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Patterns of Health and Health Service Use in a Prospective Cohort of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children Aged 5–9 Years Living in Urban, Regional and Remote Areas of South Australia

Author

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  • Deirdre Gartland

    (Intergenerational Health, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
    Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia)

  • Arwen Nikolof

    (Intergenerational Health, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
    Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
    Women and Kids Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia)

  • Karen Glover

    (Intergenerational Health, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
    Women and Kids Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia)

  • Cathy Leane

    (Women’s and Children’s Health Network, SA Health, North Adelaide, SA 5006, Australia)

  • Petrea Cahir

    (Intergenerational Health, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
    Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia)

  • Mohajer Hameed

    (Intergenerational Health, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia)

  • Stephanie J. Brown

    (Intergenerational Health, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
    Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
    Women and Kids Theme, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia)

Abstract

Despite longstanding recognition of disparities in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child health, progress to reduce disparities is slow. To improve the capacity of policy makers to target resources, there is an urgent need for epidemiological studies providing prospective data on child health outcomes. We undertook a prospective population-based study of 344 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children born in South Australia. Mothers and caregivers reported on child health conditions, use of health services and the social and familial context of the children. A total of 238 children with a mean age of 6.5 years participated in wave 2 follow-up. Overall, 62.7% of the children experienced one or more physical health conditions in the 12 months prior to wave 2 follow-up, 27.3% experienced a mental health condition and 24.8% experienced a developmental condition. The 12-month period prevalence of physical, developmental and mental health conditions was similar for children living in urban, regional and remote areas. While most children had had at least one visit with a general practitioner, some children experiencing physical, developmental and mental health conditions appear to be missing out on specialist and allied health care. Greater efforts by governments and policy makers are needed to strengthen outreach, recognition, referral and follow-up.

Suggested Citation

  • Deirdre Gartland & Arwen Nikolof & Karen Glover & Cathy Leane & Petrea Cahir & Mohajer Hameed & Stephanie J. Brown, 2023. "Patterns of Health and Health Service Use in a Prospective Cohort of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children Aged 5–9 Years Living in Urban, Regional and Remote Areas of South Australia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(12), pages 1-19, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:12:p:6172-:d:1174120
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Shepherd, Carrington C.J. & Li, Jianghong & Cooper, Matthew N. & Hopkins, Katrina D. & Farrant, Brad M., 2017. "The impact of racial discrimination on the health of Australian Indigenous children aged 5-10 years: analysis of national longitudinal data," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 16, pages 1-1.
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