Primary health care for Aboriginal women and children in the year after birth: findings from a population‐based study in South Australia. (13th September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yelland, Jane; Weetra, Donna; Stuart‐Butler, Deanna; Deverix, Janiene; Leane, Cathy; Ah Kit, Jackie; Glover, Karen; Gartland, Deirdre; Newbury, Jonathan; Brown, Stephanie
• Is Part Of: Australian and New Zealand journal of public health. Volume 40:Number 5(2016:Oct.)
• Page Start: 418
• Page End: 423
• Publication Date: 2016-09-13
• Subjects: Aboriginal maternal and child health -- postpartum -- primary health care -- health disparities -- population‐based study; Public health -- Australia -- Periodicals; Public health -- New Zealand -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Australia -- Periodicals; Medical care -- New Zealand -- Periodicals; 362.10993
• DOI: 10.1111/1753-6405.12581
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1326-0200

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To investigate the extent to which Aboriginal women access primary care for themselves and their infant in the year after childbirth. Method: Cross sectional population‐based survey of women giving birth to Aboriginal babies in South Australia between July 2011 and June 2013. Results: A total of 344 women took part in the study 4–9 months after giving birth. The majority had seen a primary health care practitioner since the birth: 86% had seen a Child and Family Health Service (CaFHS) nurse, 81% a general practitioner (GP), and 61% an Aboriginal health worker (AHW). Women living in remote areas were more likely to have seen primary care practitioners than women living in Adelaide (GP: OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.0–5.2; CaFHS: OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.0–5.8; AHW: OR 5.2, 95% CI 2.8–9.8). Around 16% of women with gestational diabetes and 10% with hypertension had not seen a GP since the birth, and 24% of women who had a low birthweight infant had not seen a CaFHS nurse. Conclusions: Despite high prevalence of maternal and infant morbidity, a sizeable minority of women did not access primary care practitioners postpartum. Implications for public health: Stronger efforts are needed to ensure Aboriginal women and families receive appropriate postnatal follow‐up.