Abstract
Background: In Australia, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) families have strong, cohesive, and nurturing cultural practices that contribute to effective family functioning and child rearing. These practices can lead to positive effects on children and communities, and include kinship relations, traditional knowledge systems, collective community focus, respect for Elders contributions, and spirituality. However, poor health and wellbeing outcomes exist across the lifespan for Indigenous Australians. Health programs, services and research that support Indigenous women, babies and their families are a critical investment to improve birthing and health outcomes and impact the life trajectories of Indigenous Australians.
Aim: The Indigenous Health Research Priorities study aims to identify the research priorities for families during the perinatal and early childhood period through a co-designed and collaborative process. This has been led by communities to determine the priorities identified with and for local Indigenous families in Queensland. This paper aims to report on engagement and involvement with Indigenous communities to identity health research priorities for families and presents preliminary findings of the research process including participants’ demographic information and feedback on the yarning sessions, as part of the study protocol.
Methods: The study protocol showcases the Participatory Action Research approach, yarning sessions with clients and staff of three community-controlled health services to date, and Delphi workshop methods to prioritise the health issues identified during the yarns with corresponding communities. The study will undertake qualitative data collection and analysis to identify and report on community and health service research priorities for Indigenous families in Queensland. A short survey was conducted to collect participants’ demographic information. A feedback form with five open-ended questions was also administered to collect data on participants’ views and satisfaction with the research process.
Preliminary results: This protocol paper reports on the participant demographic information and feedback on the research process and reactions to participating in the yarning sessions. There have been 12 yarning sessions in Far North Queensland to date. The qualitative analysis of these will be reported on in future, with South East Queensland and further sites to follow. Feedback from 61 community members and health professionals has highlighted they valued sharing stories, being heard, and feeling hopeful. Preliminary findings will be reported.
Discussion: Identification of health research priorities will allow each organisation and region of Queensland to develop research initiatives and the translational outcomes that are a focus for their community members.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 59 |
| Pages (from-to) | 1-15 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| Journal | Research Involvement and Engagement |
| Volume | 9 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Dec 2023 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:KMR gratefully acknowledges funding support from Mater Foundation and Equity Trustees (ANZ QLD Community Foundation, QCF-ANZ Bank Fund, QCF-Thomas George Swallow Trust, The HJ Hinchey Cht Trust).
Funding Information:
We acknowledge the Aboriginal custodians of the lands on which we live and work, the Turrbal and Juggera peoples of Meanjin (Brisbane), and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander custodians of the lands where the study is conducted in Far North Queensland (Djabugay; Yirriganydji; Bulwai, Gimuy Walubara Yidinji; Bundabarra and Wadjanbarra Yidinji; Mandingalbay Yidinji; Gunggandji; Dulabed and Malanbara Yidinji; Wanyurr Majay; Mamu and Ngadjonjii peoples) and Darling Downs (Jagera, Giabal and Jarowair peoples), , and pay our respects to past, present, and future Elders. We are grateful to the participants, women, family members and health workers who shared their stories, experiences, and aspirations for the health and wellbeing of their communities. This study would not be possible without the support and partnership with CEO’s, program managers and health services staff from the following organisations: Renee Williams from Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC), Gail Rawson and Tania Yow-Yeh from Mulungu Aboriginal Corporation Primary Health Service (Mareeba), Theresa Simpson and Lavinia Coyle from Mookai Rosie Bi-Bayan (Edmonton), Dania Ahwang and Rachael Ham from Wuchopperen Health Service (Cairns), and Brian Hewitt, Kim Passante and Tamika Campbell from Carbal Aboriginal Medical Service (Toowoomba and Warwick).
Publisher Copyright:
© 2023, The Author(s).
