Australian Indigenous HealthBulletin
Vol.2 No.2 April 2002 - June 2002: ISSN 1445-7253

An electronic journal from the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet

Resources

 

This section of the Bulletin highlights recently released Indigenous specific resources. If you are aware of any new resources that would be appropriate for inclusion in this section please contact us.

Aboriginal health workers heart health manual

The prevalence of cardiovascular conditions among Indigenous people is two to three times higher than among other Australians. In response to these figures, the National Heart Foundation (WA Division) and Derbarl Yerrigan Health Services have produced the Aboriginal health workers heart health manual. The manual has been developed as a resource to assist in the training of Aboriginal Health Workers. It is hoped also that the manual will raise awareness of Aboriginal health issues among other health professionals and contribute to reductions in heart disease among Aboriginal people.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Enquiries about obtaining a copy of this manual should be directed to: the National Heart Foundation (WA Division), 334 Rokeby Road, Subiaco WA 6008; ph: (08) 9388 3343; or Derbarl Yerrigan Health Services, 156 Wittenoom Street, East Perth WA 6004; pH: (08) 9421 3888.

Healthy stories

Three new education resources are now available from the Ngalkanbuy Health Service:

  • Healthy blood story
  • Healthy skin story
  • Healthy lifestyle story

Each book costs $89.00 (inc postage and GST).

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

For more information contact:

Michelle Dowden
Ngalkanbuy Health Service
PMB 230, Winnellie, NT, 0822
ph: (08) 8987 9031
fax: (08) 8987 9061

Information and support pack - for those bereaved by suicide or other sudden death

The Information and support pack - for those bereaved by suicide or other sudden death was produced by the Ministerial Council for Suicide Prevention in 2001. The pack includes information sheets on topics associated with grief and loss. It is designed to support those experiencing these emotions, or seeking to assist a bereft loved one.

A section of the pack is devoted to 'grieving the Aboriginal way'. It is written by Tracy Westerman from Indigenous Psychological Services (with contributions from Ashley Feehan of the Swan Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service) and includes a list of Aboriginal Medical Services for those individuals who feel they may not be coping sufficiently on their own.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Copies of this pack (PDF) can be downloaded from the Ministerial Council for Suicide Prevention site.

Information to assist the clinical management of otitis media in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations

The Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (OATSIH), a division of the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care, has published an information package for primary health care providers involved in the clinical management of otitis media (middle ear disease) in Indigenous Australians.

The information package is designed to facilitate the delivery of comprehensive, effective and appropriate ear health programs. It includes the following resources:

Treating middle ear infection: information for primary heatlh care providers - pamphlet
A brief outline of the contents of the information package and where they can be obtained.

Middle ear infection checklist for primary health care providers - A4 and A3 (poster) size
A 7 point checklist to guide those working with Indigenous families. It provides simplified guidelines for treatment and prevention of otitis media in Indigenous children.

Recommendations for clinical care guidelines on the management of otitis media - A4 report
A 38 page report prepared by the Menzies School of Health Research and based on the sytematic review of otits media undertaken by Couzos, Metcalf and Murray. This report is the core component of the package. It includes seven treatment algorithms which are also presented on seperate A4 sheets in the back cover for easy removal and reference. The body of the text is divided into 5 sections: prevention, diagnosis, prognosis, management, and practical considerations in health care delivery.

Systematic review of existing evidence and primary care guidelines on the management of otitis media - A4 report
A 204 page report prepared by the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation. This report reviews the existing evidence and primary care guidelines on the management of otitis media in Indigenous Australians.

The management of middle ear infection in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations: plain language summary - A4 report
A 52 page summary report prepared by the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation. The report uses plain language rather than medical terminology and jargon, to describe: the symptoms and causes of otitis media; diagnosis; treatment; and primary and secondary prevention.
View abstract

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Copies of the information package can be ordered free-of-charge from the Health Strategies Section of the Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health; ph: (02) 6289 5280; fax: (02) 6289 1408; or are available on the OATSIH website.

