Gonorrhoea testing and positivity in non-remote Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services

Sexual Health ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
pp. 320 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Ellen Harrod ◽  
Sophia Couzos ◽  
James Ward ◽  
Mark Saunders ◽  
Basil Donovan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Clinical Encounter ◽  
Current Approach ◽  
Research Network ◽  
Torres Strait Islander People ◽  
Remote Communities ◽  
Aboriginal Community ◽  
Torres Strait ◽  
Concurrent Testing

Background Gonorrhoea occurs at high levels in young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in remote communities, but there are limited data on urban and regional settings. An analysis was undertaken of gonorrhoea testing and positivity at four non-remote Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services participating in a collaborative research network. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of clinical encounter data derived from electronic medical records at participating services. Data were extracted using the GRHANITE program for all patients aged 15–54 years from 2009 to 2013. Demographic characteristics and testing and positivity for gonorrhoea were calculated for each year. Results: A total of 2971 patients (2571 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander) were tested for gonorrhoea during the study period. Among Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander patients, 40 (1.6%) tested positive. Gonorrhoea positivity was associated with clinic location (higher in the regional clinic) and having had a positive chlamydia test. By year, the proportion of patients aged 15–29 years tested for gonorrhoea increased in both men (7.4% in 2009 to 15.9% in 2013) and women (14.8% in 2009 to 25.3% in 2013). Concurrent testing for chlamydia was performed on 86.3% of testing occasions, increasing from 75% in 2009 to 92% in 2013. Factors related to concurrent testing were sex and year of test. Conclusions: The prevalence of gonorrhoea among young Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in non-remote settings suggests that the current approach of duplex testing for chlamydia and gonorrhoea simultaneously is justified, particularly for women.

Engaging with Aboriginal Shire Councils in remote Cape York communities to address smoke-free environments

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 419
Author(s):  
Kiarah E. Cuthbert ◽  
Clare Brown ◽  
Melinda Hammond ◽  
Tiffany A. Williams ◽  
Desmond Tayley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Tobacco Smoking ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Torres Strait Islander People ◽  
Aboriginal Community ◽  
Health Council ◽  
Cape York ◽  
Torres Strait

The high prevalence and health effect of tobacco smoking and secondhand smoke exposure among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is well known. Due to its significance, the responsibility of tackling smoking among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should not remain solely with health service providers. The creation of supportive environments and collaboration beyond the health sector are critical elements of comprehensive primary health care practised by Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services. This paper discusses how Apunipima Cape York Health Council worked with three Aboriginal Shire Councils to create more smoke-free places, using local working groups, information sessions and community-based health promotion. The flexibility and the time allocated to the engagement process with councils, community leaders, organisations and community members were important. All three communities acknowledged the benefits of role modelling and working together to improve health, with addressing tobacco smoking seen as ‘everyone’s business’ and ‘not just service providers’. Aboriginal Shire Councils can play a critical role, in partnership with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, in creating healthy places that enable healthy choices.

scholarly journals How can dementia diagnosis and care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people be improved? Perspectives of healthcare providers providing care in Aboriginal community controlled health services

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamie Bryant ◽  
Natasha Noble ◽  
Megan Freund ◽  
Jennifer Rumbel ◽  
Sandra Eades ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Dementia Diagnosis ◽  
Torres Strait Islander People ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Aboriginal Community ◽  
Barriers And Enablers ◽  
Care Assessment ◽  
Torres Strait

