scholarly journals Household number associated with middle ear disease at an urban Indigenous health service: a cross-sectional study

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 285 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geoffrey K. P. Spurling ◽  
Deborah A. Askew ◽  
Philip J. Schluter ◽  
Fiona Simpson ◽  
Noel E. Hayman
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Middle Ear ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Indigenous Health ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Mixed Effects ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Middle Ear Disease ◽  
Torres Strait

Few epidemiological studies of middle ear disease have been conducted in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations, yet the disease is common and causes hearing impairment and poorer educational outcomes. The objective of this study is to identify factors associated with abnormal middle ear appearance, a proxy for middle ear disease. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 0–14 years receiving a Child Health Check (CHC) at an urban Indigenous Health Service, Brisbane, Australia were recruited from 2007 to 2010. Mixed-effects models were used to explore associations of 10 recognised risk factors with abnormal middle ear appearance at the time of the CHC. Ethical approval and community support for the project were obtained. Four hundred and fifty-three children were included and 54% were male. Participants were Aboriginal (92%), Torres Strait Islander (2%) or both (6%). Abnormal middle ear appearance was observed in 26 (6%) children and was significantly associated with previous ear infection (odds ratio (OR), 8.8; 95% confidence interval (CI), 3.2–24.0) and households with eight or more people (OR, 3.8; 95% CI, 1.1–14.1) in the imputed multivariable mixed-effects model. No significant associations were found for the other recognised risk factors investigated. Overcrowding should continue to be a core focus for communities and policy makers in reducing middle ear disease and its consequences in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

scholarly journals An Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cardiac Rehabilitation program delivered in a non-Indigenous health service (Yeddung Gauar): a mixed methods feasibility study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Freene ◽  
Roslyn Brown ◽  
Paul Collis ◽  
Chris Bourke ◽  
Katharine Silk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Service ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Cultural Awareness ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Aboriginal People ◽  
Indigenous Health ◽  
Cultural Safety ◽  
Awareness Training ◽  
Aboriginal Women ◽  
Torres Strait

Abstract Background There is limited evidence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people attending cardiac rehabilitation (CR) programs despite high levels of heart disease. One key enabler for CR attendance is a culturally safe program. This study evaluates improving access for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to attend a CR program in a non-Indigenous health service, alongside improving health workforce cultural safety. Methods An 18-week mixed-methods feasibility study was conducted, with weekly flexible CR sessions delivered by a multidisciplinary team and an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Worker (AHW) at a university health centre. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who were at risk of, or had experienced, a cardiac event were recruited. Data was collected from participants at baseline, and at every sixth-session attended, including measures of disease risk, quality-of-life, exercise capacity and anxiety and depression. Cultural awareness training was provided for health professionals before the program commenced. Assessment of health professionals’ cultural awareness pre- and post-program was evaluated using a questionnaire (n = 18). Qualitative data from participants (n = 3), the AHW, health professionals (n = 4) and referrers (n = 4) was collected at the end of the program using yarning methodology and analysed thematically using Charmaz’s constant comparative approach. Results Eight referrals were received for the CR program and four Aboriginal women attended the program, aged from 24 to 68 years. Adherence to the weekly sessions ranged from 65 to 100%. At the program’s conclusion, there was a significant change in health professionals’ perception of social policies implemented to ‘improve’ Aboriginal people, and self-reported changes in health professionals’ behaviours and skills. Themes were identified for recruitment, participants, health professionals and program delivery, with cultural safety enveloping all areas. Trust was a major theme for recruitment and adherence of participants. The AHW was a key enabler of cultural authenticity, and the flexibility of the program contributed greatly to participant perceptions of cultural safety. Barriers for attendance were not unique to this population. Conclusion The flexible CR program in a non-Indigenous service provided a culturally safe environment for Aboriginal women but referrals were low. Importantly, the combination of cultural awareness training and participation in the program delivery improved health professionals’ confidence in working with Aboriginal people. Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) 12618000581268, http://www.ANZCTR.org.au/ACTRN12618000581268.aspx, registered 16 April 2018.

scholarly journals Risk factors for oral health in young, urban, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children

2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 72-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Butten ◽  
NW Johnson ◽  
KK Hall ◽  
J Anderson ◽  
M Toombs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Torres Strait

scholarly journals Risk factors for cesarean section by category of health service

2010 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raúl Andrés Mendoza-Sassi ◽  
Juraci Almeida Cesar ◽  
Patricia Rodrigues da Silva ◽  
Giovana Denardin ◽  
Mariana Mendes Rodrigues
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Cesarean Section ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Newborn Care ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Social Demographic

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the rate of cesarean section and differences in risk factors by category of health service, either public or private. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out including all pregnant women in labor admitted to hospitals in the city of Rio Grande, Southern Brazil, between January 1 and December 31, 2007. A pre-coded and pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect on social, demographic, obstetric and newborn care information. Two regression models were constructed: one for public users and the other one for private ones. Poisson regression was used in each model in the multivariate analysis. Prevalence rates and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for each adjusted factor. RESULTS: The rate of cesarean section was 43% and 86% among public and private users. Sociodemographic factors and twin births have a more significant impact among public users as well as number of pregnancies (25% vs. 13% reduction in public and private users, respectively) and previous cesarean section (86% vs. 24% increase in public and private users, respectively). Prenatal care visits and hospital admissions affected the outcome only in women users of public services. CONCLUSIONS: Cesarean section rates were high in both groups studied, but it was twice as high among women cared in the private sector. Associated factors differ in magnitude by category of service used.

