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Henson C, Chapman F, Shepherd G, Carlson B, Chau JY, Gwynn J, McCowen D, Rambaldini B, Ward K, Gwynne K. Mature aged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults are using digital health technologies (original research). Digit Health 2022; 8:20552076221145846. [PMID: 36544536 PMCID: PMC9761236 DOI: 10.1177/20552076221145846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people avidly use technology for a variety of purposes. Digital health technologies offer a new way to build on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples propensity for early adoption and innovation with technology. Only limited research has focused on mature aged adults in non-urban locations as partners in digital health research and there is no research related to wearables for health tracking for this cohort. Objective This paper provides insights into mature aged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults interest, use and trust of social media, apps and wearables to gain health information and manage health. Methods This cross-sectional survey study was co-designed and co-implemented with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) in three locations in New South Wales, Australia. The 13-item survey was administered via a semi-structured interview. Results Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults (n = 78), in regional, rural and remote locations indicated their interest in and use of apps and wearables for health purposes. Mature aged participants, particularly women, used Facebook, ACCHS websites and YouTube for acquiring health-related information which they then shared online and in real life with a diversity of family, friends and colleagues. Conclusions Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are using digital health technologies to acquire and share health information and want to use apps and wearables for health management. Co-designed research enables a greater understanding of the diverse needs for different cohorts and informs culturally responsible design. Broader use of co-design will foster effective user-focused digital health communication and health-management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connie Henson
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human
Sciences, Macquarie
University, Sydney, New South Wales,
Australia,Djurali Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research Group,
Sydney, Australia,Connie Henson, Faculty of Medicine, Health
and Human Sciences, Macquarie University, Level 3, 75 Talavera Rd, New South
Wales 2113, Australia.
| | - Felicity Chapman
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human
Sciences, Macquarie
University, Sydney, New South Wales,
Australia,Djurali Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research Group,
Sydney, Australia
| | - Gina Shepherd
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human
Sciences, Macquarie
University, Sydney, New South Wales,
Australia,Djurali Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research Group,
Sydney, Australia
| | - Bronwyn Carlson
- Centre for Global Indigenous Futures,
Macquarie
University, Sydney, New South Wales,
Australia,Department of Indigenous Studies, Faculty of Arts,
Macquarie
University, Sydney, New South Wales,
Australia
| | - Josephine Y Chau
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human
Sciences, Macquarie
University, Sydney, New South Wales,
Australia
| | - Josephine Gwynn
- Sydney School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of
Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales,
Australia,Poche Centre
for Indigenous Health, University of
Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia,Charles
Perkins Centre University of Sydney,
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Deb McCowen
- Armajun Aboriginal Health Services, Inverell, New South Wales,
Australia
| | - Boe Rambaldini
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human
Sciences, Macquarie
University, Sydney, New South Wales,
Australia,Djurali Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research Group,
Sydney, Australia
| | - Katrina Ward
- Brewarrina Aboriginal Medical Services, Brewarrina, New South Wales,
Australia
| | - Kylie Gwynne
- Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human
Sciences, Macquarie
University, Sydney, New South Wales,
Australia,Djurali Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research Group,
Sydney, Australia
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Kerrigan V, Kelly A, Lee AM, Mungatopi V, Mitchell AG, Wyber R, Ralph AP. A community-based program to reduce acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in northern Australia. BMC Health Serv Res 2021; 21:1127. [PMID: 34670567 PMCID: PMC8527302 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-021-07159-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Australia's north, Aboriginal peoples live with world-high rates of rheumatic heart disease (RHD) and its precursor, acute rheumatic fever (ARF); driven by social and environmental determinants of health. We undertook a program of work to strengthen RHD primordial and primary prevention using a model addressing six domains: housing and environmental support, community awareness and empowerment, health literacy, health and education service integration, health navigation and health provider education. Our aim is to determine how the model was experienced by study participants. METHODS This is a two-year, outreach-to-household, pragmatic intervention implemented by Aboriginal Community Workers in three remote communities. The qualitative component was shaped by Participatory Action Research. Yarning sessions and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 individuals affected by, or working with, ARF/RHD. 31 project field reports were collated. We conducted a hybrid inductive-deductive thematic analysis guided by critical theory. RESULTS Aboriginal Community Workers were best placed to support two of the six domains: housing and environmental health support and health navigation. This was due to trusting relationships