The beyond borders initiative: Aboriginal, torres strait islander and international public health students: Engaging partners in cross-cultural learning

Since March 2020 in Australia, there has been decisive national, and state and territory policy as well as community led action involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as information about COVID-19 arose. This has resulted in, what could only be framed as a success story in self-determination. However, there continues to be issues with the quality of data used for the surveillance and reporting of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people during the pandemic. This article discusses some of the important events in pandemic planning regarding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and how this relates to surveillance and monitoring in the emerging and ongoing threat of COVID-19 within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The authors also identify some of the data considerations required in the future to monitor and address public health.

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Developing a Cultural Protocol for Evaluation

Evaluation Journal of Australasia ◽

10.1177/1035719x1701700203 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 11-19 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Alison Rogers ◽

Madeleine Bower ◽

Cathy Malla ◽

Sharon Manhire ◽

Deborah Rhodes

Keyword(s):

Torres Strait Islander ◽

Cross Cultural ◽

External Support ◽

Culturally Appropriate ◽

Evaluation Capacity Building ◽

Program Evaluations ◽

Indigenous Australia ◽

External Evaluators ◽

Torres Strait ◽

Internal Evaluators

Evaluation is understood to be important for ensuring programs and organisations are effective and relevant. Evaluation findings, however, can be potentially inappropriate or not useful if those who have an in-depth understanding of the context are not involved in guidance, direction or implementation. The Fred Hollows Foundation's Indigenous Australia Program (IAP), with more than half of its employees identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, has developed a cultural protocol for evaluation to strengthen the quality of its program evaluations, whether they are carried out by internal staff or external evaluators. The development of the protocol was initiated after an evaluation capacity building appraisal identified the potential benefits of increased external support to undertake evaluation activities, and the requirement for this external support to be undertaken in a culturally appropriate manner. The protocol was developed by combining IAP's experience and knowledge with contemporary evaluation and research approaches, particularly those developed for use in cross-cultural settings, with the aim of producing a meaningful and locally relevant resource. The protocol aims to assist staff and external evaluators to ensure that evaluation activities are undertaken with the appropriate respect for, and participation of, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and communities. Consistent with IAP principles, those involved in the process of developing the protocols sought to ensure that engagement between staff, evaluators and evaluation participants occurs in culturally-appropriate ways. IAP believes that the protocol will contribute to stronger evaluation practices, deeper understanding and thus, more useful outcomes. This article describes the process of engaging IAP staff with contextual evidence and the literature around cultural protocols to create a meaningful tool that is useful in our particular context. The process of development described will be useful for: organisations undertaking initiatives that source external evaluators; internal evaluators engaging with external expertise; or evaluators linking with organisations working in a cross-cultural setting.

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Study protocol: a clinical trial for improving mental health screening for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pregnant women and mothers of young children using the Kimberley Mum's Mood Scale

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-019-7845-3 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Emma Carlin ◽

Sarah J. Blondell ◽

Yvonne Cadet-James ◽

Sandra Campbell ◽

Melissa Williams ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Clinical Trial ◽

Qualitative Methods ◽

Real World ◽

Torres Strait Islander ◽

Perinatal Depression ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Important Public Health ◽

Torres Strait ◽

Mood Scale

Abstract Background Improving the rates of, and instruments used in, screening for perinatal depression and anxiety among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are important public health priorities. The Kimberley Mum’s Mood Scale (KMMS) was developed and later validated as an effective and acceptable perinatal depression and anxiety screening tool for the Kimberley region under research conditions. Other regions have expressed interest in using the KMMS with perinatal Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. It is, however, important to re-evaluate the KMMS in a larger Kimberley sample via a real world implementation study, and to test for applicability in other remote and regional environments before recommendations for wider use can be made. This paper outlines the protocol for evaluating the process of implementation and establishing the ‘real world’ validity and acceptability of the KMMS in the Kimberley, Pilbara and Far North Queensland in northern Australia. Methods The study will use a range of quantitative and qualitative methods across all sites. KMMS validation/revalidation internal consistency of Part 1 will be determined using Cronbach’s alpha. Equivalence for identifying risk of depression and anxiety compared to a standard reference assessment will be determined from receiver operating characteristic curves. Sensitivity and specificity will be determined based on these cut-points. Qualitative methods of phenomenology will be used to explore concepts of KMMS user acceptability (women and health professionals). Additional process evaluation methods will collate, assess and report on KMMS quality review data, consultations with health service administrators and management, field notes, and other documentation from the research team. This information will be reported on using the Dynamic Sustainability Framework. Discussion This project is contributing to the important public health priority of screening Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women for perinatal depression and anxiety with tools that are meaningful and responsive to cultural and clinical needs. Identifying and addressing barriers to implementation contributes to our understanding of the complexity of improving routine clinical practie. Trial registration The study was registered retrospectively on 15/05/2019 with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trial registry (ACTRN12619000580178).

