Minimising the Health Impacts of Gambling: Horn of Africa Community

Abstract

This paper describes a project with women from the Horn of Africa who were concerned about the impacts of gambling on their community's health. It draws on a two-year action research study, which examined the health implications of gambling for women living in Melbourne's Western Metropolitan Region. Members of the Horn of Africa community designed ways of consulting with their communities and were trained and employed as co-researchers and cultural consultants to the project. They then conducted focus groups, assisted in the data analysis and used the findings to develop and implement strategies, which were aimed at reducing the negative effects of gambling. Women were then trained and employed as peer educators. The project involved collaboration between women, community elders and mainstream support services. The community undertook management of the project and the women evaluated the project themselves.