Article
Family Studies
Benjamin Harrap, Alison Gibberd, Melissa O'Donnell, Koen Simons, Jocelyn Jones, Fernando Lima, Daniel McAullay, Kathleen Falster, Emily Banks, Sandra Eades
Summary: This study provides recent evidence on the population-level cumulative incidence of contacts for Aboriginal children with child protective services in Western Australia. It shows an increase in early-childhood contacts, and highlights the tendency for multiple children to be placed into out-of-home care when at least one sibling is. This has significant implications for affected families and calls for further support to prevent future removals.
CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Marwan Awad Ahmed, Helen D. Bailey, Gavin Pereira, Scott W. White, Kingsley Wong, Carrington C. J. Shepherd
Summary: This study found a significant increase in pre-gestational and gestational diabetes rates among Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women in Western Australia in recent years, leading to higher rates of large for gestational age (LGA) babies among Aboriginal population.
Article
Microbiology
Celeste M. Donato, Nevada Pingault, Elena Demosthenous, Susie Roczo-Farkas, Julie E. Bines
Summary: In May 2017, an outbreak of rotavirus gastroenteritis primarily affecting Aboriginal children aged 4 and under occurred in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. The outbreak was caused by the G2P[4] genotype, with samples closely related to contemporary Japanese G2P[4] strains and forming a consistent sub-clade with Hungarian and Australian G2P[4] samples from 2010. Despite high vaccine coverage in Australia, the outbreak variant displayed mutations in antigenic regions and challenges remain in controlling outbreaks in vaccinated populations. Continued surveillance and characterization of emerging variants are crucial for the success of the rotavirus vaccination program in Australia.
Article
Economics
Mary-Alice Doyle, Stefanie Schurer, Sven Silburn
Summary: In 2007, Australia implemented the 'income management' policy to protect children in Aboriginal communities. The study finds that this policy resulted in reduced birth weight and increased risk of low birth weight among Aboriginal children, potentially due to the lack of implementation planning and infrastructure leading to income insecurity and stress.
JOURNAL OF HEALTH ECONOMICS
(2022)
Article
Family Studies
Leonie Segal, Sharon Dawe, Ha Nguyen, Susan Dennison, Emmanuel S. Gnanamanickam, Megan Bell, Matthew Spittal, Stuart Kinner, David B. Preen
Summary: Research shows that children exposed to maternal incarceration are at higher risk of coming into contact with child protection services. Maternal incarceration is a warning sign for serious child protection concerns. Trauma-informed family support services should prioritize these vulnerable children and their mothers.
CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Kristy A. Bolton, Peter Kremer, Rachel Laws, Karen J. Campbell, Miaobing Zheng
Summary: The study reveals ethnic disparities in growth trajectories between children of Chinese-born immigrant mothers and Australian-born mothers living in Victoria, Australia. Children of Chinese-born mothers show different growth rates and significant differences in predicted mean body mass index Z score (zBMI) compared to children of Australian-born mothers from birth to 44 months, except for 12 months. Early and sharp acceleration of growth was also observed for children of Chinese-born mothers (0.5-2 months) compared with children of Australian-born mothers (2-18 months).
Article
Immunology
Ikram Abdi, Heather Gidding, Robert Neil Leong, Hannah C. Moore, Holly Seale, Robert Menzies
Summary: This study found that on-time vaccination coverage of diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis dose 3 (DTP3) differed by mother's region of birth in Australia. Different regions showed varying levels of coverage, with lower rates in North America and Oceania, and higher rates in South-East Asia and Southern Asia.
Article
Oncology
Danny R. Youlden, Peter D. Baade, Craig A. McBride, Jason D. Pole, Andrew S. Moore, Patricia C. Valery, Angela Young, Joanne F. Aitken
Summary: The study compared cancer incidence and survival rates between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and other Australian children over a period of two decades. Despite increasing cancer incidence rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, their incidence rates remained consistently lower compared to other Australian children. Survival rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children with solid tumors were slightly lower than for other Australian children, with the difference diminishing in recent years.
PEDIATRIC BLOOD & CANCER
(2022)
Article
Medical Informatics
Shabeer Syed, Arturo Gonzalez-Izquierdo, Janice Allister, Gene Feder, Leah Li, Ruth Gilbert
Summary: This study developed ACE indicators to identify ACEs from linked EHRs of mothers and children, and validated the effectiveness of these indicators. The majority of ACEs were primarily recorded in the mother's EHR and by GPs within two years of the child's birth, highlighting the importance of reviewing parental and carer records for clinical responses to children.