Abstract Background Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people experience dementia at a rate three to five times higher than the general Australian population. Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHSs) have a critical role to play in recognising symptoms of cognitive impairment, facilitating timely diagnosis of dementia, and managing the impacts of dementia. Little is known about the barriers and enablers to Aboriginal people receiving a timely dementia diagnosis and appropriate care once diagnosed. This study aims to explore, from the perspective of healthcare providers in the ACCHS sector across urban, regional and remote communities, the barriers and enablers to the provision of dementia diagnosis and care. Methods A qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews with staff members working in the ACCHS sector. Aboriginal Health Workers, General Practitioners, nurses, practice or program managers, and Chief Executive Officers were eligible to participate. Consenting ACCHS staff completed a telephone interview administered by a trained interviewer. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results Sixteen staff from 10 ACCHSs participated. Most participants perceived their communities had a limited understanding of dementia. Symptoms of dementia were usually noticed by the GP or another healthcare worker at the ACCHS who had an ongoing relationship with the person. Most participants reported that their service had established referral pathways with either hospital-based geriatricians, geriatricians located with aged care assessment teams, or specialists who visited communities periodically. Key enablers to high quality dementia care included the use of routine health assessments as a mechanism for diagnosis; relationships within communities to support diagnosis and care; community and family relationships; comprehensive and holistic care models; and the use of tailored visual resources to support care. Key barriers to high quality care included: denial and stigma; dementia being perceived as a low priority health condition; limited community awareness and understanding of dementia; lack of staff education and training about dementia; and numerous gaps in service delivery. Conclusions Substantially increased investments in supporting best-practice diagnosis and management of dementia in Aboriginal communities are required. ACCHSs have key strengths that should be drawn upon in developing solutions to identified barriers to care.

Exploring Leave Events for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People From Australian Tertiary Services: A Systematic Literature Review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julieann Coombes ◽  
Syazlin Sazali ◽  
Tamara Mackean ◽  
Margaret Banks ◽  
Nilva Egana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Google Scholar ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Torres Strait Islander People ◽  
Policy Document ◽  
Manual Search ◽  
Preventative Measures ◽  
Torres Strait

Abstract Objective The primary objective of this systematic review was to identify contributing causes to leave events from health services for Australian patients. The second objective was to identify evidence based preventative measures for effectively reducing leave events, which could be implemented. Study design Articles published in Australia were included if they reported on Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians who leave health services prior to being seen or discharged by a medical professional. Two researchers screened each abstract and independently reviewed full text articles. Study quality was assessed, and data were extracted with standardised tools.Data sources MEDLINE and Google Scholar were searched for relevant publications from May 27th to June 30th, 2020. The search returned 30 relevant records. Nine additional records were identified by manual search in Google Scholar. References of included articles were searched. From these articles, 11 met the inclusion criteria. Of these 5 were from New South Wales, 2 from Western Australia, 1 each from Queensland and Northern Territory, two were conducted nationally. Data synthesis Four studies used a retrospective cohort method, one included patient interviews,(1) Four cohort studies and two systematic reviews were included. Two government reports and one health policy document were included in this review. All studies were from Australia using mixed methods.Conclusions This review identified causes for, and evidence based preventative measures that have been or could be implemented to reduce Leave Events and describes additional terms and definitions used for Leave Events.

scholarly journals (Murradambirra Dhangaang - Make Food Secure) Aboriginal Community and Stakeholder Perspectives on Food Insecurity in Urban and Regional Australia: A Qualitative Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Sherriff ◽  
Deanna Kalucy ◽  
Allison Tong ◽  
Nawazish Naqvi ◽  
Janice Nixon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Insecurity ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Local Food ◽  
System Level ◽  
Torres Strait Islander People ◽  
Aboriginal Communities ◽  
Aboriginal Community ◽  
Stakeholder Perspectives ◽  
Torres Strait ◽  
Regional Australia

Abstract Background: Food insecurity affects one in five Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people residing in non-remote environments. Inequalities in diet contribute to the differential impact on diet-sensitive chronic diseases and the related burden of disease among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This study aimed to describe Aboriginal community and stakeholder perspectives on food insecurity to get a better understanding of the key factors driving this issue and recommendations for potential solutions in urban and regional Aboriginal communities in Australia. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 44 participants who were purposively selected. This included Aboriginal people in two communities and both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal stakeholders from local food relief agencies, food suppliers, schools, and government. A conceptual framework was developed from food insecurity literature and we used the sensitizing concepts of availability, affordability, accessibility and acceptability or the lack thereof of healthy food to elicit interview responses. Interview transcripts were analysed thematically. Results: All participants felt strongly that food insecurity was a major problem experienced in the local Aboriginal communities. Five core areas impacting on food security identified: trapped in financial disadvantage; gaps in the local food system; limitations of non-Aboriginal food relief services; on-going impacts of colonization; and maintaining family, cultural and community commitments and responsibilities. Conclusions: This study found Aboriginal families in urban and regional Australia are experiencing food insecurity on a regular basis, which is impacted by a range of socio-economic, environmental, systemic and cultural factors, as reported by the participants. Our findings highlight the need to address system level changes in the food environment and acknowledge Aboriginal culture and food preferences while considering the development of programs to alleviate food insecurity among urban and regional communities.

