research

healthy mothers healthy families

summary

Strategies to promote a healthy start to life have been identified as having the greatest potential to reduce health inequalities across the life course. Our research program focuses on what can be done in pregnancy and the early postnatal period to improve maternal, newborn and child health outcomes. Our group's vision is good health and humane care for all mothers and families. We have a particular interest in ways that health services can work to improve health outcomes for socially isolated and/or disadvantaged women and families.

group leader(s)

Stephanie Brown  A/Professor Stephanie Brown
  Murdoch Childrens Research Institute
  Royal Children's Hospital
  Flemington Road
  Parkville Victoria 3052

  T +61 3 9090 5205
  F +61 3 9090 5212
  E stephanie.brown@mcri.edu.au

  group leader biography

current research projects

Project 1: Aboriginal Families Study

A landmark study inviting over 600 women from across South Australia to talk about  pregnancy and birthing care, and support they had from services during and after pregnancy. The project addresses a major evidence-policy-practice gap and is at the forefront of efforts to work across the interface of policy, health services and community to design and implement strategic, policy relevant research needed for Australia to achieve sustained improvements in the health of Aboriginal women and children. The project is being conducted in partnership with the Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia and involves collaborations with SA Health and the University of Adelaide.

Project 2: Healthy Mothers Healthy Families Survey 

A population based survey of all women who gave birth in a two month period in South Australia and one month in Victoria undertaken in 2008. The study is investigating the views and experiences of women living in regional, remote and urban areas;  looking at the impact of social adversity on maternal and infant health outcomes; and examining how services respond to women experiencing psychosocial health issues, such as depression and intimate partner violence.

Project 3: Maternal Health Study

A longitudinal prospective cohort study investigating the physical and psychological health of over 1500 first time mothers from early pregnancy to four years after the birth. The study provides a comprehensive picture of the relationship between physical health problems, sexual health, depression and changes in intimate partner relationships. We are also examining the contribution of birth events such as method of birth and prolonged labour to postpartum health problems including incontinence. The findings will be used to inform clinical obstetric and midwifery practice, and strengthen primary care strategies for supporting women during and after pregnancy.

Project 4: Maternity Care for Women of Refugee Backgrounds

There is a dearth of evidence regarding the experiences of health and health care of women of refugee backgrounds in Victoria. This lack of evidence curtails efforts to respond adequately to the needs of women and families. This study will document the experiences of Afghan women and families in order to inform service providers and policy makers about aspects of maternity care that work well for this cohort and what could be improved. It will also generate knowledge about effective ways to consult and engage people of refugee backgrounds in research. 

team members

  • Eunice Aston - INTERVIEWER
  • Mary Anne Biro - RESEARCH ASSOCIATE
  • Fatema Fouladi - INTERVIEWER (BICULTURAL RESEARCH)
  • Deirdre Gartland - Research Officer
  • Emily Jaworek - INTERVIEWER
  • Tanya Koolmatrie - Research Officer
  • Ann Krastev - Research Assistant
  • Karyn Mccue - Interviewer
  • Ellie Mcdonald - PhD Student (La Trobe PublicHlth)
  • Roxanne Miller - Senior Project Officer
  • Susan Perlen - Research Assistant
  • Elisha Riggs - SENIOR RESEARCH OFFICER
  • Tatum Ritchie - INTERVIEWER
  • Marion Tait - Administrative/Research Assistant
  • Sayed Wahidi - INTERVIEWER (BICULTURAL RESEARCH)
  • Donna Weetra - Fieldwork Coordinator
  • Jan Wiebe - Specialist Project Officer
  • Hannah Woolhouse - Research Officer
  • Jane Yelland - Research Fellow

publications

  • Biro MA., Sutherland GA., Yelland JS., Hardy P., Brown SJ. In-Hospital Formula Supplementation of Breastfed Babies: A Population-Based Survey. BIRTH-ISSUES IN PERINATAL CARE 38 (4) : 302 - 310(2011)
  • Brown SJ., Gartland D., Donath S., MacArthur C. Effects of prolonged second stage, method of birth, timing of caesarean section and other obstetric risk factors on postnatal urinary incontinence: an Australian nulliparous cohort study. BJOG-AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNAECOLOGY 118 (8) : 991 - 1000(2011) PubMed
  • Brown SJ., Yelland JS., Sutherland GA., Baghurst PA., Robinson JS. Stressful life events, social health issues and low birthweight in an Australian population-based birth cohort: challenges and opportunities in antenatal care. BMC PUBLIC HEALTH 11 (196) (2011) PubMed
  • Gartland D., Bond L., Olsson CA., Buzwell S., Sawyer SM. Development of a multi-dimensional measure of resilience in adolescents: The Adolescent Resilience Questionnaire. BMC Medical Research Methodology 11 (134) : 1 - 10(2011) PubMed
  • Gartland D., Lansakara N., Flood M., Brown SJ. Assessing obstetric risk factors for maternal morbidity: congruity between medical records and mothers' reports of obstetric exposures. American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology (2011)
  • Koolmatrie T. Finding my ground in public health research: lessons from my Grandmother's kitchen. BMC PUBLIC HEALTH 11 (5) (2011) PubMed
  • Lansakara N., Wickramasinghe AR., Seneviratne HR. Feeling the blues of infertility in a South Asian context: Psychological well-being and associated factors among Sri Lankan women with primary infertility. Women and Health 51 (4) : 383 - 399(2011) PubMed
  • Palmer VJ., Yelland JS., Taft AJ. Ethical complexities of screening for depression and intimate partner violence (IPV) in intervention studies. BMC PUBLIC HEALTH 11 (2011) PubMed
  • Small R., Taft AJ., Brown SJ. The power of social connection and support in improving health: Lessons from social support interventions with childbearing women. BMC PUBLIC HEALTH 11 (2011)
  • Sutherland G., Yelland J., Brown S. Social Inequalities in the Organization of Pregnancy Care in a Universally Funded Public Health Care System. MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH JOURNAL 16 (2) : 288 - 296(2011) PubMed
  • Woolhouse H., Gartland D., Hegarty K., Donath S., Brown S. Depressive symptoms and intimate partner violence in the 12 months after childbirth: a prospective pregnancy cohort study. BJOG 119 (3) : 315 - 323(2011) PubMed

competitive funding

National Health and Medical Research Council
Rio Tinto Aboriginal Fund

collaborations & affiliations

Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia
Australian Research Centre for Women and Babies, University of Adelaide
Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne
Department of Rural Health, University of Adelaide
Foundation House - Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture
Mother and Child Health Research, La Trobe University