LANCET DIGITAL HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Athira Rohit, Leisa McCarthy, Shiree Mack, Bronwyn Silver, Sabella Turner, Louise A. Baur, Karla Canuto, John Boffa, Dana Dabelea, Katherine A. Sauder, Louise Maple-Brown, Renae Kirkham
Summary: The study emphasizes the integration of community perspectives, adaptation to cultural characteristics, and adjustment of a behavioral intervention program to prevent diabetes among Aboriginal children in Central Australia. Main findings include the community's strong need for ownership, the delivery of a flexible and culturally appropriate program by upskilling community members as facilitators, and the consideration of social and environmental factors during implementation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ajesh George, Amy R. Villarosa, Suzanne Ingram, Koby Elliott, Rebekah Grace, Lynn Kemp, Sheryl Scharkie, Cheryl Anderson, Natasha Bucknall, Darryl C. Wright, Elizabeth Comino
Summary: The study found that Australian Aboriginal children have prevalent dental issues, despite many parents perceiving their children's oral health as good. The research highlighted the importance of increasing oral health awareness among Aboriginal families, especially in addressing early symptoms of dental decay and the risks associated with sugar sweetened beverages.
HEALTH PROMOTION JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIA
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hannah Bryson, Fiona Mensah, Anna Price, Lisa Gold, Shalika Bohingamu Mudiyanselage, Bridget Kenny, Penelope Dakin, Tracey Bruce, Kristy Noble, Lynn Kemp, Sharon Goldfeld
Summary: This study in Australia found that families faced high rates of self-quarantine, job or income loss, and family stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. It also revealed that family resilience was associated with better mental health, while other COVID-19 impacts were linked to poorer mental health.
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
A. Durey, L. Hearn, S. Lund, M. O'Grady, L. Slack-Smith
Summary: The study found that some service delivery models are unresponsive to the needs of Aboriginal families; dental professionals have limited education and training in working with confidence and cultural sensitivity with Aboriginal patients; and socioeconomic influences on Aboriginal children's poor oral health are considered beyond the scope of care for dental professionals.
AUSTRALIAN DENTAL JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Criminology & Penology
Carol Orr, David Preen, Colleen Fisher, Scott Sims, Melissa O'Donnell
Summary: This study found an increase in the prevalence of mothers requiring hospital admission for intimate partner violence (IPV) before their child's birth in the period 1990-2009, while the overall prevalence for the general population remained stable over the last decade.
JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sonali Meena, Annapurna Nori, Leanne Quirino, Wendy Scheil, Casey Nottage, Toni Shearing, Kate Wheldrake, Nicola Spurrier
Summary: This article examines the rates of middle ear disease in Aboriginal children in metropolitan Adelaide. The study analyzed data from the Under 8s Ear Health Program and found a high prevalence of ear diseases and hearing problems in urban Aboriginal children.
AUSTRALIAN AND NEW ZEALAND JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Helen D. Bailey, Caitlin Gray, Akilew A. Adane, Natalie A. Strobel, Scott W. White, Rhonda Marriott, Gizachew A. Tessema, Carrington C. J. Shepherd, Mary Sharp
Summary: Having a preterm birth is associated with increased mortality risk for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal women up to 38 years after giving birth, highlighting the importance of prevention and screening.
PAEDIATRIC AND PERINATAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Sally Robinson, Kristen Foley, Tim Moore, Kylie Valentine, Jala Burton, Amy Marshall, Melissa O'Donnell, Chris Brebner
Summary: The perspectives of children and young people with disability who experience domestic and family violence are under-researched. This study aims to fill the knowledge gaps by using feminist disability theory and intersectionality as conceptual frameworks. The research explores methodological, ethical, and practical challenges in centering the voices of these individuals.
JOURNAL OF FAMILY VIOLENCE
(2023)
Article
Family Studies
Sebastian Trew, Stephanie Taplin, Melissa O'Donnell, Rhonda Marriott, Karen Broadhurst
Summary: Limited research has been conducted to directly gather input from parents involved in the child protection system during pregnancy and with their infants. This Australian study involved qualitative interviews with 13 parents to understand their views and experiences. Findings showed that parents primarily became involved with child protection services through prenatal reports during pregnancy. Parents who had previously had their newborns removed from their care described the experience as sudden and unexpected, leaving them without support and facing increasing requirements to see their baby or regain custody. Some mothers expressed distress over the fact that their partners, who were perpetrators of domestic violence, were given easier access to their infant compared to themselves. Recommendations from the parents included improving communication and preparation for removal, recognizing improvements in their situations, and providing greater support both before and after removal.
CHILD & FAMILY SOCIAL WORK
(2023)
Article
Social Work
Melissa O'Donnell, Renee Usher, Samantha Burrow, Rebecca Nguyen, Anne McKenzie, Colleen Fisher
Summary: This study aims to identify the priority issues for future research and policy in Family and Domestic Violence (FDV) by involving victim-survivors, FDV service providers, and informal support people. A survey was conducted with 150 respondents in Western Australia, and the results highlighted key areas for research and translation, including non-physical abuse, justice system reforms, accommodation, mental health, children's well-being, education and prevention, and perpetrator accountability.
