Koolungar (Children) Moorditj (Strong) Healthy Skin Project Part II: Skin Health in Urban-Living Australian Aboriginal Children

Bernadette M. Ricciardo; Heather Lynn Kessaris; Noel Nannup; Dale Tilbrook; Jacinta Walton; Carol Michie; Brad Farrant; Ainslie Poore; Ingrid Amgarth-Duff; Nadia Rind; Richelle Douglas; Jodie Ingrey; Hannah Thomas; S. Prasad Kumarasinghe; Jonathan R. Carapetis; Asha C. Bowen

doi:10.1111/pde.70016

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Koolungar (Children) Moorditj (Strong) Healthy Skin Project Part II: Skin Health in Urban-Living Australian Aboriginal Children

Journal article

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Peer reviewed

Koolungar (Children) Moorditj (Strong) Healthy Skin Project Part II: Skin Health in Urban-Living Australian Aboriginal Children

Bernadette M. Ricciardo, Heather Lynn Kessaris, Noel Nannup, Dale Tilbrook, Jacinta Walton, Carol Michie, Brad Farrant, Ainslie Poore, Ingrid Amgarth-Duff, Nadia Rind, …

Pediatric dermatology, Vol.43(1), pp.26-42

2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/pde.70016

PMID: 40936398

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Abstract

Aboriginal

adolescents

children

co-design

dermatology

indigenous

skin

urban

young people

Background Although essential for overall health and wellbeing, little is known about skin health in urban-living Australian Aboriginal children. This co-designed, research-service project aimed to describe skin health and document skin disease frequency in urban-living Aboriginal children and young people (CYP, i.e., 0–18 years) in Western Australia (WA) and investigate housing associations for skin infections. Methods Cross-sectional studies were conducted at Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organizations in Bunbury and Perth, WA, over 2 weeks in September–October 2022. Aboriginal CYP were eligible to participate. Questionnaire responses and examination findings were analyzed. Results Of the 164 CYP recruited, 149 (91%) were urban-living Aboriginal CYP. Fifty-three percent (78/148) of caregivers described a dermatological concern in their child; with high caregiver diagnostic accuracy for impetigo (96%), tinea (92%), and atopic dermatitis (AD) (89%). AD (18%, 26/147), head lice (18%, 27/147), tinea (12%, 18/147) and impetigo (7%, 10/147) were most prevalent. Social housing predicted current head lice (odds ratio [OR] 4.63; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.72–12.50), current tinea (OR 3.15; 95% CI 1.06–9.36) and ever impetigo (2.39; 95% CI 1.09–5.27). Crowded living conditions predicted ever impetigo (OR 6.28; 95% CI 2.03–19.37); whereas frequent bathing (p value 0.032) and regular swimming in a chlorinated pool (OR 0.12; 95% CI 0.02–0.95) were protective. Conclusions We report high caregiver diagnostic accuracy for skin conditions. AD is prevalent, with undertreatment, frequent impetiginization, and sleep disturbance indicating barriers to care. Healthcare providers must advocate for improved housing, as the link between skin infections and socioeconomic disadvantage impacts overall health for urban-living Aboriginal CYP.

Details

Title: Koolungar (Children) Moorditj (Strong) Healthy Skin Project Part II: Skin Health in Urban-Living Australian Aboriginal Children
Authors/Creators: Bernadette M. Ricciardo - Fiona Stanley Hospital
Heather Lynn Kessaris - Fiona Stanley Hospital, Murdoch, WA, Australia
Noel Nannup - The Kids Research Institute Australia
Dale Tilbrook - The Kids Research Institute Australia
Jacinta Walton - The Kids Research Institute Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
Carol Michie - The Kids Research Institute Australia
Brad Farrant - The Kids Research Institute Australia
Ainslie Poore - The Kids Research Institute Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
Ingrid Amgarth-Duff - The Kids Research Institute Australia
Nadia Rind - Derbarl Yerrigan Health Services Aboriginal Corporation, East Perth, WA, Australia
Richelle Douglas - Derbarl Yerrigan Health Services Aboriginal Corporation, East Perth, WA, Australia
Jodie Ingrey - South West Aboriginal Medical Service, Bunbury, WA, Australia
Hannah Thomas - The Kids Research Institute Australia, Nedlands, WA, Australia
S. Prasad Kumarasinghe - University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia
Jonathan R. Carapetis - Princess Margaret Hospital for Children
Asha C. Bowen - Perth Children's Hospital
Publication Details: Pediatric dermatology, Vol.43(1), pp.26-42
Publisher: Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Number of pages: 17
Grant note: Australian University Librarians National Health and Medical Research Council (http://data.elsevier.com/vocabulary/SciValFunders/501100000925) GNT2014208 / National Health and Medical Research Council (501100000925) University of Western Australia (http://data.elsevier.com/vocabulary/SciValFunders/501100001801) Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service Aboriginal Corporation Western Australian Future Health and Innovation Fund, Government of Western Australia (http://data.elsevier.com/vocabulary/SciValFunders/501100024253) Channel 7 Telethon Trust (100012155) Kids Research Institute Australia’s Kulunga Aboriginal Unit GNT2014208; GNT1175509; GNT1173874 / National Health and Medical Research Council (http://data.elsevier.com/vocabulary/SciValFunders/501100000925) Koolungar Moorditj
Identifiers: 991005870544307891
Murdoch Affiliation: Ngangk Yira Institute for Change
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Citation topics: 1 Clinical & Life Sciences; 1.163 Parasitology - General; 1.163.2096 Scabies
Web Of Science research areas: Dermatology; Pediatrics
ESI research areas: Clinical Medicine