scholarly journals Aboriginal Health Workers Promoting Oral Health among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women during Pregnancy: Development and Pilot Testing of the Grinnin’ Up Mums & Bubs Program

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (18) ◽  
pp. 9576
Author(s):  
Ariana Kong ◽  
Michelle Dickson ◽  
Lucie Ramjan ◽  
Mariana S. Sousa ◽  
Nathan Jones ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oral Health ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Aboriginal Health ◽  
Model Of Care ◽  
Dental Services ◽  
Level Of Satisfaction ◽  
Torres Strait ◽  
High Level

Background: this study aimed to develop and pilot test the model of care, Grinnin’ Up Mums & Bubs, to train Aboriginal Health Workers to promote oral health among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pregnant women. Methods: Participatory Action Research was employed to develop the different components of the model (oral health promotion resources, training workshop, and a culturally safe referral pathway to dental services). The model was piloted (pre-post), using an embedded mixed-methods design, to determine the acceptability, satisfaction, and any recommendations made by seven Aboriginal Health Workers at an antenatal service in Western Sydney, Australia. Results: there was a high level of satisfaction with the components of the model of care among the participants, who believed that the model could be integrated into practice. The training showed some improvement in oral health knowledge and confidence. The participants recommended strategies for discussing oral health with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pregnant women, and changes in public health dental policy to ensure that all women would be able to access affordable dental services through the referral pathway. Conclusion: the findings suggest a high level of satisfaction with the model of care among the Aboriginal Health Workers. Further evaluation is needed to confirm the short and long-term impact of the model.

scholarly journals Aboriginal Health Workers promoting oral health among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women during pregnancy: Development and pilot testing of the Grinnin’ Up Mums & Bubs program

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariana Kong ◽  
Michelle Dickson ◽  
Lucie Ramjan ◽  
Mariana S. Sousa ◽  
Nathan Jones ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oral Health ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Aboriginal Health ◽  
Model Of Care ◽  
Dental Services ◽  
Level Of Satisfaction ◽  
Torres Strait ◽  
High Level

Abstract Background: This study aimed to develop and pilot test the model of care, Grinnin’ Up Mums and Bubs, to train Aboriginal Health Workers to promote oral health among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pregnant women. Methods: Participatory Action Research was employed to develop the different components of the model (oral health promotion resources, training workshop, and a culturally safe referral pathway to dental services). The model was piloted (pre-post) using an embedded mixed-methods design with seven Aboriginal Health Workers at an antenatal service in Western Sydney, Australia. Results: There was a high level of satisfaction with the components of the model of care among the participants, who believed that the model could be integrated into practice. The training showed some improvement in oral health knowledge and confidence. The participants recommended strategies for discussing oral health with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pregnant women, and changes in public health dental policy to ensure that all women would be able to access affordable dental services through the referral pathway. Conclusion: The findings suggest a high level of satisfaction with the model of care among the Aboriginal Health Workers. Further evaluation is needed to confirm the short and long-term impact of the model.

scholarly journals A Qualitative Study Exploring the Experiences and Perspectives of Australian Aboriginal Women on Oral Health during Pregnancy

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (15) ◽  
pp. 8061
Author(s):  
Ariana Kong ◽  
Michelle Dickson ◽  
Lucie Ramjan ◽  
Mariana S. Sousa ◽  
Joanne Goulding ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oral Health ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Aboriginal Health ◽  
Health Staff ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Aboriginal Women ◽  
Torres Strait

The aim of this study was to explore whether oral health was an important consideration for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women during pregnancy, whether oral health could be promoted by Aboriginal health staff, and strategies that would be appropriate to use in a new model of care. A qualitative descriptive methodology underpinned the study. All participants in this study identified as Aboriginal, with no Torres Strait Islander participants, and were from New South Wales, Australia. The interviews were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. From the data, two themes were constructed. The first theme identified that oral health was not always the first priority for participants as poor accessibility alongside other competing commitments were challenges to accessing oral health services. The second theme highlighted how relationships with personal networks and healthcare providers were essential and could be used to support maternal oral health during pregnancy. Effective strategies to promote oral health during pregnancy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women should involve key stakeholders and health care providers, like Aboriginal Health Workers, to facilitate culturally safe support and tailored oral health advice.

