Master of Applied Epidemiology

Abstract

This thesis examines four public health topics conducted at the Health Statistics and Informatics Branch, Department of Health in Darwin, Northern Territory (NT). The projects explored key health issues and services delivered across the Northern Territory (NT), with particular focus on primary health care (PHC) in remote Aboriginal communities. The Mothers and Babies 2021 Annual Report is a descriptive analysis using numbers and proportions to summarise key perinatal newborn outcome. Utilising cross-sectional population-based data of all births of NT resident mothers in the NT in 2021, this annual report provides a neutral display of these characteristics and aims to inform policy and program decisions for perinatal and newborn health services across the NT. The evaluation of the Traffic Light Recall Reporting (TLRR) surveillance system that is used within NT Health remote PHC services to support chronic disease prevention and management, was conducted to assess the system's overall effectiveness and identify areas for improvement. The evaluation showed the TLRR surveillance system supports data-driven chronic disease management, but its full potential is limited by poor integration into routine PHC practice with NT Health. Strengthening collaboration among governance stakeholders, and providing standardised clinician training and support, were identified as key opportunities of improvement to ensure the TLRR surveillance system is supporting sustainable and effective chronic disease care across NT Health remote communities. An outbreak response investigation was conducted in January 2025 to a single notification of measles, when a returned traveller with measles was notified to the Centre for Disease Control in Darwin, NT the first case in the NT since 2019. A total of 162 contacts were identified; 94% (n=153/162) completed follow-up: 84% (n=136/162) were considered immune, 90% (146/162) were provided advice only, 2% (n=4/162) received the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, and one contact was given normal human immunoglobulin. No further cases were reported in the NT in the two months following the notification. The final epidemiological project, is a cross-sectional descriptive analysis of the utilisation of targeted health service programs, screening coverage and the incidence of specific health outcomes of Aboriginal children aged 5-15 years presenting to remote NT Health PHC centres in 2024.