Health Sciences

MY Australia: Muslim youth, social connectedness, health and education in Victoria.
Linda Bennett

The research explores how religion, ethnic identity, and Islamic education, impact upon the social connectedness and health of Muslim youth in Melbourne. In terms of health, the project focuses on key issues effecting young people such as reproductive health, sex education, substance use and self-esteem. The project will be five years in duration and is now in its first phase, in which data is being collected in Islamic and Muslim majority schools in Victoria to provide critical contextual data on the socialization of young Muslims in these institutions. This fieldwork in schools is being conducted in close collaboration with the Islamic Council of Victoria.

Funding: VicHealth
Status: In progress

A website to provide sexual and reproductive health education for pre-teens (The Hormone Factory) www.thehormonefactory.com
Doreen Rosenthal, Sylvia Azzopardi, Jenny Walsh

This website project aims to help children aged 10 to 12 understand the major stages of human development, especially those that relate to sexual maturation and reproduction. It is intended to be a resource that is readily accessible and appealing to young children.

Funding: Bertarelli Foundation
Status: Complete.

Health care and risk in the juvenile justice system
Mary O’Brien

This study investigates the perspectives of a broad cross section of workers who have responsibility for the care and supervision of juvenile justice clients. The study focuses on workers experiences and perspectives of dealing with juvenile justice clients, with a particular emphasis on the issues related to health risks including STDs and blood borne viruses. A primary objective of the study is to document the perspectives of workers in different roles and different institutional contexts in regard to the health care needs of their clients. A comparison of core health staff experiences and views with those of non-health staff as well as looking at issues for workers in both institutional and community settings will be undertaken.

Funding: CARG Collaborating Centre grant, Commonwealth Department of Health & Ageing
Status: Complete