfed are more likely to experience respiratory infections, gastroenteritis, diabetes and as adults, high blood pressure, obesity and type-2 diabetes. This study of infant feeding decision-making in first-time mothers will inform strategies, grounded in the daily lives of women and families to assist mothers to breastfeed f ....A study of contemporary family, social and cultural influences on first-time mothers' decisions about infant feeding and early parenting practices. Children who are never breastfed are more likely to experience respiratory infections, gastroenteritis, diabetes and as adults, high blood pressure, obesity and type-2 diabetes. This study of infant feeding decision-making in first-time mothers will inform strategies, grounded in the daily lives of women and families to assist mothers to breastfeed for longer particularly in communities where breastfeeding is not the norm. Increased support for breastfeeding women from family, community and health professionals is likely to reduce the distress reported by many new mothers. Strategic application of findings will lead to health gains from increased breastfeeding and translate into significant cost savings for the Australian health system. Read moreRead less
After the questions: outcomes of routine screening for domestic violence in NSW Health services. Recent research indicates that domestic violence is the leading contributor to death, disability and illness in women aged 15-44 in Australia and leads to health costs of $314 m annually (VicHealth 2004, Access Economics 2004). Routine screening is a low cost measure aimed at prevention and early intervention for domestic violence, which has been successfully introduced for women entering antenatal, ....After the questions: outcomes of routine screening for domestic violence in NSW Health services. Recent research indicates that domestic violence is the leading contributor to death, disability and illness in women aged 15-44 in Australia and leads to health costs of $314 m annually (VicHealth 2004, Access Economics 2004). Routine screening is a low cost measure aimed at prevention and early intervention for domestic violence, which has been successfully introduced for women entering antenatal, early childhood, mental health and drug and alcohol services operated by NSW Health. The research will be the first study of its size to consider the outcomes of routine screening for domestic violence in public health settings in the Australian context.Read moreRead less
A study of the provision of the emergency contraceptive pill over-the-counter in Australia. Australian abortion rates, especially among young women, are a major concern. The emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) is an effective method for the prevention of unwanted and unplanned pregnancy, with the potential to reduce abortions. The study aims to provide evidence of whether the rescheduling of ECP in Australia so that pharmacists as well as doctors can dispense it, has improved its accessibility ....A study of the provision of the emergency contraceptive pill over-the-counter in Australia. Australian abortion rates, especially among young women, are a major concern. The emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) is an effective method for the prevention of unwanted and unplanned pregnancy, with the potential to reduce abortions. The study aims to provide evidence of whether the rescheduling of ECP in Australia so that pharmacists as well as doctors can dispense it, has improved its accessibility and use by women at risk of abortion. It will also assess whether pharmacists feel confident, well-trained and supported to provide it and whether abortion rates have reduced. The study will provide policymakers with the evidence to assess whether this important initiative is effective and what is needed to improve its effectiveness.Read moreRead less
Improving Birth Outcomes in China: consequences and potentials of policy, state and professional interactions. The aim of the project is to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with birth by informing health systems improvement in China. We will develop an innovative methodology to study consequences of policy, state and professional interactions on birth outcomes. This work is also relevant in other settings. Macro economic reforms in China have produced paradoxical disparities between ri ....Improving Birth Outcomes in China: consequences and potentials of policy, state and professional interactions. The aim of the project is to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with birth by informing health systems improvement in China. We will develop an innovative methodology to study consequences of policy, state and professional interactions on birth outcomes. This work is also relevant in other settings. Macro economic reforms in China have produced paradoxical disparities between rich and poor and urban and rural populations evident in maternal morbidity and mortality. Results will inform facilitative policies and models of service to optimise safety and increase effectiveness in deployment of human and monetary resources.Read moreRead less
The adoption and maintenance of physical activity in 25-45 year old sedentary females. This research project will investigate interventions based on proven elements of theories on the adoption and maintenance of increased physical activity and psychological well-being in sedentary women aged 25-45 years, who are at risk of remaining inactive. A longitudinal study will examine the efficacy of adoption and maintenance interventions that combine effective constructs identified in analysis of theori ....The adoption and maintenance of physical activity in 25-45 year old sedentary females. This research project will investigate interventions based on proven elements of theories on the adoption and maintenance of increased physical activity and psychological well-being in sedentary women aged 25-45 years, who are at risk of remaining inactive. A longitudinal study will examine the efficacy of adoption and maintenance interventions that combine effective constructs identified in analysis of theories. Effective intervention will promote current life-experience, healthy lifestyle in later life, and decrease risk of chronic ill health.Read moreRead less