Keeping families strong, one tucker, one family

Diabetes Australia Northern Territory has an extensive range of resources for both providers of chronic disease programs and the general public, including:

  • healthy eating recipes;
  • the 'Healthy shopping guide'; and
  • an A3 flip chart for health professionals working with Indigenous populations titled 'Keeping families strong, one tucker, one family'

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Most resources are available for a small cost. Further information is available at www.diabetesaustralia.com.au. Alternatively, visit Diabetes Australia Northern Territory at 2 Tiwi Place Tiwi NT 0810 or contact them at GPO Box 40113 Casuarina NT 0811, ph: 08 8927 8488 or 08 8927 8482, fax: 08 8927 8515, email: ceo@diabetesnt.org.au.

Kidney disease resources

The Australian Kidney Foundation (AKF) has produced a range of resources that address issues associated with kidney disease:

The kidneys
An educational flip chart for Indigenous communities and health workers, produced by the Australian Kidney Foundation WA and available free.

Living with kidney failure
The 5th edition of a book for patients going into dialysis.

Water works your kidneys
A lower primary teaching resource produced by the Australian Kidney Foundation and available free.

The kidney kit
A resource developed by the Australian Kidney Foundation in association with education professionals that assists teachers in educating young people about kidneys, kidney health, kidney disease, organ donation and transplantation.

Kidney disease: preparing for dialysis
A video for remote Indigenous people. This video is aimed at Indigenous clients who are preparing for dialysis treatment. It highlights the importance of dialysis and what to expect while receiving treatment in the city. Available free from the Australian Kidney Foundation WA.

Brochures and fact sheets
The Australian Kidney Foundation has an extensive range of useful brochures or fact sheets. Topics covered include diet, diabetes and kidney stones.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

For more information on any of the above resources contact: the Australian Kidney Foundation, GPO Box 9993 in your capital city, ph: 08 8334 7555, fax: 08 8334 7540, email: akf@adelaide.kidney.org.au, or visit their web site: www.kidney.org.au

'Operation story' - a new educational video to help Indigenous patients through surgery

The following excerpt is reproduced from a Northern Territory government media release (24 May 2002) with kind permission of Kerry Sharp, Royal Darwin Hospital PR/Media Officer.

Health and Community Services Minister Jane Aagaard has officially launched Royal Darwin Hospital's latest initiative to break down cultural and communication barriers between staff and indigenous patients - an educational video titled Operation story.

Operation story tells Aboriginal people what to expect when they are admitted to hospital for an operation. It has been produced in three Aboriginal languages so far - Djambarrpuyngu, Burarra and Aboriginal English, with English subtitles. Several other language versions are planned.

Mrs Aagaard said Operation story would become a crucial and highly valued educational tool for easing the anxiety of Aboriginal patients as they prepared for anaesthesia, surgery and other hospital procedures. "Uncertainty about what happens in hospitals often creates very real fears for people," she said. "The video aims to reduce that fear and uncertainty by taking people waiting for surgery through the whole process, from pre-admission to surgery and recovery. 'It emphasises points relating to consent and rights and the importance of fasting, stopping smoking and taking medications before a scheduled surgical procedure.'

Mrs Aagaard said the video was a direct response to evidence from Royal Darwin Hospital research showing that:

  • doctors were 10 times more likely to believe that Aboriginal people did not have the same levels of understanding as non-Aboriginal people about what anaesthetics did to them; and
  • doctors were eight times more likely to change their anaesthesia plan for Aboriginal people because of communication difficulties.

'National research has also shown that Aboriginal people have fewer hospital procedures despite having higher levels of conditions co-existing with whatever it was that brought them in for surgery,' Mrs Aagaard said. 'While the reasons for this are not entirely clear, it is likely that a lack of understanding about elective surgery is a contributing factor.'