GLOBAL SOCIAL WELFARE
(2023)
Article
Family Studies
Carol Orr, Erin Kelty, Melissa O'Donnell, Colleen M. Fisher, Rebecca Glauert, David B. Preen
Summary: This retrospective cohort study found that children exposed to family and domestic violence (FDV) are at an increased risk of hospitalisation for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and termination of pregnancy as adolescents, compared to non-exposed peers.
BMJ SEXUAL & REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Emergency Medicine
Scott A. Sims, Gavin Pereira, Daniel M. Fatovich, David Preen, Melissa O'Donnell
Summary: The study evaluates the usefulness of night-time presentations in measuring alcohol-related harm (ARH) among young trauma patients. Night-time presentations can serve as a proxy measure of ARH, but they are not a strong predictor. Targeted interventions during night hours and mandatory data collection strategies are recommended for accurate measurement of ARH cases.
EMERGENCY MEDICINE AUSTRALASIA
(2023)
Review
Nursing
Akilew A. Adane, Carrington C. J. Shepherd, Tracy Reibel, Getinet Ayano, Rhonda Marriott
Summary: This scoping review examined the associations between maternal mental health problems and birth and childhood outcomes among Indigenous populations. The study found that maternal substance use disorder was associated with adverse birth and childhood outcomes, but there is limited evidence for other common mental health problems. Further research is needed to determine the impact of maternal mental health problems on offspring outcomes.
Article
Family Studies
Benjamin Harrap, Alison Gibberd, Melissa O'Donnell, Koen Simons, Jocelyn Jones, Fernando Lima, Daniel McAullay, Kathleen Falster, Emily Banks, Sandra Eades
Summary: This study provides recent evidence on the population-level cumulative incidence of contacts for Aboriginal children with child protective services in Western Australia. It shows an increase in early-childhood contacts, and highlights the tendency for multiple children to be placed into out-of-home care when at least one sibling is. This has significant implications for affected families and calls for further support to prevent future removals.
CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT
(2023)
Article
Family Studies
Melissa O'Donnell, Fernando Lima, Miriam Maclean, Rhonda Marriott, Stephanie Taplin
Summary: Infants in Australia have the highest rate of involvement with child protection, leading to the implementation of policies focused on prenatal planning and targeted support. This study investigates Australian trends and the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander infants in prenatal and infant child protection notifications, substantiations, and out-of-home care. The findings show an overall increase in the rates of children with prenatal notifications, infant notifications, and entry to care in Australia, emphasizing the need for effective policies and interventions.
CHILD MALTREATMENT
(2023)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Danielle Pollock, Helen D. Bailey, Zachary Munn, Sabira Hasanoff, Chelsea Valenzuela, Cindy Stern, Carrie Price, Rhonda Marriott, Janinne Gliddon, Carolyn Lewis, Carol Mitchie, Muriel Bowie, Millie Penny, Tracy Reibel, Jane Warland, Brad Farrant, Scott W. White, Carrington C. J. Shepherd
Summary: This review aims to investigate the perceptions, knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and myths about stillbirth among First Nations populations. To develop appropriate interventions for these populations, the study will examine the current views of First Nations people from the United States, Canada, Aotearoa/New Zealand, and Australia regarding stillbirth.
JBI EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Belinda Neo, Xiaochen Qu, Eleanor Dunlop, Carrington Shepherd, Erin I. Walsh, Nicolas Cherbuin, Lucinda J. Black
Summary: This study aimed to identify key topics and research gaps in vitamin D research in Australia through data analysis. The results identified nine topics and 60 sub-topics, including the impact of vitamin D on vulnerable populations, the effects of sun exposure on health, and the association between vitamin D and falls and fractures in older adults. However, there is limited research on vitamin D in Aboriginal populations and dietary vitamin D.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Daniel Christensen, Alison Gibberd, Bridgette Mcnamara, Sandra Eades, Carrington Shepherd, David B. Preen, Daniel Mcaullay, Natalie Strobel
Summary: This study identified important determinants of discharge against medical advice (DAMA), including admission status, triage status, location, and calendar year. These findings could inform targeted measures to decrease DAMA, particularly in regional and remote communities.
PAEDIATRIC AND PERINATAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Marwan Awad Ahmed, Helen D. Bailey, Gavin Pereira, Scott W. White, Matthew J. L. Hare, Kingsley Wong, Rhonda Marriott, Carrington C. J. Shepherd
Summary: This population-based study investigated the association between BMI and other predictors with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) among Australian Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal mothers. The study found that obesity, previous large for gestational age babies, and previous macrosomia were more strongly associated with GDM in Aboriginal mothers. Overweight/obesity was identified as a key driver of GDM among Aboriginal women.
PREVENTIVE MEDICINE REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Helen D. Bailey, Akilew A. Adane, Scott W. White, Brad M. Farrant, Carrington C. J. Shepherd
Summary: This study found that mothers of stillbirths in Western Australia between 2000 and 2015 had an increased risk of severe maternal morbidity compared to mothers of live births, regardless of the presence of maternal comorbidities.
ARCHIVES OF GYNECOLOGY AND OBSTETRICS
(2023)
