JCU > Research Portfolio > A/Prof David MacLaren

About

David is a public health researcher with two decades experience in addressing community health issues in remote areas of Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. His work focuses on understanding the complex interplay between biomedicine, health service provision and socio-cultural understandings of health.

David uses participatory research methods with a range of partners from laboratory scientists, health service professionals and community leaders to address health issues of importance to local communities. His collaborative projects include investigating culturally appropriate TB services, locally appropriate sanitation and traditional use of medicinal rainforest plants in Malaita, Solomon Islands. In Papua New Guinea, he is collaborating with a range of partners to investigate the acceptability and feasibility of male circumcision for HIV prevention and faith-based responses to HIV. David enthusiastically supports research capacity building and incorporates capacity building across all research activities. He is a founding member of the Atoifi Health Research Group in Solomon Islands. David works in partnership with the Australian Museum and the Kwainaa'isi Cultural Centre in remote mountains of Malaita Province, Solomon Islands on a range of culture and conservation projects.

David is convenor of the International Strategy Committee within the College of Medicine and Dentistry.

David is currently chief investigator on grants worth over $5.5 million. These include

$750,000 NHMRC funded "Resolving Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) transmission" working with partners in Australia, Papua New Guinea and the United States to investigate viral transmission across the human foreskin.
$2million DFAT funded "Tropical partnerships to strengthen health systems responses to infectious disease threats" working with partners across Fiji, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste and Eastern Indonesia to strengthen operational research skills in the region to respond to infectious disease in the tropics.
$2.5 million NHMRC funded "Australian Centre for the Control and Elimination of Neglected Tropical Disease" of which David is co-convenor of the Pacific Hub.

Teaching

MD3012: Introduction to Clinical Healthcare Part 2 of 2 (Level 3; TSV)

Research Disciplines

Socio-Economic Objectives

Publications

These are the most recent publications associated with this author. To see a detailed profile of all publications stored at JCU, visit ResearchOnline@JCU. Hover over Altmetrics badges to see social impact.

Journal Articles

Asugeni R, Redman-MacLaren M, Asugeni J, Esau T, Timothy F, Massey P and MacLaren D (in press) A community builds a ‘bridge’: an example of community-led adaptation to sea-level rise in East Kwaio, Solomon Islands. Climate and Development Journal,
Bradbury R, Harrington H, Kekeubata E, Esau D, Esau T, Kilivisi F, Harrington N, Gwala J, Speare R and MacLaren D (2018) High prevalence of ascariasis on two coral atolls in the Solomon Islands. Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, 112 (4). pp. 193-199
Marks M, Esau T, Asugeni R, Harrington R, Diau J, Toloka H, Asugeni J, Ansbro E, Solomon A, MacLaren D, Redman-MacLaren M and Mabey D (2018) Point-of-care tests for syphilis and yaws in a low-income setting: a qualitative study of healthcare worker and patient experiences. PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, 12 (4).
Marks M, Toloka H, Baker C, Kositz C, Asugeni J, Puiahi E, Asugeni R, Azzopardi K, Diau J, Kaldor J, Romani L, Redman-MacLaren M, MacLaren D, Solomon A, Mabey D and Steer A (in press) Randomised trial of community treatment with azithromycin and ivermectin mass drug administration for control of scabies and impetigo. Clinical Infectious Diseases,
Redman-MacLaren M, Barrington D, Harrington H, Cram D, Selep J and MacLaren D (2018) Water, sanitation and hygiene systems in Pacific Island schools to promote the health and education of girls and children with disability: a systematic scoping review. Journal of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Development, 8 (3). pp. 386-401
Manineng C, MacLaren D, Baigry M, Trowalle E, Muller R, Vallely A, Gesch P, Hombhanje F and McBride W (2017) Re-establishing safer medical-circumcision integrated initiation ceremonies for HIV prevention in a rural setting in Papua New Guinea. A multi-method acceptability study. PLoS ONE, 12 (11).
Redman-MacLaren M, Mills J, Tommbe R, MacLaren D, Speare R and McBride W (2017) Implications of male circumcision for women in Papua New Guinea: a transformational grounded theory study. BMC Women's Health, 17.
Vallely A, MacLaren D, David M, Toliman P, Kelly-hanku A, Toto B, Tommbe R, Kombati Z, Kaima P, Browne K, Manineng C, Simeon L, Ryan C, Wand H, Hill P, Law G, Siba P, McBride W and Kaldor J (2017) Dorsal longitudinal foreskin cut is associated with reduced risk of HIV, syphilis and genital herpes in men: a cross-sectional study in Papua New Guinea. Journal of the International AIDS Society, 20. pp. 1-11
Fowden K, Franklin R, Graves P, Maclaren D and McBride J (2016) The prevalence of leprosy in school-students and evaluation of school-based screening for leprosy: a Systematic Review. Leprosy Review, 87 (3). pp. 276-293
Asugeni J, Maclaren D, Massey P and Speare R (2015) Mental health issues from rising sea level in a remote coastal region of the Solomon Islands: current and future. Australasian Psychiatry, 23 (6). pp. 22-25
Cheer K, MacLaren D and Tsey K (2015) The use of grounded theory in studies of nurses and midwives’ coping processes: A systematic literature search. Contemporary Nurse, 51 (2-3). pp. 200-219
Diau J, Jimuru C, Asugeni J, Asugeni L, Puia M, Maomatekwa J, Harrington H, MacLaren D, Speare R and Massey P (2015) Measles outbreak investigation in a remote area of Solomon Islands, 2014. Western Pacific Surveillance and Response, 6 (3). pp. 1-5