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Bicultural Stress: An Aboriginal Community Perspective

Australian Journal of Primary Health ◽

10.1071/py96032 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 78 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Christine Salisbury ◽

Sue Follent

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Health Services ◽

Cultural Sensitivity ◽

Torres Strait Islander ◽

Public Mental Health ◽

Stressful Events ◽

Public Health Services ◽

Stress Symptoms ◽

Torres Strait ◽

Barriers To Use

A survey was designed to assess and to compare the levels of stress being experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Aboriginal respondents. The survey covered a range of areas including demographics, access to transport, drug and alcohol use, use of public services, identification of stressful events in the past 12 months and a self evaluation of stress symptoms. The groups were matched by age, sex and income. The results showed differences between the stressful events and stress symptoms reported by the two groups, with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander group reporting considerably higher levels. There were significant differences in access to transport and use of public health facilities. The barriers to the use of public health services were identified. A major finding was that 69% of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sample experienced more than one loss through death compared to 5% of the non-Aboriginal sample in the previous 12 months. It was concluded that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sample experienced more stressful events, had more stress related symptoms and used public mental health services less than the non-Aboriginal sample. The barriers to use of services were a lack of cultural sensitivity and the discomfort experienced by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sample when accessing services. A partnership with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community is required to develop a public health service that is acceptable and useful to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sample.

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#CoveringClimateNow: A social journalism project profiling climate and health

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.152 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

M Williams ◽

M Sweet ◽

M McInerney ◽

S Finlay

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Climate Change ◽

Media Coverage ◽

Torres Strait Islander ◽

Poor Quality ◽

Global Media ◽

Practical Advice ◽

Australian Health ◽

Climate And Health ◽

Torres Strait

Abstract Concerns about poor quality media reporting of climate change has led to many initiatives seeking to influence coverage. In 2019/2020, a global media collaboration was established with the aim of generating a sustained media focus on key climate-related events. This paper reports an analysis of an Australian health media organisation's contribution to the collaboration, and the opportunities this provided for public health advocates, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers and communities, and the wider community. It presents key reflections from Croakey Health Media's contribution to the global #CoveringClimateNow collaboration, with the aim of providing practical advice to enable further such collaborations and activities in other countries. This project was run on a very small budget, and this presentation is likely to be particularly relevant for low-budget organisations and contexts. Key messages Poor quality media coverage of climate change has stimulated innovation. Collaboration locally and globally can convey solutions to climate change.

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Cross-Cultural Interpreting With Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Patients

Qualitative Health Research ◽

10.1177/10497323211028836 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 104973232110288

Author(s):

Maria Karidakis

Keyword(s):

Torres Strait Islander ◽

Cross Cultural ◽

Culturally Appropriate ◽

Medical Terminology ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Medical Settings ◽

Health Care Settings ◽

Torres Strait ◽

Communication Differences ◽

Perceived Experiences

The aim of this study is to investigate ways in which interpreting practice in health care settings can be further developed to better facilitate communication with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients. Data used include 15 hours of transcribed audio recording from semi-structured interviews with interpreters and Aboriginal Liaison Officers who discuss their perceived experiences of interpreting in medical settings. They offer insights into how language is used to resolve communication differences that may confound the interpreting process and in doing so identify roles interpreters assume and discourse patterns that emerge in interpreting practice. As evidenced through the findings, provisions need to be made for cultural differences. Interpreters report they have to “unpack” medical terminology and explain such terminology and related concepts in tangible terms to ensure patient understanding. Other strategies include talking about taboo topics using culturally appropriate terms, avoiding certain question–answer routines, and being aware of nonverbal aspects of communication.

