12:30 pm (20-30 minutes) James Naylor-Pratt

Meteorological extensions to the SEIR model for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of respiratory infection in children, causing an estimated 22,000 hospitalisations in Australia from 2014–2016. RSV cases follow a distinctive seasonal pattern, the drivers for which are complex and vary by setting.

This project investigated which variables best explain the seasonality of RSV infection in metropolitan Perth over the period 2000–2013 and whether mathematical models for RSV can be improved by linking the weekly transmission rate to one or more weather observations.

We found that precipitation, temperature and school terms all appear to be important drivers for weekly variation in RSV transmission, with vapour pressure having little effect. Incorporating weekly weather observations is an effective way of modelling transmission in SEIR-type mathematical models, and changing weather patterns can account for shifts in the annual dynamics of RSV infection.

Bio

James Naylor-Pratt is an Honours student at RSPH. He previously completed a Bachelor of Science (Mathematics) at ANU.

(20-30 minutes) Nisali Jayasinghe

Exploring the Patterning of Childhood Experiences of Racial Discrimination Across a Broad Range of Settings and Domains using the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children (LSIC)

Racial discrimination is related to adverse health outcomes, yet limited research exits on discriminatory experiences among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth. Existing literature often also centres on measuring racial discrimination only through a direct interpersonal scope.

This study aimed to examine the prevalence of types of racial discrimination experienced by Indigenous children across three domains: direct interpersonal, vicarious educational and vicarious media and society. Additionally, we determined a children’s total exposure to racial discrimination across these domains. Lastly, we determined the association between racial discrimination and demographic factors including age, gender, and geographic remoteness.

Bio

Nisali is an Honours student in her final year studying the Bachelor of Philosophy degree, and has previous experience in quantitative research through working on undergraduate research projects with the Research School of Population Health at ANU. Nisali is supervised by Dr Katie Thurber and co-supervised by Associate Professor Naomi Priest.