Educating Rita at the cultural interface: exploring intersections between race and gender in the experiences of Australian Aboriginal women at university

Cervical cancer remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among Australian Aboriginal women despite the existence of effective prevention in the form of the Papanicolaou (Pap) Smear. An anthropological assessment of a successful cervical screening program in remote northern Australia reveals that a large proportion of women participated in the program because of the gender, skills, dedication and history of a female medical practitioner, and work practices which incorporated recognition of indigenous beliefs and practices. Without the direct involvement of the practitioner, and with health services which undermined the influence of local cultural behaviours, the program declined. Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal responses to the program are described, and it is suggested that understandings about culture and gender are crucial to the design and application of future Pap Smear programs. Committed health care practitioners, cross-cultural education, and improved socioeconomic conditions for indigenous populations, are also identified as key elements for better service delivery in regard to cervical screening and other health-related issues in Aboriginal Australia.

Download Full-text

Referral Patterns for Youths Identified at Risk for Suicide by Trained Gatekeepers

Crisis ◽

10.1027/0227-5910/a000114 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 33 (2) ◽

pp. 113-119 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Michael S. Rodi ◽

Lucas Godoy Garraza ◽

Christine Walrath ◽

Robert L. Stephens ◽

D. Susanne Condron ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Suicide Prevention ◽

Demographic Characteristics ◽

Service Access ◽

Referral Patterns ◽

Race And Gender ◽

Lee Smith ◽

Prevention Behavior ◽

Key Variables ◽

And Gender ◽

To Receive

Background: In order to better understand the posttraining suicide prevention behavior of gatekeeper trainees, the present article examines the referral and service receipt patterns among gatekeeper-identified youths. Methods: Data for this study were drawn from 26 Garrett Lee Smith grantees funded between October 2005 and October 2009 who submitted data about the number, characteristics, and service access of identified youths. Results: The demographic characteristics of identified youths are not related to referral type or receipt. Furthermore, referral setting does not seem to be predictive of the type of referral. Demographic as well as other (nonrisk) characteristics of the youths are not key variables in determining identification or service receipt. Limitations: These data are not necessarily representative of all youths identified by gatekeepers represented in the dataset. The prevalence of risk among all members of the communities from which these data are drawn is unknown. Furthermore, these data likely disproportionately represent gatekeepers associated with systems that effectively track gatekeepers and youths. Conclusions: Gatekeepers appear to be identifying youth across settings, and those youths are being referred for services without regard for race and gender or the settings in which they are identified. Furthermore, youths that may be at highest risk may be more likely to receive those services.

Download Full-text