scholarly journals Risk factors for the frequent attendance of older patients at community health service centers in China: a cross-sectional study based on stratified sampling

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nana Li ◽  
Juan Shou
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Chronic Diseases ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Community Health Service ◽  
Service Center ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Frequent Attendance

Abstract Background This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of frequent attenders (FAs) among older patients in Shanghai, China, and explore the associated factors. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in six community health service centers in Shanghai, China, from August to December 2018 based on stratified sampling. On the basis of our preliminary study, FAs were defined as those attending at least four consultations in a month. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the clinicodemographic data of the participants. Social support, pain severity, depression, and anxiety were evaluated using the Social Support Revalued Scale, six-point Behavioral Rating Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire–9, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, respectively. Results This study included 619 patients aged > 60 years. Among these patients, 155 (25%) were FAs to a community health service center, 366 (59.1%) had 1 or 2 chronic diseases, 179 (28.9%) had ≥3 chronic diseases, 313 (50.4%) opted for a family doctor service, and 537 (86.8%) chose a community health service center for the first consultation. The following were identified as independent risk factors for frequent attendance: widowed status, unmarried status, the presence of > 3 chronic diseases, first consultation at a community health service center, high medical expenses, frequent attendance of the spouses, long-term medication, the use of both traditional Chinese and Western medicine services, and depression. Conclusions This study summarizes the characteristics of older FAs to community health service centers in China and identifies 10 risk factors significantly associated with frequent attendance.

scholarly journals Disparity in Physical and Mental Multimorbidity Between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous Australians: implications for Equity in Health Service use and Work Productivity

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Carman ◽  
Marie Ishida ◽  
Justin S Trounson ◽  
Kanya Anindya ◽  
Grace Sum ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Service ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Service Use ◽  
Work Productivity ◽  
Health Service Use ◽  
Indigenous Australians ◽  
Torres Strait Islander People ◽  
Torres Strait ◽  
Care Costs

Abstract Background: Multimorbidity, the presence of ≥2 chronic conditions, is a major contributor to health inequalities, with significant impact on health care costs. This study aims to examine the differences in chronic physical and mental health multimorbidity between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous Australians, and the effect of multimorbidity on health service use and work productivity amongst Aboriginal and non-Indigenous Australians.Methods: This study conducted cross-sectional analyses of the Household, Income, and Labour Dynamics in Australia Wave 17, examining a nationally representative sample of 16,749 respondents aged 18 years and above. We applied multivariable linear and logistic regressions to examine the association between multimorbidity and self-reported health, health service use, and employment productivity.Results: Aboriginal respondents reported a higher prevalence of multimorbidity (24.2%) compared to non-Indigenous Australians (20.7%), and the prevalence of co-existing mental and physical multimorbidity was almost twice as high (16.1% vs 8.1%). Multimorbidity was associated with higher health service use (any overnight admission: AOR 1.52), reduced employment productivity (days sick leave: coef. 0.25), and lower perceived health status (SF6D score: coef. -0.04). These associations are similar in both Aboriginal and non-Indigenous populations.Conclusions: Multimorbidity prevalence was greater among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders compared to the non-Indigenous population, likely driven by the greater prevalence of mental health conditions reported by the Aboriginal sample. Strategies for better management of mental and physical multimorbidity would not only reduce health care costs among those affected but may contribute to a reduction in health inequalities in Australia.

scholarly journals Visual impairment among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients attending an Australian Indigenous primary health service: a cross-sectional study

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 287
Author(s):  
Prabha Lakhan ◽  
Uchechukwu L. Osuagwu ◽  
Deborah Askew ◽  
Noel Hayman ◽  
Geoffrey Spurling
Keyword(s):  
Visual Impairment ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Health Assessment ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Period Prevalence ◽  
Snellen Chart ◽  
Torres Strait

This cross-sectional study aimed to identify the period prevalence of visual impairment (VI) and blindness among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people attending an Indigenous urban primary healthcare service, eye care practitioner referrals for those with VI and any opportunities to improve care delivery. Visual acuity (VA) examinations, using a Snellen chart, are performed as part of routine annual health assessments offered to children and adults. This study included patients aged ≥5 years (n=1442) who had a health assessment conducted between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2016 and provided consent for the use of their health assessment information for research. Of patients with available data, 2.4% (33/1374) experienced VI, defined as presenting VA worse than 6/12 to 6/60 in the better-seeing eye. VI was more common in those aged ≥60 years (14/136; 10.3%) and was significantly associated with increasing age (P<0.001). No patients experienced blindness, defined as presenting VA worse than 6/60 in the better-seeing eye. All patients with VI were aged ≥16 years. Nine (27%) of the 33 patients with VI in the better-seeing eye were referred to an optometrist or an ophthalmologist. The low period prevalence of VI and no blindness in this study are positive findings. The findings also indicate that routine VA testing of older adults, especially those aged ≥60 years, should be conducted to avoid missing those not having an annual health assessment.

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