HealthBulletin

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.

Condon J, Armstrong BK, Barnes A, Cunningham J (2003)
Cancer in Indigenous Australians: a review.
Cancer Causes and Control;14(2):109-121

The aim of this article was to summarise evidence of the impact of cancer on Indigenous Australians. Details of publications found in a Medline search of peer-reviewed scientific journals, government reports and publications of cancer registries, non-government organisations, and non peer-reviewed sources are reported. An analysis of the content of these publications led to recommendations for health services and programs.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Coory M (2003)
Can a mortality excess in remote areas of Australia be explained by Indigenous status? A case study using neonatal mortality in Queensland.
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health;27(4):425-427

Objective: To assess the extent to which Indigenous status confounds the association between remoteness and neonatal mortality in Queensland.

Methods: We used routine data from the Queensland Perinatal Data Collection. Poisson regression modelling was used to assess confounding.

Results: Babies born to Indigenous mothers have mortality rates 2.42 times those of the rest of the population, regardless of whether they live in urban, rural or remote areas (95% CI 2.09-2.80). The babies of non-Indigenous women who live in remote areas have a low risk of neonatal death, similar to their rural and urban counterparts.

Conclusion: In Queensland, the key demographic variable that determines neonatal mortality is Indigenous status, not remoteness.

Implications: Policymakers should not assume that an excess of a particular health problem in remote areas necessarily reflects equal disadvantage for all the Australians who live there.

Abstract reproduced with permission of the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health (view website)

Cunningham C, Reading J, Eades D (2003)
Health research and Indigenous health.
British Medical Journal;327(7412):445-447
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Horby P, Gilmour R, Wang H, McIntyre P (2003)
Progress towards eliminating Hib in Australia: an evaluation of Haemophilus influenzae type b prevention in Australia, 1 July 1993 to 30 June 2000.
Communicable Diseases Intelligence;27(3):324-341
View full paper (HTML)
View full paper (PDF - 225KB)

Ishak M (2003)
Differences in the surgical admissions to hospital between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations of Australia.
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Surgery;73( 4):200-204

This article examines admission data for public and private hospitals in New South Wales over the period 1989-1995. The differences in admissions between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations are described, including rates for surgical procedures and emergency admissions. Indications from the data are discussed with findings highlighted that demonstrate a need for actions targeting the Indigenous population.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Ivers RG, Farrington M, Burns CB, et al. (2003)
A study of the use of free nicotine patches by Indigenous people.
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health;27(5):486-90

Objective: To assess use of free nicotine patches by Indigenous people when offered a brief intervention for smoking cessation, and to assess changes in smoking behaviour at six months.

Methods: We conducted a pre and post study in three Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory.

Results: Forty Indigenous smokers self-selected to receive free nicotine patches and a brief intervention for smoking cessation, and 71 chose the brief intervention only. Eighty-four per cent of participants were followed up; 14% of participants could not be located. Fifteen per cent of the nicotine patches group (10% with CO validation) and 1% (CO validated) of the brief intervention only group reported that they had quit at six months. Seventy-six per cent of the nicotine patches group and 51% of the brief intervention only group had reduced their consumption of tobacco. No participant completed a full course of patches. One possible side effect - the experience of bad dreams - was attributed in one community to the person concerned having been 'sung' or cursed.

Conclusions: Free nicotine patches might benefit a small number of Indigenous smokers. Cessation rates for the use of both nicotine patches and brief intervention alone were lower than those in other populations, possibly because the study was conducted in a primary care setting and because of barriers to cessation such as widespread use of tobacco in these communities and the perception of tobacco use as non-problematic.

