HealthBulletin 2(1)

This section of the Bulletin identifies recent journal articles. If you are aware of any journal articles that would be appropriate for inclusion in this section please contact us.

Bailie RS, Runcie MJ (2001)
Household infrastructure in Aboriginal communities and the implications for health improvement.
Medical Journal of Australia;175:363-366.
View full paper

Carapetis JR, Currie BJ (2001)
Rheumatic fever in a high incidence population: the importance of monoarthritis and low grade fever.
Archives of Disease in Childhood;85:223-227.

This study describes the clinical features of rheumatic fever and assesses use of the Jones criteria among patients and possible cases from the Top End of the Northern Territory. The authors conclude that monoarthritis and low grade fever are important manifestations of rheumatic fever in this population and that streptococcal serology results may support a possible role for pyoderma in rheumatic fever pathogenesis. They also propose that the absence of carditis at the first episode of reoccurring rheumatic fever does not reliably predict the absence of carditis in further episodes.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Cunningham J (2002)
Diagnostic and therapeutic procedures among Australian hospital patients identified as Indigenous.
Medical Journal of Australia;176:58-62.
View full paper (HTML)
View full paper (PDF)

Edmond K, Bauert P, Currie B (2001)
Paediatric melioidosis in the Northern Territory of Australia: an expanding clinical spectrum.
Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health;37:337-341.

This study presents the laboratory and clinical features of six cases of paediatric melioidosis diagnosed in the Northern Territory between 1997 and 2000. Four of the six cases were in Australian Indigenous children. All six cases presented during the rainy season (November - April) in rural areas in the tropical Top End of the Northern Territory. Melioidosis remains an uncommon disease in children in the Northern Territory.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Fisher DA, Weeramanthri TS (2002)
Hospital care for Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders: appropriateness and decision making [editorial].
Medical Journal of Australia;176:49-50.
View full paper (HTML)
View full paper (PDF)

Hanna JN, Young DM, Brookes DL, Dostie BG (2001)
The initial coverage and impact of the pneumococcal and influenza vaccination program for at-risk Indigenous adults in Far North Queensland.
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health;25:543-6.
View ANZJPH abstract

Henneberg M, Schilitz A, Lambert K (2001)
Assessment of the growth of children and physical status of adults in two Aboriginal communties in South Australia.
American Journal of Human Biology;13:603-611.

Six different measures of physical growth were taken over four years (1996-2000) in order to assess the growth of children and the physical status of adults in two Aboriginal communities. Data were transformed to z scores, using American reference data. The results indicate that many adult members of the communities receive caloric surplus, leading at times to obesity. However, results also suggest that the environment is less then optimal for growth, with factors such as psychosocial pressures, disease load, and specific nutrient shortages perhaps being involved.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Hewitt A, Verman N, Gruen R (2001)
Visual outcomes for remote Australian Aboriginal people after cataract surgery.
Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology;29:68-74.

This study, conducted in the top end of the Northern Territory, assessed the visual outcomes and quality of life after cataract surgery in Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Cataract surgery was shown to have a beneficial effect on the visual acuity and quality of life of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. However the study found that most Indigenous people did not undergo surgery until they were legally blind, and presented with an overall worse condition than their non-Indigenous counterparts. The positive impact of cataract surgery for Indigenous patients was highlighted, as was the need for continued postoperative follow-up.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Humphery K (2001)
Dirty questions: Indigenous health and 'Western research'.
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health;25(3):197-202.
View ANZJPH abstract

This paper examines both Indigenous and non-Indigenous critiques of 'Western' research frameworks in an Aboriginal health context. The reform of Aboriginal health research practices since the 1980s is also discussed, particularly in relation to the development of ethical guidelines. Efforts to transform Indigenous health research tread a delicate line between taking concrete steps towards fundamental change in research practice and being sidelined into too great a reliance on written guidelines and positive rhetoric. There is a need for a much more integrated conception of the future path of Indigenous health research as a whole. Attention needs to be directed to further developing research guidelines and specific research models, and to an exploration of what Indigenous health research as a field might look like in the future, both in terms of institutional arrangements and working practices.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Paradies Y, Cunningham J (2002)
Placing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mortality in an international context.
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health;26(1):11-6.
View ANZJPH abstract

Sheldon M (2001)
Psychiatric assessment in remote Aboriginal communities.
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry;35:435-442.

