Research and evaluation to inform public health practice

In this thesis I apply the Stages of Research and Evaluation Model to conceptualise how I have generated and applied evidence to inform publichealth practice. The model identifies six stages in the planning, implementation and evaluation of public health programs: problem definition,solution generation, innovation testing, replication, intervention dissemination, and program monitoring.In this thesis, I include five studies. The first is a literature review of animal-to-human transmission of tuberculosis caused by Mycobacteriumtuberculosis. The study identifies activities that may be associated with increased risk of animal-to-human transmission of tuberculosis. This studyis an example of the problem definition and solution generation stages of the Stages of Research and Evaluation model.In the second study, I present the evaluation findings of the pilot of a classroom-based pedometer program for primary school students. The studyassessed the impact of the program on students' levels of physical activity and sedentary time. This study is an example of innovation testing.In the third study I present two pieces of work related to smoking cessation during pregnancy: an epidemiological analysis of demographic factorsassociated with smoking cessation during pregnancy, and an evaluation protocol for an initiative providing smoking cessation support to pregnantAboriginal women. The first piece of work is an example of problem definition, the second is an example of intervention dissemination.In the fourth study, I present the findings of a review of state-wide Aboriginal health programs implemented by New South Wales Health. The studydocuments the achievements and challenges of program implementation and evaluation in Aboriginal health. This study is an example of programmonitoring.In the fifth study, I use notification data to describe the epidemiology of meningococcal disease in New South Wales. The study documents thedramatic decrease in rates of serogroup C disease since the introduction of the meningococcal C vaccination program in 2003. This study is anexample of program monitoring.Together, the five studies demonstrate contributions to public health across the stages of research and evaluation, from defining public healthproblems through to program monitoring