Projects
PNG & Australia Sexual Health Improvement Program
Study title: Papua New Guinea and Australia Sexual Health Improvement Program
Fund: AusAID
Collaboratorating NGOs: Save the Children in PNG, Caritas, Burnet Institute, Anglicare, Sexual Health and Family Planning Australia
Location: East New Britain, Eastern Highlands, Morobe, East Sepik, NCD, Oro, Western Highlands, Simbu and Southern Highlands.
Duration: 2008-2012
Description: PASHIP focuses on reducing the spread of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in order to reduce the spread of HIV. It is part of the broader Australian Government program of support for PNG’s response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The Australian Government has provided K50 million to fund PASHIP. The new program will work with communities and existing health services to improve the way STIs are detected, treated, and prevented. PASHIP will be delivered through a partnership of five NGOs working in eight provinces; East New Britiain, Eastern Highlands, East Sepik, Oro, National Capital District, Morobe, Western Highlands and Southern Highlands.
The PNG Institute of Medical Research (IMR) is an important partner in PASHIP and has been tasked with evaluating the effectiveness of the program. The PNG IMR will conduct biological and behavioural research relating to STIs and HIV in the areas where partner NGOs will be working.
P.vivax Vaccine Baseline Cohort Study
Study title: P.vivax Vaccine Baseline Cohort Study
Fund: Cellex Foundation with additional support from Veterans Association (USA), NHMRC (Australia)
Collaborators: Barcelona Centre for International Health Research (CRESIB), International Centre for Genetic Engineering Biotechnology (ICGEB), Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI), Case Western Reserve University, Swiss Tropical Institute (STI) Location: Ilahita (Maprik) East Sepik Province
Duration: 2008 – 2009, 38 weeks
Description: The study aims to describe to epidemiology of P. vivax and determine immunological correlates of protection in children 1-5 years of age in preparation for future vaccine trials. In addition, the study will determine the contribution of long lasting P. vivax liverstages on the burden of vivax infection & disease by clearing the liver and blood stages of P. vivax. The study enrolled 510 children aged 1-5yrs, then randomized G6PD normal children to receive either; artesunate, artesunate plus primaquine or no drug treatment as a direct observed therapy. Active and passive case detection was carried through twice weekly follow up for 9 months.
IPTI Study
Study Title: Intermittent Preventative Treatment of Malaria and Anaemia In Infants
Duration: 4 years (June 2006 to May 2010)
Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Global Health Program
Collaborators: Walter & Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Researh, University of Melbourne, Case Western Reserve University
Location: Wosera East Sepik Province and Mugil, Madang Province
Description of study: The IPTi is a double blinded randomised placebo controlled trial of the intermittent treatment with SP/AQ, SP/ART or placebo delivered to children aged 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. The primary goals of the project are to determine whether the administration of intermittent preventative treatment with sulphadoxinepyramethamine (SP) together with either amodiaquine (AQ) or artesunate (Art) delivered through the extended programme of Immunization (EPI) is effective in reducing symptomatic malaria and reducing anaemia in infants up to 15 months of age. Following the intervention, follow up of these participants is done actively and passively during the routine MCH clinic and morbidity surveillance done at health centre. We planned to enrol a total of 1100 participants only and the enrolments into the study will stop in May next year 2009 but continue with follow up until May 2010.
About PNGIMR
Fogarty Program
