A Qualitative Study of Aboriginal Peoples' Health Care Experiences With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

Aboriginal Australians experience a high prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), with high rates of potentially preventable hospitalisations. However, little is known about Aboriginal peoples' experiences of living with COPD and how they navigate health care systems. This study used thematic analysis and Aboriginal methodology to explore Aboriginal peoples' lived experiences of COPD, their health care journey from receiving a diagnosis of COPD to the clinical management, and the impact of COPD on their daily lives. We conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews over a 6-month period with 18 Aboriginal adults diagnosed with COPD from four Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) in New South Wales, Australia. Reflexive thematic analysis was employed to ensure rigour. The findings revealed deeply personal and reflective stories shaped by historical, social, and cultural realities of Aboriginal peoples living with COPD. Four themes were identified characterising their experiences. Based on the findings, the following guidance is provided on future COPD care for Aboriginal peoples: Better alignment of existing COPD management with Aboriginal peoples' cultural contexts and perspectives to improve access to culturally safe care; Increased funding for ACCHS to enhance COPD management, such as early detection through case finding and access to ACCHS-led pulmonary rehabilitation; Engaging family members in COPD management and providing culturally centred COPD education that facilitates discussions and builds health literacy and self-management skills; Implementing health promotion initiatives to increase awareness and counteract fear and shame to improve early COPD detection.

Which Way? Indigenous-led Smoking Cessation Care: Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners - A National Cross-sectional Survey.

INTRODUCTION: Tobacco is the leading preventable cause of morbidity and mortality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Accordingly, the provisions of culturally safe and effective smoking cessation strategies are crucial. While previous research has suggested Aboriginal Health Workers/Practitioners are well placed to provide smoking cessation care, no research to date has explored the workforce knowledge, attitudes and practices in offering best practice cessation care. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among Aboriginal Health Workers/Practitioners from June to September 2021. Descriptive and inferential statistics were conducted to examine participant characteristics, provision of smoking cessation care, and explore the factors associated with smoking cessation care. RESULTS: Out of 1052 registered Aboriginal Health Workers/Practitioners, 256 participants completed the full survey (24.3%). Smoking cessation counseling was always provided by 41.9%; provided some of the time by 42.4%, and never provided by 12.9%. Combination NRT and Quitline referral were always offered by 23.1% and 44.9% of participants, respectively. Those that received training, felt smoking cessation care was part of their role, and were based in Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organization were significantly more likely to offer best practice smoking cessation care. CONCLUSION: Aboriginal Health Workers/Practitioners and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organizations play a critical role in delivering high quality, evidence based and culturally safe care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Aboriginal Health Workers/Practitioners are well placed to offer smoking cessation care. Ongoing funding and implementation of a targeted smoking cessation workforce with appropriate training and resources are urgently required. IMPLICATIONS: Aboriginal Health Workers/Practitioners are well placed to offer culturally safe, best practice smoking cessation care. However, due to the magnitude and complexity of Aboriginal Health Workers/Practitioners roles, it is challenging for smoking cessation care to be consistently and feasibly integrated into usual care. Acknowledging Australia's National Preventative Health Strategy target of 27% or less Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people smoking by 2030, urgent investment and resourcing must be directed to building a skilled workforce to support quitting and maintaining smokefree behaviors, ensuring equitable access to smoking cessation care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

A mixed methods study of Aboriginal health workers' and exercise physiologists' experiences of co-designing chronic lung disease 'yarning' education resources.

