scholarly journals Identifying young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in linked administrative data: A comparison of methods

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bridgette J McNamara ◽  
Jocelyn Jones ◽  
Carrington CJ Shepherd ◽  
Lina Gubhaju ◽  
Grace Joshy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Administrative Data ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Perinatal Outcomes ◽  
Indigenous Status ◽  
Torres Strait ◽  
Linked Administrative Data ◽  
Median Approach ◽  
Family Based ◽  
Aboriginal Children

Background In the ongoing debate on optimum methods for identification of Indigenous people within linked administrative data, few studies have examined the impacts of method on population counts and outcomes in family-based linkage studies of Aboriginal children. Objective To quantify differences between three validated algorithms in ascertaining Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in linked administrative data. Methods Linked administrative health data for children born in WA from 2000-2013, were used to examine the cohorts identified by three methods: A) the Indigenous Status Flag (ISF, derived by the WA Data Linkage Branch using a multistage-median approach) for the children alone; B) the ISF of the children, their parents and grandparents; and C) Indigenous status of the child, mother or father on either of the child’s perinatal records (Midwives or birth registration), to determine differing characteristics of each cohort. Results Method B established a larger cohort (33,697) than Method C (33,510) and Method A (27,482), with all methods identifying a core group of 26,993 children (80-98%). Compared with children identified by Method A, additional children identified by Methods B or C, were from less-disadvantaged and more urban areas, and had better perinatal outcomes (e.g. lower proportions of small-for-gestational age, 10% vs 16%). Differences in demographics and health outcomes between Methods C and B were minimal. Conclusions Demographic and perinatal health characteristics differ by Indigenous identification method. Using perinatal records or the ISF of parents and grandparents (in addition to the ISF of the child) appear to be more inclusive methods for identifying young Indigenous children in administrative datasets.

scholarly journals Defining a study population using enhanced reporting of Aboriginality and the effects on study outcomes

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol Anne McInerney ◽  
Ibinabo Ibiebele ◽  
Siranda Torvaldsen ◽  
Jane B Ford ◽  
Jonathan M Morris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Aboriginal People ◽  
Perinatal Outcomes ◽  
Smoking During Pregnancy ◽  
Relative Risks ◽  
Study Population ◽  
Birth Data ◽  
Torres Strait ◽  
The Impact

Introduction The under-ascertainment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status on routinely collected health datasets has important implications for understanding the health of this population. By pooling available information on individuals’ Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status from probabilistically linked datasets, methods have been developed to adjust for this under-recording. Objectives To explore different algorithms that enhance reporting of Aboriginal status in birth data to define a cohort of Aboriginal women, examine any differences between women recorded as Aboriginal and those assigned enhanced Aboriginal status, and assess the effects of using different reported populations to estimate within-group comparisons for Aboriginal people. Methods Three algorithms, with different levels of inclusiveness, were used to establish different study populations all of which aimed to include all singleton babies born to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander women residing in New South Wales, Australia between 2010 and 2014 and their mothers. The demographics of the four study populations were described and compared using frequencies and percentages. In order to assess the impact on research outcomes and conclusions of using study populations derived from different algorithms, estimates of the associations between smoking during pregnancy and selected perinatal outcomes were compared using rates and relative risks. Results Women included in the study population through enhanced reporting were older, less disadvantaged and more commonly resided in urban areas than those recorded as Aboriginal in the birth data. Although rates of smoking and some perinatal outcomes differed between the different study populations, the relative risks of each outcome comparing smoking and non-smoking Aboriginal mothers were very similar when estimated from each of the study populations. Conclusion This work provides evidence that estimates of within-group relative risks are reliable regardless of the assumptions made for establishing the study population through the enhanced reporting of indigenous peoples.

scholarly journals The road beyond licensing: the impact of a driver licensing support program on employment outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bobby Porykali ◽  
Patricia Cullen ◽  
Kate Hunter ◽  
Kris Rogers ◽  
Melissa Kang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Geographical Area ◽  
Employment Outcomes ◽  
Support Program ◽  
The Road ◽  
Regional Area ◽  
Torres Strait ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Driver Licensing

