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Abstract
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PROBLEM: Ad-hoc perinatal mental-health screening among Aboriginal women in the Kimberley with uncertainty regarding a culturally safe approach.
BACKGROUND: Mental-health issues, substance abuse and suicide attempts are high among young Aboriginal women in Australia. Despite this perinatal screening for depression among Aboriginal women in the Kimberley region of Western Australia appears adhoc. There is no evidence that the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is effective or culturally safe. Screening practices are complicated by limited understanding of the complex cultural interface between Western and Aboriginal beliefs and notions about health and mental-health.
QUESTION: What is the current context of perinatal mental-health screening practices among Aboriginal women in the Kimberly and what might be considered a culturally safe approach?
METHODS: A review of the literature and exploration of current screening practices preceded community participatory action research (CPAR) of perinatal mental-health screening in the Kimberley. Research priorities were driven by the potential users of the outcomes of the research, specifically Kimberley women, midwives, child health nurses, mental-health nurses, Aboriginal health workers and general practitioners. Focus groups with Aboriginal women facilitated across the Kimberley ensured representation from women from diverse language, socioeconomic groups, from the Kimberley Interpreting Service and the Mirima Dawang Woorlab-gerring Language and Culture Centre. Service provider workshops were facilitated with midwives, child health nurses and Aboriginal health workers from across the Kimberley. Once initial themes emerged, the CPAR process saw in an iterative approach progress with Aboriginal women as recommendations for practice took shape.
RESULTS: More than 100 Kimberley women and 72 health practitioners contributed to develop this joint strategic body of work. Strong recommendations for practice include one single culturally appropriate Kimberley version of the EPDS.
Language: en |