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Information on relevant resources are provided here, which will include details of videos, brochures, catalogues, posters, flipcharts, fact sheets and CD-ROMS where available. Information on relevant guidelines to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women's health are provided here - please note that links do not constitute a recommendation to use a particular guideline or protocol.

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Health promotion resources

WA Perinatal Mental Health Unit (2007)
Indigenous perinatal mental health resources
Subiaco, WA: WA Perinatal Mental Health Unit, Women and Newborn Health Service, Department of Health

Indigenous perinatal mental health resourcesIndigenous perinatal mental health resourcesIndigenous perinatal mental health resourcesIndigenous perinatal mental health resources

The Perinatal Mental Health Unit of the Women and Newborn Health Service at King Edward Hospital in Western Australia has developed a range of resources to address perinatal mental health issues. The resources reflect the emotional experiences of Indigenous women and their families within their cultural context, and include:

Boodjarri business: yarning about feelings after baby [DVD]
This DVD features two WA Indigenous women who have experienced depression during the perinatal period (i.e. during pregnancy and after the baby is born). The women speak openly about their depression and offer advice for other mothers who might be struggling. This DVD also provides information on symptoms, risk factors, treatment and getting help.

Boodjarri business: working with Aboriginal mums, babies and families [DVD]
This DVD provides information for health professionals about cultural considerations and engaging with Indigenous women and families who may be experiencing perinatal mental health issues. The information is provided by a range of Indigenous clinicians who work with families in the community.

Social and emotional wellbeing when you have a new baby [pamphlet series]
‘Mum's Guide' and ‘Dad's Guide' are two pamphlets developed for new parents. The brochures explain the different emotions a new mother or father can have when a baby is born, and provide some hints on how to get help.

Boodjarri business: maternal mental health resource for Aboriginal health workers [booklet]
This 36 page booklet has been designed to accompany training for Aboriginal health workers and other health professionals who work with Indigenous families in the community. It provides definitions of key perinatal mental health issues, symptoms, risk factors, the impact on families and suggestions of ways to help women and their families.

For further information contact the WA Perinatal Mental Health Unit, 15 Loretto Street , Subiaco WA 6008, ph: (08) 9340 1795 or view WA Perinatal Mental Health Unit website.

Telethon Institute for Child Health Research (2007)
Alcohol and Pregnancy Resources for Health Professionals
Perth: Telethon Institute for Child Health Research

This information package supports health professionals in their role by providing information on women's alcohol use before and during pregnancy. The resources outline the consequences related to alcohol consumption during pregnancy, strategies for health professionals in asking, assessing, advising, assisting and arranging support for women. They have been developed by synthesising national and international literature and by gaining information from health professionals through interviews and focus groups.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (2004)
Sistergirls say - keep yourself covered (poster).
Canberra: Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations

The Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) launched two national peer-based posters in Sydney on 30 October 2004, as a health promotion resource for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sistergirls. The posters were designed to: empower Indigenous Sistergirls and transgender communities by raising HIV/AIDS awareness; address underlying issues such as isolation and discrimination; and promote positive self-esteem which in turn promotes individuals to engage in safer sexual practices, such as condom usage. The posters were developed in response to the National Indigenous gay and transgender consultation report and sexual health strategy, as was the AFAO strategy for responding to sexual abuse of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander gay men and Sistergirls.

Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet abstract

The National Indigenous gay and transgender consultation report and sexual health strategy (PDF - 208KB), and the AFAO strategy for responding to sexual abuse of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander gay men and Sistergirls (PDF - 2MB - large file warning!), can be accessed online at the AFAO website.

For further information about the posters or to obtain copies visit the AFAO website, or contact:Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations, Level 1, 222 King Street, Newtown NSW 2042; PO Box 51, Newtown NSW 2042; ph: (02) 9557 9399, fax: (02) 9557 9867.