scholarly journals “Got to build that trust”: the perspectives and experiences of Aboriginal health staff on maternal oral health

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariana C. Kong ◽  
Mariana S. Sousa ◽  
Lucie Ramjan ◽  
Michelle Dickson ◽  
Joanne Goulding ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Dental Care ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Aboriginal Health ◽  
Health Staff ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Aboriginal Women ◽  
Family Partnership

Abstract Background In Australia, models of care have been developed to train antenatal care providers to promote oral health among pregnant women. However, these models are underpinned by Western values of maternity care that do not consider the cultural needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. This study aimed to explore the perceptions and experiences of Aboriginal health staff towards oral health care during pregnancy. It is part of a larger program of research to develop a new, culturally safe model of oral health care for Aboriginal women during pregnancy. Methods A descriptive qualitative methodology informed the study. Focus groups were convened to yarn with Aboriginal Health Workers, Family Partnership Workers and Aboriginal management staff at two antenatal health services in Sydney, Australia. Results A total of 14 people participated in the focus groups. There were four themes that were constructed. These focused on Aboriginal Health Workers and Family Partnership Workers identifying their role in promoting maternal oral health, where adequate training is provided and where trust has been developed with clients. Yet, because the Aboriginal health staff work in a system fundamentally driven by the legacy of colonisation, it has significantly contributed to the systemic barriers Aboriginal pregnant women continue to face in accessing health services, including dental care. The participants recommended that a priority dental referral pathway, that supported continuity of care, could provide increased accessibility to dental care. Conclusions The Aboriginal health staff identified the potential role of Aboriginal Health Workers and Family Partnership Workers promoting oral health among Aboriginal pregnant women. To develop an effective oral health model of care among Aboriginal women during pregnancy, there is the need for training of Aboriginal Health Workers and Family Partnership Workers in oral health. Including Aboriginal staff at every stage of a dental referral pathway could reduce the fear of accessing mainstream health institutions and also promote continuity of care. Although broader oral health policies still need to be changed, this model could mitigate some of the barriers between Aboriginal women and both dental care providers and healthcare systems.

scholarly journals Pneumococcus in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: The role of Aboriginal health workers and implications for nursing practice

2013 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiba Deek ◽  
Penelope Abbott ◽  
Louise Moore ◽  
Joyce Davison ◽  
Sonya Cameron ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Nursing Practice ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Aboriginal Health ◽  
Torres Strait

scholarly journals The association of knowledge on oral health and utilization of dental services among pregnant women

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Ola Mousa ◽  
Asmaa Hamed ◽  
Norah Al Omar
Keyword(s):  
Oral Health ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Dental Service ◽  
Dental Services ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Dental Floss ◽  
Expectant Mothers ◽  
Level Of Knowledge ◽  
High Level ◽  
Utilization Of Dental Services

Good oral health during pregnancy can possibly reduce complications and this will improve the quality of life of the pregnant woman. In addition, this will prevent the risk of the child to develop early childhood dental caries in the future. The main objective of this study was to determine if there is an association existingbetween the level of knowledge on oral health and utilization of dental services among pregnant women. Furthermore, the study determined the (a) proportion among pregnant women who had high level of knowledge regarding dental careduring pregnancy, (b) proportion of pregnant women who ever visited the dentist during pregnancy, (c) proportions of expecting women who are regularly brushing her teeth and whouses dental floss during pregnancy, and (d) factors that hinders the expecting women from visiting the dentist during pregnancy. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at El Minia University Maternal and Child Health Hospital, El Minia, Egypt. A cross-sectional self-administered questionnaire-based survey was conducted among 200 expectant mothers, approached 156 out of them returned completed questionnaires, representing a response rate of 78%. Results revealed that: (a) nearly 65% of pregnant mothers had a high level of poor knowledge regarding dental care during pregnancy, (b) roughly 24% of pregnant women ever visited the dentist during pregnancy, (c) about 80% and 43% of expecting women regularly brush their teeth at least twice per day and use dental floss during pregnancy, respectively, and (d) among the factors that hinder the expecting women from visiting the dentist during pregnancy include having no time to visit, the consultation cost, fear and anxiety about the procedure, long waiting time, transportation problem and the idea of not needing the dental care. Moreover, the results showed that there was no sufficient evidence to say that the level of knowledge regarding dental service during pregnancy is associated with the utilization of dental service during pregnancy (Pearson Chi-square p-value = .160). The study concludes that health promotion on oral care during prenatal visits should address the mythologies and misconceptions among pregnant women. Therefore, healthcare providers should raise awareness among expectant mothers about giving special attention to oral health needs due to the higher risk of oral diseases that may affect pregnancy and the child inside the womb.

