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Integration And Expansion Of A Sentinel Surveillance System To Improve Infectious Disease Outcomes For Indigenous Australians; The ATLAS Network
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,137,219.00
Summary
Infectious diseases remain a significant health issue for Indigenous Australians. Our proposal is to extend a sentinel surveillance network operating in 32 Aboriginal primary care services, with a focus on sexually transmissible infections and blood borne virsuses. By expanding, we will increase the number of sites, and add vaccine preventable diseases to the network. In doing this, we move from a surveillance system to a research network that can inform health service strategies and practice.
The Elimination Of Viral Hepatitis And Ending HIV/AIDS As Global Health Threats.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,114,215.00
Summary
Over the next five years my research will focus on reducing the impact of blood-borne viruses (BBVs), , particularly HCV, in vulnerable populations. Using innovative surveillance systems, research methods, implementation science and mathematical modelling, I will study BBV transmission and develop interventions to reduce it and associated risk behaviours (drug and alcohol use and sexual risk) and increase testing and treatment. My work will advance elimination of BBVs as public health threats.
Australian Centre For Research Excellence In Aboriginal Sexual Health And Blood Borne Viruses
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,496,848.00
Summary
Despite efforts to improve sexual health and blood borne virus outcomes for Aboriginal people over the last twenty years, this area lacks national coordination, has critical research gaps and requires a boost of research capacity to address the burden of diseases. This CRE will address research gaps, using novel, multidisciplinary methods and using unique research translation methods to ensure policy and practice benefits from the CRE outcomes.
Hepatitis C affects between 1-3% of Australians. Currently, there is no effective vaccine and only 30% will spontaneously clear infection, while the remained develop a chronic disease with a small risk of progression to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer over time. This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a two different treatment regimens among individuals with recent Hepatitis C infection; and define the risk factors and natural history of Hepatitis C superinfection during treatmen ....Hepatitis C affects between 1-3% of Australians. Currently, there is no effective vaccine and only 30% will spontaneously clear infection, while the remained develop a chronic disease with a small risk of progression to liver cirrhosis and liver cancer over time. This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a two different treatment regimens among individuals with recent Hepatitis C infection; and define the risk factors and natural history of Hepatitis C superinfection during treatment.Read moreRead less
Reducing The Impact Of Blood Borne Viruses And Sexually Transmitted Infections In Young People.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$851,980.00
Summary
Over the next five years I will undertake a program of research centred on reducing the impact of blood-borne viruses and sexually transmitted infections in vulnerable populations, particularly focusing on HCV and HIV elimination. I will use innovative systems and methods to study how these infections are transmitted and develop interventions that reduce disease transmission and associated risk-behaviours (drug and alcohol use and sexual behaviours) and increased testing and treatment.
An Analysis Of Blood Awareness For The Purposes Of Hepatitis C Prevention Education And Health Promotion.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$196,113.00
Summary
This project will make a direct and major contribution to Hepatitis C prevention by addressing the need for blood awareness in prevention education. The need for measures to prevent the spread of HCV is based on the clinical implications of infection combined with its current prevalence and predicted spread within Australia. More than 200,000 Australians are estimated to be living with hepatitis C infection. Around 11,000 new HCV infections per year are estimated to occur across the Australia. H ....This project will make a direct and major contribution to Hepatitis C prevention by addressing the need for blood awareness in prevention education. The need for measures to prevent the spread of HCV is based on the clinical implications of infection combined with its current prevalence and predicted spread within Australia. More than 200,000 Australians are estimated to be living with hepatitis C infection. Around 11,000 new HCV infections per year are estimated to occur across the Australia. HCV is spread through blood to blood exposure. In the absence of effective medical treatment for Hepatitis C virus (HCV) education about modes of transmission presents as the most viable means of containing the spread of the virus. The promotion of blood awareness has been identified as a key strategy for such education as it may ensure greater care on the part of the general community in the prevention of blood exposures. However, the development of a heightened awareness of blood as a source of infection is fraught with social and health implications. A crucial concern for those directly involved in promoting blood awareness is the need to ensure that such a strategy does not contribute to the already existing stigmatisation of those living with HCV or, more generally, promote irrational phobias about blood. Findings of the research will assist in the development of public health education campaigns to prevent the spread of HCV. It will also contribute to education prevention for other blood borne communicable diseases including HIV and other viral hepatitides. Further, it will provide a model of inquiry for developing health promotion programs seeking blood, semen, organ and tissue donation.Read moreRead less
