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Improving Aboriginal Maternal Health by Strengthening Connection to Culture, Family and Community

Author

Listed:
  • Paula Wyndow

    (Research Consultant, Mount Claremont, Perth, WA 6010, Australia)

  • Elaine Clifton

    (Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth Children’s Hospital, 15 Hospital Ave, Nedlands, Perth, WA 6009, Australia)

  • Roz Walker

    (School of Population and Global Health, University of Western Australia, 6 Clifton St, Nedlands, Perth, WA 6009, Australia)

Abstract

(1) Background: To explore the function of smoking in Aboriginal women’s lives from a trauma-informed, women-centred approach in order to inform the design of a culturally meaningful smoking cessation program for women living in the Pilbara, Western Australia; (2) Methods: Qualitative and Community Based Participatory Action Research (CBPAR) was used to discover what Aboriginal women know about smoking, the specific contextual issues that influence their smoking, and what community supports are available to help them quit smoking. Inductive analysis was used to determine key themes; (3) Results: 25 Aboriginal women (smokers, non-smokers, and ex-smokers) participated in focus groups or individual interviews. Women smoked to deal with stress, trauma and for maintaining social connections. Women who stopped smoking did so on their own when the reason was important enough or when they saw alternative ways of living. Creating safe places to bring women together to yarn about women’s business and link with health services was identified as critical to support women to stop smoking. Conclusions: Strategies to address smoking need to bring community, culture and health together in a meaningful way for women and their families; build on existing community strengths; and educate communities about the effects of smoking, and health professionals about how to support women to stop smoking.

Suggested Citation

  • Paula Wyndow & Elaine Clifton & Roz Walker, 2020. "Improving Aboriginal Maternal Health by Strengthening Connection to Culture, Family and Community," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:24:p:9461-:d:463783
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wood, Lisa & France, Kathryn & Hunt, Kerry & Eades, Sandra & Slack-Smith, Linda, 2008. "Indigenous women and smoking during pregnancy: Knowledge, cultural contexts and barriers to cessation," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 66(11), pages 2378-2389, June.
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