Reports
Community Projects
Of Interest
Issue addressed: The promotion of 'mental health' in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations.
Methods: The authors describe the development of 'mental health' as a field of inquiry and practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations. They proceed to explore the possibility of 'promoting' mental health within Indigenous populations which do not necessarily share mainstream understandings of mental health, and where persistent and pervasive social disadvantage is the major factor compromising emotional well-being.
Results: Ethical and practical considerations are raised and examples provided of ongoing projects that seek to enhance Indigenous social and emotional well-being.
Conclusions: Eliminating social injustice will surely promote Indigenous social and emotional well-being. However, measures that are more modest but attainable in the short term should not be deferred for want of such major social change.
Key words: Indigenous, Aboriginal, Islander, mental health, health promotion, well-being
Authors:
Ernest Hunter
Department of Social and Preventive Medicine
North Queensland Clinical School
University of Queensland
Cairns, Queensland
Facsimile: (07) 4051 4322
Darren Garvey
Centre for Aboriginal Studies
Curtin University
Perth, Western Australia
Facsimile: (08) 9266 2888
(Health Promotion Journal of Australia 1998;8(1): 4-11.)
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The Maningrida 'Be Smoke Free' Project
Fay Johnston, Robyn Beecham, Pozy Dalgleish, Thomas Malpraburr,
George Gamarania
Issue addressed: Aboriginal people in the Top End of the Northern Territory (NT) have among the highest rates of smoking in Australia and as a consequence suffer an enormous burden of ill-health. In spite of this, there is very little information about how many Aboriginal school children smoke, when and why they start, and what interventions help reduce the uptake of smoking. This project aimed to describe the current knowledge, attitudes and practices regarding tobacco use in school-aged children, and to develop and evaluate a culturally sensitive intervention that is readily adaptable to other remote Aboriginal communities of the Top End.
Methods: A two-week educational intervention was conducted in one of three participating remote Aboriginal communities in the Top End. Pre- and post-intervention questionnaires about current practices, knowledge and attitudes to smoking were administered by local staff in all three communities. The intervention included the launch and use by all students of a locally produced CDROM, classroom teaching of the NT tobacco curriculum, declaration of smoke-free education and health centres, prizes for Be Smoke Free songs and posters created by students, a Be Smoke Free concert featuring local rock bands, visits from well-known NT sporting personalities, and community educational displays. The CDROM was aimed at primary school students but designed to be adaptable to different languages, and to be accessible to all age groups, regardless of their level of literacy.
Results: The intervention met with considerable enthusiasm and community-wide support. Initially, a little more than 31 per cent of enrolled children were surveyed in the intervention community (A) and around 56 per cent in one control community (B). In the third community (C), only 24 children (9 per cent) were surveyed. There was a high uptake of smoking among school children in both communities A and B. The most common reasons given for smoking were "liking it" and "other kids". The major reasons given for not smoking were either health-related or being "too young". Almost all the children lived with adult smokers and many were asked to light cigarettes for them. Most had a reasonable knowledge about the health effects of smoking and a greater proportion in both communities gave correct answers in the knowledge quiz in the second questionnaire. Our ability to interpret the changes in the results of the pre- and post-intervention questionnaires was limited by variable school attendance. The children enjoyed participating in the project. Using the CD-ROM was the most popular activity and has been subsequently well received in smoking education projects in the two non-intervention communities.
Conclusions: In spite of reasonable knowledge of adverse health effects, smoking cigarettes appeared to be perceived as an acceptable and expected part of being an adult. The use of school-based surveys alone to evaluate educational interventions is of limited value in remote communities where school attendance is variable.
So what? In spite of the high prevalence of smoking in indigenous communities of the Top End there is interest, enthusiasm and potential for successful smoking prevention programs. This is important because smoking is a major but preventable cause of illness and death.