This study describes the psychiatric assessment of Aboriginal patients from remote Aboriginal communities in central Australia. The author summarises his experiences during a dissertation year placement as senior registrar with the Northern Territory Remote Area Mental Health Team. He highlights the need to acquire new skills and knowledge, including an understanding of the importance of extended kinship ties and cultural issues. The author concludes that the experience of providing psychiatric care to remote area Aboriginal communities can be deeply rewarding.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Sibthorpe B, Anderson I, Cunningham J (2001)
Self-assessed health among Indigenous Australians: how valid is a global question?
American Journal of Public Health;91:1660-1663.

This study assessed the validity of a global measure of self-assessed health among Indigenous Australians. Using logistic regression, factors associated with self-assessed health were identified in a nationally representative sample. These factors included age, number of health conditions, and recent health actions. Conclusions from the study suggested that a global measure of self-assessed health may be valid among Indigenous Australians whose primary language is English.
Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Treacy PJ, Jones K, Mansfield C (2002)
Flipped out of control: single-vehicle rollover accidents in the Northern Territory.
Medical Journal of Australia;176:260-263.
View full paper (HTML)
View full paper (PDF)

Walsh WF (2001)
Cardiovascular health in Indigenous Australians: a call for action [conference report].
Medical Journal of Australia;175:351-352.
View full paper



