Evaluation of the pilot phase of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Male Health Module
Komla Tsey A F , Philemon Chigeza A , Carol A. Holden B , Jack Bulman C , Hilton Gruis D and Mark Wenitong EA School of Education and The Cairns Institute, James Cook University, PO Box 6811, Cairns, Qld 4870, Australia.
B Andrology Australia, c/o Monash Institute of Medical Research, 27–31 Wright Street, Monash University, Clayton, Vic. 3168, Australia.
C Mibbinbah Limited, Burleigh BC, Burleigh Waters, Qld 4220, Australia.
D Department of Rural and Indigenous Health, Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, PO Box 963, Moe, Vic. 3825, Australia.
E Apunipima Cape York Council, 186 McCoombe Street, Cairns, Qld 4870, Australia.
F Corresponding author. Email: komla.tsey@jcu.edu.au
Australian Journal of Primary Health 20(1) 56-61 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY12033
Submitted: 25 March 2012 Accepted: 19 September 2012 Published: 24 October 2012
Abstract
This article evaluates the pilot phase of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Male Health Module. Although men experience higher levels of illness and die younger than women, educational programs to support health workers utilise a gender-based approach to increase participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males in health care are rare and lack appropriate content. Recognising this gap in service provision, and under the guidance of a Reference Group comprising community leaders in Aboriginal and Torres Strait male health, a comprehensive and culturally appropriate Male Health Module has been developed to enhance the capacity of health workers to improve access to services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males. Methods used were: in-depth interviews with Module developers, pilot workshops for trainers and health workers, questionnaires and focus group discussions with workshop participants, and participant observations. As well as enhancing capacity to facilitate access to health services for men, the Module was deemed relevant because of its potential to promote health worker empowerment and wellbeing. Findings revealed that improving access to services for men required male and female health workers working in partnership. Despite overall enthusiasm for the Module, the findings also revealed deep fear that it would end up ‘collecting dust on shelves’. Strategies to improve the Module quality and accessibility are highlighted.
References
Adams K, Spratling M (2001) Keeping ya mob healthy: Aboriginal community participation and Aboriginal health worker training in Victoria. Australian Journal of Primary Health 7, 116–119.| Keeping ya mob healthy: Aboriginal community participation and Aboriginal health worker training in Victoria.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Adams M (2002) Establishing a national framework for improving the health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males. Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal 26, 11–12.
Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing (2010a) National Male Health Policy supporting document. National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Male Health Framework Revised Guiding Principles. Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra.
Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing (2010b) National Male Health Policy. Building on the strengths of Australian males. Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2011) The health of Australia’s males. Cat. no. PHE 141. AIHW, Canberra.
Braun V, Clarke V (2006) Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology 3, 77–101.
| Using thematic analysis in psychology.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Briscoe A (2000) Indigenous men’s health access strategy. National Indigenous Male Health Convention, Ross River conference. Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal 24, 7–11.
Bulman J, Hayes R (2011) Mibbinbah and spirit healing: fostering safe, friendly spaces for Indigenous males in Australia. International Journal of Men’s Health 10, 6–25.
| Mibbinbah and spirit healing: fostering safe, friendly spaces for Indigenous males in Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Denzin NK, Lincoln YS (Eds) (2005) ‘The Sage handbook of qualitative research.’ 3rd edn. (Sage: Thousand Oaks, CA)
Erickson F (1986) Qualitative research methods on teaching. In ‘Handbook of research on teaching’. (Ed. MC Wittrock) pp. 119–161. (Macmillan: New York)
Haswell-Elkins M, Kavanagh D, Tsey K, Reilly L, Cadet-James Y, Laliberte A, Wilson A, Doran C (2010) Psychometric validation of the growth and empowerment measure (GEM) applied with Indigenous Australians. The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry 44, 791–799.
Holden CA, de Kretser D (2003) Andrology Australia: the Australian Centre of Excellence in Male Reproductive Health. Australian Family Physician 32, 466–467.
Huggins J (1998) ‘Sister girl.’ (University of Queensland Press: Brisbane)
Martin K (2001) ‘Indigenous Australian worldviews.’ (School of Indigenous Australian Studies Subject Guide: Townsville)
McCalman J, Tsey K, Wenitong M, Wilson A, McEwan A, Cadet J, Whiteside M (2010) Indigenous men’s support groups and social and emotional wellbeing: a meta-synthesis of the evidence. Australian Journal of Primary Health 16, 159–166.
| Indigenous men’s support groups and social and emotional wellbeing: a meta-synthesis of the evidence.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
McCoy B (2009) ‘Holding men: kanyirninpa and the health of Aboriginal men’. (Aboriginal Studies Press: Canberra)
Sanson-Fisher RW, Campbell EM, Perkins JJ, Blunden SV, Davis BB (2006) Indigenous health research: a critical review of outputs over time. The Medical Journal of Australia 184, 502–505.
Tsey K, Patterson D, Whiteside M, Baird L, Baird B (2002) Indigenous men taking their rightful place in society? A preliminary analysis of a participatory action research process with Yarrabah men’s health group. The Australian Journal of Rural Health 10, 278–284.
| Indigenous men taking their rightful place in society? A preliminary analysis of a participatory action research process with Yarrabah men’s health group.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tyler RW (1949) ‘Basic principles of curriculum and instruction.’ (University of Chicago Press: Chicago, IL)
Wallerstein N (2006) ‘What is the evidence on effectiveness of empowerment to improve health?’ (World Health Organization: Copenhagen) Available at http://www.euro.who.int/en/what-we-do/data-and-evidence/health-evidence-network-hen/publications/pre2009/what-is-the-evidence-on-effectiveness-of-empowerment-to-improve-health [Verified 21 March 2012]
Watson C, Harrison N (2009) ‘New South Wales Aboriginal mental health training program: implementation review.’ (CRC for Aboriginal Health and NSW Department of Health: Darwin and Sydney)
Wenitong M (2002) ‘Indigenous male health.’ (Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health: Canberra)
Whiteside M, Tsey K, McCalman J, Cadet-James Y, Wilson A (2006) Empowerment as a framework for indigenous workforce development and organisational change. Australian Social Work 59, 422–434.
| Empowerment as a framework for indigenous workforce development and organisational change.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Working Party of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Male Health & Well Being Reference Committee (2003) ‘A national framework for improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males.’ (Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health: Canberra)
