Innovative Diagnosis For And Prevention Of Otitis Media In Australian Infants
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$439,476.00
Summary
Otitis media (OM) in infants is a major health issue, with the affected infants having high risk of chronic illness, hearing loss and speech and language delay. Preventing OM in infants requires accurately diagnosing and determining the causes of OM. This project employs an innovative technology to diagnose OM in infants and determine the risk factors for OM in Australian infants.
Dynamics Of Haemophilus Haemolyticus And Nontypeable Haemophilus Influenzae Colonisation In Otitis-prone Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$358,790.00
Summary
A vaccine has been licenced that reduces ear disease. A harmless bacterium masquerades as the pathogen responsible for ear disease, nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi), leading to inaccurate surveillance of ear disease. This project will measure the true proportion of NTHi in ears and noses to help policy decisions regarding the introduction of the vaccine to Western Australia. We will be able to assess the impact this vaccine has had in the Northern Territory since implementation in 2009.
Improved Hygiene Measures For Australian Child Care Centres: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$440,573.00
Summary
Roughly fifty percent of young Australian children receive care outside their home. As greater numbers of women choose to continue working after childbirth, the proportion of children exposed to group care in the first few years of life will continue to increase. In developed countries child care attendance has been shown to be the most important modifiable risk factor for respiratory tract infections and otitis media. A previous study in nine Darwin child care centres demonstrated high rates of ....Roughly fifty percent of young Australian children receive care outside their home. As greater numbers of women choose to continue working after childbirth, the proportion of children exposed to group care in the first few years of life will continue to increase. In developed countries child care attendance has been shown to be the most important modifiable risk factor for respiratory tract infections and otitis media. A previous study in nine Darwin child care centres demonstrated high rates of respiratory tract infections, otitis media, antibiotic use and colonisation with both penicillin-sensitive and penicillin-resistant pneumococci. This study will assess the impact of simple hygiene measures on rates of pneumococcal colonisation, respiratory infection, otitis media, and pneumococcal antibiotic resistance. Twenty child care centres will be randomised to receive additional training and education in the prevention of spread of respiratory infection or routine care. Outcomes measures will include the number of new infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae, reported illnesses, and rates of otitis media and nasal discharge documented by fortnightly examination with video recording and tympanometry. Efficacy of the intervention will be estimated at the end of the school year (9 months after the intervention) to avoid bias associated with changes in the child care environment that occur over the school holidays. The centres randomised to routine care will receive the full intervention at the completion of the study and all centres will be re-assessed 6 months .Read moreRead less