Redefining body image for young women: Development of an Australian bibliotherapy program for adolescent girls. Body image dissatisfaction poses a serious health risk for adolescent girls and young women. Whilst this construct is highly prevalent amongst female populations, there are some who remain immune to the pervasiveness and subsequent development of these self-negating attitudes. However, little is known about the resilience processes utilised by those who are immune. This study aims to ....Redefining body image for young women: Development of an Australian bibliotherapy program for adolescent girls. Body image dissatisfaction poses a serious health risk for adolescent girls and young women. Whilst this construct is highly prevalent amongst female populations, there are some who remain immune to the pervasiveness and subsequent development of these self-negating attitudes. However, little is known about the resilience processes utilised by those who are immune. This study aims to develop an understanding of these resilience processes and utilise them in the construction and delivery of an innovative preventative program for adolescent girls. The outcomes of this research will provide young girls with an alternative voice, de-emphasising the objectification of self as a component of female identity formation and stem ongoing development of associated psychosocial risks.Read moreRead less
An evaluation of concerns, self-perceived needs, and supportive interventions, for informal cancer carers: A comparative study of female and male carers. Informal cancer carers experience high levels of anxiety, depression, and unmet support needs, with women carers at higher risk than men. However, little is known about the factors underlying this gender difference, and existing support services have not specifically targeted the needs of female and male cancer carers. This study will explore t ....An evaluation of concerns, self-perceived needs, and supportive interventions, for informal cancer carers: A comparative study of female and male carers. Informal cancer carers experience high levels of anxiety, depression, and unmet support needs, with women carers at higher risk than men. However, little is known about the factors underlying this gender difference, and existing support services have not specifically targeted the needs of female and male cancer carers. This study will explore the concerns, self-perceived needs, and psychological wellbeing of informal cancer carers living in New South Wales, comparing the experiences of female and male carers, at different stages of the care-giving journey. Based on these findings, a program of targeted supportive interventions will be developed, and then systematically evaluated within a controlled trial.Read moreRead less
Family Violence Reform: Using knowledge to develop and integrate policy and practice. Family violence is a serious threat to the health and well-being of women, children and some men, costing the economy an estimated $8.1 billion annually. This research will address national 'hot' issues, including: the effectiveness of removing perpetrators and keeping children and women in their homes; whether the early referral of children to community services impacts on the statutory child protection system ....Family Violence Reform: Using knowledge to develop and integrate policy and practice. Family violence is a serious threat to the health and well-being of women, children and some men, costing the economy an estimated $8.1 billion annually. This research will address national 'hot' issues, including: the effectiveness of removing perpetrators and keeping children and women in their homes; whether the early referral of children to community services impacts on the statutory child protection system; the integration of criminal and civil justice responses; and the effectiveness of multi-disciplinary governance arrangements in metropolitan and rural regions. The research will provide continuous feedback to policy makers and practitioners, and will establish Australia as a world leader in delivering family safety.Read moreRead less
Turning Points: Redemption, Women and Alcohol in Melbourne, 1870-1945. History is one of the most effective forms of public communication, currently thriving in the public sphere in books, film, television, and in the passion for genealogy. It can be uniquely effective as a means of public health education, enabling individuals and communities to comprehend the causes and significance of public health problems and their solutions. Alcohol abuse remains a searing issue in Australian public health ....Turning Points: Redemption, Women and Alcohol in Melbourne, 1870-1945. History is one of the most effective forms of public communication, currently thriving in the public sphere in books, film, television, and in the passion for genealogy. It can be uniquely effective as a means of public health education, enabling individuals and communities to comprehend the causes and significance of public health problems and their solutions. Alcohol abuse remains a searing issue in Australian public health and private life. This history would be the first to explore the language, practice and experience of both addiction and treatment of alcoholic women, and would contribute to debate over current practice and policy.Read moreRead less