Donate today and join the fight to achieve global malaria elimination targets.
Together we can make a significant contribution to achieving malaria elimination targets.
Improving the health of vulnerable communities and changing lives is at the heart of what we do and who we are.
In resource-poor regions globally, pregnant women experience high rates of malaria, under-nutrition and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) which can lead to maternal morbidity and mortality and in infants, low birth weight (LBW) resulting in a significant number of infant deaths each year.
In these settings, LBW is due to fetal growth restriction and preterm delivery. However the link between nutrition, malaria and STIs and these birth outcomes have yet to be elucidated.
Burnet’s research program in rural PNG, Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies, is in partnership with the PNG Institute of Medical Research, East New Britain Provincial Government, University of PNG, the National Department of Health, and others.
We have undertaken a longitudinal study of 700 pregnant women attending antenatal care, and followed them through to delivery. Among these women, we will measure markers of nutrition and evaluate micronutrient deficiencies, determine malaria and STIs. The association of nutrition, malaria, and STIs during pregnancy with respect to birth outcomes will then be assessed using epidemiological techniques.
The objective of this project is to determine the major preventable causes of poor maternal health and LBW to enable the development of future interventions to improve health and pregnancy outcomes.
For any general enquiries relating to this project, please contact:
Deputy Director (People); Head of Malaria Immunity and Vaccines Laboratory; Adjunct Professor Monash University
To achieve better health for vulnerable communities in Australia and internationally by accelerating the translation of research, discovery and evidence into sustainable health solutions.
85 Commercial Road, Melbourne
VIC, 3004, Australia
Receive updates and IMPACT magazine.
Copyright © 2022 Burnet Institute. ABN: 49 007 349 984
This website was developed with the generous support of a donor.
Burnet Institute (Australia) is located on the traditional land of the Boon Wurrung people and we offer our respects to their Elders past and present.
We recognise and respect the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this land.
