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.

Adams K, Dixon T, Guthrie J (2004)
Evaluation of the Gippsland Regional Indigenous Hearing Health Program, January to October 2002.
Health Promotion Journal of Australia ;15(3):205-210
View HPJA abstract

Brough M, Bond C, Hunt J (2004)
Strong in the city: towards a strength-based approach in Indigenous health promotion.
Health Promotion Journal of Australia;15(3):215-220
View HPJA abstract

Campbell S, Brown S (2004)
Maternity care with the Women's Business Service at the Mildura Aboriginal Health Service.
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health;28(4):376-382

Objective: To assess and contrast views and experiences of women attending the Women's Business Service at the Mildura Aboriginal Health Service with those of rural women attending public maternity services who participated in a Victorian statewide survey conducted in 2000.

Methods: Face-to-face interviews were conducted with clients of the Women's Business Service (n=25) using a structured interview schedule based on the Victorian Survey of Recent Mothers 2000. Comparisons were made with rural women who had participated in the 2000 survey and had received public care for their pregnancy (n=333).

Results: Compared with rural participants in the 2000 survey, women who attended the Women's Business Service were significantly more likely to say care providers kept them informed (OR 20.63, 95% CI 3.27-853.75), midwives were never rushed during check-ups (OR 22.24, 95% CI 3.50-921.47), and to say they were happy with medical care (OR 5.79, 95% CI 1.68-30.67). Eighty per cent of interview participants described their antenatal care as 'very good'. Fewer women rated intrapartum care (64%) or postnatal hospital care (43%) as 'very good'. Compared with rural participants in the statewide survey, women attending the Women's Business Service were significantly more confident about looking after their baby in the first week at home (OR 9.08, 95% CI 2.95-37.01), and less likely to want additional help or advice (OR 0.21, 95% CI 0.04-0.73).

Conclusions: Women using the Women's Business Service were significantly more positive about many aspects of their care than women attending other rural public maternity services. The study lends support to the view that Aboriginal community-controlled health services are well placed to provide appropriate and accessible care to Indigenous women.

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

Carson BE, Bailie RS (2004)
National health workforce in discrete Indigenous communities.
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health;28(3):235-245

Objective: To identify areas of relative need and inform future planning of health workforce and health services in discrete Indigenous communities.

Method: Descriptive analysis of relevant variables from the 1999 Community Housing and Infrastructure Needs Survey (CHINS), including all discrete Indigenous communities in Australia.

Results: Almost 90% of the Indigenous population of the Northern Territory live in discrete communities. The corresponding figure for Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia is around 25%, for New South Wales 8% and Victoria 1%. Just over 4,000 people (5% of the population surveyed) live 100 kilometres or more from the nearest community health centre and almost 60,000 (54%) live 100 kilometres or more from the nearest hospital. Approximately 4,000 Indigenous people (6% of population surveyed) have little or no access to a registered nurse or a doctor in their community. Access to Indigenous health workers is also limited, with more than 26,000 people (40%) having almost no access to a male Indigenous health worker and about 10,400 (16%) having almost no access to a female Indigenous health worker. More than 13,000 people (20%) have no access to a dentist and many thousands (30-50%) have no access to allied health or mental health care workers. An obstetrician or ENT/respiratory physician never visited the communities of almost 40,000 people (55% and 59%, respectively) and about 24,000 people (36%) have no access to an ophthalmologist.

Conclusion: CHINS data provide a unique source of information to monitor the status of health services and the workforce in discrete Indigenous communities.

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

Carter E, Lumley J, Wilson G, Bell S (2004)
'Alukura...for my daughters and their daughters and their daughters': a review of Congress Alukura.
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health;28(3):229-234

Objective: To describe the process, findings and limitations of a review of Congress Alukura commissioned in 1998.

Methods: Analysis of documents and reports, service use and perinatal data from Alukura and the Northern Territory Midwives Collection; interviews with staff of Congress Alukura, of Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, of Aboriginal community organisations in Alice Springs and remote communities, of health care providers and other key informants in Alice Springs; community consultations through women's meetings or group discussions in local and remote communities. Interviews were coded for thematic and content analysis.