Improving Understanding Of Psychostimulant-related Harms In Australia: An Integrated Ethno-epidemiological Approach
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$612,430.00
Summary
National drug surveys and surveillance systems have detected sharp increases in the use of 'psychostimulant' drugs such as the amphetamines, ecstasy and cocaine. The level of harms associated with excessive use of these drugs, such as mental health problems and drug dependence, has also increased, as has the use of these drugs via injection. These increases in the prevalence of use and related harms have also been detected internationally. Previous research on psychostimulant drugs, in Australia ....National drug surveys and surveillance systems have detected sharp increases in the use of 'psychostimulant' drugs such as the amphetamines, ecstasy and cocaine. The level of harms associated with excessive use of these drugs, such as mental health problems and drug dependence, has also increased, as has the use of these drugs via injection. These increases in the prevalence of use and related harms have also been detected internationally. Previous research on psychostimulant drugs, in Australia and overseas, has suggested that using these drugs in particular ways might be associated with a greater chance of contracting HIV and other blood-borne viruses such as hepatitis C (eg through sharing needles and syringes or other equipment associated with injecting drugs); sexually transmitted infections and other sexual health problems (eg through engaging in unsafe sex); and of being involved in violent incidents. Despite this previous research, however, little is known about the specific social and cultural contexts associated with psychostimulant-related harms, and this has stymied the development of appropriate responses to prevent such harms occurring. This research project will provide a greater understanding of the individual, social and cultural factors associated with pychostimulant-related harm through an innovative combination and integration of anthropological and epidemiological research methods known as 'ethno-epidemiology'. In order to access a range of psychostimulant-using contexts, research will focus on three sites: street-based drug users in Sydney, club drug users in Melbourne, and home-based recreational drug users in Perth. These groups have been chosen because they have high prevalences of psychostimulant use. The research project will provide important data that will inform future interventions, improve multidisciplinary models for drug research, and build Australia's capacity to conduct cutting-edge public health research.Read moreRead less
Understanding The Barriers To Improved Access, Engagement And Retention Of Methamphetamine Users In Health Services
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$788,291.00
Summary
Drug surveys show widespread use of methamphetamine. Its regular use, particularly via injection, is associated with a range of serious harms, including drug dependence, psychosis, viral infection and violence. In order to improve access, engagement and retention of methamphetamine injectors in drug treatment and other health services, and thereby reduce these harms, further research is urgently needed to better understand their healthcare needs and the existing barriers to service utilisation.
A Prospective Cohort Study Of Ex-prisoners With A History Of Injecting Drug Use
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$956,020.00
Summary
Australia’s growing prison population is characterised by high rates of drug use, blood borne virus infection and poor physical and mental health. People with an injecting drug use history will undertake interviews prior to prison release, with periodic follow-up interviews for two years post-release. Interview data will be linked to corrections and community health data to explore relationships between, incarceration, health service utilisation, health outcomes, drug use and recidivism.
Innovative Approaches To Reducing The Impact Of Blood Borne Viruses And Sexually Transmitted Infections On Young People.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$246,859.00
Summary
Over the next 5 years I will undertake a program of research centred on reducing the impact of blood-borne viruses (BBVs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in vulnerable populations, particularly young people. I will study how these infections are transmitted, associated risk behaviours including drug and alcohol use and sexual risk, and develop interventions to improve the detection and management of infected individuals.