A Brief Couple-focused Psycho-educational Intervention To Prevent Postnatal Mental Health Problems In Women: A Cluster Randomised Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$99,654.00
Summary
Mental health problems in women after childbirth are of national concern. Interventions to prevent these have had little success. What Were We Thinking (WWWT) is a promising new program for mothers, fathers and newborns. It provides knowledge and skills about soothing and settling babies and enhancing parents’ understanding of their changed needs and how to share the workload fairly. This trial will test whether WWWT improves women’s mental health in the first six months of motherhood
Evaluating A Weight Gain Prevention Study In Rural Australian Women
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$87,290.00
Summary
Overweight and obesity are crucial health issues worldwide with the prevalence estimated at 1.5 billion. In Australia 34% of women aged 26-31 years are overweight or obese and women living in rural communities are gaining weight faster than urban dwelling women. The work undertaken in this PhD will comprehensively evaluate and assist in the implementation of a large cluster randomized control trial testing the effectiveness of a low intensity, healthy lifestyle intervention to prevent weight gai ....Overweight and obesity are crucial health issues worldwide with the prevalence estimated at 1.5 billion. In Australia 34% of women aged 26-31 years are overweight or obese and women living in rural communities are gaining weight faster than urban dwelling women. The work undertaken in this PhD will comprehensively evaluate and assist in the implementation of a large cluster randomized control trial testing the effectiveness of a low intensity, healthy lifestyle intervention to prevent weight gain in women living in rural Australia.Read moreRead less
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Implementation Research Using The Experiences And Perspectives Of Women And Health Professionals To Internationally Translate Guidelines And Evidence Into Practice
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$695,543.00
Summary
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects up to 1 in 5 women. It is associated with a high risk of obesity, infertility, diabetes, and heart disease. We are updating guidelines for PCOS, yet it is not known how to help women and health professionals use these guidelines. This project will involve women with PCOS and health professionals working together to design high quality resources and link these into clinical care to improve the management of PCOS. This will lead to improved health outcomes.
Understanding The Unique Contribution Of Sedentary Behaviour To The Cardio Metabolic Health Of Women
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$83,149.00
Summary
The risk of heart disease for women increases significantly with the menopause. New evidence suggests that sedentary behaviour (too much sitting as distinct from too little exercise) is also related to heart disease risk. Ms Howard's PhD research will identify whether TV time and other prolonged sitting pose a particular risk for women during and after the menopause. Her studies will identify whether there is a need for women's health recommendations on reducing sitting time.
An Epidemic Of Vulvar Cancer In Young Women: Investigating The Role Of Human Papillomavirus And Genetic Susceptibility
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$489,706.00
Summary
Vulvar cancer is a rare disease; in 1993-1997 the age-adjusted incidence rate in Australia was 1.4 per 100,000 women (average 207 cases per year), similar to the incidence in most other countries. An epidemic of cases of vulvar cancer has been identified in younger Indigenous women living in remote communities in the Northern Territory (NT). Vulvar cancer is over fifty times more common in women aged less than 50 years in these communities than in the total Australian population. Women in these ....Vulvar cancer is a rare disease; in 1993-1997 the age-adjusted incidence rate in Australia was 1.4 per 100,000 women (average 207 cases per year), similar to the incidence in most other countries. An epidemic of cases of vulvar cancer has been identified in younger Indigenous women living in remote communities in the Northern Territory (NT). Vulvar cancer is over fifty times more common in women aged less than 50 years in these communities than in the total Australian population. Women in these communities also experience higher rates of high-grade Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia (a pre-cursor to vulvar cancer), than elsewhere in the NT. Vulvar cancer is usually much more common in older women than younger women. In young women vulvar cancer and VIN are thought to be caused by infection with cancer causing strains of human papillomavirus (HPV), particularly the strain known as HPV16. In older women, vulvar cancer is not caused by HPV. In the remote communities in the NT, vulvar cancer is occurring almost entirely in young women, the amount of cancer occurring in older women in these communities is similar to the amount expected in the total Australian population. This project will investigate the cause of this epidemic of vulvar cancer and high-grade VIN. It will investigate whether HPV16 is more prevalent in these communities than elsewhere in Australia; whether there is a variant strain of HPV16 in these communites that is more virulent at causing cancer, and whether the disease occurs more commonly in families, which would mean that women in these communities inherit an increased susceptibility to vulvar cancer and VIN. This project will help to increase our understanding of vulvar cancer and VIN, help to control this epidemic, and inform whether the new HPV vaccines may be effective in preventing vulvar cancer in these communities.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190101134
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$342,338.00
Summary