Key words: Aboriginal, smoking prevalence, smoking intervention, school-aged children, CD-ROM
Authors:
Fay Johnston
Territory Health Services
Darwin, Northern Territory
Robyn Beecham, Pozy Dalgleish, Georg Gamarania
Maningrida Community Education Centre
Thomas Malpraburr
Maningrida, Northern Territory
(Health Promotion Journal of Australia 1998;8(1): 12-17.)
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Issue addressed: As part of a project addressing the nutritional health of Aboriginal people in western New South Wales (NSW), various environmental issues which may influence food habits were researched. Environmental issues researched included the extent and type of external advertising, food price and availability and takeaway food outlets.
Methods: Four communities in western NSW participated in the study. The number, type and size dimensions were observed for all external advertising within the participating towns. The managers of takeaway food outlets within the participating towns were interviewed in relation to attitudes to adopting healthier food alternatives, food preparation practices and food marketing. The price and availability of food in the participating communities were recorded and compared to Woolworths in a larger regional centre.
Results: Approximately 90 per cent of advertising focusses on unhealthy food options such as alcohol, soft drinks, takeaway foods and ice-cream. The majority of takeaway food shops do not wish to introduce healthier foods to their menus. The range of average prices for the selected food products was higher than those offered by a national food chain.
So what? Recommendations have been formulated for each of these areas to improve the nutritional status of Aboriginal people living in western NSW. Those recommendations complement the work of the Aboriginal Nutrition Project.
Key words: Environmental nutrition, food price availability
Authors:
Karen Rodgers
Wellington Community Health Centre
Wellington, New South Wales
Donna Willis
Bourke District Hospital
Roslyn Thomas
Enngonia Health Service
(Health Promotion Journal of Australia 1998;8(1):18-23.)
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Issue addressed: This paper describes the evaluation of an indigenous health promotion program in Western Australia aimed at enhancing self-esteem and reducing drug use among Aboriginal students.
Methods: The processes and outcomes were evaluated using qualitative data and a quantitative questionnaire developed for a similar project conducted among non-indigenous students in New South Wales.
Results: The results were compromised by problems with the evaluation design, with the inappropriateness of the questionnaire, and because of the unsystematic nature of qualitative data collection. While the qualitative data suggests some positive outcomes of the program, on the basis of the data at hand it was not possible to formally demonstrate these.
Conclusions: While the results of the evaluation were inconclusive, this should not be interpreted as a failure of the program, but as a consequence of the design and implementation of the evaluation strategy. Through no fault of the community organisation which conducted the program -- the evaluation methods employed were technically, culturally, and financially inappropriate.
So what? The problems raised are not unique to this particular program. They lay with the inadequate assessment of project and program proposals by funding agencies, and the lack of support provided to Aboriginal community-based organisations. We propose a number of steps that can be taken to address these problems and, in so doing, can help to better identify strategies for promoting the health and well-being of Aboriginal people.
Key words: Aborigines, evaluation, alcohol, other drugs
Authors:
Dennis Gray, Brooke Sputore
National Centre for Research into the Prevention of Drug Abuse
Curtin University of Technology
Perth, Western Australia
Facsimile: (08) 9367 8141
Email: dennis@ncrpda.curtin.edu.au
Jill Walker
Karalundi Aboriginal Education Centre
(Health Promotion Journal of Australia 1998;8(1):24-28.)
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Issue Addressed: A Koori Hospital Liaison Officer was first appointed to the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) (Melbourne) in 1984. Nine years later the liaison officer was still working in isolation within the hospital. While the work of the liaison officer was greatly appreciated by the Aboriginal community, there had been no apparent change in the hospital's responsiveness to the needs of Aboriginal people.
Methods: Changes in personnel and organisational structure at the hospital combined with the fortuitous appointment of a group of staff who were committed to doing better for Aboriginal families created an environment where change could occur. Unpredictable external events, such as the launch of the report of the Stolen Children Inquiry, "Bringing Them Home", provided additional impetus to the work.
The work of the Aboriginal Liaison Unit and their Advisory Committee has focussed on organisational change, promotion of the work externally as well as improving and expanding the support offered to families and communities. The overriding approach has been of partnership, particularly Aboriginal/non-Aboriginal, Hospital/Aboriginal community.