Jag Films Pty Ltd (no date)
Birth rites
Margaret River, Western Australia: Jag Films Pty Ltd

Birth rites is a one hour documentary drawing a comparison between birth issues in outback Australia and regions of arctic Canada. The interface between the two worlds of Indigenous culture and western medicine becomes problematic when women in remote towns are sent away from home and family to give birth in centralised hospitals. The content reveals the effect birthing issues have on the women, and their families and communities.

Jag Films Pty Ltd abstract (adapted)

  • Contact details:
    • Jag Films Pty Ltd, PO Box 53, Margaret River WA 6285, ph: 08 9758 7404, fax: 08 9757 3180, email: jagadmin@westnet.com.au

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Guidelines

National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (nd)
NACCHO position on Aboriginal women's health.
Retrieved 9 August 2005 from http://www.naccho.org.au/Womens.html
View details

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Conference abstracts

2007

Child and Maternal Health Promotion Forum
19 April 2007, Sydney, NSW
View abstract: HealthBulletin

Presentations include:

Enhancing Indigenous Capacity: Building a Sustainable Future: a national symposium on workforce development in Indigenous maternal and child health
8 - 9 May 2007, Perth, Western Australia
View abstract: HealthBulletin
View current topic: HealthBulletin
View report (PDF -1.3MB -large file warning!) includes conference presentations

Key note presentations include:

  • Dr Janet Smylie (2007) Kokum, what makes baby well?
  • Dr Kathryn Panaretto (2007) The Mums and Babies Program.
  • Donna Ah Chee, (2007) The development of the maternal and child health program.
  • Sandra Collard (2007) The workforce issues project at the Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia.
  • Associate Professor Ted Wilkes (2007) Aboriginal health: the male perspective .
  • Dr Kathryn Panaretto (2007) The development and implementation of a randomised controlled trial of a culturally specific intervention for pregnant women who smoke

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2006

Smoking Cessation and Tobacco Control in Aboriginal Communities Forum
18 October 2006, Sydney, New South Wales

The Collaborative Centre for Aboriginal Health Promotion (CCAHP) hosted this forum on smoking cessation and tobacco control in Aboriginal communities.

Presentations at the forum included:

Presentations of the forum can now be downloaded from the CCAHP website.

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2003

7th National Rural Health Conference
Sue Kildea
Risk and childbirth in rural and remote Australia.
View paper (PDF - 599 KB)

8th Australian Institute of Family Studies Conference
12 - 14 February 2003, Melbourne, Victoria
View information

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2002

Reproductive Health, Taking Care of Tomorrow's World
2 - 5 July 2002, Emmanual College, University of Queensland
View information

2001

From the Ground up: Conference on Aboriginal health in the 63rd millennium
Rachel Atkinson
A collaborative model for maternal and child health service
View abstract

4th Australian Women's Health Conference
Donna Ah Chee, Sandra Alley and Sharon Milera
Congress Alukura- Women's business
View paper

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Other resources

Child Health Research Institute and the Rio Tinto Child Health Partnership (2006)
Start out strong: a national symposium promoting healthy pregnancy in Indigenous communities
Perth: The Kulunga Research Institute
View current topic: HealthBulletin

Dippydots (2004)
Well women's check book.
Nhulunbuy: Department of Health and Community Services
View abstract: HealthBulletin

Goold SS, Liddle K, eds. (2005)
In our own right: black Australian nurses' stories.
Sydney: Content Management
View current topic: HealthBulletin

Koorie Diabetes Services Victoria (2004)
Healthy mums means healthy babies. Pregnancy is not a sickness but diabetes is.
Northcote: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation
View abstract: HealthBulletin

Office for Women's Policy, Department for Community Development (2005)
Indigenous women's report card 2005.
Perth: Office for Women's Policy
View current topic: HealthBulletin

Presentation to the Tenth Advanced Course in Obstetrics, Women's Reproductive Health and Care of the Newborn, Joint Consultative Committee on Obstetrics
Stephanie Bell
Indigenous women's health-what can make a difference?
View paper

