Dr. Roslyn Giglia

Roslyn is a dietitian and nutritionist with a strong interest in maternal health and the epidemiology of alcohol during this lifecycle stage. The recommendations from her PhD thesis formed the basis for the first alcohol guideline for lactating women and were included in the 2009 NHMRC guidelines; 'Australian Alcohol Guidelines to Reduce Health Risks from Drinking Alcohol'.

Prior to her employment at the Institute in June 2014 Roslyn was a Healthway Health Promotion Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Curtin University investigating the support of breastfeeding women in rural WA using an internet intervention. She has embraced the expanding area of e-technology with the development of the Feed Safe app, a technological app that safely supports breastfeeding mothers who choose to drink alcohol during lactation.

In 2017 Roslyn finalised and published her results from her NHMRC funded Translating Research Into Practice (TRIP) Fellowship. This research investigated the evidence practice gap between the NHMRC alcohol and breastfeeding guideline and clinician application.

Abstract: Alcohol and Breastfeeding – do the carers care?

Background

The 2009 NHMRC evidence-based alcohol and breastfeeding guideline (Guideline 4B) has been translated into a hard copy education resource (2009) and online interactive app (2014) for breastfeeding women. Despite the translation of evidence into national policy and applied education resources, little is known about the role of maternal health practitioners in discussing alcohol and breastfeeding with maternal consumers. This presentation will discuss the translation of Guideline 4B into practice by maternal health practitioners. 

Methods

An integrated model of knowledge translation is being employed to investigate the pathway of evidence to practice for this policy directive. A mixed methods model of enquiry is providing data from maternal health practitioners using online surveys and phone interviews. Investigative survey questions have been based on the Nursing Practice Questionnaire (NPQ) with input from key stakeholders to elicit measures of knowledge, awareness and practice implementation.

Results

A convenience sample of 240 practitioners completed the online survey. Child Health Nurses, Midwives and General Practitioners (GPs) were well represented, with a lower response from Paediatricians, and a very limited response from Obstetricians. The rate of response is reflective of practitioner adoption and utilisation of Guideline 4B, which has been calculated using the NPQ. Child Health Nurses, Midwives and GPs are using this new knowledge sometimes in their daily practice. Paediatricians and Obstetricians still remain to be ‘persuaded’ of its usefulness and inclusion in their practice.

Conclusion

These early results clearly identify the evidence-practice gaps in the translation pathway. Further results and suggested recommendations will be presented.