scholarly journals “Got to build that trust”: Aboriginal Health Workers’ perspectives and experiences of maternal oral health

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariana C Kong ◽  
Mariana S Sousa ◽  
Lucie Ramjan ◽  
Michelle Dickson ◽  
Joanne Goulding ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oral Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Dental Care ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Aboriginal Health ◽  
Health Needs ◽  
New Mothers ◽  
Aboriginal Women

Abstract Background Aboriginal Health Workers provide a unique insight into understanding the health needs of the Aboriginal peoples in the community on account of their cultural knowledge, experiences and understanding of the health services. The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions and experiences of Aboriginal Health Workers towards oral health care to inform the development of an oral health care program to better meet the oral health needs of Aboriginal pregnant women and new mothers.Methods A participatory action research methodology informed the study. Focus groups were conducted with Aboriginal Health Workers at two antenatal health services in Sydney, Australia.Results A total of 14 people participated in the focus groups. The four themes that emerged from the focus groups provided insight on the importance of trust in the building of empowering relationships with Aboriginal women and highlighted the need for Aboriginal Health Workers to receive additional training to better address the oral health needs of Aboriginal pregnant women and new mothers. However, the Aboriginal Health Workers worked in a system fundamentally driven by the legacy of colonisation and integenerational trauma that has created systemic barriers to access of health services, including dental care. The participants recommended that a priority dental referral pathway, that supported continuity of care, could provide increased accessibility to dental care for Aboriginal pregnant women and new mothers.Conclusions The oral health of Aboriginal pregnant women and new mothers is supported by Aboriginal Health Workers, who outlined both a systems and an individual approach in delivery of existing dental care. The Aboriginal Health Workers provided recommendations to develop a program of dental care that could break down the systemic factors that create barriers to accessing dental care for Aboriginal women.

scholarly journals Making space for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community health workers in health promotion

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 562-574
Author(s):  
Kathleen P Conte ◽  
Josephine Gwynn ◽  
Nicole Turner ◽  
Claudia Koller ◽  
Karen E Gillham
Keyword(s):  
Health Promotion ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Community Health Workers ◽  
Torres Strait Islander ◽  
Aboriginal People ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
Aboriginal Health ◽  
Global Literature ◽  
Torres Strait

Abstract Despite a clear need, ‘closing the gap’ in health disparities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities (hereafter, respectfully referred to as Aboriginal) continues to be challenging for western health care systems. Globally, community health workers (CHWs) have proven effective in empowering communities and improving culturally appropriate health services. The global literature on CHWs reflects a lack of differentiation between the types of roles these workers carry out. This in turn impedes evidence syntheses informing how different roles contribute to improving health outcomes. Indigenous CHW roles in Australia are largely operationalized by Aboriginal Health Workers (AHWs)—a role situated primarily within the clinical health system. In this commentary, we consider whether the focus on creating professional AHW roles, although important, has taken attention away from the benefits of other types of CHW roles particularly in community-based health promotion. We draw on the global literature to illustrate the need for an Aboriginal CHW role in health promotion; one that is distinct from, but complementary to, that of AHWs in clinical settings. We provide examples of barriers encountered in developing such a role based on our experiences of employing Aboriginal health promoters to deliver evidence-based programmes in rural and remote communities. We aim to draw attention to the systemic and institutional barriers that persist in denying innovative employment and engagement opportunities for Aboriginal people in health.