Contraceptive choice for women with chronic disease. This project aims to understand the contraceptive decision-making practices of Australian women of reproductive age with chronic disease. To reduce high-risk unintended pregnancies in this vulnerable population, this project will develop a tailored educational app to support these women to make contraceptive choices and establish a reproductive life plan. The expected outcomes of the project are to assist women with chronic diseases safely pla ....Contraceptive choice for women with chronic disease. This project aims to understand the contraceptive decision-making practices of Australian women of reproductive age with chronic disease. To reduce high-risk unintended pregnancies in this vulnerable population, this project will develop a tailored educational app to support these women to make contraceptive choices and establish a reproductive life plan. The expected outcomes of the project are to assist women with chronic diseases safely plan pregnancies to ensure maternal personal, social and economic well-being and optimal birth outcomes.Read moreRead less
A longitudinal study of patterns of contraception use and access to contraceptive information, advice and services for young Australian women. This study will inform the design of contraceptive education and service delivery, particularly to young women in rural areas, in collaboration with industry partners; Family Planning NSW and Bayer HealthCare. Improved education and access, leading to increased control of fertility, will contribute to the development of stronger families and stronger comm ....A longitudinal study of patterns of contraception use and access to contraceptive information, advice and services for young Australian women. This study will inform the design of contraceptive education and service delivery, particularly to young women in rural areas, in collaboration with industry partners; Family Planning NSW and Bayer HealthCare. Improved education and access, leading to increased control of fertility, will contribute to the development of stronger families and stronger communities, while reducing the personal, social and economic costs of unplanned pregnancies.Read moreRead less
Antioxidants Vitamin C And Vitamin E For The Prevention Of Pre-eclampsia - A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$696,750.00
Summary
Women who develop hypertension in pregnancy have a higher risk of complications in pregnancy and their babies are often born smaller than average and earlier. An initial trial to women at high risk of pre-eclampsia suggest that vitamin C and vitmin E supplements may decrease both reduce the risk of developing hypertension in pregnancy and the risk of the infant being born small for dates. These encouraging results need assessment in the Australian population. This study assesses the value of wom ....Women who develop hypertension in pregnancy have a higher risk of complications in pregnancy and their babies are often born smaller than average and earlier. An initial trial to women at high risk of pre-eclampsia suggest that vitamin C and vitmin E supplements may decrease both reduce the risk of developing hypertension in pregnancy and the risk of the infant being born small for dates. These encouraging results need assessment in the Australian population. This study assesses the value of women taking vitamin C and vitamin E supplements during the antenatal period to decrease the risk of developing hypertension during pregnancy and poor fetal growth. Such an easy and inexpensive therapy, if effective, would be an important advance.Read moreRead less
Are Cardiac Conditions In Older Women Managed Appropriately?
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$289,492.00
Summary
Cardiac conditions, including heart attach, heart failure, angina and high blood pressure are very common among older Australians. They account for large proportions of deaths, morbidity and health care costs. For most of these conditions there are highly effective treatments, however there is evidence that these are not as well used as they should be. Also, for women, diagnosis may be delayed due to perceptions that heart disease is a problem mainly among men. The project is based on the Austra ....Cardiac conditions, including heart attach, heart failure, angina and high blood pressure are very common among older Australians. They account for large proportions of deaths, morbidity and health care costs. For most of these conditions there are highly effective treatments, however there is evidence that these are not as well used as they should be. Also, for women, diagnosis may be delayed due to perceptions that heart disease is a problem mainly among men. The project is based on the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health which includes more than 10,000 women, over half living in rural and remote areas. Women with cardiac conditions will be surveyed about their medical care. This information, together with data they have provided over the last 6 years (and Medicare data if the women have given their consent), will be compared with best practice guidelines established by NHMRC and the Heart Foundation. In this way the project will examine the adequacy of medical care among older women in sufficient detail to make actionable recommendations to health authorities for where improvements are needed.Read moreRead less
Investigating older Australians' beliefs about and understanding of mental health and their practice of relevant protective behaviours. Healthy ageing and mental health are acknowledged national priorities. This project will generate new knowledge relating to older Australians' mental health literacy and the motivators and barriers influencing their engagement in protective behaviours. The resulting communications strategy will provide tangible outcomes for the industry partners to utilise. The ....Investigating older Australians' beliefs about and understanding of mental health and their practice of relevant protective behaviours. Healthy ageing and mental health are acknowledged national priorities. This project will generate new knowledge relating to older Australians' mental health literacy and the motivators and barriers influencing their engagement in protective behaviours. The resulting communications strategy will provide tangible outcomes for the industry partners to utilise. The project will thus produce knowledge advancement and tools for practitioners, both of which will enhance public welfare and reduce long-term healthcare costs. While this project focuses on older Australians, those of all ages will benefit from a communications campaign that provides individuals with knowledge to protect and strengthen their mental health.Read moreRead less