BACKGROUND: Despite the high incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Aboriginal communities in Australia, Aboriginal Health Workers (AHWs) have limited knowledge about effective management. AIM: To evaluate an online education program, co-designed with AHWs and exercise physiologists (EPs) or physiotherapists (PTs), to increase knowledge about COPD and its management. METHODS: AHWs and EPs from four Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) were recruited. An Aboriginal researcher and a physiotherapist experienced in COPD management and pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) delivered seven online education sessions. These sessions used co-design principles and an Aboriginal pedagogy framework '8 Ways of learning', which incorporates Aboriginal protocols and perspectives to realign teaching techniques and strengthen learning outcomes. Topics covered were: How the lungs work; What is COPD; Medications and how to use inhalers and COPD Action Plans; Why exercise is important; Managing breathlessness; Healthy eating; Managing anxiety and depression. After each session, AHWs with support from EPs, co-designed education 'yarning' resources using Aboriginal ways of learning to ensure topics were culturally safe for the local Aboriginal community and practiced delivering this at the following session. At the end of the program participants completed an anonymous online survey (5-point Likert scale) to assess satisfaction, and a semi-structured interview about their experience of the online education. RESULTS: Of the 12 participants, 11 completed the survey (7 AHWs, 4 EPs). Most (90%) participants strongly agreed or agreed that the online sessions increased knowledge and skills they needed to support Aboriginal patients with COPD. All (100%) participants felt: their cultural perspectives and opinions were valued and that they were encouraged to include cultural knowledge. Most (91%) reported that delivering their own co-designed yarning scripts during the online sessions improved their understanding of the topics. Eleven participants completed semi-structured interviews about participating in online education to co-design Aboriginal 'yarning' resources. Themes identified were: revealing the Aboriginal lung health landscape; participating in online learning; structuring the online education sessions; co-designing with the facilitators. CONCLUSIONS: Online education using co-design and 8 Ways of learning was rated highly by AHWs and EPs for improving COPD knowledge and valuing cultural perspectives. The use of co-design principles supported the cultural adaptation of COPD resources for Aboriginal people with COPD. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42019111405).

Smoking and quitting characteristics of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women of reproductive age: findings from the Which Way? study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe smoking characteristics, quitting behaviour and other factors associated with longest quit attempt and the use of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and stop-smoking medication (SSM) in a population of Indigenous Australian women of reproductive age. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A national cross-sectional survey of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women aged 16-49 years who were smokers or ex-smokers was conducted online during the period July to October 2020. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Quitting experience: attempt to cut down, time since last quit attempt, longest period without smoking, attempt to cut down during last quit attempt, any use of NRT and/or SSM. RESULTS: Most of the 428 participating women (302 [70.6%]) reported using an Aboriginal health service. Younger women (16-20-year-olds) smoked fewer cigarettes daily (24/42 [57.1%], 0-5 cigarettes per day), waited longer to smoke after waking (20/42 [47.6%], > 60 minutes after waking), and were categorised as low smoking dependency compared with those aged 35 years and over. One-third of women (153 [35.7%]) had ever used NRT and/or SSM. A greater proportion of older women (35-49-year-olds) had sustained a quit attempt for years (62/149 [45.6%]) and reported trying NRT and/or SSM (78/149 [52.4%]) than women in younger age groups. Quitting suddenly rather than gradually was significantly associated with sustained abstinence (prevalence ratio, 1.27 [95% CI, 1.10-1.48]). Among women who had never used NRT or SSM, most (219/275 [79.6%]) reported reasons for this in the category of attitudes and beliefs. NRT and SSM use was also more likely among women who were confident talking to their doctor about quitting (odds ratio, 2.50 [95% CI, 1.23-5.10]) and those who received most of their information from a health professional (odds ratio, 1.71 [95% CI, 1.11-2.63]). CONCLUSION: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women want to quit smoking and are making attempts to quit. Quitting suddenly, rather than reducing cigarette consumption, is associated with increased sustained abstinence. Health providers can enable access and uptake of NRT and/or SSM and should recognise that NRT and/or SSM use may change over time. Consistent messaging, frequent offers of smoking cessation support, and access to a range of smoking cessation supports should be provided to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to enable them to be smoke-free.

Smoking cessation support strategies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women of reproductive age: findings from the Which Way? study.

OBJECTIVE: To identify smoking cessation support strategies that resonate with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A national cross-sectional survey of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women aged 16-49 years who were smokers or ex-smokers was conducted online during the period July to October 2020. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Preferred strategies, providers and locations for smoking cessation support. RESULTS: Among a total of 428 women who participated in the survey, group-based support and holistic support were the most preferred strategies (preferred by 31.8% and 22.2% of women, respectively). Use of an Aboriginal health service was positively associated with choosing holistic support programs (prevalence ratio, 1.14 [95% CI, ≥ 1.00-1.28]). Women with high or moderate nicotine dependency were more likely to consider group-based support to be helpful (prevalence ratio, 1.13 [95% CI, ≥ 1.00-1.27]) than those with low nicotine dependency. The most preferred providers for smoking cessation support were Aboriginal health workers (64.3%). Most women (73.4%) preferred face-to-face support at an Aboriginal health service, 38.8% preferred online support and 34.8% preferred phone support. A higher percentage of older women (≥ 35 years) preferred online or phone support (prevalence ratio, 1.70 [95% CI, 1.03-2.80]) compared with younger women (16-20 years). Use of an Aboriginal health service was positively associated with preference for an Aboriginal health worker (prevalence ratio, 1.35 [95% CI, 1.12-1.62]), and receiving face-to-face support at an Aboriginal health service (prevalence ratio, 1.28 [95% CI, 1.10-1.49]). CONCLUSION: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women prefer a range of cessation supports, with most women preferring group support and holistic approaches. Cessation supports that resonated with women varied by age, remoteness, nicotine dependence, and whether participants used an Aboriginal health service. Women want support to quit smoking from the Aboriginal health workers at their Aboriginal health service, at their health care providers and in their community. Comprehensive, multifaceted supports are required. Online support and phone-based support are also preferred by some women, which helps to increase accessibility. Appropriate models of care - including sufficient funding for Aboriginal health services and Aboriginal health workers - are required and should be developed in partnership with communities to implement meaningful and culturally safe cessation care. This research demonstrates the need for and importance of multifaceted, comprehensive cessation support strategies.