between ACWs and families and the authority attributed to ACWs through the project. ACWs improved health literacy and supported awareness and empowerment; but this was limited by disease complexities. Consequently, ACWs requested more training to address knowledge gaps and improve knowledge transfer to families. ACWs did not have skills to provide health professionals with education or ensure health and education services participated in ARF/RHD. Where knowledge gain among participant family members was apparent, motivation or structural capability to implement behaviour change was lacking in some domains, even though the model was intended to support structural changes through care navigation and housing fixes. CONCLUSIONS This is the first multi-site effort in northern Australia to strengthen primordial and primary prevention of RHD. Community-led programs are central to the overarching strategy to eliminate RHD. Future implementation should support culturally safe relationships which build the social capital required to address social determinants of health and enable holistic ways to support sustainable individual and community-level actions. Government and services must collaborate with communities to address systemic, structural issues limiting the capacity of Aboriginal peoples to eliminate RHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicki Kerrigan
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, PO Box 41096, Casuarina, Northern Territory 0811 Australia
| | - Angela Kelly
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, PO Box 41096, Casuarina, Northern Territory 0811 Australia
| | - Anne Marie Lee
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, PO Box 41096, Casuarina, Northern Territory 0811 Australia
| | - Valerina Mungatopi
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, PO Box 41096, Casuarina, Northern Territory 0811 Australia
| | - Alice G. Mitchell
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, PO Box 41096, Casuarina, Northern Territory 0811 Australia
| | - Rosemary Wyber
- George Institute for Global Health, Level 5, 1 King Street, Newtown, New South Wales 2042 Australia
- Telethon Kids Institute, 15 Hospital Avenue, Nedlands, Western Australia 6009 Australia
| | - Anna P. Ralph
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, PO Box 41096, Casuarina, Northern Territory 0811 Australia
- Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Northern Territory 0811 Australia
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3
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Hefler M, Kerrigan V, Grunseit A, Freeman B, Kite J, Thomas DP. Facebook-Based Social Marketing to Reduce Smoking in Australia's First Nations Communities: An Analysis of Reach, Shares, and Likes. J Med Internet Res 2020; 22:e16927. [PMID: 33300883 PMCID: PMC7759443 DOI: 10.2196/16927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Facebook is widely used by Australia's First Nations people and has significant potential to promote health. However, evidence-based guidelines for its use in health promotion are lacking. Smoking prevalence among Australia's First Nations people is nearly 3 times higher than other Australians. Locally designed programs in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHOs) to reduce smoking often use Facebook. OBJECTIVE This study reports on an analysis of the reach and engagement of Facebook posts with smoking prevention and cessation messages posted by ACCHOs in the Northern Territory, Australia. METHODS Each service posted tobacco control content at least weekly for approximately 6 months. Posts were coded for the following variables: service posted, tailored First Nations Australian content, local or nonlocally produced content, video or nonvideo, communication technique, and emotional appeal. The overall reach, shares, and reactions were calculated. RESULTS Compared with posts developed by the health services, posts with content created by other sources had greater reach (adjusted incident rate ratio [IRR] 1.92, 95% CI 1.03-3.59). Similarly, reactions to posts (IRR 1.89, 95% CI 1.40-2.56) and shared posts (IRR 2.17, 95% CI 1.31-3.61) with content created by other sources also had more reactions, after controlling for reach, as did posts with local First Nations content compared with posts with no First Nations content (IRR 1.71, 95% CI 1.21-2.34). CONCLUSIONS Facebook posts with nonlocally produced content can be an important component of a social media campaign run by local health organizations. With the exception of nonlocally produced content, we did not find a definitive set of characteristics that were clearly associated with reach, shares, and reactions. Beyond reach, shares, and likes, further research is needed to understand the extent that social media content can influence health behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marita Hefler
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, Australia
| | - Vicki Kerrigan
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, Australia
| | - Anne Grunseit
- Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Becky Freeman
- Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - James Kite
- Prevention Research Collaboration, Sydney School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - David P Thomas
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, Australia
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Kerrigan V, Lee AM, Ralph AP, Lawton PD. Stay Strong: Aboriginal leaders deliver COVID-19 health messages. Health Promot J Austr 2020; 32 Suppl 1:203-204. [PMID: 32428367 PMCID: PMC7276904 DOI: 10.1002/hpja.364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 05/12/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Vicki Kerrigan
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, NT, Australia
| | - Anne Marie Lee
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, NT, Australia
| | - Anna P Ralph
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, NT, Australia
| | - Paul D Lawton
- Menzies School of Health Research, Charles Darwin University, Casuarina, NT, Australia
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