Women across the North-east of Scotland are to be asked by researchers which areas of health they think should be explored.
Their answers will help shape key areas of research that will be undertaken by the internationally renowned Dugald Baird Centre for Research on Women’s Health at the University of Aberdeen.
For the last ten years the Dugald Baird Centre (DBC) has focused on research “to improve the reproductive health and health care of women nationally and internationally”.
Its international work currently includes the major IMMPACT project. That initiative is on-going in three developing countries and aims to identify ways to reduce the high rates of mothers dying in childbirth.
The Centre also undertakes studies relevant to the whole of the UK, as well as to Scotland, for example, studies on maternity services in remote and rural Scotland. More locally, in Aberdeen, the research project “The children of the 1950s” followed up on schoolchildren from that era to show how factors from childhood might be related to disease in later life.
Now researchers at the DBC have launched a public consultation to find out local women’s health priorities.
Dr Janet Tucker, Senior Researcher at the DBC, is leading the consultation. She said: “The Dugald Baird Centre celebrates its 10th anniversary in May. Ahead of that we want to consult with women so they can help shape our next areas of research.”
“Engaging with consumers is very important and we hope that this consultation will inform us what women nowadays believe to be their health issues.”
Posters advertising the consultation process have been sent out to a number of organisations including churches; nurseries; schools; carers networks and women’s groups.
Women living in Aberdeen or Aberdeenshire, aged between 16 and 50, who wish to have their voices heard will be invited to take part in short discussion meetings.
The DBC is funding the consultation process and preliminary findings will be unveiled at a special conference, A Symposium on Women’s Health: Measurement Matters, marking the DBC’s 10th anniversary, which takes place at King’s College Centre on May 9 and 10.
Dr Tucker added: “We really don’t know what issues or trends are going to come out of this. We are approaching this consultation with an open mind and we will let the women inform us as to what their issues and priorities are.”
Anyone interested in taking part, or who would like more information, should contact Jenny Reid, Research Assistant, on (01224) 553923, or email jennifer.reid@abdn.ac.uk.