scholarly journals Cancer survival for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians: a national study of survival rates and excess mortality

2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
John R Condon ◽  
Xiaohua Zhang ◽  
Peter Baade ◽  
Kalinda Griffiths ◽  
Joan Cunningham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Excess Mortality ◽  
Cancer Survival ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
National Study ◽  
Torres Strait

scholarly journals Who responds? An examination of response rates to a national postal survey of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults, 2018-2019

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alyson Jane Wright ◽  
Katherine Anne Thurber ◽  
Mandy Yap ◽  
Wei Du ◽  
Emily Banks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Sampling Strategy ◽  
Response Rates ◽  
Postal Survey ◽  
National Study ◽  
Recruitment Methods ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Torres Strait

Abstract Background: Evidence on the effectiveness of postal recruitment methods for Indigenous peoples is lacking. Mayi Kuwayu, the National Study of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing, uses multi-staged sampling. We aimed to test postal surveys as a primary recruitment method, analysing preliminary response rate data to inform the Study’s ongoing sampling approach. Methods: 20,000 adults aged ≥16 years were sampled from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people enrolled in the Medicare Australia Enrolment Database. We calculated response rates at 4 and 15 weeks, overall and by age group, gender, state/territory and remoteness. Results: The overall response rate was 2.3% (n=456/20000). Highest response rates were observed among males and females ≥50 years from major cities (6.0%, 95%CI 4.4–7.9 and 5.5%, 4.1–7.2, respectively) and regional areas (6.0%, 4.6–7.6 and 6.2%, 4.9–7.7, respectively). Younger age groups and remote areas had lower response rates; all remote age groups <50 years had a response rate ≤0.6%. While most participants responded on the paper surveys, online responses were more common among younger age groups and, respondents with higher education levels and whose first language was not English.Conclusion: Using a postal survey, we observed response rates of ≥5.5% among older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults in major cities and regional areas; response rates were lower in other groups. A two-stage postal distribution approach provided an opportunity to adapt sampling approaches to different demographic groups. Based on initial response rates, the sampling strategy was revised to send postal surveys to groups with higher response rates groups and focus field recruitment strategies on low response groups.

Intergenerational and early life influences on the well-being of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children: overview and selected findings fromFootprints in Time, the Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Salmon ◽  
F. Skelton ◽  
K. A. Thurber ◽  
L. Bennetts Kneebone ◽  
J. Gosling ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Early Life ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Well Being ◽  
National Study ◽  
Annual Data ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Australian Aboriginal ◽  
Indigenous Children ◽  
Torres Strait

AbstractFootprints in Time: The Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children (LSIC) is a national study of 1759 Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children living across urban, regional and remote areas of Australia. The study is in its 11th wave of annual data collection, having collected extensive data on topics including birth and early life influences, parental health and well-being, identity, cultural engagement, language use, housing, racism, school engagement and academic achievement, and social and emotional well-being. The current paper reviews a selection of major findings fromFootprints in Timerelating to the developmental origins of health and disease for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Opportunities for new researchers to conduct further research utilizing the LSIC data set are also presented.

Physician Referral for Fertility Preservation in Oncology Patients: A National Study of Practice Behaviors

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (35) ◽  
pp. 5952-5957 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gwendolyn P. Quinn ◽  
Susan T. Vadaparampil ◽  
Ji-Hyun Lee ◽  
Paul B. Jacobsen ◽  
Gerold Bepler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Fertility Preservation ◽  
Cancer Survival ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
The United States ◽  
National Study ◽  
Childbearing Age ◽  
Practice Behaviors ◽  
Patient Recall ◽  
American Society