Results: Client visits increased by 42% from 1995/96 (2,130) to 1997/98. The proportion of women having a first trimester antenatal visit increased from 23% (1986-88) to 38% (1993-95). Mean birthweight of Aboriginal infants in the Alice Springs urban area was 3,168 g in 1986-90, 3,271 g in 1991-95, and 3,268 g in 1996-99. Other primary and maternity care providers perceived the quality of care to be high and saw Alukura playing a key role through transport, liaison, screening and follow-up. Alukura was much less successful in its role as a place for birth. Expectations of additional outreach by local and remote communities were high.

Discussion: The review's limitations included: a lack of direct input from young women, the main users of Alukura; a timeframe that precluded the detailed discussion necessary for seeking access to medical records, and the need for interpreters in community settings. Current and former staff who participated in the review often had other important community roles. Developments since the review are discussed briefly.

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

Couzos S (2004)
Practical measures that improve human rights: towards health equity for Aboriginal children.
Health Promotion Journal of Australia;15(3):186-192
View HPJA abstract

Dance P, Brown R, Bammer G, Sibthorpe B (2004)
Aged care services for Indigenous people in the Australian Capital Territory and surrounds: analysing needs and implementing change.
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health;28(6):579-583

Objective: To ascertain and meet current and anticipated needs for residential care and other services by older Indigenous people in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and region.

Methods: With advice from a reference group, qualitative and quantitative data were gathered from 98 older (45 years and over) Indigenous people in the ACT and region during 1999/2000. Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers worked closely throughout all phases of the research. We helped participants with immediate problems identified during the interviews and worked directly with the Government funding body to implement the findings.

Results: No one expressed a current need for residential services. In terms of future needs, 50% of respondents favoured an arrangement where an existing mainstream provider of aged care accommodated a cluster of Indigenous people in the same facility as non-Indigenous people. Thirty-two per cent preferred an Indigenous-run organisation. Our study also revealed a broad range of health problems and needs. Assessment using the Resident Classification Scale showed that 70% required a low level of care and 4% needed a high level of care.

Conclusion: The research identified the needs and provided a health profile of older Indigenous people in the ACT and region. This then provided policymakers with evidence on which they acted to provide appropriate aged care services.

Implications: Collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers can access high-quality information, and partnership between researchers and policymakers can improve Indigenous services.

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

Durie M (2004)
An Indigenous model of health promotion.
Health Promotion Journal of Australia;15(3):181-185
View HPJA abstract

Gilchrist D, Woods B, Binns CW, Gracey M, Scott J, Smith H (2004)
Breastfeeding and health promotion: the experience of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal mothers.
Health Promotion Journal of Australia;15(3):226-230
View HPJA abstract

Jackson Pulver LR, Fitzpatrick SA (2004)
Sitting 'round the table of rights-based reconciliation: a health perspective.
Health Promotion Journal of Australia;15(3):193-199
View HPJA abstract

Lowenthal RM, Grogan PB, Kerrins ET (2005)
Reducing the impact of cancer in Indigenous communities: ways forward. [conference report]
Medical Journal of Australia;182(3):105-106
View full paper (HTML)
View full paper (PDF)

Mark A, McLeod I, Booker J, Ardler C (2004)
The Koori tobacco cessation project.
Health Promotion Journal of Australia;15(3):200-204
View HPJA abstract

Murphy L, Kordyl P, Thorne M (2004)
Appreciative inquiry: a method for measuring the impact of a project on the well-being of an Indigenous community.
Health Promotion Journal of Australia;15(3):211-214
View HPJA abstract

Speare R, Durrheim DN (2004)
Strongyloides serology: useful for diagnosis and management of strongyloidiasis in rural Indigenous populations, but important gaps in knowledge remain.
Rural and Remote Health;4(online):264. Retrieved from http://rrh.deakin.edu.au
View full paper (HTML)
View full paper (PDF)

Talley NJ (2005)
Helicobacter pylori infection in Indigenous Australians: a serious health issue? [editorial]
Medical Journal of Australia;182(5):205-206
View full paper (HTML)
View full paper (PDF)