A major achievement was obtaining funding from the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation for a further two years of implementation of a new model of enhanced service which was in the process of development. This funding also covered evaluation of this expanded service approach and development of a best practice manual. This work is still in progress.
So what? There is not a cheap or easy answer to improving access of Aboriginal children to a mainstream hospital. We believe that given the history of Aboriginal people in our society very intensive support is needed if they are to get maximum benefit from the health system. A sole Aboriginal liaison officer cannot possibly fulfil the requirements. Aboriginal community organisations need to be invited into hospitals at a senior advisory level; liaison officers need to be auspiced by senior management if they are to be effective; and, in order to avoid 'band-aiding', organisational change is as important as individual service provision.
Key words: Aboriginal staff, Aboriginal community involvement, systemic change, Aboriginal children's health
Authors:
Shawanna Andrews, Neville Austin, Angela Clarke, Helen Goodman, Jane Miller
Aboriginal Liaison Unit
Royal Children's Hospital
Parkville, Victoria
(Health Promotion Journal of Australia 1998;8(1): 29-33.)
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Issue addressed: The study program addressed improvements in cross-cultural awareness for tertiary students in regional Victoria to promote the health of Aboriginal Australians.
Methods: Implementation occurred by successful participation, collaboration and new partnerships formed with Koori people in northern Victoria and through a successful pilot program. The pilot was trialed in four Koori communities in Victoria, including Dja Dja Wurrung (Bendigo), Njernda Corporation (Echuca), Yorta Yorta (Barmah), and Latje Latje (Robinvale). The study program was then implemented using two-day intensive study blocks and a residential component with students staying in Yorta Yorta country and being taught by Elders and Aboriginal health workers.
Results: Process evaluation determined that while the overall response from the students, Elders, Aboriginal health workers, community representatives and staff who participated in the pilot and implemented the study program was positive, it also identified aspects of the program for further attention. Importantly, the strengths of the process and model were also identified.
Conclusions: By addressing historical and cultural awareness regarding Aboriginal health in a health education context, the study program has the potential to effect a range of responses by students/graduates/practitioners to promote the health of Aboriginal Australians. The process and model design formed the basis of a Primary Health Care Study Program conducted in a South Pacific nation, also with positive results for students, participation and partnerships.
So what? Health promotion practitioners and academics require information or study programs to improve cross-cultural awareness and best practice methods to address the overall tragic Aboriginal health status. Process evaluation of the Primary Health Care Study Program in Aboriginal Health provided insights into the barriers and enablers which could advance further implementation and/or modifications of this study program.
Key words: Cross-cultural studies, Aboriginal health
Authors:
Denise Main, Lyn Talbot
School of Health and Human Sciences
La Trobe University
Bendigo, Victoria
Facsimile: (03) 5444 7977
Waddah Eltchelebi
Aboriginal Tertiary Support Unit
La Trobe University Bendigo
Sue Pattison (Yorta Yorta)
Aboriginal Tertiary Support Unit
La Trobe University Bendigo
(Health Promotion Journal of Australia 1998;8(1): 34-39.)
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Issue addressed: The Aboriginal Health Promotion Principles and Practices Training Program aims to increase the knowledge of health promotion among Territory Health employees, while the Aboriginal Health Promotion Incentive Fund enables employees to use their knowledge. This translates to health promotion activity at community level.
Methods: The program offers quality training and professional support to participants. It also offers small grants to support the initiatives developed during the training.
Results: The Health Promotion Principles and Practices Training Program and the Aboriginal Health Promotion Principles and Practices Training Program have trained more than 200 employees of Territory Health Services. Of these, 46 participants were Indigenous people from a health-related field. The Incentive Fund has supported more than 40 projects, with many being sustained after the funding period.
So what? The training of Aboriginal health workers can be enhanced by making training programs culturally appropriate. Support from the incentive fund has enabled Aboriginal health workers to implement strategies learned at training programs.