Purpose Cancer survival rates are improving, and the focus is moving toward quality survival. Fertility is a key aspect of quality of life for cancer patients of childbearing age. Although cancer treatment may impair fertility, some patients may benefit from referral to a specialist before treatment. However, the majority of studies examining patient recall of discussion and referral for fertility preservation (FP) show that less than half receive this information. This study examined the referral practices of oncologists in the United States. Methods This study examined oncologists' referral practice patterns for FP among US physicians using the American Medical Association Physician Masterfile database. A 53-item survey was administered via mail and Internet to a stratified random sample of US physicians. Results Forty-seven percent of respondents routinely refer cancer patients of childbearing age to a reproductive endocrinologist. Referrals were more likely among female physicians (P = .004), those with favorable attitudes (P = .043), and those whose patients routinely ask about FP (odds ratio = 2.09; 95% CI, 1.31 to 3.33). Conclusion Less than half of US physicians are following the guidelines from the American Society of Clinical Oncology, which suggest that all patients of childbearing age should be informed about FP.

scholarly journals Who responds? An examination of response rates to a national postal survey of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults, 2018-2019

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alyson Jane Wright ◽  
Katherine Anne Thurber ◽  
Mandy Yap ◽  
Wei Du ◽  
Emily Banks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Response Rate ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Sampling Strategy ◽  
Response Rates ◽  
Postal Survey ◽  
National Study ◽  
Recruitment Methods ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Torres Strait

Abstract Background Evidence on the effectiveness of postal recruitment methods for Indigenous peoples is lacking. Mayi Kuwayu, the National Study of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing, uses multi-staged sampling. We aimed to test postal surveys as a primary recruitment method, analysing preliminary response rate data to inform the Study’s ongoing sampling approach.Methods Our sample included 20,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults >16 years enrolled in the Medicare Australia Enrolment Database. We calculated response rates at 4 and 15 weeks, overall and by age group, gender, state/territory and remoteness.Results The overall response rate was 2.3% (n=456/20000). Highest response rates were observed among males and females ≥50 years from major cities (6.0%, 95%CI 4.4–7.9 and 5.5%, 4.1–7.2, respectively) and regional areas (6.0%, 4.6–7.6 and 6.2%, 4.9–7.7, respectively). Younger age groups and remote areas had lower response rates; all remote age groups <50 years had a response rate ≤0.6%. While most participants responded on the paper surveys, online responses were more common among younger age groups and, respondents with higher education levels and whose first language was not English.Conclusion Using a postal survey, we observed response rates of ≥5.5% among older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults in major cities and regional areas; response rates were lower in other groups. A two-stage postal distribution approach provided an opportunity to adapt sampling approaches to different demographic groups. Based on initial response rates, the sampling strategy was revised to send postal surveys to groups with higher response rates groups and focus field recruitment strategies on low response groups.

scholarly journals Developing and validating measures of self-reported everyday and healthcare discrimination for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine A. Thurber ◽  
Jennie Walker ◽  
Philip J. Batterham ◽  
Gilbert C. Gee ◽  
Jan Chapman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Everyday Life ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Discriminant Validity ◽  
Face Validity ◽  
National Study ◽  
Baseline Survey ◽  
Indigenous Australian ◽  
High Exposure ◽  
Torres Strait ◽  
Interpersonal Discrimination

Abstract Background It is well established that racism is a fundamental contributor to poor health and inequities. There is consistent evidence of high exposure to discrimination among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous Australian) peoples, but impacts have not been fully quantified, in part due to limited measurement tools. We aim to validate instruments developed to measure interpersonal discrimination. Methods Instruments were discussed at five focus groups and with experts, and field tested in developing Mayi Kuwayu: The National Study of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Wellbeing. Data from 7501 baseline survey participants were analysed. Acceptability was assessed according to extent of missingness, construct validity using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, and reliability using Cronbach’s alpha. Associations between each instrument and outcomes conceptually understood to be closely (community-level racism) or less closely (family wellbeing) related were quantified to test convergent and discriminant validity. Results An 8-item instrument captures experiences of discrimination in everyday life and a 4-item instrument experiences in healthcare, each followed by a global attribution item. Item missingness was 2.2–3.7%. Half (55.4%) of participants reported experiencing any everyday discrimination, with 65.7% attributing the discrimination to Indigeneity; healthcare discrimination figures were 34.1% and 51.1%. Items were consistent with two distinct instruments, differentiating respondents with varying experiences of discrimination. Scales demonstrated very good reliability and convergent and divergent validity. Conclusion These brief instruments demonstrate face validity and robust psychometric properties in measuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults’ experiences of interpersonal discrimination in everyday life and in healthcare. They can be used to quantify population-level experiences of discrimination, and associated wellbeing consequences, and monitor change.