scholarly journals Optimal Cancer Care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People: A Shared Approach to System Level Change

2020 ◽  
pp. 108-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Chynoweth ◽  
Meaghan M. McCambridge ◽  
Helen M. Zorbas ◽  
Jacinta K. Elston ◽  
Robert J.S. Thomas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Cancer Care ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Care Pathway ◽  
System Level ◽  
Culturally Appropriate ◽  
Torres Strait Islander People ◽  
Cultural Appropriateness ◽  
Torres Strait

PURPOSE To improve cancer outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through the development and national endorsement of the first population-specific optimal care pathway (OCP) to guide the delivery of high-quality, culturally appropriate, and evidence-based cancer care. METHODS An iterative methodology was undertaken over a 2-year period, and more than 70 organizations and individuals from diverse cultural, geographic, and sectorial backgrounds provided input. Cancer Australia reviewed experiences of care and the evidence base and undertook national public consultation with the Indigenous health sector and community, health professionals, and professional colleges. Critical to the OCP development was the leadership of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health experts and consumers. RESULTS The OCP received unanimous endorsement by all federal, state, and territory health ministers. Key elements of the OCP include attention to the cultural appropriateness of the health care environment; improvement in cross-cultural communication; relationship building with local community; optimization of health literacy; recognition of men’s and women’s business; and the need to use culturally appropriate resources. The OCP can be used as a tool for health services and health professionals to identify gaps in current cancer services and to inform quality improvement initiatives across all aspects of the care pathway. CONCLUSION The development of the OCP identified a number of areas that require prioritization. Ensuring culturally safe and accessible health services is essential to support early presentation and diagnosis. Multidisciplinary treatment planning and patient-centered care are required for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, irrespective of location. Health planners and governments acknowledge the imperative for change and have expressed strong commitment to work with Indigenous Australians to improve the accessibility, cultural appropriateness, and quality of cancer care.

Investigating equity in access to Australian clinical genetic health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne Luke ◽  
Philippa Dalach ◽  
Lindsay Tuer ◽  
Ravi Savarirayan ◽  
Angeline Ferdinand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Indigenous Populations ◽  
Equitable Access ◽  
Torres Strait Islander People ◽  
Clinical Genetic ◽  
Clinical Genomics ◽  
Equity In Access ◽  
Torres Strait ◽  
Equity Of Access

Abstract Globally, there is a recognised need for a greater commitment to an equity agenda in clinical genomics and precision medicine. Fundamental to this, is the equitable access by all to services providing genomic health care. However, achieving this remains constrained by a paucity of evidence that quantifies (in)equity of access to clinical genomics, particularly amongst Indigenous populations. Using administrative data from clinical genetic health services located in three jurisdictions (States/Territories) in Australia, we investigate equity in the scheduling and attendance of appointments among Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, compared to non-Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. For 15554 appointments scheduled between 2014-2018, adjusted Multivariate Poisson Regression models revealed that Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people were scheduled fewer appointments (IRR 0.73 [0.68-0.80], <0.001) and attended at lower rates (IRR 0.85 [0.78-0.93], <0.001). Within this population, adults, females, people living in remote locations, and those presenting in relation to cancer or prenatal indications experienced the greatest disparity in access. As the first quantitative, multi-jurisdictional study to measure access to clinical genetic health services, these results provide important baseline data related to the reach and equity of these services in Australia and contribute to the global effort to address equity in genomic health.

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