Abstract reproduced with permission of the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health (view website)

Kowalyszyn M, Kelly A (2003)
Family functioning, alcohol expectancies and alcohol-related problems in a remote Aboriginal Australian community: a preliminary psychometric validation study.
Drug and Alcohol Review;22(1):53-59

This article presents the findings of a survey of Indigenous people from a remote north Queensland community. The survey was designed to determine relationships between alcohol consumption and family conflict. It was anticipated that the study measures would be useful for facilitating the detection and assessment of alcohol and family problems and for evaluating change in future interventions.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Lehmann L, Tennant M, Silva D, et al. (2003)
Benefits of swimming pools in two remote Aboriginal communities in Western Australia: intervention study.
British Medical Journal;327(7412):415-419
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Macintosh DJ, Pearson B (2003)
Patterns of injury in Indigenous Australians admitted to Cairns Base Hospital.
Australian Journal of Rural Health;11(2):99-106

This article describes the findings of a study based on presentations to the Orthopaedic Unit at Cairns Base Hospital. The study compared the type and frequency of Indigenous and non-Indigenous admissions. From analysis of the data, recommendations were made regarding resources for injury prevention in the Indigenous population.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Mak DB, Marshall LJ (2003)
Gonorrhoea, chlamydia and syphilis incidence in the Kimberley.
Communicable Diseases Intelligence;27(3):370-372
View full paper (HTML)
View full paper (PDF - 117KB)

Mak DB, Platt EM, Heath CH (2003)
Leprosy transmission in the Kimberley, Western Australia: still a reality in 21st-century Australia [letter].
Medical Journal of Australia;179(8):452
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View full paper (PDF)

McCulloch B, McDermott R, Miller G, Leonard D, Elwell M, Muller R (2003)
Self-reported diabetes and health behaviours in remote Indigenous communities in Northern Queensland, Australia.
Diabetes Care; 26(2):397-403

The aim of this study was to examine differences in health behaviours between Indigenous people who are aware of having diabetes and those who have not yet been diagnosed as diabetic. The research is based on cross-sectional survey data from the Well Person's Health Check of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in remote communities in Northern Queensland. A variety of lifestyle aspects are detailed such as smoking, alcohol consumption, fruit consumption, and participation in exercise.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

McDermott R, Tulip F, Schmidt B, Sinha A (2003)
Sustaining better diabetes care in remote Indigenous Australian communities.
British Medical Journal;327(7412):428-430
View full paper (HTML)
View full paper (PDF)

Pugh RE, Smith H, Young M (2003)
Surveillance of invasive meningococcal disease in Queensland, 2002.
Communicable Diseases Intelligence;27(3):342-351
View full paper (HTML)
View full paper (PDF)

Singh GR, Hoy WE (2003)
The association between birthweight and current blood pressure: a cross-sectional study in an Australian Aboriginal community.
Medical Journal of Australia;179(10):532-535
View full paper (HTML)
View full paper (PDF)

Smith R (2003)
Learning from Indigenous people.
British Medical Journal;327(7412):325
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View full paper (PDF)

Sweet M (2003)
Aboriginal study prompts push for action on children's hearing loss.
British Medical Journal;327(7412):413
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Sweet M (2003)
Carrying a heavy burden.
British Medical Journal;327(7412):141
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Wang Z, Hoy WE, Thompson PL, Bradshaw PJ, Veroni M, Wilkes ET (2003)
Cardiovascular risk among urban Aboriginal people [letter].
Medical Journal of Australia;179(10):557
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View full paper (PDF)