scholarly journals “Got to build that trust”: Aboriginal Health Workers’ perspectives and experiences of maternal oral health

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariana C Kong ◽  
Mariana S Sousa ◽  
Lucie Ramjan ◽  
Michelle Dickson ◽  
Joanne Goulding ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Dental Care ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Aboriginal Health ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
New Mothers ◽  
Aboriginal Women

Abstract Background: In Australia, models of care have been developed to train antenatal care providers to promote oral health among pregnant women. However, these models are underpinned by Western values of maternity care that do not consider the need to ensure cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. This study aimed to explore the perceptions and experiences of Aboriginal Health Workers and Family Partnership Workers towards oral health care during pregnancy. It is part of a larger program of research to develop a new, culturally appropriate model of oral health care for Aboriginal pregnant women and new mothers.Methods: A participatory action research methodology informed the study. Focus groups were convened to yarn with Aboriginal Health Workers, Family Partnership Workers and Aboriginal management staff at two antenatal health services in Sydney, Australia. Results: A total of 14 people participated in the focus groups. There were four themes that were constructed. These focussed on the importance of trust to build relationships with clients, and the need to receive training to better address the oral health needs of Aboriginal pregnant women and new mothers. Further, the staff work in a system fundamentally driven by the legacy of colonisation and its subsequent effects of integenerational trauma on Aboriginal people and communities. This has significantly contributed to the systemic barriers Aboriginal continue to face in accessing health services, including dental care. The participants recommended that a priority dental referral pathway, that supported continuity of care, could provide increased accessibility to dental care for Aboriginal pregnant women and new mothers.Conclusions: There is the need for an individual and systems approach to promote oral health among Aboriginal pregnant women and new mothers. This approach should cultivate trust between Aboriginal women and both care providers and healthcare systems. A new model of care is needed that provides oral health training to Aboriginal Health Workers and addresses the systemic factors that create barriers to accessing dental care for Aboriginal women.

scholarly journals “Got to build that trust”: The perspectives and experiences of Aboriginal health staff on maternal oral health

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariana C Kong ◽  
Mariana S Sousa ◽  
Lucie Ramjan ◽  
Michelle Dickson ◽  
Joanne Goulding ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Oral Health ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Continuity Of Care ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Aboriginal Health ◽  
Health Staff ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Aboriginal Women ◽  
Family Partnership

Abstract Background: In Australia, models of care have been developed to train antenatal care providers to promote oral health among pregnant women. However, these models are underpinned by Western values of maternity care that do not consider the cultural needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. This study aimed to explore the perceptions and experiences of Aboriginal health staff towards oral health care during pregnancy. It is part of a larger program of research to develop a new, culturally safe model of oral health care for Aboriginal women during pregnancy.Methods: A descriptive qualitative methodology informed the study. Focus groups were convened to yarn with Aboriginal Health Workers, Family Partnership Workers and Aboriginal management staff at two antenatal health services in Sydney, Australia. Results: A total of 14 people participated in the focus groups. There were four themes that were constructed. These focused on Aboriginal Health Workers and Family Partnership Workers identifying their role in promoting maternal oral health, where adequate training is provided and where trust has been developed with clients. Yet, because the Aboriginal health staff work in a system fundamentally driven by the legacy of colonisation, it has significantly contributed to the systemic barriers Aboriginal pregnant women continue to face in accessing health services, including dental care. The participants recommended that a priority dental referral pathway, that supported continuity of care, could provide increased accessibility to dental care.Conclusions: The Aboriginal health staff identified the potential role of Aboriginal Health Workers and Family Partnership Workers promoting oral health among Aboriginal pregnant women. To develop an effective oral health model of care among Aboriginal women during pregnancy, there is the need for training of Aboriginal Health Workers and Family Partnership Workers in oral health. Including Aboriginal staff at every stage of a dental referral pathway could reduce the fear of accessing mainstream health institutions and also promote continuity of care. Although broader oral health policies still need to be changed, this model could mitigate some of the barriers between Aboriginal women and both dental care providers and healthcare systems.

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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