"It Needs a Full-Time Dedicated Person to Do This Job in Our Local Communities with Our Aboriginal Health Services"-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners Perspectives on Supporting Smoking Cessation during Pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women deserve improved smoking cessation support. Aboriginal health workers (AHW) and practitioners (AHP) can be central to the provision of culturally safe smoking cessation care (SCC). The objective of this study is to explore attitudes and the perceived role of AHWs/AHPs toward providing SCC to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pregnant women. METHOD: A mixed-method study using quantitative and qualitative data was conducted among AHW/AHPs in 2021 across Australia. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used to characterise AHWs'/AHPs' attitudes towards SCC and to evaluate the factors associated with perceptions of who is best placed to provide SCC. RESULTS: From the total AHW/AHP workforce, 21.2% (223) completed the survey. Less than half (48.4%) believed that AHW/AHP were best placed to provide SCC for pregnant women. The majority believed that group-based supports (82.5%) and cultural support programs (63.7%) were the best strategies to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pregnant women to quit smoking. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the need to enhance SCC offered to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pregnant women. A targeted workforce dedicated to smoking cessation should be resourced, including funding, standardised training, and ongoing SCC support tailored to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pregnant women.

Building an Indigenous-Led Evidence Base for Smoking Cessation Care among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women during Pregnancy and Beyond: Research Protocol for the Which Way? Project.

Strong and healthy futures for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people requires engagement in meaningful decision making which is supported by evidence-based approaches. While a significant number of research publications state the research is co-designed, few describe the research process in relation to Indigenous ethical values. Improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers and babies is crucial to the continuation of the oldest living culture in the world. Developing meaningful supports to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers to quit smoking during pregnancy is paramount to addressing a range of health and wellbeing outcomes. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have called for non-pharmacological approaches to smoking cessation during pregnancy. We describe a culturally responsive research protocol that has been co-designed and is co-owned with urban and regional Aboriginal communities in New South Wales. The project has been developed in line with the AH&MRC's (Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council) updated guidelines for ethical research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Ethics approvals have been granted by AH&MRC #14541662 University of Newcastle HREC H-2020-0092 and the Local Health District ethics committee 2020/ETH02095. Results will be disseminated through peer reviewed articles, community reports, infographics, and online social media content.

Trauma and Violence Informed Care Through Decolonising Interagency Partnerships: A Complexity Case Study of Waminda's Model of Systemic Decolonisation.

Through the lens of complexity, we present a nested case study describing a decolonisation approach developed and implemented by Waminda South Coast Women's Health and Welfare Aboriginal Corporation. Using Indigenous research methods, this case study has unfolded across three phases: (1) Yarning interviews with the workforce from four partner health services (n = 24); (2) Yarning circle bringing together key informants from yarning interviews to verify and refine emerging themes (n = 14); (3) Semi-structured interviews with a facilitator of Waminda's Decolonisation Workshop (n = 1) and participants (n = 10). Synthesis of data has been undertaken in stages through collaborative framework and thematic analysis. Three overarching themes and eight sub-themes emerged that centred on enhancing the capabilities of the workforce and strengthening interagency partnerships through a more meaningful connection and shared decolonisation agenda that centres Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities. Health and social services are complex systems that function within the context of colonisation. Waminda's innovative, model of interagency collaboration enhanced workforce capability through shared language and collective learning around colonisation, racism and Whiteness. This process generated individual, organisational and systemic decolonisation to disable power structures through trauma and violence informed approach to practice.