Abstract Background With increasingly tough graduated driver licensing laws in all Australian States and Territories, driver licensing support programs are recognised as being important to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to obtain a driver licence. Such programs appear to improve licensing attainment rates, but few studies have examined the broader impact that these programs can have. This research aims to 1) examine the impact of a New South Wales (NSW) based driver licensing support program (Driving Change) on client employment outcomes; 2) assess the influence of geographical area of program delivery on driver licence attainment. Methods Driving Change was delivered from February 2013 to August 2016 in 4 urban and 7 regional Aboriginal communities of NSW. Clients were followed-up at 6 months or more following contact with the program as part of routine program operations. Descriptive statistics and regression models were used to analyse data. Results From 933 clients contacted 254 agreed to provide feedback, a response rate of 27%. Those that responded were mostly female (57%), aged 24 years and under (72%), unemployed (85%) with secondary education or less (71%) and from a regional area (74%). Adjusted logistic regression indicated that clients who achieved an independent licence were more likely (OR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.22–5.24, p = 0.011) of reporting a new job or change in job than those who did not attain a licence. Clients from regional areas were more likely (OR: 1.72, 95% CI: 1.27–2.33, p < 0.001) to gain an independent licence than those from urban areas. There was no difference in employment outcomes (OR: 1.2, 95% CI: 0.53–2.52, p = 0.719) for clients from urban compared to regional areas. Conclusion The Driving Change program appears to be effective in improving employment outcomes for those who gained a licence. Clients from regional areas were more likely to gain a licence compared to those in urban settings, and were predominantly young and unemployed, often a hard to reach cohort. Future licensing programs being delivered in regional areas need integrated pathways into employment opportunities to provide holistic services that address the social and economic challenges faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

scholarly journals The social determinants of otitis media in Aboriginal children in Australia: are we addressing the primary causes? A systematic content review

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack DeLacy ◽  
Tinashe Dune ◽  
John Macdonald
Keyword(s):  
Social Determinants Of Health ◽  
Otitis Media ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Intervention Studies ◽  
Determinants Of Health ◽  
Search Terms ◽  
Torres Strait ◽  
Content Review ◽  
Aboriginal Children

Abstract Background Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children experience some of the highest rates of otitis media in the world. Key risk factors for otitis media in Aboriginal children in Australia are largely social and environmental factors such as overcrowded housing, poverty and limited access to services. Despite this, little is known about how to address these risk factors. A scoping content review was performed to determine the relationship between social determinants of health and otitis media in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children as described by peer-reviewed and grey literature.Method Search terms were established for location, population and health condition. The search terms were used to conduct a literature search using six health research databases. Following the exclusion process, articles were scoped, analysed and categorised using scoping parameters and a social determinants of health framework.Results Housing-related issues were the most frequently reported determinants for otitis media (56%). Two articles (4%) directly investigated the impact of social determinants of health on rates of otitis media within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. The majority of the literature (68%) highlight social determinants as playing a key role in the high rates of otitis media seen in Aboriginal populations. There were no intervention studies targeting social determinants as a means to reduce otitis media rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.Conclusions This review identifies a disconnect between otitis media drivers and the focus of public health interventions within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations. Despite consensus that social determinants play a key role in the high rates of otitis media in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, the majority of literature consists of intervention studies aimed at developing vaccines and antibiotics. This review highlights the need for otitis media intervention studies to shift away from a purely biomedical model and toward investigating the underlying social determinants of health. By shifting interventions upstream, otitis media rates may decrease within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, as focus is shifted away from a treatment-focussed model and toward a more preventative model.

scholarly journals The social determinants of otitis media in Aboriginal children in Australia: are we addressing the primary causes? A systematic content review

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack DeLacy ◽  
Tinashe Dune ◽  
John Macdonald
Keyword(s):  
Social Determinants Of Health ◽  
Otitis Media ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Intervention Studies ◽  
Determinants Of Health ◽  
Search Terms ◽  
Torres Strait ◽  
Content Review ◽  
Aboriginal Children

Abstract Background Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children experience some of the highest rates of otitis media in the world. Key risk factors for otitis media in Aboriginal children in Australia are largely social and environmental factors such as overcrowded housing, poverty and limited access to services. Despite this, little is known about how to address these risk factors. A scoping content review was performed to determine the relationship between social determinants of health and otitis media in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children as described by peer-reviewed and grey literature. Method Search terms were established for location, population and health condition. The search terms were used to conduct a literature search using six health research databases. Following the exclusion process, articles were scoped, analysed and categorised using scoping parameters and a social determinants of health framework. Results Housing-related issues were the most frequently reported determinants for otitis media (56%). Two articles (4%) directly investigated the impact of social determinants of health on rates of otitis media within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. The majority of the literature (68%) highlight social determinants as playing a key role in the high rates of otitis media seen in Aboriginal populations. There were no intervention studies targeting social determinants as a means to reduce otitis media rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Conclusions This review identifies a disconnect between otitis media drivers and the focus of public health interventions within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations. Despite consensus that social determinants play a key role in the high rates of otitis media in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, the majority of literature consists of intervention studies aimed at developing vaccines and antibiotics. This review highlights the need for otitis media intervention studies to shift away from a purely biomedical model and toward investigating the underlying social determinants of health. By shifting interventions upstream, otitis media rates may decrease within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, as focus is shifted away from a treatment-focussed model and toward a more preventative model.