Operation story was produced by Dr David Pieris, a former RDH Anaesthetics Registrar who now works as a GP at Galiwin'ku (Elcho Island) in Arnhem Land. The video is the product of close cooperation between the Department of Anaesthesia and the Aboriginal Liaison Service at RDH and the Territory's Aboriginal Interpreter Service. The project team consulted widely with staff and Aboriginal groups to make sure that the video communicated the right information in ways that were culturally appropriate. Production was funded by a grant from the Quality Improvement and Enhancement Project of the Department of Health and Community Services and the video was directed, filmed and edited by Formation Studios.

Mrs Aagaard officially launched Operation story at the Royal Darwin Hospital on the 24 May 2002.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

For more information see the ABC interview Call for less secret hospital business or contact: Mary Fall 04 0111 9770

Scabies and sores CD-ROM

This multimedia CD-ROM on scabies and pyoderma has been produced by Janice Money, a Master of Information Technology student, at Northern Territory University. The product of two years work, the CD is targeted at post-school aged Aboriginal people.

The CD is divided into 3 major sections: 'the story', 'the quiz' and 'the game'. The story section is presented with English text and accompanying English or Kriol voice-over. It covers the following topics:

  • Scabies - how big they are
  • Other mites
  • Mite relations
  • Scabies around the world
  • How you get scabies
  • Scabies and dogs
  • Treatment of scabies
  • Keeping scabies away
  • Scabies lesions
  • Crusted scabies
  • Skin and germs
  • Heart and germs - including rheumatic fever, valvular heart disease, artificial valves and anticoagulant therapy
  • Kidney and germs - a brief look at post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis.

There's also a welcome section, in English and Kriol, which presents a short lesson on how to use the mouse and the navigation buttons.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

For further information contact Janice Money, email: PJMoney@bigpond.com

Well Men's Check - Tristate STI/HIV Project

The following excerpt is reproduced with kind permission of the Northern Territory Disease Control Bulletin from the article:

Smith K, Beever W. (2001) Well Men's Check. Northern Territory Disease Control Bulletin;8(4):16-17.

 

The Wells Men's Check (WMC) resources were developed by the Tristate STD/HIV project with wide consultation and input from male Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal health workers practicing in Central Australia. The Tristate Project came into being as a response to the high rates of STI's in central Australia and potential for an HIV epidemic. Key result areas of the project include:

  • clinical management of clients with STIs
  • health care provider education and training
  • STI/HIV surveillance systemseducation and prevention in communities
  • coordination of STI/HIV control activities including facilitating exchange of information

The aim of the 'Well Men's Check' is to increase access to health care by Aboriginal males in Central Australia. Community men have received the concept of 'Well Men's Checks' positively. This is largely attributed to the extensive consultation process that took place in the development of resources. These checks provide a crucial starting point in changing behavioural patterns in Aboriginal men seeking health treatment and care. The aim of the 'Well Men's Check' resources is to facilitate Aboriginal Health Workers to conduct health checks on all men over 15 years of age in their community. The use of diagrams on the form and flip chart were designed to support varying degrees of literacy. Ideally these checks are to be carried out on a yearly basis to monitor changes in health status and initiate early intervention.

The resources include a form for recording the check-up (based on the adult health check in the Central Australian Rural Practitioners Association (CARPA) Standard Treatment Manual) and a flip chart. The flip chart is designed to help practitioners explain to men what will be happening during the checks, giving reasons behind the individual checks, ideal ranges for blood sugar levels and blood pressure etc, and brief intervention messages. It can be utilised either for group use, or one-to-one education in the clinic.

WMC resources have been distributed to all health services and clinics in Central Australia. Training in the use of the resource is being coordinated by the Sexual Health Unit, Central Australian Remote Health Development Services and Ngaanyatjarra health Service. Training is aimed at male AHW's, RAN's and community men and takes place at Men's Health workshops.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

For further information on the Well Men's Check resources contact Kirsty Smith, ph: 08 89517553, fax: 08 89517555.
 
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Last updated: 12 November, 2004