Free Standard AU & NZ Shipping For All Book Orders Over $80!
Register      Login
Australian Journal of Primary Health Australian Journal of Primary Health Society
The issues influencing community health services and primary health care
Shopping Cart: ( empty )
You are here: Home > Journals > PY > PY23167
RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)
Contents Vol 30(1)

A systematic search and narrative review of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and men pelvic health care: demonstrated need for improvement

Emma M. Wise https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1810-9525 A * , Marilyn A. Morgan B , Emily D. Biggs A , Bronte H. Ellis A , Marissa C. Joseph A , Melanie L. Say A , Lea T. Yanitsas A , Jonathan C. Bullen https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0437-2541 C D , Brooke R. Conley https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1677-4540 E , Ivan B. Lin https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6901-2569 C , Leo Ng https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9814-0495 A F and Darren J. Beales https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7176-4644 A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Curtin enAble Institute and Curtin School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Bentley, WA 6102, Australia.

B Consultant Langton & Associates, Perth, WA 6260, Australia.

C Western Australia Centre for Rural Health, University of Western Australia, Geraldton, WA 6530, Australia.

D Telethon Kids Institute, Perth, WA 6009, Australia.

E Department of Physiotherapy, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic. 3052, Australia.

F Department of Nursing and Allied Health, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Vic. 3122, Australia.

* Correspondence to: emma.wise@curtin.edu.au

Australian Journal of Primary Health 30, PY23167 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY23167
Submitted: 7 September 2023  Accepted: 30 November 2023  Published: 8 January 2024

© 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of La Trobe University. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND)

Abstract

Warning

This article contains terms, descriptions and opinions that may be culturally sensitive for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Background

Pelvic health conditions among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and men are under-recognised and under-reported despite indication of the significant burden of these conditions. Access to effective management provided in a culturally safe manner appears lacking. The study aims were to: (1) summarise the burden of pelvic health conditions among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; (2) explore barriers and enablers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples accessing pelvic healthcare services; and (3) provide considerations on how to implement culturally safe pelvic healthcare services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Methods

This study involved a systematic literature search informing a narrative review.

Results

Fourteen specific articles were identified. Burden related to pelvic health conditions was identified for both women and men, noting high likelihood of under-reporting. Barriers to effective culturally safe treatment included racism, shame and stigma associated with women’s and men’s business, lack of culturally safe services and geographical distance. Enablers included building trust with local communities, using yarning principles and codesign of pelvic health services with Aboriginal health workers and services. Strategies to improve pelvic health care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were described at the systems, health service and clinician levels.

Conclusion

Efforts are needed to improve the diagnosis and management of pelvic health conditions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Actions are required to engage with local Aboriginal Community Controlled Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, professionals overseeing service provision and healthcare providers to address the burden of these conditions among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Keywords: Aboriginal, barriers, burden, enablers, models of care, pelvic floor, pelvic health, women’s health.

References

Adams MJ, Collins VR, Dunne MP, de Kretser DM, Holden CA (2013) Male reproductive health disorders among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men: a hidden problem? Medical Journal of Australia 198, 33-38.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2015) The health and welfare of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: 2015. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Canberra, Australia. Available at https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/indigenous-australians/indigenous-health-welfare-2015

Baethge C, Goldbeck-Wood S, Mertens S (2019) SANRA-a scale for the quality assessment of narrative review articles. Research Integrity and Peer Review 4, 5.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Beaumont T (2019) Co-designing an antenatal physiotherapy education session with Aboriginal consumers: a pilot study. Australian Indigenous Health Bulletin 19(3), 1-8.
| Google Scholar |