scholarly journals Dreaming Inside: An evaluation of a creative writing program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men in prison

2020 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 285-302
Author(s):  
Natalia Hanley ◽  
Elena Marchetti
Keyword(s):  
Creative Writing ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Writing Program ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Prison Programs ◽  
Learning Retention ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Torres Strait

Arts-based prison programs are often viewed as hobbies or as activities that have little impact on prisoner rehabilitation according to conventional understandings of the term. This is despite growing evidence that arts-based programs can assist with learning retention and can improve self-confidence and ways of coping with emotions. Generally, arts practices have been found to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have grown up or live in urban areas with asserting and strengthening their cultural identity, but we know little about the effects of arts-based prison programs on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoner wellbeing. This article focuses on a creative writing program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prisoners at Junee Correctional Centre, New South Wales. The program, Dreaming Inside, has produced seven volumes of poetry and stories. This article combines and reports findings from two evaluations of the program, one using program feedback forms and the other using semi-structured interviews with prisoners who participated in the program. The themes that emerged from both evaluations affirm the program’s efficacy in improving prisoner self-esteem, confidence and wellbeing, and in reigniting and strengthening cultural engagement.

scholarly journals The social determinants of otitis media in Aboriginal children in Australia: are we addressing the primary causes? A systematic content review

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack DeLacy(Former Corresponding Author) ◽  
Tinashe Dune(New Corresponding Author) ◽  
John Macdonald
Keyword(s):  
Social Determinants Of Health ◽  
Otitis Media ◽  
Social Determinants ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Intervention Studies ◽  
Determinants Of Health ◽  
Search Terms ◽  
Torres Strait ◽  
Content Review ◽  
Aboriginal Children

Abstract Background Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children experience some of the highest rates of otitis media in the world. Key risk factors for otitis media in Aboriginal children in Australia are largely social and environmental factors such as overcrowded housing, poverty and limited access to services. Despite this, little is known about how to address these risk factors. A scoping content review was performed to determine the relationship between social determinants of health and otitis media in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children as described by peer-reviewed and grey literature.Method Search terms were established for location, population and health condition. The search terms were used to conduct a literature search using six health research databases. Following the exclusion process, articles were scoped, analysed and categorised using scoping parameters and a social determinants of health framework.Results Housing-related issues were the most frequently reported determinants for otitis media (56%). Two articles (4%) directly investigated the impact of social determinants of health on rates of otitis media within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. The majority of the literature (68%) highlight social determinants as playing a key role in the high rates of otitis media seen in Aboriginal populations. There were no intervention studies targeting social determinants as a means to reduce otitis media rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.Conclusions This review identifies a disconnect between otitis media drivers and the focus of public health interventions within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations. Despite consensus that social determinants play a key role in the high rates of otitis media in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, the majority of literature consists of intervention studies aimed at developing vaccines and antibiotics. This review highlights the need for otitis media intervention studies to shift away from a purely biomedical model and toward investigating the underlying social determinants of health. By shifting interventions upstream, otitis media rates may decrease within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, as focus is shifted away from a treatment-focussed model and toward a more preventative model.

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Children: Present and Future Services & Policy

1993 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Butler
Keyword(s):  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Social Indicators ◽  
Children's Services ◽  
The Social ◽  
Aboriginal Society ◽  
Children’S Services ◽  
Torres Strait ◽  
Aboriginal Children

This paper will address the overall approach of the present government to the provision of Aboriginal children's services in the context of the social indicators about Aboriginal children within Aboriginal society and non-Aboriginal society. It will then outline the proper and appropriate frameworks for the development of services for Aboriginal children.