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The Need to Extend Beyond the Knowledge Gained in Cross-Cultural Awareness Training

The Australian Journal of Indigenous Education ◽

10.1375/s1326011100000405 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 37 (S1) ◽

pp. 81-89 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Bronwyn Fredericks

Keyword(s):

Cultural Awareness ◽

Torres Strait Islander ◽

Health Sector ◽

Cross Cultural ◽

Awareness Training ◽

Torres Strait Islander People ◽

Aboriginal Women ◽

Torres Strait ◽

Selection Of ◽

Improve Service Delivery

Abstract In the Health sector, Cross-Cultural Awareness Training has been seen as a way to improve knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to therefore improve service delivery and therapeutic care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Health personnel may have undertaken this type of training in their workplace or as part of their education in an undergraduate degree program. Other sectors additionally undertake Cross-Cultural Awareness Training for similar reasons and in similar educational settings. This paper includes the views of a selection of Aboriginal women and highlights the need to extend beyond knowledge gained through Cross-Cultural Awareness Training to Anti-Racism Training. Furthermore, that Anti-Racism Training and addressing white race privilege is required in order to address the inequities within the health system, the marginalisation and disempowerment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

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Using systems thinking and the Intervention Level Framework to analyse public health planning for complex problems: Otitis media in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children

PLoS ONE ◽

10.1371/journal.pone.0194275 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 13 (3) ◽

pp. e0194275 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jo Durham ◽

Lisa Schubert ◽

Lisa Vaughan ◽

Cameron D. Willis

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Otitis Media ◽

Systems Thinking ◽

Torres Strait Islander ◽

Health Planning ◽

Complex Problems ◽

Intervention Level ◽

Public Health Planning ◽

Torres Strait

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Applying strengths-based approaches to nutrition research and interventions in Australian Indigenous communities

Critical Dietetics ◽

10.32920/cd.v1i3.600 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 1 (3) ◽

pp. 11

Author(s):

Wendy Foley ◽

Lisa Schubert

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Torres Strait Islander ◽

Indigenous Communities ◽

Social Resources ◽

The Other ◽

Public Health Nutrition ◽

Australian Aboriginal ◽

What Works ◽

Nutrition Research ◽

Torres Strait

This paper provides a background to strengths-based approaches used in health and considers what these have to offer in the context of public health nutrition, with particular reference to work with Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Deficit, disease and dysfunction permeate approaches in health fields, including nutrition. Public health has focused on gathering evidence about ‘what works’ from this deficit perspective, particularly in those communities identified as vulnerable. Strengths-based approaches, on the other hand, work with the assets already existing in individuals, communities and institutions to support the conditions for health. Although strengths-based approaches are used in some health fields, they are under-utilised in public health nutrition. A strengths-based paradigm draws on the theory of salutogenesis to accentuate positive capacities so that nutrition professionals and clients/communities can jointly identify problems and activate solutions. Research processes and findings from a number of participatory Indigenous nutrition health projects will be discussed. This research has identified significant social resources within Australian Indigenous communities and these assets offer points from which to work. A strengths-based paradigm offers a different language with which to address nutrition inequalities. It can contribute to empowering Indigenous individuals and communities towards healthier nutrition. We propose that redressing the current imbalance between strengths and deficit-based approaches is needed in public health nutrition and consider the nature and potentials of strengths-based approaches in nutrition, with particular reference to their use in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups.

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Managing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Data for Public Health Research

Online Journal of Public Health Informatics ◽

10.5210/ojphi.v8i3.7055 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Deborah Van Gaans ◽

Sarah Ahmed ◽

Katina D'Onise ◽

Sean Matthew Taylor ◽

R McDermott

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Torres Strait Islander ◽

Population Group ◽

Public Health Research ◽

Quality Data ◽

Quality Information ◽

The Status ◽

Torres Strait ◽

Collection And Management ◽

Good Quality Data

Good quality data on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are needed to assess the effectiveness of programs and interventions, and to evaluate policies that are designed to improve the status of, and service delivery to, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Due to the lack of longitudinal data it is difficult to gain knowledge on the specific causes or consequences of changes in indigenous outcomes. Variables such as name, date of birth and address variables for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders may be subject to more variation and be less consistently reported among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians than among other Australians. Improving the collection and management of key identifying variables for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are key to providing more quality information on this population group.

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