Vindigni DR, Parkinson L, Blunden S, Perkins J, Rivett DA, Walker BF (2004)
Aboriginal health in Aboriginal hands: development, delivery and evaluation of a training programme for Aboriginal health workers to promote the musculoskeletal health of Indigenous people living in a rural community.
Rural and Remote Health;4(online):281. Retrieved from: http://rrh.deakin.edu.au
View full paper (HTML)
View full paper (PDF - 458KB)

Wang Z, Hoy WE (2005)
Is the Framingham coronary heart disease absolute risk function applicable to Aboriginal people?
Medical Journal of Australia;182(2):66-69
View full paper (HTML)
View full paper (PDF)

Windsor HM, Abioye-Kuteyi EA, Leber JM, Morrow SD, Bulsara MK, Marshall BJ (2005)
Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in Indigenous Western Australians: comparison between urban and remote rural populations
Medical Journal of Australia;182(2):210-213
View full paper (HTML)
View full paper (PDF)

Wood FM, Fowler BV, McAullay D, Jones JR (2005)
Major burns: incidence, treatment and outcomes in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in Western Australia. [letter]
Medical Journal of Australia;182(3):138
View full paper (HTML)
View full paper (PDF)

Australian Indigenous

HealthInfoNet

Journal articles



Australian Indigenous HealthBulletin Vol 5 No 1 January 2005 - March 2005: 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. Aboriginal health in Aboriginal hands: development, delivery and evaluation of a training programme for Aboriginal health workers to promote the musculoskeletal health of Indigenous people living in a rural community added 6 January 2005 Aged care services for Indigenous people in the Australian Capital Territory and surrounds: analysing needs and implementing change added 24 January 2005 'Alukura...for my daughters and their daughters and their daughters': a review of Congress Alukura added 18 January 2005 An Indigenous model of health promotion added 17 February 2005 Appreciative inquiry: a method for measuring the impact of a project on the well-being of an Indigenous community added 9 March 2005 Breastfeeding and health promotion: the experience of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal mothers added 22 March 2005 Evaluation of the Gippsland Regional Indigenous Hearing Health Program, January to October 2002 added 14 January 2005 Helicobacter pylori infection in Indigenous Australians: a serious health issue? [editorial] added 7 March 2005 Is the Framingham coronary heart disease absolute risk function applicable to Aboriginal people? added 17 January 2005 Major burns: incidence, treatment and outcomes in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in Western Australia [letter] added 8 February 2005 Maternity care with the Women's Business Service at the Mildura Aboriginal Health Service added 6 January 2005 National health workforce in discrete Indigenous communities added 18 January 2005 Practical measures that improve human rights: towards health equity for Aboriginal children added 24 February 2005 Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in Indigenous Western Australians: comparison between urban and remote rural populations added 7 March 2005 Reducing the impact of cancer in Indigenous communities: ways forward [conference report] added 8 February 2005 Sitting 'round the table of rights-based reconciliation: a health perspective added 2 February 2005 Strong in the city: towards a strength-based approach in Indigenous health promotion added 15 March 2005 Strongyloides serology: useful for diagnosis and management of strongyloidiasis in rural Indigenous populations, but important gaps in knowledge remain added 6 January 2005 The Koori tobacco cessation project added 1 March 2005 Adams K, Dixon T, Guthrie J (2004) Evaluation of the Gippsland Regional Indigenous Hearing Health Program, January to October 2002. Health Promotion Journal of Australia ;15(3):205-210 View HPJA abstract Brough M, Bond C, Hunt J (2004) Strong in the city: towards a strength-based approach in Indigenous health promotion. Health Promotion Journal of Australia;15(3):215-220 View HPJA abstract Campbell S, Brown S (2004) Maternity care with the Women's Business Service at the Mildura Aboriginal Health Service. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health;28(4):376-382 Objective: To assess and contrast views and experiences of women attending the Women's Business Service at the Mildura Aboriginal Health Service with those of rural women attending public maternity services who participated in a Victorian statewide survey conducted in 2000. Methods: Face-to-face interviews were conducted with clients of the Women's Business Service (n=25) using a structured interview schedule based on the Victorian Survey of Recent Mothers 2000. Comparisons were made with rural women who had participated in the 2000 survey and had received public care for their pregnancy (n=333). Results: Compared with rural participants in the 2000 survey, women who attended the Women's Business Service were significantly more likely to say