The Impact of COVID-19 on First Nations People Health Assessments in Australia

Robertson, Ross; Mian, Mustafa; Sreedharan, Subhashaan; Lau, Phyllis

doi:10.1177/10105395211011012

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 6 publications

(12 reference statements)

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“…Factors hypothesised to be associated with vaccine uptake among PWID were assessed. Demographic characteristics included in the model were gender [24], sexual identity [25], age [26], Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island background [27], and language spoken at home by parents [4]. The following variables were also hypothesised to be associated with vaccine uptake: HIV and HCV antibody serostatus [28,29], frequency of injection and drug last injected as a proxies for severity of substance use disorder and possible indicators of structural barriers to accessing health care [30], and current opioid agonist therapy (OAT) and recent (past year) imprisonment given the potential for greater access to health professionals to facilitate vaccination in these settings.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Uptake of COVID-19 vaccination among people who inject drugs

et al. 2022

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Background People who inject drugs (PWID) may be at elevated risk of adverse outcomes from SARS-CoV-2 infection; however, data on COVID-19 vaccine uptake among PWID are scarce. This study aimed to determine COVID-19 vaccine uptake among PWID, identify factors associated with sub-optimal uptake, and compare uptake to the general population. Methods The Australian Needle Syringe Program Survey is an annual sentinel surveillance project, comprising a self-completed questionnaire and provision of a dried blood sample for HIV and HCV testing. In 2021, respondents provided information on their COVID-19 vaccination status. Multivariate logistic regression models identified correlates of vaccine uptake. Results Among 1166 respondents, 49% had been vaccinated and in most states and territories, vaccine uptake was significantly lower than among the general population. Independent predictors of vaccine uptake were longer duration of vaccine eligibility (AOR 3.42, 95% CI 2.65, 4.41); prior SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic testing (AOR 2.90, 95% CI 2.22, 3.79); injection of opioids (AOR 1.91, 95% CI 1.20, 3.05); and current opioid agonist therapy (AOR 1.70, 95% CI 1.23, 2.33). Women (AOR 0.70, 95% CI 0.54, 0.92) and those who reported daily or more frequent injection (AOR 0.75, 95% CI 0.57, 1.00) were significantly less likely to be vaccinated. Conclusions In most Australian states and territories, uptake of COVID-19 vaccine among PWID lagged uptake among the general population. Increased efforts are required to ensure PWID have equitable access to vaccination. Vaccination programmes within harm reduction services and via outreach, coupled with increased support for peers to act as vaccine champions, are likely to reduce barriers and improve COVID-19 vaccine uptake in this population.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Uptake of COVID-19 vaccination among people who inject drugs

et al. 2022

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“…One study ( 23 ) reported on engagement levels during 2011–2012, 1,169 health checks completed in Orange. However, there are also contradictory findings explored in a research conducted by Robertson et al ( 26 ) which demonstrated statistically significant reductions in total First Nations people’s health assessments during the early wave of COVID-19 (March, April, and May 2020).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 95%

Preventative health assessments and indigenous people of Australia: a scoping review

Usher,

Jackson,

Kabir

et al. 2023

Front. Public Health

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Given that Indigenous populations globally are impacted by similar colonial global legacies, their health and other disaprities are usually worse than non-indigenous people. Indigenous peoples of Australia have been seriously impacted by colonial legacies and as a result, their health has negatively been affected. If Indigenous health and wellbeing are to be promoted within the existing Australian health services, a clear understanding of what preventive health means for Indigenous peoples is needed. The aim of this scoping review was to explore the available literature on the uptake/engagement in health assessments or health checks by Indigenous Australian peoples and to determine the enablers and barriers and of health assessment/check uptake/engagement. Specifically, we aimed to: investigate the available evidence reporting the uptake/engagement of health checks/assessments for Australian Indigenous; assess the quality of the available evidence on indigenous health checks/assessments; and identify the enablers or barriers affecting Indigenous persons’ engagement and access to health assessment/health checks. A systematic search of online databases (such as Cinhl, Scopus, ProQuest health and medicine, PubMed, informit, google scholar and google) identified 10 eligible publications on Indigenous preventive health assessments. Reflexive thematic analysis identified three major themes on preventive health assessments: (1) uptake/engagement; (2) benefits and limitations; and (3) enablers and barriers. Findings revealed that Indigenous peoples’ uptake and/or engagement in health assessments/check is a holistic concept varied by cultural factors, gender identity, geographical locations (living in regional and remote areas), and Indigenous clinical leadership/staff’s motivational capacity. Overall, the results indicate that there has been improving rates of uptake of health assessments by some sections of Indigenous communities. However, there is clearly room for improvement, both for aboriginal men and women and those living in regional and remote areas. In addition, barriers to uptake of health asessments were identified as length of time required for the assessment, intrusive or sensitive questions and shame, and lack of access to health services for some. Indigenous clinical leadership is needed to improve services and encourage Indigenous people to participate in routine health assessments.

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“… [1] , [2] , [3] , [4] , [5] , [6] , [7] , [8] , [9] , [10] , [11] , [12] , [13] , [14] , [15] , [16] , [17] , [18] , [19] , [20] , [21] , [22] , [23] , [24] , [25] , [26] , [27] , [28] , [29] , [30] , [31] , [32] , [33] , [34] , [35] , [36] , [37] , [38] , [39] , [40] , [41] , [42] , [43] , [44] , [45] , [46] , [47] , [48] , [49] , [50] , [51] , [52] , [53] , [54] , [55] , [56] , [57] , [58] , [59] , [60] , [61] , [62] , [63] , [64] , [65] , [66] , [67] , [68] , [69] , [70] , [71] , [72] ...…”

Section: Uncited Referencesunclassified

“…Although such changes have been effective, they may inadvertently lead to health inequality. For example, cultural barriers preclude many of Australia's First Nations peoples from engaging with telehealth,(12) whilst public health messages have not always been optimally conveyed to nonemergencies and CNS tumours with the potential for quick deterioration (16). In some centres, RTonly therapy was instituted whenever there was thought to be clinical equipoise, allowing patients to avoid surgery (17).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%