The excess burden of severe sepsis in Indigenous Australian children: can anything be done?

Palasanthiran, Pamela; Bowen, Asha C

doi:10.5694/mja17.00340

Cited by 4 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 2 publications

(2 reference statements)

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“…One national dataset of paediatric intensive care unit admissions found invasive infections were higher in Aboriginal compared to non-Aboriginal children, particularly S. aureus sepsis secondary to untreated skin infections. 12,13 Non-Infectious Skin Diseases Eczema (or atopic dermatitis) is another common skin condition where there is a paucity of data on the burden for urban-living Aboriginal children. The population prevalence of eczema in Australia is estimated to be 20% in one-year-olds 14 and 16% in four-year-olds 15 .…”

Section: Infectious Skin Diseasesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Describing skin health and disease in urban-living Aboriginal children: co-design, development and feasibility testing of the Koolungar Moorditj Healthy Skin pilot project

Ricciardo

Kessaris

Nannup

et al. 2023

Preprint

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Background: Indigenous children in colonised nations experience high rates of health disparities linked to historical trauma resulting from displacement and dispossession, as well as ongoing systemic racism. Skin infections and their complications are one such health inequity, with the highest global burden described in remote-living Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (hereafter respectfully referred to as Aboriginal) children. Yet despite increasing urbanisation, little is known about the skin infection burden for urban-living Aboriginal children. More knowledge is needed to inform service provision, treatment guidelines and community-wide healthy skin strategies. In this pilot study we aimed to test the feasibility and design of larger multi-site observational studies, provide initial descriptions of skin disease frequency and generate preliminary hypotheses of association. Methods: This project has been co-designed with local (Noongar) Elders to provide an Australian-first description of skin health and disease in urban-living Aboriginal children. In collaboration with an urban Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service), we conducted a week-long cross-sectional observational cohort study of Aboriginal children (0–18 years) recruited from the waiting room. Participants completed a questionnaire, skin examination, clinical photos, swabs and received appropriate treatment. We assessed the feasibility and impact of the pilot study. Results: From 4–8 October 2021, we recruited 84 Aboriginal children of whom 80 (95%) were urban-living. With a trusted Aboriginal Health Practitioner leading recruitment, most parents (or caregivers) who were approached consented to participate. Among urban-living children, over half (45/80, 56%) of parents described a current concern with their child’s skin, hair and/or nails; and one third (26/80, 33%) reported current itchy skin. Using a research-service model, 27% (21/79) of examined urban-living participants received opportunistic same-day treatment and 18% (14/79) were referred for later review. Conclusions: This co-designed pilot study to understand skin health in urban-living Aboriginal children was feasible and acceptable, with high study participation and subsequent engagement in clinical care observed. Co-design and strong involvement of Aboriginal people to lead and deliver the project was crucial. The successful pilot has informed larger, multi-site observational studies to more accurately answer questions of disease burden and inform development of healthy skin messages for urban-living Aboriginal children.

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Section: Infectious Skin Diseasesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Describing skin health and disease in urban-living Aboriginal children: co-design, development and feasibility testing of the Koolungar Moorditj Healthy Skin pilot project

Ricciardo

Kessaris

Nannup

et al. 2023

Preprint

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…We thank Schultz for her stimulating correspondence in response to our article 1 and the accompanying editorial 2 on invasive infections in critically ill Indigenous children. Schultz highlights that the assessment of life‐threatening infections as defined and analysed in the article may not adequately reflect the wider social, emotional and cultural aspects of wellbeing.…”

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confidence: 99%