Statistical Methods To Assist The Control Of Communicable Diseases, And Their Application
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$211,527.00
Summary
A range of programs, such as vaccination schedules and intervention in outbreaks, is in place to reduce our burden of illness from infectious diseases. This project aims to develop new methods, based on models and associated statistical analyses, to help ensure that our control programs are based on the best available evidence. There are five specific themes: 1. Developed methods for predicting major outbreaks of diseases and appy them to Australian data on measles, pertussis and Ross River viru ....A range of programs, such as vaccination schedules and intervention in outbreaks, is in place to reduce our burden of illness from infectious diseases. This project aims to develop new methods, based on models and associated statistical analyses, to help ensure that our control programs are based on the best available evidence. There are five specific themes: 1. Developed methods for predicting major outbreaks of diseases and appy them to Australian data on measles, pertussis and Ross River virus. The new methods will enable timely intervention to reduce the population risk from these diseases, and to guide the proposed elimination of measles from Australia. 2. The current concept of vaccine efficacy, which is central to the epidemiological assessment of vaccines, performs poorly when the vaccine provides only partial protection, when immunity wanes over time and when infected vaccinees have a lower infectivity. A concept of vaccine efficacy will be developed that overcomes these weaknesses. This concept will find widespread use in epidemiology. 3. Data available from 80 outbreak investigations of transmissible diseases will be analysed to assess the relative effectiveness of various intervention steps. 4. A comprehensive model, and associated computer software, will be developed as a tool for assessing the relative merits of different vaccination schedules. It will be applied to address Australian policy issues for vaccination against pertussis, chickenpox and rubella. 5. The method of backprojection for estimating trends in HIV infection and predicting AIDS incidence will be enhanced to incorporate newly available data in which HIV and AIDS diagnoses are linked. This will enable a precise assessment of infection incidence among heterosexuals and other exposure categories with relatively few cases, to ensure that HIV does not spread more widely.Read moreRead less
An Investigation Into The Policies And Provision Of Seclusion In Three Health Care Settings In South Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$61,088.00
Summary
The study will investigate the policies and practices of seclusion in both traditional nursing and corrections health clinical settings in South Australia; a much under-researched but, nevertheless, important and contentious area. It will compare and contrast the formal policies and guidelines pertaining to seclusion and its place within the therapeutic philosophy of the facility. It will also consider the de facto practices, the physical provisions for seclusion areas and their relationship to ....The study will investigate the policies and practices of seclusion in both traditional nursing and corrections health clinical settings in South Australia; a much under-researched but, nevertheless, important and contentious area. It will compare and contrast the formal policies and guidelines pertaining to seclusion and its place within the therapeutic philosophy of the facility. It will also consider the de facto practices, the physical provisions for seclusion areas and their relationship to the wider ward environment, the ward audit and records of the use of seclusion and related practice. Furthermore, through interviews with direct care staff, it will examine personal and professional reflections on these issues and begin to develop recommendations for best practice. Therefore, by virtue of its clinical and service focus in Nursing and allied health areas, it falls within the criteria for Special Initiative Funding.Read moreRead less
Modifiable Influences On Tobacco, Cannabis And Other Drug Use In Early Adolescence.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$198,434.00
Summary
High rates of tobacco and cannabis use by Australia s young people are a continuing concern. This study will explore the factors that influence the development of drug use from late childhood. The International Youth Development Study collected data from 5,769 students in Grades 5, 7, and 9 in Washington State, U.S., and Victoria, Australia. Findings will both increase understanding of adolescent tobacco and cannabis use in the Australian context and inform prevention policy.
PEACH: Patient Engagement And Coaching For Health: An Intensive Treatment Intervention For Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$304,300.00
Summary
Diabetes care is a partnership between health professionals and patients, but each faces difficulties in optimising medical care. The PEACH study exoplores how practice nurses can work with patients to empower them to manage their own condition and medicines better and be more active in working with their doctor to improve their diabetes control. The study could have important implications for patients and the way Governments fund primary care.
Using Mathematical Models To Assess The Impact Of Interventions To Reduce Sexually Transmitted Infections In Australia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$562,276.00
Summary
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are an increasing public health problem in Australia. Australia's recent National Transmissible Infections Strategy identified chlamydia control, STI prevention in gay men and STIs in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities as priority areas. We propose to develop mathematical models of STI transmission and use these to help understand and identify the most cost-effective interventions to reduce the impact of STIs on Australian populations.
Assessing The Health Needs Of Older Indigenous Australians Living In The Kimberley
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$242,000.00
Summary
This study was designed to address the need for accurate assessment of the health care needs of older Indigenous people, particularly in remote regions of Australia. Indigenous people have higher rates of premature chronic medical illness, and there is substantial evidence that chronic functional disorders start at younger ages in this population. Common conditions of older age, such as dementia, falls and incontinence, are associated with substantial morbidity, disability and health care expend ....This study was designed to address the need for accurate assessment of the health care needs of older Indigenous people, particularly in remote regions of Australia. Indigenous people have higher rates of premature chronic medical illness, and there is substantial evidence that chronic functional disorders start at younger ages in this population. Common conditions of older age, such as dementia, falls and incontinence, are associated with substantial morbidity, disability and health care expenditure; yet, little is known about the extent of these problems amongst Indigenous Australians. This study builds on a successful project conducted in the Kimberley in 2003 that was designed with the aim of developing and validating a screening instrument for the assessment of dementia amongst Indigenous people. The present project proposes to expand the scope of our previous work to include the assessment of other common conditions associated with older age, such as depression, incontinence and falls and determine use of health services and potential impediments to their access.Read moreRead less