An evaluation of a safe sleep health promotion for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families from the perspective of maternal and child health care providers.
Member price :$0.00
Non-Member Price: $25.00
Presenters: Ms Johanna Hunt4, Mrs Karen Watson1, Professor Jeanine Young1,2,3, Ms Jenny Sewter4, Professor Margaret Barnes1, Dr Lauren Kearney1,3, Ms Stephanie Cowan5
1University Of The Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast, Australia, 2Childrens Health Queensland, Queensland Health, Herston, Brisbane, Australia, 3Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service, Queensland Health, Sunshine Coast, Australia, 4Apunipima Cape York Health Council, Cairns, Australia, 5Change for our Children Limited, Christchurch, New Zealand
Date of presentation: 28th October 2016
Abstract:
Aim
Maternal and child health teams (MCH Teams) have an integral role in health promotion and reducing morbidity and mortality for children and families in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The Queensland Pēpi-pod® Program is the first Australian study to evaluate acceptability and feasibility of a portable sleep space teamed with safe sleep education within a vulnerable population of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander families. Examining the experience of Health Workers (HW) who provide the program within communities was an integral component of program evaluation.
Method
Case study design using exploratory sequential phases comprising Photovoice and focus group interviews explored the experiences and impact of the Pēpi-pod® Program amongst a team who had successfully integrated the Program into their maternal and child health service. Ethical approvals were granted.
Results
Themes generated from this data addressed HW perceptions of health in their community; role/s of the HW in their community and team; constituents of a safe sleep environment; impact of the Pēpi-pod Program on HW personal and professional practice, particularly in delivery of safe sleep messages to families; and perceptions of program influences for families.
Conclusions
MCH Team perspectives support the idea that involvement in the program has assisted in building capacity of MCH teams to undertake safe sleep health promotion and assist families in providing safe sleep environments for babies at high risk for SUDI. Study findings will be used to inform future initiatives which aim to improve rural and remote health service delivery for infants and children.