Files and links (1)
Published (Version of Record)CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Describing skin health and disease in urban-living Aboriginal children: co-design, development and feasibility testing of the Koolungar Moorditj Healthy Skin pilot project
Pilot and feasibility studies, Vol.10(1), 6
2024
PMID: 38200545
Abstract
Background
Indigenous children in colonised nations experience high rates of health disparities linked to historical trauma resulting from displacement and dispossession, as well as ongoing systemic racism. Skin infections and their complications are one such health inequity, with the highest global burden described in remote-living Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (hereafter respectfully referred to as Aboriginal) children. Yet despite increasing urbanisation, little is known about the skin infection burden for urban-living Aboriginal children. More knowledge is needed to inform service provision, treatment guidelines and community-wide healthy skin strategies. In this pilot study, we aimed to test the feasibility and design of larger multi-site observational studies, provide initial descriptions of skin disease frequency and generate preliminary hypotheses of association.
Methods
This project has been co-designed with local (Noongar) Elders to provide an Australian-first description of skin health and disease in urban-living Aboriginal children. In collaboration with an urban Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service), we conducted a week-long cross-sectional observational cohort study of Aboriginal children (0–18 years) recruited from the waiting room. Participants completed a questionnaire, skin examination, clinical photos, and swabs and received appropriate treatment. We assessed the feasibility and impact of the pilot study.
Results
From 4 to 8 October 2021, we recruited 84 Aboriginal children of whom 80 (95%) were urban-living. With a trusted Aboriginal Health Practitioner leading recruitment, most parents (or caregivers) who were approached consented to participate. Among urban-living children, over half (45/80, 56%) of parents described a current concern with their child’s skin, hair and/or nails; and one-third (26/80, 33%) reported current itchy skin. Using a research-service model, 27% (21/79) of examined urban-living participants received opportunistic same-day treatment and 18% (14/79) were referred for later review.
Conclusions
This co-designed pilot study to understand skin health in urban-living Aboriginal children was feasible and acceptable, with high study participation and subsequent engagement in clinical care observed. Co-design and the strong involvement of Aboriginal people to lead and deliver the project was crucial. The successful pilot has informed larger, multi-site observational studies to more accurately answer questions of disease burden and inform the development of healthy skin messages for urban-living Aboriginal children.
Details
- Title
- Describing skin health and disease in urban-living Aboriginal children: co-design, development and feasibility testing of the Koolungar Moorditj Healthy Skin pilot project
- Authors/Creators
- Bernadette M. Ricciardo - University of Western Australia, Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth Children’s HospitalHeather-Lynn Kessaris - Fiona Stanley Hospital, Perth Children’s Hospital, Telethon Kids InstituteNoel Nannup - The Kids Research Institute AustraliaDale Tilbrook - The Kids Research Institute AustraliaBrad Farrant - University of Western Australia, Telethon Kids InstituteCarol Michie - The Kids Research Institute AustraliaLorraine Hansen - Derbarl Yerrigan Health Services Aboriginal CorporationRichelle Douglas - Derbarl Yerrigan Health Services Aboriginal CorporationJacinta Walton - Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Telethon Kids InstituteAinslie Poore - Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Telethon Kids InstituteAlexandra Whelan - The Kids Research Institute AustraliaTimothy C. Barnett - Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Marshall Centre for Infectious Diseases Research and Training, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Western AustraliaPrasad S. Kumarasinghe - University of Western AustraliaJonathan R. Carapetis - University of Western Australia, Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth Children’s Hospital, Telethon Kids InstituteAsha C. Bowen - University of Western Australia, Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases, Telethon Kids Institute, Perth Children’s Hospital, Telethon Kids Institute
- Publication Details
- Pilot and feasibility studies, Vol.10(1), 6
- Publisher
- BioMed Central
- Grant note
- GNT2014208; GNT1173874; GNT1175509 / National Health and Medical Research Council (http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000925)
- Identifiers
- 991005870932107891
- Copyright
- © The Author(s) 2024
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Ngangk Yira Institute for Change
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Metrics
1 Record Views