Australian Indigenous HealthBulletin Vol.2 No.1 January 2002 - March 2002: ISSN 1445-7253 An electronic journal from the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet Journal articles This section of the Bulletin identifies recent journal articles. If you are aware of any journal articles that would be appropriate for inclusion in this section please contact us. Assessment of the growth of children and physical status of adults in two Aboriginal communties in South Australia added 25 February 2002 Cardiovascular health in Indigenous Australians: a call for action [conference report] added 4 February 2002 Diagnostic and therapeutic procedures among Australian hospital patients identified as Indigenous added 18 February 2002 Dirty questions: Indigenous health and 'Western research' added 25 January 2002 Flipped out of control: single-vehicle rollover accidents in the Northern Territory added 22 March 2002 Hospital care for Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders: appropriateness and decision making [editorial] added 7 February 2002 Household infrastructure in Aboriginal communities and the implications for health improvement added 25 January 2002 Paediatric melioidosis in the Northern Territory of Australia: an expanding clinical spectrum added 25 January 2002 Placing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mortality in an international context added 11 March 2002 Psychiatric assessment in remote Aboriginal communities added 13 February 2002 Rheumatic fever in a high incidence population: the importance of monoarthritis and low grade fever added 5 March 2002 Self-assessed health among Indigenous Australians: how valid is a global question? added 14 February 2002 The initial coverage and impact of the pneumococcal and influenza vaccination program for at-risk Indigenous adults in Far North Queensland added 19 March 2002 Visual outcomes for remote Australian Aboriginal people after cataract surgery added 22 February 2002 Bailie RS, Runcie MJ (2001) Household infrastructure in Aboriginal communities and the implications for health improvement. Medical Journal of Australia;175:363-366. View full paper Carapetis JR, Currie BJ (2001) Rheumatic fever in a high incidence population: the importance of monoarthritis and low grade fever. Archives of Disease in Childhood;85:223-227. This study describes the clinical features of rheumatic fever and assesses use of the Jones criteria among patients and possible cases from the Top End of the Northern Territory. The authors conclude that monoarthritis and low grade fever are important manifestations of rheumatic fever in this population and that streptococcal serology results may support a possible role for pyoderma in rheumatic fever pathogenesis. They also propose that the absence of carditis at the first episode of reoccurring rheumatic fever does not reliably predict the absence of carditis in further episodes. Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract Cunningham J (2002) Diagnostic and therapeutic procedures among Australian hospital patients identified as Indigenous. Medical Journal of Australia;176:58-62. View full paper (HTML) View full paper (PDF) Edmond K, Bauert P, Currie B (2001) Paediatric melioidosis in the Northern Territory of Australia: an expanding clinical spectrum. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health;37:337-341. This study presents the laboratory and clinical features of six cases of paediatric melioidosis diagnosed in the Northern Territory between 1997 and 2000. Four of the six cases were in Australian Indigenous children. All six cases presented during the rainy season (November - April) in rural areas in the tropical Top End of the Northern Territory. Melioidosis remains an uncommon disease in children in the Northern Territory. Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract Fisher DA, Weeramanthri TS (2002) Hospital care for Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders: appropriateness and decision making [editorial]. Medical Journal of Australia;176:49-50. View full paper (HTML) View full paper (PDF) Hanna JN, Young DM, Brookes DL, Dostie BG (2001) The initial coverage and impact of the pneumococcal and influenza vaccination program for at-risk Indigenous adults in Far North Queensland. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health;25:543-6. View ANZJPH abstract Henneberg M, Schilitz A, Lambert K (2001) Assessment of the growth of children and physical status of adults in two Aboriginal communties in South Australia. American Journal of Human Biology;13:603-611. Six different measures of physical growth were taken over four years (1996-2000) in order to assess the growth of children and the physical status of adults in two Aboriginal communities. Data were transformed to z scores, using American reference data. The results indicate that many adult members of the communities receive caloric surplus, leading at times to obesity. However, results also suggest that the environment is less then optimal for growth, with factors such as psychosocial pressures, disease load, and specific nutrient shortages perhaps being involved. Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract Hewitt A, Verman N, Gruen R (2001) Visual outcomes for remote Australian Aboriginal people after cataract surgery. Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology;29:68-74. This study, conducted in the top end of the Northern Territory, assessed the visual outcomes and quality of life after cataract surgery in Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Cataract surgery was shown to have a beneficial effect on the visual acuity and quality of life of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. However the study found that most Indigenous people did not undergo surgery until they were legally blind, and presented with an overall worse condition than their non-Indigenous counterparts. The positive impact of cataract surgery for Indigenous patients was highlighted, as was the need for continued postoperative follow-up. Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract Humphery K (2001) Dirty questions: Indigenous health and 'Western research'. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health;25(3):197-202. View ANZJPH abstract This paper examines both Indigenous and non-Indigenous critiques of 'Western' research frameworks in an Aboriginal health context. The reform of Aboriginal health research practices since the 1980s is also discussed, particularly in relation to the development of ethical guidelines. Efforts to transform Indigenous health research tread a delicate line between taking concrete steps towards fundamental change in research practice and being sidelined into too great a reliance on written guidelines and positive rhetoric. There is a need for a much more integrated conception of the future path of Indigenous health research as a whole. Attention needs to be directed to further developing research guidelines and specific research models, and to an exploration of what Indigenous health research as a field might look like in the future, both in terms of institutional arrangements and working practices. Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract Paradies Y, Cunningham J (2002) Placing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mortality in an international context. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health;26(1):11-6. View ANZJPH abstract Sheldon M (2001) Psychiatric assessment in remote Aboriginal communities. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry;35:435-442. This study describes the psychiatric assessment of Aboriginal patients from remote Aboriginal communities in central Australia. The author summarises his experiences during a dissertation year placement as senior registrar with the Northern Territory Remote Area Mental Health Team. He highlights the need to acquire new skills and knowledge, including an understanding of the importance of extended kinship ties and cultural issues. The author concludes that the experience of providing psychiatric care to remote area Aboriginal communities can be deeply rewarding. Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract Sibthorpe B, Anderson I, Cunningham J (2001) Self-assessed health among Indigenous Australians: how valid is a global question? American Journal of Public Health;91:1660-1663. This study assessed the validity of a global measure of self-assessed health among Indigenous Australians. Using logistic regression, factors associated with self-assessed health were identified in a nationally representative sample. These factors included age, number of health conditions, and recent health actions. Conclusions from the study suggested that a global measure of self-assessed health may be valid among Indigenous Australians whose primary language is English. Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract Treacy PJ, Jones K, Mansfield C (2002) Flipped out of control: single-vehicle rollover accidents in the Northern Territory. Medical Journal of Australia;176:260-263. View full paper (HTML) View full paper (PDF) Walsh WF (2001) Cardiovascular health in Indigenous Australians: a call for action [conference report]. Medical Journal of Australia;175:351-352. View full paper

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