Key words: Aboriginal health, health promotion programs
Authors:
Richard King, Gregory Smith
Health Promotion Unit
Territory Health Services
Nhulunbuy
(Health Promotion Journal of Australia 1998;8(1): 40-42.)
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Issue addressed: Enhancing the skills and capacities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers has been cited as important in enhancing the health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities.1 This paper presents the results of a two-year program funded by Queensland Health to enhance the submission-writing skills of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers in Queensland. Health workers attended two-day workshops which introduced them to health promotion program planning and project management principles. This knowledge was applied in practice during the workshop to develop submissions for funding for community health promotion projects addressing specific health needs in the health workers' communities.
Methods: A survey of 50 rural and urban health workers provided feedback on the design elements of the two-day workshops. A state-wide recruitment strategy was implemented. Ten workshops were conducted in rural, remote and regional centres. An action learning design was utilised, whereby participants worked on actual funding submissions for their specific community programs while learning health promotion content. A submission form from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Advancement Branch at Queensland Health guided the process. At the conclusion of the workshop, applications for funding were completed. Health workers were encouraged to work at their own pace and the emphasis was on understanding health promotion planning principles as the process for writing a successful submission. The submissions were competitively judged by Queensland Health staff using government funding criteria.
Results: Twenty-one grants, ranging from $5000 to $10,000, were funded for health promotion programs in Indigenous communities in Queensland. Subsequently, an Indigenous-scripted, acted and produced 15-minute video and educational package was developed by project staff and health workers in 1997. The video outlines the program planning steps in designing a funding submission and can be used as a self-paced education vehicle.
Conclusion: Innovative action learning outcomes concerning health promotion applications occurred as a result of the project, through collaborative partnerships with health workers, a university and the community. Projects of importance to communities were funded. An educational video resource sustained the project's aims to ensure wider distribution of health promotion knowledge and skills. Funding is being sought to disseminate and evaluate the video/education resource.
So what? This project was successful in demonstrating the need for skills training resources. A rigorous evaluation of the process of development of skills training resources, and evaluation of those resources, will ensure the quality of resources and assist dissemination of health promotion skills.
Key words: Education, training, health workers
Authors:
Beryl Meiklejohn, Elizabeth Parker
School of Public Health
Queensland University of Technology
Brisbane, Queensland
Email: b.meiklejohn@qut.edu.au
(Health Promotion Journal of Australia 1998;8(1):43-45.)
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Issue addressed: This paper describes the development of health promotion conducted by Kimberley Aboriginal community-controlled health services over a 15-year period.
Methods: A description of the environment out of which health promotion grew is provided and examination is made of innovative strategies used and why innovation has been sustained over a long period.
So what? Currently, a great challenge to health promotion is the balancing of ongoing appropriateness with sustainability.
Keywords: Aboriginal health, health promotion, psycho-drama
Authors:
Maggie Grant
School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine James Cook University
Townsville, Queensland
Facsimile: (07)4771 5032
Marie Cox (Thursday Islander), Sue Laird
HEATworks
Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Council
Broome, Western Australia
(Health Promotion Journal of Australia 1998;8(1):46-50.)
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Issue addressed: A study of injecting drug use in the Melbourne Aboriginal community was carried out by the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service Co-operative Ltd to document problems associated with the practice and to tap community views on appropriate strategies for prevention.
Methods: An action-research strategy was adopted with 32 injecting drug users and other community members, community workers and Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal service providers participating in unstructured interviews and small group discussions.
Results: Almost every family in the community had been touched in some way by injecting drug use. Most people who injected drugs were also dealing. The findings contradicted the commonly held belief that injecting drug use is a young person's pastime. In many cases, Aboriginal people were injecting drugs as a way of dealing with unhappiness in their lives. Community members' recommendations for dealing with the problems were compiled in a Community Report.1
So what? The Victorian Aboriginal Health Service has convened a Working Party to determine priorities and seek appropriate sources of funding to implement the recommendations. The Melbourne Aboriginal Community has suffered enormously because of the use of drugs of addiction and projects such as this are a critical part of the process of healing.
