Biomedical methods to prevent HIV include vaccines, gels used vaginally or rectally, oral medicines taken before or after potential exposure to HIV, and male and female condoms. We aim to investigate the impact of several such prevention methods, both on HIV transmission in Australia and on the behaviour of people using these technologies. Potential users' knowledge and attitudes towards such products will be explored. Results will contribute to the design of future HIV prevention studies.
Reducing The Injury And Disease Burden Attributable To Alcohol: Methodological, Aetiological And Intervention Studies.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,412.00
Summary
The research examines the influence of individual, social and environmental factors on drinking behaviour, and seeks to determine the effectiveness of strategies to prevent alcohol-related harm, with a particular focus on youth drinking. A series of studies is proposed, examining the validity of methods for measuring drinking behaviour; social and environmental factors, and interventions. The findings will have relevance to reducing the burden of alcohol-related injury and disease in Australia.
Melanoma Diagnosis, And The Effect Of Screening On Depth Of Invasion Of Melanoma.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$399,961.00
Summary
AIMS This study will assess how melanoma is diagnosed in Queensland, and if improvements can be made. It will assess if skin screening gives earlier diagnosis of some melanomas, and also if it leads to the diagnosis of some thin melanomas which would not progress if left alone. SIGNIFICANCE Melanoma is the most common invasive cancer in Queensland, with some 1,963 people diagnosed annually with the disease. The outlook for these patients varies dramatically with the depth of invasion of melanoma ....AIMS This study will assess how melanoma is diagnosed in Queensland, and if improvements can be made. It will assess if skin screening gives earlier diagnosis of some melanomas, and also if it leads to the diagnosis of some thin melanomas which would not progress if left alone. SIGNIFICANCE Melanoma is the most common invasive cancer in Queensland, with some 1,963 people diagnosed annually with the disease. The outlook for these patients varies dramatically with the depth of invasion of melanoma. Melanoma diagnosed and treated when very thin has an excellent long-term outcome, whereas the outcome for deeply invasive melanoma is much less favourable. Improvements to diagnosis are currently our best hope of reducing deaths and serious distress from this disease. This will be the largest study in the world of the process of diagnosis of melanoma: information on how melanoma presents, and the time between presentation and diagnosis will be compared between thin and deeply invasive melanoma. Results may indicate areas for improvement in education or health services. The use of screening, either by individuals themselves or by health professionals, has the potential to achieve early diagnosis. However, there is currently no good information on whether screening is actually effective. This study will assess the impact of self-screening and doctor screening on the depth of invasion of melanoma at presentation, and ultimately on the likelihood of dying from melanoma. The study will also assess the potential impact of screening on the over-diagnosis of lesions which while labeled as melanoma, may in fact be biologically non-progressive. This is an important issue of current concern internationally. This study will be one of only two studies in the world currently addressing this issue. This project is directly relevant to the early detection and optimum management of the most common invasive cancer in Queensland, and will have relevance internationally.Read moreRead less
I am an epidemiologist with expertise in infectious diseases. My research focuses on the risk behaviours associated with the transmission and prevention of blood borne viruses and sexually transmitted infections, in particular drug and alcohol-related ris
Molecular Epidemiology Of Neisseria Gonorrhoeae In Different Communities In Sydney, :informing Control Measures
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$22,677.00
Summary
Gonorrhoea is the second most common notifiable bacterial sexually transmitted disease (STD) in Australia. This project seeks to evaluate typing methods to identify transmission patterns of different strains of gonorrhea. The molecular strain typing methods and the antimicrobial resistance surveillance outcomes employed in this study when integrated with STD control strategies will provide pragmatic and cost effective approaches whereby the enhancement of HIV spread by STIs will be curtailed.
Reducing Maternal Depression Two Years After Birth: Follow-up Of A Cohort Within A Community Randomised Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$359,920.00
Summary
Maternal depression following childbirth is a significant public health issue. Previous Victorian research has found that 15-17% of women experience depression 6-9 months after birth, and of those depressed then, 30% are likely still to be depressed or depressed again two years after the birth. In 1998 16 Victorian municipalities began participating in the first ever community randomised trial of prevention and early intervention in depression - PRISM (Program of Resources, Information and Suppo ....Maternal depression following childbirth is a significant public health issue. Previous Victorian research has found that 15-17% of women experience depression 6-9 months after birth, and of those depressed then, 30% are likely still to be depressed or depressed again two years after the birth. In 1998 16 Victorian municipalities began participating in the first ever community randomised trial of prevention and early intervention in depression - PRISM (Program of Resources, Information and Support for Mothers). PRISM involves eight areas participating in a range of primary care and community based strategies designed to mobilise appropriate community support for mothers and children with a view to reducing maternal depression and improving maternal physical health and recovery after birth. The other eight areas are participating as comparison communities. Evaluation in PRISM is assessing major health outcomes for mothers and wider community benefits (flow-on effects) of the intervention program. Process and impact evaluation has also been undertaken to document and assess the different program elements and enhance the reproducibility of the program if successful. All women giving birth in the 16 areas are currently being surveyed six months after birth (from August 2000-February 2002). Within PRISM it is now proposed to follow-up women again two years after birth, to assess the impact of the intervention program on: *recovery from depression among the group of mothers in both intervention and comparison areas who were depressed six months after birth; and *the overall prevalence of depression and physical ill-health in all mothers. This follow-up study has the capacity to provide infromation on the poorly documented natural history of maternal depression from birth through the next two years in a large sample, including both urban and rural residents.Read moreRead less
SES And Injury In Children: A Cohort Study To Identify And Measure The Effects Of Preventable Mediating Factors
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,505.00
Summary
While changing an individual or group SES is at best a long term and challenging social objective, proximal risk factors for injury can be more readily modified. Once the proximal risk factor differential across SES groups has been adequately delineated, then the possibility arises for targeted public health intervention to redress the SES differential in the incidence of injury. The sophistication of the proposed modeling will result in a good assessment of the best point to target.