Looking after bubba for all our mob: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community experiences and perceptions of stillbirth

Luciana Massi; Carolyn Lewis; Skye Stewart; Diana Jans; Rupesh Gautam; Lina Jalloub; Anneka Bowman; Philippa Middleton; Sue Vlack; Frances M. Boyle; Carrington Shepherd; Vicki Flenady; Deanna Stuart-Butler; Kym M. Rae

doi:10.3389/fpubh.2024.1385125

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Looking after bubba for all our mob: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community experiences and perceptions of stillbirth

Journal article

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Looking after bubba for all our mob: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community experiences and perceptions of stillbirth

Luciana Massi, Carolyn Lewis, Skye Stewart, Diana Jans, Rupesh Gautam, Lina Jalloub, Anneka Bowman, Philippa Middleton, Sue Vlack, Frances M. Boyle, …

Frontiers in public health, Vol.12, 1385125

2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1385125

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Abstract

Public Health

The stillbirth rate among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and communities in Australia is around double that of non-Indigenous women. While the development of effective prevention strategies during pregnancy and improving care following stillbirth for women and families in communities has become a national priority, there has been limited progress in stillbirth disparities. With community permission, this study aimed to gain a better understanding of community experiences, perceptions, and priorities around stillbirth. We undertook an Indigenous researcher-led, qualitative study, with community consultations guided by a cultural protection protocol and within an unstructured research framework. A total of 18 communities were consulted face-to-face through yarning interviews, focus groups and workshops. This included 54 community member and 159 health professional participants across remote, regional, and urban areas of Queensland, Western Australia, Victoria, South Australia, and Northern Territory. Thematic analysis of consultation data identified common themes across five focus/priority areas to address stillbirth: Stillbirth or Sorry Business Baby care needs to be family-centered; using Indigenous “ways of knowing, being, and doing” to ensure cultural safety; application of Birthing on Country principles to maternal and perinatal care; and yarning approaches to improve communication and learning or education. The results underscore the critical need to co-design evidence-based, culturally appropriate, and community-acceptable resources to help reduce existing disparities in stillbirth rates.

Details

Title: Looking after bubba for all our mob: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community experiences and perceptions of stillbirth
Authors/Creators: Luciana Massi - Mater Research
Carolyn Lewis - Curtin University
Skye Stewart
Diana Jans
Rupesh Gautam - , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Lina Jalloub - Mater Research
Anneka Bowman - Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of New South Wales
Philippa Middleton - Mater Research
Sue Vlack
Frances M. Boyle - Mater Research
Carrington Shepherd - Curtin University
Vicki Flenady - Mater Research
Deanna Stuart-Butler - Mater Research
Kym M. Rae - The University of Queensland
Publication Details: Frontiers in public health, Vol.12, 1385125
Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
Identifiers: 991005659469707891
Murdoch Affiliation: Ngangk Yira Institute for Change
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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