Paediatrics & Youth Health

Rural adolescent cohort study

The Adolescent Rural Cohort: Hormones, Health, Education, Environment and Relationships (ARCHER) study, aims to describe the hormonal changes of young people in puberty and determine how these changes interact with individual, family, community and environmental factors to influence health and behaviour.

A feasibility study funded by the Medical Foundation was completed in 2008 to provide important information on the attitudes of schools, students, and their parents regarding their involvement in such a study, as one of the most challenging aspects is the recruitment and retention of participants.

Preparation for the study will continue with the engagement of rural and indigenous communities and project stakeholders.