Key words: Aboriginal health, injecting drug use
Authors:
Terrie (Clarke) Lehmann, Ruth Frances
Victorian Aboriginal Health Service Co-Operative Ltd
(Health Promotion Journal of Australia 1998;8(1): 51-54.)
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Issue addressed: Tobacco is a significant cause of disease and premature death among Aboriginal people.1 While it is acknowledged that major improvements are required in all aspects of Aboriginal health status in Western Australia, significant health gains can be made in terms of reduced morbidity and mortality by reducing the prevalence of smoking among Aboriginal people.
Methods: In 1994, the Aboriginal Smoking Project was implemented by the Smoking and Health Program, Health Department of Western Australia. Strategies and resources developed to date include Quit newsletters, a resource manual, and seminars on smoking and health issues for Aboriginal health workers; radio and television advertising, targeting adult Aboriginal smokers; posters and swap cards promoting a smoke-free lifestyle through the use of high-profile Aboriginal sporting role models; and support for state and national programs. Awareness of the harmful effects of tobacco on health among Aboriginal communities is low.1 As a consequence, the primary focus of the project so far has been on Aboriginal health workers. The short-term aims of the project are to raise awareness, among Aboriginal health workers throughout the state, of the harmful effects of smoking and to assist and support them in the development of interventions at a local level.
Results: While a range of strategies and resources have been developed and implemented in collaboration with Aboriginal health workers and health agencies, it has been difficult to evaluate their effectiveness other than by anecdotal feedback. Furthermore, the implementation of sustainable community programs in support of tobacco control has yet to be achieved. While there is growing interest in smoking and health issues among Aboriginal health workers and agencies, lack of education and training, resource support and wider community involvement continue to present barriers.
Conclusion: Sustained, collaborative effort, and the support and involvement of Aboriginal community leaders, is vital to achieving a reduction in the prevalence and harm caused by tobacco in Aboriginal communities.
So what? Tobacco use is the most preventable cause of disease in developed countries. Reductions in the prevalence and harm caused by tobacco use among Aboriginal communities is a major health promotion challenge.
Key Words: Tobacco, smoking, Aboriginal, health promotion
Authors:
Clive T Walley (Noongar), Denise L Sullivan
Health Promotion Services
Health Department of Western Australia
Perth, Western Australia
Facsimile:(08) 9250 1699
(Health Promotion Journal of Australia 1998;8(1): 55-58.)
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Issue addressed: Respiratory disease is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults. In Queensland, for example, respiratory diseases follow circulatory diseases as the second most frequent cause of excess mortality in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults aged 40 to 60 years. In far north Queensland, Indigenous adults have a four-fold greater hospitalisation rate from respiratory diseases than non-Indigenous adults.
Methods: A health promotion program was undertaken in far north Queensland to increase awareness of, and uptake of, respiratory vaccines in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults. Culturally appropriate resources were developed for the program and focus tested in rural, remote and urban communities. A staff education/in-service session was developed which clarified 'at risk' groups and provided an example of each category. This paper discusses a range of strategies utilised to promote the program.
Results: The 1996 pilot program and 1997 program resulted in approximately 5000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults 'at risk' of pneumococcal infection immunised. The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) recommend yearly vaccination for influenza and five-yearly vaccination for pneumonia and the program will be ongoing to offer 'at risk' adults immunisation.
Conclusions: The program reached the target group of 'at risk' adults and used a mix of strategies to achieve it. The program needs to be a priority in health districts to attract the necessary resources and to be sustainable.
So what? Community members now have a greater awareness of pneumonia and immunisation. Personal skills were developed during the program for Aboriginal health workers and they have the knowledge and support to coordinate the program in the future. The program gave many organisations which usually work in isolation the opportunity to work together.
