Implementing a life course approach in antenatal and postnatal care settings for prevention and reduction of noncommunicable disease risks in Nepal

The high burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) disproportionally affects Low- and Middle-income Countries (LMICs), where 85% of premature NCD deaths occur. Maternal and child health is inextricably linked with NCDs and their risk factors, and maternal and child health and NCD service integration is recommended for efficient use of limited resources. Behavioural change interventions in the pregnancy and post-pregnancy periods, for tobacco and alcohol avoidance, healthy eating, and psychosocial support, can prevent and reduce the risk of NCDs in current and future generations. However, the implementation of this evidence base is insufficient especially in LMICs.

You will work with stakeholders and co-create tailored implementation strategies to support the delivery of NCD risk prevention and reduction interventions in antenatal (ANC) and postnatal (PNC) primary healthcare settings in Nepal. Our objectives are to:

1. Conduct a needs and assets assessment to identify potential barriers and facilitators to implementation of the proposed NCD risk reduction interventions for ANC and PNC primary health care settings, and state relevant implementation outcomes and performance objectives.
2. Tailor implementation strategies and adapt the proposed NCD risk reduction interventions to the Nepali context through an iterative co-creation process with relevant stakeholders and women during and after pregnancy.
3. Initiate NCD risk reduction interventions using tailored strategies and evaluate implementation, service, and client outcomes in an effectiveness-implementation cluster randomized trial.

Taking a theory-driven implementation science and life course approach to reduce the risks for NCDs in young people and the next generation, will contribute to the ongoing efforts directed at achieving SDG 3.4; reducing health inequities; improving quality of life across the life course, and informing and advancing preventive health programs and policies, in Nepal and globally.

As one of the largest Indigenous research centers in Australia, Poche Centre offers an outstanding research environment for HDR candidates. Poche Centre brings together more than 50 leading researchers, policy experts, and management professionals, offering a multidisciplinary environment and excellent research infrastructure. Poche Centre has an active seminar series, providing HDR candidates with opportunities to present their work to colleagues. Funding to support research costs is also available. As a Poche Centre student, the candidate will benefit from additional training and funding opportunities and access to a large collaborative network of researchers in Australia and worldwide.