Abstract
Objective: To systematically review evaluations of the impact of sexually transmissible infection (STI) programs delivered by primary health care serVICes in remote Aboriginal communities.
Methods: PubMed, Google Scholar, InfoNet, Cochrane Controlled Trials
Register, Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry, conference
proceedings and bulletins were searched to April 2011 using variations of the
terms 'Aboriginal', 'programs' and 'STI'. The primary outcome of interest in
the review was the change in bacterial STI infection prevalence in the target
age group assessed through cross-sectional screening studies over a 5-year
period or more. The characteristics of the primary health care serVICe, STI
programs and other clinical serVICe outcomes were also described.
Results: Twelve reports described four distinct STI programs in remote
communities and their impact on STI prevalence. In the Anangu Pitjantjatjara
Yankunytjatjara (APY) lands of northern South Australia, there was a reduction
in the age-adjusted chlamydia and gonorrhoea prevalence by 58% and 67%,
respectively (19962003). In the Tiwi Islands of Northern Territory (NT),
chlamydia and gonorrhoea positivity decreased by 94% and 34%, respectively
(20022005). In the Ngaanyatjarra Lands of Western Australia, crude chlamydia
and gonorrhoea prevalence decreased by 36% and 48%, respectively (20012005),
and in the central Australian region of NT, there was no sustained decline in
crude prevalence (20012005).
Conclusion: In three of the four programs, there was some evidence that
clinical best practice and well coordinated sexual health programs can reduce
STI prevalence in remote Aboriginal communities.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 205-212 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Sexual Health |
Volume | 9 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2012 |