Key words: Adult immunisation, Aboriginal health
Author:
Dallas Young
Centre for Disease Control
Tropical Public Health Unit
Cairns, Queensland
Facsimile: (07) 4031 1440
(Health Promotion Journal of Australia 1998;8(1): 59-61.)
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Issue addressed: The high rate of diet-related diseases among Aboriginal people can be addressed by promoting healthy eating habits.
Methods: The Eat Healthy Tucker Project was conducted to provide a community-based nutrition program that trains health workers, health professionals and key Aboriginal community groups working in the area of Aboriginal nutrition.
So what? A training manual and workshops have been developed and further work on Aboriginal nutrition in Western Australia has been recommended.
Key words: Nutrition, Aboriginal, training
Authors
Beth Woods, Cathy Campbell, Margaret Miller, Claire Thompson
Health Promotion Services
Health Department of Western Australia
Perth, Western Australia
(Health Promotion Journal of Australia 1998;8(1): 62-63.)
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Issue addressed: Diet-related diseases are the major cause of illness and death among Aboriginal adults. Under-nutrition commonly affects Aboriginal children.
Methods: This article describes how a draft policy was developed following consultations with stakeholders to address the nutrition of Aboriginal people.
So what? The draft Aboriginal Food and Nutrition Policy for Western Australia has been released for comment.
Key words: Nutrition, Aboriginal, policy
Authors
Beth Woods, Cathy Campbell, Margaret Miller
Health Promotion Services
Health Department of Western Australia
Perth, Western Australia
Anne Marie Lilburne
Office of Aboriginal Health
Health Department of Western Australia
(Health Promotion Journal of Australia 1998;8(1): 64-65.)
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Issue addressed: The program aims to reduce the harm to individuals and families caused by alcohol and other drug misuse.
Methods: The issue of alcohol abuse is addressed by the community with the involvement of those who have been affected by alcohol abuse and have made use of the treatment program and/or the 'sober village'.
Results: The community is responding positively to the program and the number of non-drinkers is increasing. Knowledge of the effects of alcohol is improving and the program has given new life to our people.
So what? The use of local community ideas and strategies submitted by the people do not cause the difficulties associated with trying to cope with unfamiliar situations. When the people work out things for themselves and use familiar strategies, the results seem to be more successful.
Keywords: Alcohol, Aboriginal, community program
Authors:
Gabriella Alimankinni (Wantarringa -- Sun), Magdalen Kelantumama (Takaringa -- Mullet Fish),
Edwina Puautjimi (Wantarringa -- Sun), Marilyn Wommatakimi (Wantarringa -- Sun)
Alcohol Awareness and Family Recovery
Prevention and Treatment of Substance Misuse
Bathurst Island, Northern Territory
(Health Promotion Journal of Australia 1998;8(1): 66-68.)
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Issue addressed: Men, especially Aboriginal men, rarely go to the health centre when they are sick, let alone when they are healthy. Providing health education to groups of young men can also be a difficult exercise.
Method: The Nhulunbuy health promotion team developed a well men's checkup strategy which was implemented in east Arnhem Land. The checkups aimed to raise awareness of health issues and encourage lifestyle changes to improve health.
So what? Making health promotion strategies relevant and taking them to where men already meet are ways of improving the health behaviour of Aboriginal men.
Key words: Health checks, men's health, Aboriginal health
Authors:
Gregory Smith, Richard King
Nhulunbuy Health Promotion Unit
Territory Health Services
Nhulunbuy, Northern Territory
(Health Promotion Journal of Australia 1998;8(1): 69-70.)
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Issue addressed: The Jabiru Immunisation Project aimed to ensure that the children were immunised against serious but preventable diseases by: informing mothers when their children were due for immunisation; increasing mothers' knowledge of the benefits of immunisation; and developing appropriate resources to further promote and educate people about the reasons for immunisation. The paper describes the process undertaken to plan, implement and evaluate the project.
Methods: The Aboriginal health worker worked with members of the community and local community organisations to design and implement a process to alert mothers to when their children were due to be immunised and educate people about the reasons for immunisation. Project planning was undertaken during a Health Promotion Workshop for Senior Aboriginal Health Workers and funding was obtained to expand the project and further develop resources.
