Journal article
Trends in mental health related contacts among mothers of Aboriginal children in Western Australia (1990–2013): A linked data population-based cohort study of over 40 000 children
BMJ Open, Vol.9(7), e027733
2019
Abstract
Objective This study examines the scale of maternal mental health related contacts among Australian Aboriginal children over time, and associations with socio-economic characteristics, geographical remoteness and maternal age.
Design A retrospective cohort study of the prevalence of maternal mental health related contacts among Aboriginal children born in Western Australia between 1990 and 2013.
Setting Population of Western Australia with de-identified linked administrative data from the Western Australian Department of Health.
Participants All Aboriginal children born in Western Australia between 1990 and 2013 and their mothers.
Primary outcome measure Prevalence of maternal mental health related contacts among Aboriginal children born between 1990 and 2013. Mental health related contacts were identified using mental health related inpatient hospitalisations and outpatient contacts.
Results Almost 30% of cohort children were born to a mother with at least one mental health contact in the 5 years prior to birth, with 15% reported in the year prior to birth and the year post birth. There was a distinct increase in the prevalence of maternal mental health contacts between 1990 and 2013 (4–5% per year, with a peak in 2007). Maternal mental health contacts were associated with living in more disadvantaged areas and major cities, and having a mother aged over 20 years at birth.
Conclusions The study affirms that mental health issues place a considerable burden on Aboriginal Australia, and suggests that many of the mental health issues that women develop earlier in life are chronic at the time of conception, during pregnancy and at birth. Early intervention and support for women in the earliest stages of family planning are required to alleviate the burden of mental health problems at birth and after birth. There is a clear need for policies on the development of a holistic healthcare model, with a multisector approach, offering culturally appropriate services for Aboriginal people.
Details
- Title
- Trends in mental health related contacts among mothers of Aboriginal children in Western Australia (1990–2013): A linked data population-based cohort study of over 40 000 children
- Authors/Creators
- F. Lima (Author/Creator) - The Kids Research Institute AustraliaC. Shepherd (Author/Creator)J. Wong (Author/Creator)M. O’Donnell (Author/Creator)R. Marriott (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
- Publication Details
- BMJ Open, Vol.9(7), e027733
- Publisher
- BMJ Publishing Group
- Identifiers
- 991005542601407891
- Copyright
- © 2019 Author(s)
- Murdoch Affiliation
- College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Citation topics
- 1 Clinical & Life Sciences
- 1.72 Obstetrics & Gynecology
- 1.72.1072 Perinatal Mental Health
- Web Of Science research areas
- Psychiatry
- ESI research areas
- Clinical Medicine