How Do Lay People Understand The Risk Of Developing Cancer? A Qualitative Study Using Grounded Theory Procedures.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$282,118.00
Summary
This project is about cancer risk. New discoveries are regularly made about the contribution of genes, environmental exposures, and lifestyles to cancer risk. These findings are often reported in the mass media, or used in television advertising to encourage us to attend cancer screening or change our habits. Some cancers are said to be almost entirely preventable. In fact some experts argue that whether or not we get cancer is largely our own responsibility. This study doesn't ask what causes c ....This project is about cancer risk. New discoveries are regularly made about the contribution of genes, environmental exposures, and lifestyles to cancer risk. These findings are often reported in the mass media, or used in television advertising to encourage us to attend cancer screening or change our habits. Some cancers are said to be almost entirely preventable. In fact some experts argue that whether or not we get cancer is largely our own responsibility. This study doesn't ask what causes cancer. Instead it asks what the risk of developing cancer means to Australians and in Australian society. This question will be answered by conducting a rigorous analysis of healthy lay people's descriptions of their own and others' risk of developing cancer. The researchers will talk with a wide range of people about cancer risk. They will ask: how do we think about cancer risk for ourselves? how do we engage with information about cancer risk? Do we listen to it? Do we trust it? Does it make sense to us? What do we think should be done about it? The resulting findings will be compared with the assumptions that underlie cancer prevention activities. Finally, the discoveries made about similarities and differences will be actively translated for expert and lay audiences. There have been many studies of what it is like to be a cancer patient or to be screened for cancer. But there has been very little systematic study of the way in which healthy Australians make sense of cancer risk. This study will develop a detailed model of what cancer risk means to Australians. It will provide new knowledge to researchers and practitioners in public health, health psychology and sociology, and risk communication, guiding communication about cancer risk and research about cancer risk well into the future. It will help lay people and professionals to communicate more effectively about cancer risk, and thus support continuing improvement in cancer prevention in Australia.Read moreRead less
Choice Or Chance: The Social Context Of Contraceptive Use By Women With HCV And Their Reproductive & Sexual Health Needs
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$260,150.00
Summary
Hepatitis C is a growing health concern, with 1% of the Australian population now HCV positive, and signs that it is increasing more quickly among women of child-bearing age. This study builds upon recent research that shows that Australia women with Hepatitis C have low levels of contraception even though they have specific contraceptive needs relating to concerns about the risks of vertical transmission, the effects of the diease on their children and the use of Ribavirin, a teratogen, in HCV ....Hepatitis C is a growing health concern, with 1% of the Australian population now HCV positive, and signs that it is increasing more quickly among women of child-bearing age. This study builds upon recent research that shows that Australia women with Hepatitis C have low levels of contraception even though they have specific contraceptive needs relating to concerns about the risks of vertical transmission, the effects of the diease on their children and the use of Ribavirin, a teratogen, in HCV treatment. This study aims to elucidate the reasons for this low level of contraception among women with Hepatitis C through interviews with them (and in some cases their partners) about the complex array of practices and understandings, within the contexts of their lives, that influence their contraceptive and reproductive behaviours. The public health outcomes of this research include the development of contraceptive information that is relevant to the specific needs of women with Hepatitis C and the identification of barriers to family planning and reproductive health services for these women.Read moreRead less
Management Of Coronary Heart Disease In The Indigenous Population In Western Australia: From Information To Action
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,110,455.00
Summary
This study will provide up to date and definitive data on the burden of acute coronary heart disease among Indigenous and non-Indigenous people in WA and patterns of care. It will document the use of lifesaving coronary interventions, participation in cardiac rehabilitation programs and use of appropriate medicines. Indigenous people will have opportunities to describe any barriers they face to access to receiving standard treatment for a heart attack and secondary prevention afterwards.
Comparing The Role Of Takeaways In Methadone Maintenance Treatment In NSW And Victoria
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$291,000.00
Summary
This project will make a direct and major contribution to improving methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) provision in Australia. The recent announcement of the continuation of funding for the Federal Government's Illicit Drug Diversion Initiative demonstrates an ongoing commitment to make drug treatment programs more accessible. MMT is currently the primary treatment for opioid addiction in Australia. However, concerns about the potential negative effects of aspects of the programs, in particul ....This project will make a direct and major contribution to improving methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) provision in Australia. The recent announcement of the continuation of funding for the Federal Government's Illicit Drug Diversion Initiative demonstrates an ongoing commitment to make drug treatment programs more accessible. MMT is currently the primary treatment for opioid addiction in Australia. However, concerns about the potential negative effects of aspects of the programs, in particular, takeaway dosing and diversion of methadone to street sale (which has been linked to accidental fatal overdose (Lintzeris, et al., 1999)), remain unresolved. This study will map clients', healthcare workers' and policy makers' attitudes towards takeaways in NSW and Victoria, and investigate the dynamics of methadone diversion in relation to the different takeaway policies in the two states. In doing so, the project will consider how the two different state policies on takeaways stack up. It will contribute essential and detailed data on takeaways and diversion, from which effective, safe and socially responsible methadone maintenance treatment policy can be developed.Read moreRead less
How Consumers Negotiate Between Complementary And Conventional Health Systems - A Qualitative Study Of Depression
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$251,645.00
Summary
This project explores how people with depression negotiate their health care between the complementary and conventional health systems. We will interview consumers about their experiences and present these findings to focus groups of general practitioners, naturopaths and educators. Our findings will be used to assist in getting the best possible education and health policy for doctors, naturopaths and the community to ensure safe use of medicines.