Translating Rheumatic Fever Prevention Strategies Into Practice In Australia's High Burden Settings
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$178,157.00
Summary
Rheumatic fever is a serious preventable disease causing premature illness and death, yet unacceptably high rates occur in Australian Indigenous communities. Prevention can be achieved with regular penicillin injections, but there are many barriers, so people needing this treatment frequently miss doses. This program proposes to close the evidence-practice gap by forming effective partnerships to effectively roll out rheumatic fever prevention strategies in clinics across the Northern Territory.
Improving Delivery Of Secondary Prophylaxis For Rheumatic Heart Disease: A Stepped-wedge, Community-randomised Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,913,074.00
Summary
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a major health problem in Indigenous communities. Continued progress in controlling RHD requires an understanding of how to improve delivery of regular injections of penicillin - secondary prophylaxis (SP). We will evaluate a systems-based approach to improving delivery of SP, using a stepped-wedge trial in 12 communities in NT and Qld. If successful, this model will provide a practical and transferable model.
Burden Of Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) And Impact Of Prevention Strategies: Comprehensive Evidence To Drive The RHD Endgame
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$960,655.00
Summary
Rheumatic heart disease is chronic damage to the heart valves caused by repeated bouts of acute rheumatic fever. Both are preventable, yet rates among Indigenous Australians are of the highest recorded. We propose to undertake the first multi-jurisdictional study of these conditions to determine trends in occurrence and evaluate the impact of existing interventions in Australia. Findings will be used to inform the development of a roadmap to remove RHD as a public health problem in Australia.
Evidence-based Policy To End Rheumatic Heart Disease In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$128,224.00
Summary
Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) occurs when untreated infections from streptococcal bacteria cause heart valve damage. RHD is almost exclusively a disease of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. Researchers are working on an endgame for RHD which will provide a set of recommendations to end the disease. This PhD is to understand how to ensure those recommendations are implemented. The outcomes will also help to control other diseases which are more common in Indigenous Australians.
Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) In Pregnancy: Challenges Of Health Service Provision
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$38,552.00
Summary
The burden of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) in pregnancy can be significant and in Australia is mostly confined to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. This study explores the barriers to timely diagnosis and best practice care for pregnant women with RHD, through 1) a study of reporting and health information systems related to RHD in pregnancy; and 2) an examination of health professionals’ knowledge, experiences of and attitudes to provision of care for pregnant women with RHD.