Influenza vaccination coverage in a population-based cohort of Australian-born Aboriginal and non-Indigenous older adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amalie Dyda ◽  
Surendra Karki ◽  
Marlene Kong ◽  
Heather F Gidding ◽  
John M Kaldor ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Vaccine ◽  
Influenza Vaccination ◽  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
Vaccine Uptake ◽  
P Value ◽  
Healthy Weight ◽  
Medical Risk ◽  
Torres Strait

Background: There is limited information on vaccination coverage and characteristics associated with vaccine uptake in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander adults. We aimed to provide more current estimates of influenza vaccination coverage in Aboriginal adults. Methods: Self-reported vaccination status (n=559 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander participants, n=80,655 non-Indigenous participants) from the 45 and Up Study, a large cohort of adults aged 45 years or older, was used to compare influenza vaccination coverage in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander adults with coverage in non-Indigenous adults. Results: Of Aboriginal and non-Indigenous respondents aged 49 to <65 years, age-standardised influenza coverage was respectively 45.2% (95% CI 39.5–50.9%) and 38.5%, (37.9–39.0%), p-value for heterogeneity=0.02. Coverage for Aboriginal and non-Indigenous respondents aged ≥65 years was respectively 67.3% (59.9–74.7%) and 72.6% (72.2–73.0%), p-heterogeneity=0.16. Among Aboriginal adults, coverage was higher in obese than in healthy weight participants (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=2.38, 95%CI 1.44–3.94); in those aged <65 years with a medical risk factor than in those without medical risk factors (aOR=2.13, 1.37–3.30); and in those who rated their health as fair/poor compared to those who rated it excellent (aOR=2.57, 1.26–5.20). Similar associations were found among non-Indigenous adults. Conclusions: In this sample of adults ≥65 years, self-reported influenza vaccine coverage was not significantly different between Aboriginal and non-Indigenous adults whereas in those <65 years, coverage was higher among Aboriginal adults. Overall, coverage in the whole cohort was suboptimal. If these findings are replicated in other samples and in the Australian Immunisation Register, it suggests that measures to improve uptake, such as communication about the importance of influenza vaccine and more effective reminder systems, are needed among adults.

Considering the Impact of Social Media on Contemporary Improvement of Australian Aboriginal Health: Scoping Review (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Troy Walker ◽  
Claire Palermo ◽  
Karen Klassen
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Aboriginal People ◽  
Aboriginal Health ◽  
Health Messages ◽  
Community Control ◽  
Torres Strait Islander People ◽  
Australian Aboriginal ◽  
Torres Strait

BACKGROUND Social media may have a significant role in influencing the present and future health implications among Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, yet there has been no review of the role of social media in improving health. OBJECTIVE This study aims to examine the extent of health initiatives using social media that aimed to improve the health of Australian Aboriginal communities. METHODS A scoping review was conducted by systematically searching databases CINAHL Plus; PubMed; Scopus; Web of Science, and Ovid MEDLINE in June 2017 using the terms and their synonyms “Aboriginal” and “Social media.” In addition, reference lists of included studies and the Indigenous HealthInfonet gray literature were searched. Key information about the social media intervention and its impacts on health were extracted and data synthesized using narrative summaries. RESULTS Five papers met inclusion criteria. All included studies were published in the past 5 years and involved urban, rural, and remote Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people aged 12-60 years. No studies reported objective impacts on health. Three papers found that social media provided greater space for sharing health messages in a 2-way exchange. The negative portrayal of Aboriginal people and negative health impacts of social media were described in 2 papers. CONCLUSIONS Social media may be a useful strategy to provide health messages and sharing of content among Aboriginal people, but objective impacts on health remain unknown. More research is necessary on social media as a way to connect, communicate, and improve Aboriginal health with particular emphasis on community control, self-empowerment, and decolonization.

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