More: ResearchOnline@JCU stores 62+ research outputs authored by A/Prof David MacLaren from 2007 onwards.

Current Funding

Current and recent Research Funding to JCU is shown by funding source and project.

Fondation Segre Conservation Func - Research Grant

Community conservation of Solomon Islands endemic mammals ? Phase 2

Indicative Funding: $77,500 over 3 years (administered by Australian Museum Research Institute)
Summary: The Solomon Islands archipelago has a unique fauna and flora ? a western Pacific equivalent of the Galapagos. The region?s largest native mammals are giant rats (Solomys and Uromys) and monkey-faced bats (Pteralopex). All species are considered to be endangered or critically endangered. This project aims to prevent extinctions and support community conservation efforts. Communities will identify giant rats and monkey-faced bats and collect basic biological information. This data will assist in defining conservation areas and link with ongoing JCU medicinal plants project in East Kwaio, Malaita Province.
Investigators: Tim Flannery, K Helgen, Euan Ritchie, Jim Thomas, T Leary and David MacLaren in collaboration with E Kekeubata, Tommy Esau and J Noro (Australian Museum, Smithsonian Institute, Curtin University of Technology, Tenkile Conservation Alliance, NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change, College of Medicine & Dentistry, Kwainaa Cultural Centre and University of Papua New Guinea)
Keywords: Conservation; Kwaio

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) - Tropical Disease Research Regional Collaboration Initiative

Tropical partnerships to strengthen health systems responses to infectious diseases threats

Indicative Funding: $2,000,000 over 2 years
Summary: The Asia Pacific Region is facing frequent threats from emerging and existing infectious diseases. The capacity to mount a timely effective response is compromised in poorly functioning health systems seen in parts of the region. The resulting vulnerability affects the whole region, including Australia. Strengthening capacity to prepare and respond to these threats is thus a shared responsibility. This proposal aims to tackle the problem through collaboration with institutions, researchers and policy makers across the region, building on long held partnerships.
Investigators: Emma McBryde, Sarah Larkins, Archie Clements, Barend (Ben) Marais, Peter Siba, Maxine Whittaker, Tom Burkot, David MacLaren, George Milne and Richard Speare (Australian Institute of Tropical Health & Medicine, College of Medicine & Dentistry, Australian National University, The University of Sydney, Institute of Medical Research (PNG), College of Public Health, Medical & Vet Sciences and The University of Western Australia)
Keywords: Health system strengthening; Infectious Diseases; Epidemiology; Disease Surveillance

Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund - Grant

Documenting Indigenous Plant Knowledge to Strengthen Conservation Management in Kwaio, Solomon Islands

Indicative Funding: $26,184
Summary: The project is designed to deliver ongoing capacity-strengthening activities and training in project management, organizational governance and financial management to enhance local conservation efforts in the central mountains of the island of Malaita, Solomon Islands. Our larger goals include setting up a Kwaio CSO to manage conservation activities in the area (see ?Project Objectives? below), protect and conserve priority species on Malaita, and in the longer-term, work toward creating Protected Areas to protect globally threatened species. We also hope the project will serve as a conservation model for other Malaitan and Solomon Islands communities. The project is taking place with people of the Kwaio language group. The mountain Kwaio people are the largest Solomon Islands group still practicing their indigenous ancestral religion. The biodiversity conservation project is documenting the deep local knowledge of medicinal plants and bush foods found in the rainforest of Malaita, and building capacity to undertake similar projects in the future.
Investigators: David MacLaren, Esau Kekeubata, John Laete?esafi, Jackson Waneagea, David Akin, Humpress Harrington, James Asugeni, Tommy Esau, Peter Massey, Michelle Redman-MacLaren, Ben Speare, Darren Crayn and Frank Zich (College of Medicine & Dentistry, Kwainaa Cultural Centre, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, Pacific Adventist University (Atoifi Campus), Atoifi Adventist Hospital, New South Wales Health, Tropical Health Solutions Pty Ltd, College of Science & Engineering and Division of Tropical Environments & Societies)
Keywords: Kwaio; Traditional Medicine; Solomon Islands; Medicinal Plants; Traditional Knowledge; Biodiversity Conservation

Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation - Research Grant

How midwifery students at a university in PNG understand, experience and manage the provision of care to women following stillbirth

Indicative Funding: $3,000
Summary: This study will describe and theorise the understanding of stillbirth and experiences of providing care to women following stillbirth with a cohort of midwifery students at a university in Papua New Guinea. The study will document social, cultural, spiritual and professional factors that inform the provision of care fro the perspective of midwifery students who have been maternal healthcare providers prior to enrolment. The study will contribute to the body of knowledge on stillbirth experiences in resources limited and complex social and cultural settings, and enhance collaboration between JCU and Pacific Adventist University.
Investigators: Karen Cheer, Komla Tsey, David MacLaren and Jenny Kelly (College of Arts, Society & Education and College of Medicine & Dentistry)
Keywords: Stillbirth; Papua New Guinea; Grounded Theory; Midwifery Students

Fondation Segre Conservation Func - Research Grant

Community conservation of Solomon Islands endemic mammals

Indicative Funding: $48,475 over 2 years (administered by Australian Museum Research Institute)
Summary: The Solomon Islands archipelago has a unique fauna and flora - a western Pacific equivalent of the Galapagos. The region's largest native mammals are giant rats (Solomys and Uromys) and monkey-faced bats (Pteralopex). All species are considered to be endangered or critically endangered. This project aims to prevent extinctions and support community conservation efforts. Communities will identify giant rats and monkey-faced bats and collect basic biological information. This data will assist in defining conservation areas and link with ongoing JCU medicinal plants project in East Kwaio, Malaita Province.
Investigators: Tim Flannery, K Helgen, Euan Ritchie, Joseph Thomas, T Leary and David MacLaren in collaboration with E Kekeubata, Tommy Esau and J Noro (Australian Museum, Smithsonian Institute, Curtin University of Technology, Tenkile Conservation Alliance, NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change, College of Medicine & Dentistry and Kwainaa Cultural Centre)
Keywords: Conservation; Kwaio

Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation - Research Grant

How midwifery students at a university in PNG understand, experience and manage the provision of care to women following stillbirth.

Indicative Funding: $3,000
Summary: This study will describe and theorise the understanding of stillbirth and experiences of providing care to women following stillbirth with a cohort of midwifery students at a univeristy in Papua New Guinea. The study will document social, cultural, spiritual and professional factors that inform the provision of care from the perspective of midwifery students who have been maternal healthcare providers prior to enrolment. The study will contribute to the body of knowledge on stillbirth experiences in resource limited and complex social and cultural settings, and enhance collaboration between JCU and Pacific Adventist University.
Investigators: Karen Cheer, Komla Tsey, David MacLaren and Jenny Kelly (College of Arts, Society & Education and College of Medicine & Dentistry)
Keywords: stillbirth experiences; Papua New Guinea; Grounded Theory; Midwifery students

Supervision

Advisory Accreditation: I can be on your Advisory Panel as a Primary or Secondary Advisor.

These Higher Degree Research projects are either current or by students who have completed their studies within the past 5 years at JCU. Linked titles show theses available within ResearchOnline@JCU.

Current

The Effectiveness of School-based Leprosy Screening and Education Programmes on Increasing the Early Detection of Leprosy in Timor-Leste’s Oecusse Enclave. (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
Improving Infection Control at Atoifi Adventist Hospital, Solomon Islands: a Mixed method approach in a resource poor setting (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
Balancing it out: The process by which midwifery students provide care to women following stillbirth in Papua New Guinea (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
TB in Aboriginal communities: exploring different ways of control with regional/rural Aboriginal communities. (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
When World's Collide: Where and When Anophelines and Humans Interact Impacts Malaria Transmission (PhD , Secondary Advisor)
Developing Local Models to Strengthen and Improve Capacity in Health Research in Melanesia (PhD , Primary Advisor)
Health System Capacity to Provide Male Circumcision for HIV Prevention in Papua New Guinea. (PhD , Primary Advisor)
Integration of medical circumcision within re-established manhood rites for HIV prevention in Yangoru-Saussia, Papua New Guinea (PhD , Primary Advisor)
Towards a National Strongyloidiasis Control Program: Closing the Gap on Strongyloidiasis in Remote Indigenous Communities. (PhD , Primary Advisor)

Completed

Straight Cuts’ and HIV Prevention: Translational Research on Conceptual, Methodological and Scientific Challenges in Papua New Guinea (2016, PhD , Associate Advisor)

Collaboration

The map shows research collaborations by institution from the past 7 years.
Note: Map points are indicative of the countries or states that institutions are associated with.