Results: Mothers are now taking their children to the clinic to be immunised. People within the Jabiru community are now better informed about the importance of immunisation and the rate of immunisation in the community has increased.
So what? Immunisation is a current national issue and an issue high on the Northern Territory public health agenda and it should remain a focus for the community of Jabiru and outstations.
Key words: Immunisation, Aboriginal health, health promotion
Authors:
Lynette Cahill-Miller
Senior Aboriginal Health Worker
Jabiru Community Health Care Centre
Jabiru, Northern Territory
Lynette O'Donoghue
Co-ordinator, Aboriginal Health Promotion
Territory Health Services
David Parfitt
Aboriginal Health Promotion Officer
Territory Health Services
(Health Promotion Journal of Australia 1998;8(1): 71-74.)
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Issue addressed: Milikapiti had a problem with the amount of rubbish lying around the community. The health centre was also experiencing overcrowding. An area where people could sit and wait for family in comfort was needed.
Methods: Two community projects were undertaken. Several meetings were organised with council members and the Community Development Education Program (CDEP) manager to discuss the removal of rubbish. Fliers were developed for community meetings to discuss rubbish collection and to promote it. The second project was implemented by the council using Health Promotion Incentive Funds to develop an outdoor area at the health centre.
Results: Outcomes achieved by the two projects are a cleaner, more attractive community and the provision of an area within the grounds of the health centre where people can wait for family.
So what? It may take one or two people to get things started, but after that everybody in the community gets involved. Community people are reluctant to become involved until they actually see something happening.
Key words: Community participation, Indigenous health promotion, community beautification
Authors:
Agnes Daniels
Milikapiti Health Centre
Melville Island, Northern Territory
Anthony Castro
Territory Health Services
Darwin, Northern Territory
(Health Promotion Journal of Australia 1998;8(1): 75-76.)
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Issue addressed: Indigenous and non-Indigenous health promoters have shown an interest in being provided with guidance on how to write for publication. This article addresses the questions most asked by authors, and provides tips authors have found most useful.
Methods: The development of writing skills is outlined and information provided to assist an author's progress through the publication process is provided. Writing requirements are presented with recommendations on how to achieve the desired writing outcomes.
So what? The process of writing for publication can be rewarding. Just as for a multitude of other tasks within our work environment, writing for publication can be assisted by developing a set of skills and knowledge.
Key words: Writing, publication, health promotion
Authors:
Lynette Saeck, John B Lowe
Health Promotion Journal of Australia
Brisbane, Queensland
(Health Promotion Journal of Australia 1998;8(1): 77-78.)
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Ray James, Richard Routh, Naomi Prowse
Introduction
Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders would like to share the results of their projects, stories of their lives, and biographies of notable leaders with the rest of the world by publishing in relevant journals. Many, however, do not feel confident about submitting material for publication because they have not been trained as writers. Traditionally, Aboriginal stories have been told orally.
The Editorial Board of the "Health Promotion Journal of Australia" has an ongoing commitment to assisting Aboriginal people publish their stories, in their own words. To help progress this goal, the authors of this article developed a three-hour workshop to discuss what makes a good story, topics worth writing about, the difference between talking a story and getting it published, and guidelines for getting published.
The initial workshop was conducted in Fremantle, Western Australia for a group of Aboriginal
people with health, education and social welfare experience. We hope the workshop and this
article will inspire Aboriginal health workers to write and submit their stories for publication.
Authors:
Ray James
President, Western Australian Branch Australian Association of Health
Promotion Professionals
Perth, Western Australia
Email: rayj@sbdc.com.au
Richard Routh
Aboriginal Tertiary Studies Course
Kurongkurl Katitjin
School of Indigenous Australian Studies
Edith Cowan University
Naomi Prowse
Project Officer
National Heart Foundation
Western Australia
(Health Promotion Journal of Australia 1998;8(1): 79-80.)
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