Bonner A, Boyle J (2017) Are women’s needs being met by specialist health services managing urinary incontinence in the remote Top End NT? Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 57, 351-357.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Boyle JA, Cunningham J, O’Dea K, Dunbar T, Norman RJ (2012) Prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome in a sample of Indigenous women in Darwin, Australia. Medical Journal of Australia 196, 62-66.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Boyle J, Hollands G, Beck S, Hampel G, Wapau H, Arnot M, Browne L, Teede HJ, Moran LJ (2017) Process evaluation of a pilot evidence-based Polycystic Ovary Syndrome clinic in the Torres Strait. Australian Journal of Rural Health 25, 175-181.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Bullen J, Roberts LD (2021) Transformative learning within Australian Indigenous studies: a scoping review of non-Indigenous student experiences in tertiary Indigenous studies education. Higher Education Research & Development 40, 162-177.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Caffery LJ, Bradford NK, Wickramasinghe SI, Hayman N, Smith AC (2017) Outcomes of using telehealth for the provision of healthcare to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: a systematic review. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health 41, 48-53.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Campbell MA, Hunt J, Scrimgeour DJ, Davey M, Jones V (2018) Contribution of Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Services to improving Aboriginal health: an evidence review. Australian Health Review 42, 218-226.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Cavanagh J, Pariona-Cabrera P, Bartram T (2022) Culturally appropriate health solutions: Aboriginal men ‘thriving’ through activities in Men’s Sheds/groups. Health Promotion International 37, daac066.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Chew K-K, Stuckey B, Bremner A, Earle C, Jamrozik K (2008) Original Research–Epidemiology: Male erectile dysfunction: its prevalence in Western Australia and associated sociodemographic factors. The Journal of Sexual Medicine 5, 60-69.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Chiarelli P, Bower W, Wilson A, Attia J, Sibbritt D (2005) Estimating the prevalence of urinary and faecal incontinence in Australia: systematic review. Australasian Journal on Ageing 24, 19-27.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Clarke M, Whitson N, Williams C, Robson SJ (2021) A silent burden – prolapse, incontinence, and infertility in Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women: a systematic search and narrative review. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics 155, 268-274.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Coffin J (2007) Rising to the challenge in Aboriginal health by creating cultural security. Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal 31, 22-24.
| Google Scholar |

Cullen P, Mackean T, Walker N, Coombes J, Bennett-Brook K, Clapham K, Ivers R, Hackett M, Worner F, Longbottom M (2022) Integrating trauma and violence informed care in primary health care settings for first nations women experiencing violence: a systematic review. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse 23, 1204-1219.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

De Zilva S, Walker T, Palermo C, Brimblecombe J (2022) Culturally safe health care practice for Indigenous Peoples in Australia: a systematic meta-ethnographic review. Journal of Health Services Research & Policy 27, 74-84.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Department of Health (2018) National women’s health strategy 2020-2030. Canberra, Australia. Available at https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/national-womens-health-strategy-2020-2030

Department of Health and Aged Care (2014) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health curriculum framework. Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra, ACT, Australia.

Deroy S, Schütze H (2019) Factors supporting retention of Aboriginal health and wellbeing staff in Aboriginal health services: a comprehensive review of the literature. International Journal for Equity in Health 18, 70.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Deroy S, Schütze H (2021) Factors supporting retention of health and wellbeing staff in Aboriginal health services: a strength-based case study. Human Resources for Health 19, 35.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Gajarawala SN, Pelkowski JN (2021) Telehealth benefits and barriers. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners 17, 218-221.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Gooda M (2011) Native title report 2011. Australian Human Rights Commission, Sydney, NSW. Available at https://humanrights.gov.au/social_justice/nt_report/ntreport11/ [Accessed 1 October 2022]

Harfield SG, Davy C, McArthur A, Munn Z, Brown A, Brown N (2018) Characteristics of Indigenous primary health care service delivery models: a systematic scoping review. Globalization and Health 14, 12.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Hartz D, Blain J, Caplice S (2019) Evaluation of an Australian Aboriginal model of maternity care: the malabar community midwifery link service. Women and Birth 32, 427-436.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Lai GC, Taylor EV, Haigh MM, Thompson SC (2018) Factors affecting the retention of indigenous Australians in the health workforce: a systematic review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 15, 914.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Lin I, Coffin J, Bullen J, Barnabe C (2020) Opportunities and challenges for physical rehabilitation with indigenous populations. PAIN Reports 5, e838.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

LoGiudice DC, Smith K, Atkinson D, Dwyer A, Lautenschlager N, Almeida OA, Flicker L (2012) Preliminary evaluation of the prevalence of falls, pain and urinary incontinence in remote living Indigenous Australians over the age of 45 years. Internal Medicine Journal 42, e102-e107.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Maher P (1999) A review of ‘Traditional’ Aboriginal health beliefs. Australian Journal of Rural Health 7, 229-236.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Marcusson-Rababi B, Anderson K, Whop LJ, Butler T, Whitson N, Garvey G (2019) Does gynaecological cancer care meet the needs of Indigenous Australian women? Qualitative interviews with patients and care providers. BMC Health Services Research 19, 606.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

