Health | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

Maternal folate intake, availability, and the impacts of deficiency on maternal and child health in Vanuatu  

2023 –2026 

Despite a global decline in neonatal and infant mortality rates, Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) still face significantly higher rates. Micronutrient deficiency, particularly in folic acid (FA), contributes to adverse birthing outcomes, such as stillbirth and congenital anomalies. A common example of this association, is the link between folic acid (FA) intake and development of neural tube defects (NTDs), severe abnormalities of the brain and spine that develop in utero. Adequate maternal FA intake reduces NTD incidence by up to 90%.

While countries like PNG, Solomon Islands, and Fiji have adopted mandatory FA fortification, Vanuatu has not. My project aims to assess the FA intake and identify the incidence of neural tube defects (NTDs) among Ni-Vanuatu women, addressing a critical gap in knowledge.

This PhD project aims to establish the average FA intake of women and identify the incidence of NTDs amongst Ni-Vanuatu peoples. The research is part of a wider study, the MaMi Project, which explores maternal micronutrients and maternal and child health health in Vanuatu. Fieldwork conducted in October 2023 involved interviews with 470 Ni-Vanuatu women on Efate Island, and subsequent analysis was presented at the Vanuatu National Health Symposium. Future plans include a return to Efate in September 2024 for a comprehensive review of birthing records and additional maternal health surveys in rural communities.

Project team: Ms Eliza Kitchener (PhD candidate); Supervisors: Dr Georgia Kafer, Dr Barnaby Dixson, and Dr Rachael Thurecht

Funding: Research Training Program scholarship provided by the Australian Government to the University of the Sunshine Coast.

Project team: Dr Georgia Kafer, Dr Barnaby Dixson, Dr Rachael Thurecht and Ms Eliza Kitchener from UniSC

Partners: Dr Jenny Stephens, Mr Rex Turi, Dr Matt Cornish and Ms Nerrida Hinge from the Vanuatu Ministry of Health and Emma Dorras from Wan Smolbag (NGO).

Funding: UniSC Amount: $50,000

The MaMi Project: Investigating maternal micronutrient availability and impacts in Vanuatu.

2023 - 2024

Maternal (Ma) micronutrient (Mi) deficiencies refer to the suboptimal intake of critical minerals and vitamins peri-conception and during pregnancy. In utero, the fetus sources micronutrients from the maternal diet, delivered via the mothers’ blood to the placenta. Maternal micronutrient deficiencies (MDs) increase the risk of fetal growth restriction and congenital anomalies which directly increase risks of fatal preterm birth, stillbirth, perinatal and infant deaths of which Vanuatu has disproportionately high rates.

Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICT) peoples are at increasing risk of disability and death caused by non-communicable diseases attributed to malnutrition and MDs. Children born in PICTs are on average seven times more likely to be stillborn or die perinatally or as infants relative to neighbouring countries.

The MaMi (Bislama for “mum”) project focuses on Vanuatu. Partnering with colleagues from the Vanuatu Ministry of Health, the project aims to develop a strong partnership with the Vanuatu Ministry of Health (MoH) and local non-government organisations (NGOs) to enhance local research capacity and UniSCs reputation in PICTs such as Vanuatu; determine approximate micronutrient intakes of reproductive aged women in urban, semi-rural and remote Vanuatu; and record Ni-Vanuatu experiences of birth complications, stillbirth, and perinatal/infant loss in urban, semi-rural and remote areas.

Samoan seaweed recipe book and resource suite development

2023 - 2024

Seaweed provides direct benefits to the health and wellbeing of local communities, as well as income opportunities for women.

In this project, an interdisciplinary research team are working together to develop a series of assets for a Samoan seaweed recipe book for Samoan / Pacific Island communities. These assets are varied, including seaweed facts, recipes, nutrition analysis, food photographs, impact stories, value chain opportunities, sustainable harvesting methods. The team includes undergraduate students from the disciplines of nutrition and dietetics; creative writing; and design.

The project developed from the 2020-2021 project 'Improving nutrition through women’s and men’s engagement in the seaweed food chain in Kiribati and Samoa'.

Project team: Dr Libby Swanepoel; Dr Lee McGowan; Ms Courtney Anderson; Mr Blake Cawthan; Ms Catherine Wilkinson; and Ms Phoebe Child.

Project team: Dr Libby Swanepoel; Dr Lee McGowan; Ms Courtney Anderson; Mr Blake Cawthan; Ms Catherine Wilkinson; and Ms Phoebe Child.

Project team: Dr Matt Mason, National AMR Committees, governments and public health counterparts in Fiji, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.
Partners: Doherty Institute, Alfred Health, Burnet Institute, Massey University, Pacific Pathology Training Centre, Pacific Region Infectious Diseases Association, Asia Pacific Centre for Animal Health, WaterAid, World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre for Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance,
Funding: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Indo-Pacific Centre for Health Security.

Combatting antimicrobial resistance in the Pacific Islands.

2019 - 2023

The DFAT-funded project aimed at combatting antimicrobial resistance (COMBAT-AMR) and capacity building across Papua New Guinea, Fiji and the Solomon Islands. Using a One Health approach, the program included several streams, including human and animal health. Dr Matthew Mason’s contribution was to the project’s infection prevention and control arms in the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.
At the National Referral Hospital in Honiara a multidisciplinary group of local and international clinicians was established with the purpose of improving clinical management of patients with blood stream infections within the larger program supporting training and capacity building to address the threat of antimicrobial resistance.
The project supported the clinicians in the management of blood stream infections. Over 18 months, a weekly interdisciplinary meeting was held where results of blood stream infections were discussed including the clinical management of the patient, investigation of any contributing factors, and if there was any need to implement higher levels of infection prevention and control activities.

Gathering evidence and supporting multi-stakeholder engagement on the role of diets and food systems in the prevention of obesity and non-communicable diseases in Pacific Island Countries (Fiji)

2019 - 2020

Nutrition transition in Pacific Island countries, including Fiji, has had significant impacts on human health. In collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO-UN), this project provided evidence-based data on nutrition and health outcomes in Fiji and connections to the Fijian food system.

The project involved examining local food environments, including availability of and accessibility to food, school food environments, and mapping the fresh food system. We explored food consumption in select population groups and investigated the impact of COVID-19 on dietary behaviours.

We also developed an understanding of how the multisector policy landscape influences dietary behaviours. An important component of this project is the identification and use of entry points for policy dialogue. A key outcome of this project will be a roadmap outlining opportunities for future research and actions to inform a comprehensive and evidence-based approach for maintaining a healthy weight and  preventing non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

We explored how the multisector policy landscape shapes dietary behaviours, emphasising identification of entry points for policy dialogue. The project produced a roadmap highlighting opportunities for research and actions to support a holistic, evidence-based approach to maintaining a healthy weight and preventing non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Project team: Dr Sarah Burkhart (project leader), Dr Dana Craven, Ms Bridget Horsey, Ms Jenna Perry, Ms Tarli O’Connell, Dr Yuchan Zhou, Ms Tara McKenzie and Prof Steven Underhill.

Funding:  Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 2019, $221,000 (AUD).

UniSC takes action to support achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's)

• Goal 1: No poverty
• Goal 2: Zero hunger
• Goal 3: Good health and wellbeing
• Goal 14: Life below water
• Goal 15: Life on land
• Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals