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.
Advanced Population-based Methods To Evaluate And Inform Immunisation Policy And Practice
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$425,048.00
Summary
Despite the overall success of immunisation programs, preventable infections continue to occur, with Aboriginal children suffering the most. I will study the health and vaccination records for 1.95 million children (98,000 Aboriginal) in New South Wales and Western Australia to see who is most at risk of vaccine preventable infections and why. The findings will aid development of strategies to target high-risk children and to optimise the benefits obtained from Australia’s immunisation program.
Vaccination Timeliness In Aboriginal And Non-Aboriginal Infants: Risk Factors For Delayed Vaccination And Impact On Disease Burden—a Record Linkage Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$538,183.00
Summary
Vaccination has had a significant impact, but preventable infections continue to occur, perhaps due to delayed uptake of scheduled doses. For the first time, we will link vaccination and other health records to: provide accurate estimates of the impact of vaccination; identify reasons for delayed vaccination; and quantify the expected reduction in disease burden if vaccination timeliness was improved. The study will help determine who would benefit most from efforts to improve timeliness.
Population-based Data Linkage And Modelling Studies To Evaluate And Inform Australia’s Immunisation Program
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$311,860.00
Summary
Despite the overall success of immunisation programs, outbreaks of preventable diseases continue and Indigenous children still suffer a higher burden of illness. We will study a cohort of infants in New South Wales and data about their illnesses and vaccinations to provide accurate measures program performance. The findings will aid development of strategies to target high risk children, and more realistic models about future outcomes, so that the benefits of immunisation are optimised.
Increased Mortality Risk Following Osteoporotic Fractures: Data From Dubbo Epidemiology Study And A Consortium Of International Epidemiological Studies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$316,449.00
Summary
Osteoporotic fractures affect 1 in 2 women and 1 in 3 men over 60 and result in significant disability and premature mortality. Yet, less than 20% of those affected are treated. One of the reasons for this neglect is an uncertainty surrounding the fracture mortality association. This study will explore the magnitude and causes of this association and the effect of treatment on its prevention in a large multinational study. If positive, this evidence will boost osteoporosis treatment.
Treatment Of Rectal Chlamydia Infection In Gay And Bisexual Men
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$64,713.00
Summary
Rectal chlamydia is very common in gay men; it can exist for long periods without symptoms leading to ongoing transmission. There are two choices for antibiotic treatment: azithromycin and doxycycline, but there is uncertainty about which is more effective. This research will determine which treatment is best and what the economic implications are. The findings will update treatment guidelines and ensure that the most effective treatment is used to prevent ongoing transmission.
The Burden Of Cancer - Prevention, Treatments, Costs, And Related Diseases
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$311,860.00
Summary
This research aims to increase knowledge on the development, optimal treatment, and costs of cancer and the associated risk factors, by applying advanced disease burden measures to comprehensive data gathered from several established and novel databases. This knowledge is important in advancing our understanding of those most vulnerable to cancer and in developing appropriate preventive strategies and health care for those at highest risk.
Immunising Aboriginal Mothers With Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine To Prevent Infant Ear Disease And Carriage
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,131,530.00
Summary
Aboriginal children experience the highest rates of acute and chronic ear infections in the world, with resultant permanent ear damage, hearing loss and educational disadvantage. These infections are mainly bacterial, and Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is the predominant pathogen. Pneumococcal colonisation and infection begins within days of birth, many months before any potential immunological protection from infant pneumococcal conjugate vaccine may be expected. New strategies are nee ....Aboriginal children experience the highest rates of acute and chronic ear infections in the world, with resultant permanent ear damage, hearing loss and educational disadvantage. These infections are mainly bacterial, and Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is the predominant pathogen. Pneumococcal colonisation and infection begins within days of birth, many months before any potential immunological protection from infant pneumococcal conjugate vaccine may be expected. New strategies are needed to eliminate, or at least delay, this early-onset pneumococcal colonisation. One such strategy is the administration to the mother of pneumococcal vaccine, which may protect the newborn infant by leading to higher titres of transplacental or breast milk pneumococcal antibodies and-or by reducing carriage (and transmission to the infant) of maternal pneumococci. Previous small studies using this strategy have been encouraging, but there have been no studies properly evaluating carriage or disease endpoints in infants. The polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccine is currently recommended for all Aboriginal and Torres Islander persons aged 15 years or more in the Northern Territory but uptake of the vaccine has been poor. We propose to conduct a pilot study to determine if maternal immunisation with this vaccine, either in the third trimester of pregancy of immediately following delivery, can reduce pneumococcal carriage and the prevalence of middle ear disease among Aboriginal infants at seven months of age. We aim to recruit 210 Aboriginal women who have uncomplicated pregnancies from Darwin and remote communities in the Top End of the Northern Territory. Each subject and their infant offspring will be followed-up after vaccination and at birth, one , two and seven months after birth.Read moreRead less