Australian Indigenous HealthBulletin Vol 3 No 4 October 2003 - December 2003: ISSN 1445-7253 A peer-reviewed 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. A study of the use of free nicotine patches by Indigenous people added 6 October 2003 Aboriginal study prompts push for action on children's hearing loss added 6 November 2003 Benefits of swimming pools in two remote Aboriginal communities in Western Australia: intervention study added 16 October 2003 Can a mortality excess in remote areas of Australia be explained by Indigenous status? A case study using neonatal mortality in Queensland added 9 October 2003 Cardiovascular risk among urban Aboriginal people [letter] added 27 November 2003 Carrying a heavy burden added 31 October 2003 Cancer in Indigenous Australians: a review added 1 October 2003 Differences in the surgical admissions to hospital between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations of Australia added 5 December 2003 Family functioning, alcohol expectancies and alcohol-related problems in a remote Aboriginal Australian community: a preliminary psychometric validation study added 5 December 2003 Gonorrhoea, chlamydia and syphilis incidence in the Kimberley added 11 November 2003 Health research and Indigenous health added 14 October 2003 Learning from Indigenous people added 24 November 2003 Leprosy transmission in the Kimberley, Western Australia: still a reality in 21st-century Australia [letter] added 20 October 2003 Patterns of injury in Indigenous Australians admitted to Cairns Base Hospital added 10 December 2003 Progress towards eliminating Hib in Australia: an evaluation of Haemophilus influenzae type b prevention in Australia, 1 July 1993 to 30 June 2000 added 13 November 2003 Self-reported diabetes and health behaviours in remote Indigenous communities in Northern Queensland, Australia added 1 October 2003 Surveillance of invasive meningococcal disease in Queensland, 2002 added 17 December 2003 Sustaining better diabetes care in remote Indigenous Australian communities added 27 October 2003 The association between birthweight and current blood pressure: a cross-sectional study in an Australian Aboriginal community added 18 November 2003 Condon J, Armstrong BK, Barnes A, Cunningham J (2003) Cancer in Indigenous Australians: a review. Cancer Causes and Control;14(2):109-121 The aim of this article was to summarise evidence of the impact of cancer on Indigenous Australians. Details of publications found in a Medline search of peer-reviewed scientific journals, government reports and publications of cancer registries, non-government organisations, and non peer-reviewed sources are reported. An analysis of the content of these publications led to recommendations for health services and programs. Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract Coory M (2003) Can a mortality excess in remote areas of Australia be explained by Indigenous status? A case study using neonatal mortality in Queensland. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health;27(4):425-427 Objective: To assess the extent to which Indigenous status confounds the association between remoteness and neonatal mortality in Queensland. Methods: We used routine data from the Queensland Perinatal Data Collection. Poisson regression modelling was used to assess confounding. Results: Babies born to Indigenous mothers have mortality rates 2.42 times those of the rest of the population, regardless of whether they live in urban, rural or remote areas (95% CI 2.09-2.80). The babies of non-Indigenous women who live in remote areas have a low risk of neonatal death, similar to their rural and urban counterparts. Conclusion: In Queensland, the key demographic variable that determines neonatal mortality is Indigenous status, not remoteness. Implications: Policymakers should not assume that an excess of a particular health problem in remote areas necessarily reflects equal disadvantage for all the Australians who live there. Abstract reproduced with permission of the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health (view website) Cunningham C, Reading J, Eades D (2003) Health research and Indigenous health. British Medical Journal;327(7412):445-447 View full paper (HTML) View full paper (PDF) Horby P, Gilmour R, Wang H, McIntyre P (2003) Progress towards eliminating Hib in Australia: an evaluation of Haemophilus influenzae type b prevention in Australia, 1 July 1993 to 30 June 2000. Communicable Diseases Intelligence;27(3):324-341 View full paper (HTML) View full paper (PDF - 225KB) Ishak M (2003) Differences in the surgical admissions to hospital between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations of Australia. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Surgery;73( 4):200-204 This article examines admission data for public and private hospitals in New South Wales over the period 1989-1995. The differences in admissions between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations are described, including rates for surgical procedures and emergency admissions. Indications from the data are discussed with findings highlighted that demonstrate a need for actions targeting the Indigenous population. Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract Ivers RG, Farrington M, Burns CB, et al. (2003) A study of the use of free nicotine patches by Indigenous people. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health;27(5):486-90 Objective: To assess use of free nicotine patches by Indigenous people when offered a brief intervention for smoking cessation, and to assess changes in smoking behaviour at six months. Methods: We conducted a pre and post study in three Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory. Results: Forty Indigenous smokers self-selected to receive free nicotine patches and a brief intervention for smoking cessation, and 71 chose the brief intervention only. Eighty-four per cent of participants were followed up; 14% of participants could not be located. Fifteen per cent of the nicotine patches group (10% with CO validation) and 1% (CO validated) of the brief intervention only group reported that they had quit at six months. Seventy-six per cent of the nicotine patches group and 51% of the brief intervention only group had reduced their consumption of tobacco. No participant completed a full course of patches. One possible side effect - the experience of bad dreams - was attributed in one community to the person concerned having been 'sung' or cursed. Conclusions: Free nicotine patches might benefit a small number of Indigenous smokers. Cessation rates for the use of both nicotine patches and brief intervention alone were lower than those in other populations, possibly because the study was conducted in a primary care setting and because of barriers to cessation such as widespread use of tobacco in these communities and the perception of tobacco use as non-problematic. Abstract reproduced with permission of the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health (view website) Kowalyszyn M, Kelly A (2003) Family functioning, alcohol expectancies and alcohol-related problems in a remote Aboriginal Australian community: a preliminary psychometric validation study. Drug and Alcohol Review;22(1):53-59 This article presents the findings of a survey of Indigenous people from a remote north Queensland community. The survey was designed to determine relationships between alcohol consumption and family conflict. It was anticipated that the study measures would be useful for facilitating the detection and assessment of alcohol and family problems and for evaluating change in future interventions. Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract Lehmann L, Tennant M, Silva D, et al. (2003) Benefits of swimming pools in two remote Aboriginal communities in Western Australia: intervention study. British Medical Journal;327(7412):415-419 View full paper (HTML) View full paper (PDF) Macintosh DJ, Pearson B (2003) Patterns of injury in Indigenous Australians admitted to Cairns Base Hospital. Australian Journal of Rural Health;11(2):99-106 This article describes the findings of a study based on presentations to the Orthopaedic Unit at Cairns Base Hospital. The study compared the type and frequency of Indigenous and non-Indigenous admissions. From analysis of the data, recommendations were made regarding resources for injury prevention in the Indigenous population. Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract Mak DB, Marshall LJ (2003) Gonorrhoea, chlamydia and syphilis incidence in the Kimberley. Communicable Diseases Intelligence;27(3):370-372 View full paper (HTML) View full paper (PDF - 117KB) Mak DB, Platt EM, Heath CH (2003) Leprosy transmission in the Kimberley, Western Australia: still a reality in 21st-century Australia [letter]. Medical Journal of Australia;179(8):452 View full paper (HTML) View full paper (PDF) McCulloch B, McDermott R, Miller G, Leonard D, Elwell M, Muller R (2003) Self-reported diabetes and health behaviours in remote Indigenous communities in Northern Queensland, Australia. Diabetes Care; 26(2):397-403 The aim of this study was to examine differences in health behaviours between Indigenous people who are aware of having diabetes and those who have not yet been diagnosed as diabetic. The research is based on cross-sectional survey data from the Well Person's Health Check of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in remote communities in Northern Queensland. A variety of lifestyle aspects are detailed such as smoking, alcohol consumption, fruit consumption, and participation in exercise. Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract McDermott R, Tulip F, Schmidt B, Sinha A (2003) Sustaining better diabetes care in remote Indigenous Australian communities. British Medical Journal;327(7412):428-430 View full paper (HTML) View full paper (PDF) Pugh RE, Smith H, Young M (2003) Surveillance of invasive meningococcal disease in Queensland, 2002. Communicable Diseases Intelligence;27(3):342-351 View full paper (HTML) View full paper (PDF) Singh GR, Hoy WE (2003) The association between birthweight and current blood pressure: a cross-sectional study in an Australian Aboriginal community. Medical Journal of Australia;179(10):532-535 View full paper (HTML) View full paper (PDF) Smith R (2003) Learning from Indigenous people. British Medical Journal;327(7412):325 View full paper (HTML) View full paper (PDF) Sweet M (2003) Aboriginal study prompts push for action on children's hearing loss. British Medical Journal;327(7412):413 View full paper (HTML) View full paper (PDF) Sweet M (2003) Carrying a heavy burden. British Medical Journal;327(7412):141 View full paper (HTML) View full paper (PDF) Wang Z, Hoy WE, Thompson PL, Bradshaw PJ, Veroni M, Wilkes ET (2003) Cardiovascular risk among urban Aboriginal people [letter]. Medical Journal of Australia;179(10):557 View full paper (HTML) View full paper (PDF)

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