The Second Australian Study Of Health And Relationships
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,637,477.00
Summary
The present proposal is for the Second Australian Study of Health and Relationships, a survey of 20,000 Australians aged 16–69, in 2011–12 in order to understand and document the changes in Australian sexual behaviour over the past decade. It is essential that policy and practice in the arena of sexual and reproductive health be evidence-based and that the evidence base be as current as is practicable.
Reducing Unintended Pregnancies Among Female Sex Workers In Kenya Using MHealth: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$92,161.00
Summary
This research aims to reduce the high rates of unintended pregnancy experienced by female sex workers (FSW) in Kenya. It involves the development of a health promotion program delivered by mobile phone (mHealth intervention) to improve FSWs’ knowledge of SRH and reduce their risk of unintended pregnancy. The intervention will be trialled with 860 FSWs from 86 sex work venues in Mombasa. If effective, it can be implemented to improve women’s health in many and diverse settings.
Rapid Point-of-Care (POC) Tests For Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Evaluation Of Accuracy, Acceptability And Impact In Australia And Papua New Guinea (PNG)
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$99,883.00
Summary
This research, composed of three studies, aims to evaluate rapid point-of-care tests for selected sexually transmitted infections (including syphilis, Chlamydia and gonorrhoea) to determine their accuracy and acceptability, their potential role in and impact on control of STIs in Papua New Guinea and remote settings in Australia.
A Survey Of The Sexual Behaviour And Sexual Health Of Australian Prisoners
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$591,000.00
Summary
The Australian Study of Health and Relationships telephone survey recently reported on the sexual attitudes, knowledge, health and behaviour of over 19,000 Australians. One of the groups that was omitted from that survey was prisoners. Yet prisoners are a high-risk group for sexual ill health. Prisoners are mostly drawn from the most disadvantaged groups in society: they are more likely to be unemployed, they have less education and lower incomes than other Australians, and many suffer from mino ....The Australian Study of Health and Relationships telephone survey recently reported on the sexual attitudes, knowledge, health and behaviour of over 19,000 Australians. One of the groups that was omitted from that survey was prisoners. Yet prisoners are a high-risk group for sexual ill health. Prisoners are mostly drawn from the most disadvantaged groups in society: they are more likely to be unemployed, they have less education and lower incomes than other Australians, and many suffer from minor intellectual disabilities and-or mental illness. This proposed survey of inmates in Australian prisons will fill in this missing data. Prisoners are the forgotten population in many countries. Only a few surveys of prisoners' health have been performed. There are some surveys of sexual behaviour in particular prisons overseas, though most of them concentrate on HIV risks and do not explore the sexual lives of prisoners in the same way as the major national sex surveys in the US, the UK and France did for people living outside prison. Prison is itself a dangerous place for people's sexual health. In prison, much of the sex that occurs is not voluntary. Sexual assault in prisons can lead to serious physical injury as well as risk of sexually transmitted diseases including HIV-AIDS. Although some of these injuries can be sufficiently serious to require surgery, only a small proportion are reported to the authorities. Younger prisoners (aged 18-25) and those who are small, slightly built or gay, are at higher risk of being assaulted. This study will explore the factors surrounding sexual assault in prison and make recommendations for preventing it.Read moreRead less
Prevention Of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) And Blood Borne Viruses (BBVs) In Victoria's Vulnerable Populations: The Impact Of Early And Regular Testing.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$96,183.00
Summary
The primary aim of this research is to investigate the relationship between early and regular testing of STIs and BBVs and transmission outcomes to inform effective strategies to prevent ongoing transmission of STIs and BBVs in at-risk populations. Specifically it will examine HIV, chlamydia, syphilis and gonorrhoea in men who have sex with men (MSM) in Victoria. This project will aim to identify prevention and health promotion strategies and methods of implementation to reduce the individual an ....The primary aim of this research is to investigate the relationship between early and regular testing of STIs and BBVs and transmission outcomes to inform effective strategies to prevent ongoing transmission of STIs and BBVs in at-risk populations. Specifically it will examine HIV, chlamydia, syphilis and gonorrhoea in men who have sex with men (MSM) in Victoria. This project will aim to identify prevention and health promotion strategies and methods of implementation to reduce the individual and community cost associated with STIs and BBVs.Read moreRead less
Maternal Health Study (phase 2): Longitudinal 4-year Follow-up Of A Prospective Nulliparous Pregnancy Cohort
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$660,402.00
Summary
The burden of disease among women after childbirth is substantial, under-recognised by health professionals, and symptoms do not necessarily resolve within the first 12 months. Common health problems after childbirth include: chronic exhaustion, back pain, urinary and faecal incontinence, perineal pain, sexual health issues and intimate partner violence. This study will extend follow-up of over 1500 women taking part in a longitudinal study investigating the physical and psychological health of ....The burden of disease among women after childbirth is substantial, under-recognised by health professionals, and symptoms do not necessarily resolve within the first 12 months. Common health problems after childbirth include: chronic exhaustion, back pain, urinary and faecal incontinence, perineal pain, sexual health issues and intimate partner violence. This study will extend follow-up of over 1500 women taking part in a longitudinal study investigating the physical and psychological health of women during pregnancy and the first 18 months after the birth of their first child. In phase 2 of the study, women will be followed up 6 and 12 months after second and subsequent births, and 4 years after the birth of their first child. A major aim of phase 2 of the study is to assess the prevalence, incidence, onset, severity, duration, recurrence and chronicity of maternal health problems (including urinary and faecal incontinence, perineal pain, sexual health issues, depression and intimate partner violence) after second and subsequent births, and 4 years after giving birth to a first child. The study will also determine the extent to which the method of birth in the first birth influences longer-term maternal health outcomes including urinary and faecal incontinence, and investigate the implications of chronic and recurring physical health problems for women's psychological health and well-being. Information on the incidence and natural history of maternal health problems after caesarean and operative vaginal births will make a major international contribution to more informed debate among clinicians, and to informing women, about the risks and benefits of increasing caesarean births. The study findings will be used to inform clinical midwifery, obstetric and primary care practice, and assist in the design of new early intervention and primary care strategies for supporting women in the early years of parenting.Read moreRead less
Risky Business: Improving Understanding Of Young People’s Risky Alcohol Consumption, Drug Use And Sexual Behaviour.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$299,564.00
Summary
Increasing numbers of young Australians engage in high-risk alcohol and drug use and sexual behaviour, and experience preventable health outcomes such as injuries, violence and sexually transmitted infections. Despite growing concern, we lack understanding about why young adults take risks, which groups are most at risk, and how different drugs, contexts and settings contribute. Using unique datasets and novel analytical strategies I will generate new knowledge to inform public health responses.
Viral Load, HIV Treatment, And HIV Transmission In Serodiscordant Male Homosexual Couples
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,452,298.00
Summary
HIV treatment reduces the concentration of HIV in the body. In heterosexuals, current studies will determine the effectiveness of HIV treatment in preventing onwards HIV transmission. In contrast, there has been very little such research in homosexual men, who comprise 70% or more of people with HIV in Australia. This study will follow for four years over 200 male homosexual couples in which one is HIV positive and the other negative, to investigate the role of HIV treatment in HIV prevention.
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.