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Other web-based materials

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women's Key Phone Book
This resource identifies contacts in a wide range of NSW Government, non government and community organisations. The aim of the Key Phone Book is to strengthen networks, provide sources of support, knowledge and information amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
View phone book

Australian Department of Health and Ageing
Women's Health
View website


Birthing business in the bush
This website was prepared by Aboriginal women using a participatory action research approach. It is intended to to be used as a resource for maternity service providers working in remote communities.
View abstract: HealthBulletin
View website



Information about Australian Aboriginal women
Minmia - Australian Aboriginal Women
View website



Maternity Care in the Bush
This website has been developed for remote maternity service providers and has information on national guidelines, current research, articles of interest and links to other relevant websites. The site is hosted by the Council of Remote Area Nurses of Australia (CRANA). To view enter the CRANA website and click on the menu on the left hand side: Maternity Care in the Bush.
View website



Minister for Family & Community Services The Hon Amanda Vanstone MP (2002)
New Indigenous Women's Advisory Group
View media release



Queensland Women's Health Network
The Queensland Women's Health Network, formed in 1986, continues the tradition of women pursuing the health interests of women. With the recognition of the dignity of all women, the network builds on the commitment of those who work to improve women's health. The Queensland Network is linked with similar networks in other States and the Territories through the Australian Women's Health Network.
View website
WINGS - Women In Need Getting Support
This website has a section specifically on breast cancer and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
View website

Guidelines

Department of Health and Ageing (2004)
Principles of practice, standards and guidelines for providers of cervical screening services for Indigenous women.
Canberra: Department of Health and Ageing
View report: Department of Health and Ageing (PDF - 888KB)

National Health and Medical Research Council (2005)
Screening to prevent cervical cancer: guidelines for the management of asymptomatic women with screen detected abnormalities.
Canberra: National Health and Medical Research Council
View report: National Health and Medical Research Council (PDF - 651KB)

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Conference abstracts

2006

RACGP Annual Scientific Convention
6 - 9 October 2006, Brisbane, Queensland
Millard FB. Cervical screening for Indigenous women: the GP role
View abstract (HTML)
View presentation (PDF - 416KB)

2001

From the Ground up: Conference on Aboriginal health in the 63rd millennium
Fay Acklin and Jill Cockburn
What do Koori women know, feel, believe and perceive about cervical cancer and pap tests?
View abstract

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Other resources

Pap smear good for umi long life - video
View abstract: HealthBulletin

Well women equal strong women - pamphlet
View abstract: HealthBulletin

Pap screen Victoria
Pap screen Victoria is coordinated by the Victorian Department of Human Services and is a joint Commonwealth–State funded program . PapScreen Victoria urges all Indigenous women to have regular two-yearly Pap tests in a bid to reduce deaths caused by cervical cancer.

Brochures are available free of charge and can be obtained by contacting:

PapScreen Victoria ph:(03) 9635 5316 or ordered online at www.papscreen.org.au or from your local Aboriginal health service.
View web page

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Other web-based materials

NSW Cervical screening program
The purpose of this web page is to provide information and resources about cervical cancer screening to consumers and health service providers. A section is dedicated to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and has downloadable resources.
View web page

Pap screen Victoria
Pap screen Victoria is coordinated by the Victorian Department of Human Services and is a joint Commonwealth–State funded program . The organisation works in collaboration with its partners, the Victorian Cytology Service and the Victorian Cervical Cytology Registry. The Cancer Council Victoria is contracted to develop and implement Victoria’s cervical screening communications and recruitment strategy. PapScreen Victoria works across a range of communications, community and research projects to meet its objectives. It also utilises the skills of a nurse, GP and gynaecologist to inform the program. PapScreen Victoria urges all Indigenous women to have regular two-yearly Pap tests in a bid to reduce deaths caused by cervical cancer.
View web page (This web page details downloadable brochures)
View website

 

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Last updated: 2 June 2008