Emergency Department Presentations of Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People

2008 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 15-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadia Costa ◽  
Mary Sullivan ◽  
Rae Walker ◽  
Kerin M Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Aboriginal People ◽  
Torres Strait Islander People ◽  
Indigenous Status ◽  
Routinely Collected Data ◽  
Torres Strait ◽  
Minimum Dataset ◽  
Respiratory Conditions

This paper explains how routinely collected data can be used to examine the emergency department attendances of Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The data reported in the Victorian Emergency Minimum Dataset (VEMD) for the 2006/2007 financial year were analysed. The presentations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Aboriginal people were compared in terms of age, gender, hospital location (metropolitan and rural) and presenting condition. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were found to attend the emergency department 1.8 times more often than non-Aboriginal people. While the emergency department presentation rates of metropolitan Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Aboriginal people were similar, rural Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people presented to the emergency department 2.3 times more often than non-Aboriginal people. The injuries or poisonings, respiratory conditions and mental disorders presentation rates of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Aboriginal population were compared. No previous studies have assessed the accuracy of the Indigenous status and diagnosis fields in the VEMD; therefore the quality of this data is unknown.

scholarly journals Maternal assault admissions are associated with increased risk of child protection involvement

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol Orr ◽  
David B Preen ◽  
Rebecca Glauert ◽  
Melissa O'Donnell ◽  
Colleen Fisher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Child Maltreatment ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Administrative Data ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Prenatal Period ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Linked Administrative Data ◽  
Aboriginal Children

IntroductionAlmost half of Australian women assaulted by their partner have children in their care. Evidence suggests a link between children’s exposure to violence, and subsequent maltreatment allegations. However, this evidence is limited by small sample sizes. Linked administrative data present an opportunity to further investigate this sensitive topic. Objectives and ApproachThis study investigated the relationship between assaults on mothers and subsequent child maltreatment allegations. The sample included all live births in Western Australia from 1990 to 2009 (N=524,534) and their parents, with follow up to 2013. Linked administrative data on child maltreatment allegations and mothers’ assault-related hospital admissions were obtained. Multivariate Cox regression estimated the risk of maltreatment allegation following maternal assault admission. Adjusted and unadjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95\% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for the risk of maltreatment allegation, and time (in months) between assault admission and the first maltreatment allegation. ResultsOne in five children whose mother had an assault admission had a subsequent maltreatment allegation, increasing to more than one in three children when restricted to assault admissions in the prenatal period. More than half of the children who had a maltreatment allegation after their mother was admitted for assault were Aboriginal. After adjusting for covariates, children whose mother had an assault admission had two-fold increased risk of having a maltreatment allegation. The risk of maltreatment allegation was greatest in young children, 5.5-year-old (SD=4.6), when restricted to maternal assault admissions in the prenatal period the children were younger at 4-year-old (SD=4.1). The time from maternal assault admission to maltreatment allegation was around 12 months longer for Aboriginal children than for non-Aboriginal children. Conclusion/ImplicationsChildren of mothers who have been assaulted are at higher risk of child maltreatment allegation. Targeted early intervention is required for families with young children, and pregnant women experiencing violence. The time to maltreatment allegation for Aboriginal children warrants community developed culturally-safe partnerships between Aboriginal communities and government services.

Knowing our patients: a cross-sectional study of adult patients attending an urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary healthcare service

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (5) ◽  
pp. 449 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deborah A. Askew ◽  
Warren J. Jennings ◽  
Noel E. Hayman ◽  
Philip J. Schluter ◽  
Geoffrey K. Spurling
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Disease ◽  
Primary Healthcare ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Healthcare Service ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Electronic Health Record Data ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Torres Strait

Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people live in urban areas, but epidemiological data about their health status and health needs are lacking. This knowledge is critical to informing and evaluating initiatives to improve service delivery and health outcomes. One potential data source is de-identified routinely collected clinical data. This cross-sectional study, conducted in an urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander primary healthcare service, involved randomly selecting a sample of 400 patients aged ≥15 years, and manually extracting electronic health record data. In the sample, 49% of patients were aged &lt;35 years, 56% were female and 38% were employed. Overall, 56% of females and 47% of males aged 35–54 years had depression, 26% had experienced a bereavement within the last 12 months, and while 44% were alcohol abstainers, 35% were drinking at high-risk levels. The present study cannot demonstrate causal relationships between the observed high rates of chronic disease in older people and frequent experiences of bereavement and high levels of mental ill health in young- and middle-aged adults. However, a life course approach provides a framework to understand the interconnectedness of these results, and suggests that strategies to blunt the intergenerational burden of chronic disease need to address the social and emotional wellbeing of youth.

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