A joint research project involving Canberra Health Services and NSW Health has revealed that seven out of 10 pregnant women and new mothers in the ACT and southeast NSW say they were severely exposed to bushfire smoke in last summer’s fiery emergency.
Conducted with researchers from the Australian National University (ANU), the University of Canberra (UC) and the University of Wollongong, the study also found that nine out of 10 survey participants said they’d isolated themselves and their family at some point this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lead researcher at ANU, Christopher Nolan said the Mother and Child 2020 (MC2020) survey results would be used to form a series of recommendations on how to improve the health system and emergency responses during major crises.
“We need to listen to the experiences of these mothers and look at the challenges they faced during the bushfires and pandemic,” Professor Nolan said.
“Understanding these challenges is the only way we can look to improve these systems in the future,” he said.
“We are very grateful for the women who have already joined the study.”
Professor Nolan said 750 women had already participated in the study, which has reached the halfway point.
“The researchers are urging more women to enrol to increase the strength of the study findings,” he said.
“They are encouraging mothers from Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and multicultural communities to share their experiences.”
He said the survey highlighted the challenges women and their babies faced throughout the bushfires and pandemic, as well as their adaptability and resilience in both the short and longer term.
Further information on the study, including how to participate, can be accessed at this PS News link.
