Identifying Longer-Term Health Events and Outcomes and Health Service Use of Low Birthweight CALD Infants in Australia

INTRODUCTION

Approximately one-third of all births in Australia each year are by culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) women. CALD women are at an increased risk of adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes including prematurity and low birthweight. Infants born weighing less than 2500 g are susceptible to increased risk of ill health and morbidities such as cognitive defects including cerebral palsy, and neuro-motor functioning.

METHODS

An existing linked administrative dataset, Maternity 1000 was utilized for this study which has identified all children born in Queensland (QLD), Australia, between 1st July 2012 to 30th June 2018 from the QLD Perinatal Data Collection. This has then been linked to the QLD Hospital Admitted Patient Data Collection, QLD Hospital Non-Admitted Patient Data Collection, QLD Emergency Department Data Collection, and Medicare Benefits Schedule and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Claims Records between 1 and 2012 to 30th June 2019.

RESULTS

Culturally and linguistically diverse infants born with low birthweight had higher mean and standard deviation of all health events and outcomes; potentially preventable hospitalisations, hospital re-admissions, ED presentations without admissions, and development of chronic diseases compared to non-CALD infants born with low birthweight.

DISCUSSION

Results from this study highlight the disparities in health service use and health events and outcomes associated with low birthweight infants, between both CALD and Australian born women. This study has responded to the knowledge gap of low birthweight on the Australian economy by identifying that there are significant inequalities in access to health services for CALD women in Australia, as well as increased health events and poor birth outcomes for these infants when compared to those of mothers born in Australia.

Absenteeism in child health services: a systematic review

OBJECTIVES

to analyze data from qualitative studies related to the phenomenon of health follow-up dropout of newborns, infants and preschoolers in child health services.

METHODS

systematic review, carried out in 19 information bases. Studies were included that portray the reasons for dropping out health follow-up of children up to five years old. The JBI methodology was used for systematic reviews of qualitative evidence.

RESULTS

we identified 20,199 studies. After applying the eligibility criteria, 81 were selected. Seven were excluded due to duplicity, resulting in 74 articles that were read in full. After this phase, three articles were selected for the final sample and later after reading their references, one more was included, totaling four articles for critical analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

the synthesized findings highlight that health follow-up dropout is based on personal knowledge and beliefs, the family routine dynamics and access to services.

Addressing stillbirth inequities in Australia: Steps towards a better future

Persistent disparities in stillbirth risk and care are present in Australia. Eliminating these disparities is possible with a commitment to enhancing and scaling up models of culturally safe maternity care shown to be effective for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and those of migrant and refugee backgrounds. Campaigns to improve public awareness of stillbirth also play an important role in reducing stillbirth risk and consequences. To achieve reach and impact in communities at risk, messaging needs to be framed around the social and cultural context of women's lives. Here we describe important initiatives underway within the Stillbirth Centre of Research Excellence to develop a coordinated national approach to stillbirth prevention and care in communities that bear a disproportionate burden of stillbirth.