Michael Sawyer, MBBS, PhD, Dip Child Psych., FRANZCP, FRCPC is Head, Research and Evaluation Unit at the Women's and Children's Hospital in South Australia and Professor, Discipline of Paediatrics at the University of Adelaide. He is currently Chair of the Australian Rotary Health Research Committee. He has previously been Head, Department of Paediatrics and Associate Dean (Research) in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Adelaide.
Professor Sawyer completed his undergraduate medical education at Monash University and his post-graduate training in psychiatry at McMaster University and the University of Toronto in Ontario, Canada. Professor Sawyer's research has focused on the quality of life of children with chronic illness and the epidemiology of child and adolescent mental disorders.
Professor Sawyer was the lead investigator in the Child and Adolescent Component of the National Survey of Mental Health and Well-Being in Australia. He is currently lead investigator of the research team responsible for evaluating the beyondblue Schools Research Initiative.
SUMMARY OF PROJECT:
Evaluation of a South Australian Family Home Visiting Program
Infancy and early childhood are critical periods for lifelong mental health and well-being. Evidence suggests that infants and young children exposed to poor quality parenting, neglect and abuse have heightened risk for health problems later in life, including depression and anxiety. Key factors during this developmental period are maternal mental health and well-being, and the quality of parenting received by infants and young children.
The South Australian Family Home Visiting (SA-FHV) program was established in 2004 as part of the SA Government’s ‘Every Chance for Every Child Initiative’. Home visiting support for new mothers and infants produces good results in university trials, but it can encounter obstacles when undertaken in routine community practice. The SA-FHV program employs specially trained nurses to visit disadvantaged mothers and their babies in their homes. Participating mothers and infants receive 34 planned home visits, commencing when children are 3 to 4 months old and finishing when they are aged 2 years. The program aims to foster the mental health and well-being of mothers and improve the quality of relationships between mothers and babies.
Professor Michael Sawyer and his team from the University of Adelaide received a grant from Australian Rotary Health to:
- determine whether the SA-FHV program is achieving its aims
- determine whether the program is being delivered as specified in the SA Home Visiting Manual and
- identify the characteristics of mothers and infants who benefit most from the program.
Knowledge gained in these areas will be of significant value to heath services in Australia and overseas as there is little research available on FHV programs delivered as part of routine community practice.
PROGRESS REPORT:
Evaluation of a South Australian Family Home Visiting Program
Enrolment of mothers and infants began in March 2008. Overall the study will enrol 600 mothers receiving the SA-FVH and 300 mothers and their infants who do not receive the program (but who have similar demographic characteristics) as the comparison group. By November 2008, 675 potential intervention group mothers and 200 comparison group mothers had been identified.
These mothers are being progressively enrolled in the study as their infants reach 3 months of age. 78% of families approached have agreed to participate in the study, which will run from 2008 to 2010.