care providers kept them informed (OR 20.63, 95% CI 3.27-853.75), midwives were never rushed during check-ups (OR 22.24, 95% CI 3.50-921.47), and to say they were happy with medical care (OR 5.79, 95% CI 1.68-30.67). Eighty per cent of interview participants described their antenatal care as 'very good'. Fewer women rated intrapartum care (64%) or postnatal hospital care (43%) as 'very good'. Compared with rural participants in the statewide survey, women attending the Women's Business Service were significantly more confident about looking after their baby in the first week at home (OR 9.08, 95% CI 2.95-37.01), and less likely to want additional help or advice (OR 0.21, 95% CI 0.04-0.73). Conclusions: Women using the Women's Business Service were significantly more positive about many aspects of their care than women attending other rural public maternity services. The study lends support to the view that Aboriginal community-controlled health services are well placed to provide appropriate and accessible care to Indigenous women. Abstract reproduced with permission of the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health (view website) Carson BE, Bailie RS (2004) National health workforce in discrete Indigenous communities. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health;28(3):235-245 Objective: To identify areas of relative need and inform future planning of health workforce and health services in discrete Indigenous communities. Method: Descriptive analysis of relevant variables from the 1999 Community Housing and Infrastructure Needs Survey (CHINS), including all discrete Indigenous communities in Australia. Results: Almost 90% of the Indigenous population of the Northern Territory live in discrete communities. The corresponding figure for Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia is around 25%, for New South Wales 8% and Victoria 1%. Just over 4,000 people (5% of the population surveyed) live 100 kilometres or more from the nearest community health centre and almost 60,000 (54%) live 100 kilometres or more from the nearest hospital. Approximately 4,000 Indigenous people (6% of population surveyed) have little or no access to a registered nurse or a doctor in their community. Access to Indigenous health workers is also limited, with more than 26,000 people (40%) having almost no access to a male Indigenous health worker and about 10,400 (16%) having almost no access to a female Indigenous health worker. More than 13,000 people (20%) have no access to a dentist and many thousands (30-50%) have no access to allied health or mental health care workers. An obstetrician or ENT/respiratory physician never visited the communities of almost 40,000 people (55% and 59%, respectively) and about 24,000 people (36%) have no access to an ophthalmologist. Conclusion: CHINS data provide a unique source of information to monitor the status of health services and the workforce in discrete Indigenous communities. Abstract reproduced with permission of the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health (view website) Carter E, Lumley J, Wilson G, Bell S (2004) 'Alukura...for my daughters and their daughters and their daughters': a review of Congress Alukura. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health;28(3):229-234 Objective: To describe the process, findings and limitations of a review of Congress Alukura commissioned in 1998. Methods: Analysis of documents and reports, service use and perinatal data from Alukura and the Northern Territory Midwives Collection; interviews with staff of Congress Alukura, of Central Australian Aboriginal Congress, of Aboriginal community organisations in Alice Springs and remote communities, of health care providers and other key informants in Alice Springs; community consultations through women's meetings or group discussions in local and remote communities. Interviews were coded for thematic and content analysis. Results: Client visits increased by 42% from 1995/96 (2,130) to 1997/98. The proportion of women having a first trimester antenatal visit increased from 23% (1986-88) to 38% (1993-95). Mean birthweight of Aboriginal infants in the Alice Springs urban area was 3,168 g in 1986-90, 3,271 g in 1991-95, and 3,268 g in 1996-99. Other primary and maternity care providers perceived the quality of care to be high and saw Alukura playing a key role through transport, liaison, screening and follow-up. Alukura was much less successful in its role as a place for birth. Expectations of additional outreach by local and remote communities were high. Discussion: The review's limitations included: a lack of direct input from young women, the main users of Alukura; a timeframe that precluded the detailed discussion necessary for seeking access to medical records, and the need for interpreters in community settings. Current and former staff who participated in the review often had other important community roles. Developments since the review are discussed briefly. Abstract reproduced with permission of the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health (view website) Couzos S (2004) Practical measures that improve human rights: towards health equity for Aboriginal children. Health Promotion Journal of Australia;15(3):186-192 View HPJA abstract Dance P, Brown R, Bammer G, Sibthorpe B (2004) Aged care services for Indigenous people in the Australian Capital Territory and surrounds: analysing needs and implementing change. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health;28(6):579-583 Objective: To ascertain and meet current and anticipated needs for residential care and other services by older Indigenous people in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and region. Methods: With advice from a reference group, qualitative and quantitative data were gathered from 98 older (45 years and over) Indigenous people in the ACT and region during 1999/2000. Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers worked closely throughout all phases of the research. We helped participants with immediate problems identified during the interviews and worked directly with the Government funding body to implement the findings. Results: No one expressed a current need for residential services. In terms of future needs, 50% of respondents favoured an arrangement where an existing mainstream provider of aged care accommodated a cluster of Indigenous people in the same facility as non-Indigenous people. Thirty-two per cent preferred an Indigenous-run organisation. Our study also revealed a broad range of health problems and needs. Assessment using the Resident Classification Scale showed that 70% required a low level of care and 4% needed a high level of care. Conclusion: The research identified the needs and provided a health profile of older Indigenous people in the ACT and region. This then provided policymakers with evidence on which they acted to provide appropriate aged care services. Implications: Collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers can access high-quality information, and partnership between researchers and policymakers can improve Indigenous services. Abstract reproduced with permission of the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health (view website) Durie M (2004) An Indigenous model of health promotion. Health Promotion Journal of Australia;15(3):181-185 View HPJA abstract Gilchrist D, Woods B, Binns CW, Gracey M, Scott J, Smith H (2004) Breastfeeding and health promotion: the experience of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal mothers. Health Promotion Journal of Australia;15(3):226-230 View HPJA abstract Jackson Pulver LR, Fitzpatrick SA (2004) Sitting 'round the table of rights-based reconciliation: a health perspective. Health Promotion Journal of Australia;15(3):193-199 View HPJA abstract Lowenthal RM, Grogan PB, Kerrins ET (2005) Reducing the impact of cancer in Indigenous communities: ways forward. [conference report] Medical Journal of Australia;182(3):105-106 View full paper (HTML) View full paper (PDF) Mark A, McLeod I, Booker J, Ardler C (2004) The Koori tobacco cessation project. Health Promotion Journal of Australia;15(3):200-204 View HPJA abstract Murphy L, Kordyl P, Thorne M (2004) Appreciative inquiry: a method for measuring the impact of a project on the well-being of an Indigenous community. Health Promotion Journal of Australia;15(3):211-214 View HPJA abstract Speare R, Durrheim DN (2004) Strongyloides serology: useful for diagnosis and management of strongyloidiasis in rural Indigenous populations, but important gaps in knowledge remain. Rural and Remote Health;4(online):264. Retrieved from http://rrh.deakin.edu.au View full paper (HTML) View full paper (PDF) Talley NJ (2005) Helicobacter pylori infection in Indigenous Australians: a serious health issue? [editorial] Medical Journal of Australia;182(5):205-206 View full paper (HTML) View full paper (PDF) Vindigni DR, Parkinson L, Blunden S, Perkins J, Rivett DA, Walker BF (2004) Aboriginal health in Aboriginal hands: development, delivery and evaluation of a training programme for Aboriginal health workers to promote the musculoskeletal health of Indigenous people living in a rural community. Rural and Remote Health;4(online):281. Retrieved from: http://rrh.deakin.edu.au View full paper (HTML) View full paper (PDF - 458KB) Wang Z, Hoy WE (2005) Is the Framingham coronary heart disease absolute risk function applicable to Aboriginal people? Medical Journal of Australia;182(2):66-69 View full paper (HTML) View full paper (PDF) Windsor HM, Abioye-Kuteyi EA, Leber JM, Morrow SD, Bulsara MK, Marshall BJ (2005) Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in Indigenous Western Australians: comparison between urban and remote rural populations Medical Journal of Australia;182(2):210-213 View full paper (HTML) View full paper (PDF) Wood FM, Fowler BV, McAullay D, Jones JR (2005) Major burns: incidence, treatment and outcomes in Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in Western Australia. [letter] Medical Journal of Australia;182(3):138 View full paper (HTML) View full paper (PDF)