Project title: Structured health interventions to reduce cardiometabolic risk among adolescents and young adults in tribal communities in north-eastern India (SHILLONG): A type 2 hybrid cluster-randomised trial
This NHMRC-GACD-funded research (ID APP2022036) will focus on developing, implementing, and evaluating a package of prevention interventions that are evidence-based and targeted to adolescents and young adults, to reduce the risk of cardiometabolic diseases later in life. This implementation trial will generate evidence that will help in understanding not only the effectiveness of the proposed intervention program but also the implementation of the interventions to understand how and why the interventions worked (or not) in order to inform its future sustainability and scalability.
The overall aim of this project is to co-design, implement, and evaluate an 18-month multi-level and multi-component lifestyle intervention to improve cardiometabolic health among young people in tribal populations in Meghalaya.
The objectives of the project are:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a lifestyle intervention program targeting young people living in ‘at risk’ households and the community.
- To evaluate the implementation outcomes of the intervention.
- To identify and address contextual factors that facilitate or hinder the implementation and future scalability of these interventions, including with young Indigenous Australians.
- To determine the value and return on investment of the program by assessing program cost and cost-effectiveness.
This ‘real world’ implementation trial will generate robust evidence on the outcomes of a culturally adapted prevention program for young people in tribal populations and the factors required in the design and implementation of such programs for future sustainability and scalability. A very strong commitment and support have already been received from the Health Department for the State of Meghalaya recommendations of the projects will be integrated into their future policies and programs at the state level and will also be shared with governments of other states and the Federal government for new guideline development and policies.
Collaborating institutions
Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Christian Medical College and Hospital, Vellore, India; Dr. H. Gordon Roberts Hospital, Shillong, Meghalaya, India
Chief investigators
Brian Oldenburg, Felix Jebasingh, Meban Aibor Kharkongor, Tilahun Nigatu Haregu, Dorothy Lall, David Meharg, Nitin Kapoor, Quan Huynh, Grace Rebekah, Anuradha Rose
Associate investigators
Nihal Thomas, Kavumpurathu Thankappan, Ajay Mahal, Yingting Cao, Costan Magnussen, Boe Rambaldini, Sodality Sutnga, Mark Kharsyntiew, Jaime Miranda
Current status
Adaptation of intervention
This project welcomes all Honours, Masters, and PhD students.
For more information, contact Brian Oldenburg.