McCalman P, McLardie-Hore F, Newton M, McLachlan H, Forster D (2023) Trust, privacy, community, and culture: important elements of maternity care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women giving birth in Victoria. Women and Birth 36, e150-e160.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

McGough S, Wynaden D, Gower S, Duggan R, Wilson R (2022) There is no health without cultural safety: why cultural safety matters. Contemporary Nurse 58, 33-42.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

McKenna B, Fernbacher S, Furness T, Hannon M (2015) “Cultural brokerage” and beyond: piloting the role of an urban Aboriginal Mental Health Liaison Officer. BMC Public Health 15, 881.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Miller J (2021) Engaging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in a continence conversation. The Australian and New Zealand Continence Journal 27, 97-98.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Milligan E, West R, Saunders V, Bialocerkowski A, Creedy D, Rowe Minniss F, Hall K, Vervoort S (2021) Achieving cultural safety for Australia’s first peoples: a review of the Australian health practitioner regulation agency-registered health practitioners’ codes of conduct and codes of ethics. Australian Health Review 45, 398-406.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Milroy T, Jacobs S, Frayne J (2022) Impact of pelvic floor dysfunction in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women attending an urban Aboriginal medical service. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 62, 748-754.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Munns A (2021) Community midwifery: a primary health care approach to care during pregnancy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. Australian Journal of Primary Health 27, 57-61.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples (2009) The United Nations declaration on the rights of indigenous peoples. Australian Human Rights Commission, Canberra, ACT, Australia. Available at https://humanrights.gov.au/sites/default/files/declaration_booklet.pdf

National Health Medical Research Council (2018) Ethical conduct in research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities: guidelines for researchers and stakeholders. Australian Government, Canberra, ACT, Australia.

Oliver L, Wood M, Frawley C, Almond J, Larkins S (2015) Retrospective audit of postnatal attendance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women attending a community-controlled health service in north Queensland. Australian Family Physician 44, 243-247.
| Google Scholar | PubMed |

Silver BJ, Knox J, Smith KS, Ward JS, Boyle J, Guy RJ, Kaldor J, Rumbold AR (2012) Frequent occurrence of undiagnosed pelvic inflammatory disease in remote communities of central Australia. Medical Journal of Australia 197, 647-651.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Smith H, Burke F (2017) Aspiring to build culturally responsive, collaborative speech-language pathology services: some ethical reflections for SLPs working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Journal of Clinical Practice in Speech-Language Pathology 19, 46-49.
| Google Scholar |

Smith G, Kirkham R, Gunabarra C, Bokmakarray V, Burgess CP (2019) ‘We can work together, talk together’: an Aboriginal Health Care Home. Australian Health Review 43, 486-491.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Sutherland A, Billimoria J (2011) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander continence training in rural and remote Australia. Conference paper presented at ‘11th National Rural Health Conference: Rural and remote Australia: the heart of a healthy nation.’ Perth. Available at https://www.nintione.com.au/?p=3081 [Accessed 22 August 2022]

Tujague NA, Ryan KL (2021) Ticking the box of ‘cultural safety’ is not enough: why trauma-informed practice is critical to Indigenous healing. Rural Remote Health 21, 6411.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Varanasi LC, Subasinghe A, Jayasinghe YL, Callegari ET, Garland SM, Gorelik A, Wark JD (2018) Polycystic ovarian syndrome: prevalence and impact on the wellbeing of Australian women aged 16-29 years. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 58, 222-233.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Willis EM, Dwyer J, Owada K, Couzner L, King D, Wainer J (2011) Indigenous women’s expectations of clinical care during treatment for a gynaecological cancer: rural and remote differences in expectations. Australian Health Review 35, 99-103.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Wright M, Lin A, O’Connell M, Bullen J, Flavell H (2021) Understanding and working with different worldviews to co-design cultural security in clinical mental health settings to engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients. Primary Health Care Research & Development 22, E59.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |