Young Deadly Free: impact evaluation of a sexual health youth peer education program in remote Australian communities

Background In the Northern Territory (NT) of Australia, there are significant evidence gaps about illicit drug use and harms, despite having established monitoring and reporting systems. This paper reports on illicit drug use, associated harms, contributing factors, service needs and priorities in the NT from the perspective and experiences of key stakeholders engaged in providing services for, or advocating on behalf of, people who use illicit drugs in the NT. Methods Face-to-face and online qualitative interviews were conducted with stakeholders across urban and remote locations in the NT. Key stakeholders were service providers, including acute and primary care clinicians, representatives of Aboriginal community controlled health organisations, lived experience advocates, peak body representatives and public health executives. Qualitative data were analysed thematically. Results Four researchers interviewed 21 participants across urban (62%), and remote areas (38%) of the NT. Themes identified were: 1) Illicit drug use and harms are diverse and distinct; 2) Client support needs are complex and influenced by co-morbidities, socio-demographic and cultural factors; 3) Priority population sub-groups need targeted strategies; 4) Local service strengths can be further developed and enhanced; 5) Local services need better resourcing; 6) Invest in progressive legislative and policy reforms; and 7) Improve routine monitoring and evaluation. Conclusions Key stakeholders described illicit drug use, harms and contributing factors, which provided insights into the local challenges. Participants emphasised that clients have complex care needs, and further investment into targeted strategies are required to improve service engagement with priority groups. Service needs included greater understanding the role of dual diagnosis and its implementation and enhancing integrated and collaborative care in both primary health and acute care contexts. The voices of people with lived experience captured in this paper must inform local strategy and policy development relating to illicit drug use, in alignment with national strategy.

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Exploring the Reported Strengths and Limitations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research: A Narrative Review of Intervention Studies

McGuffog

Bryant

Booth

et al. 2023

IJERPH

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High quality intervention research is needed to inform evidence-based practice and policy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. We searched for studies published from 2008–2020 in the PubMed database. A narrative review of intervention literature was conducted, where we identified researcher reported strengths and limitations of their research practice. A total of 240 studies met inclusion criteria which were categorised as evaluations, trials, pilot interventions or implementation studies. Reported strengths included community engagement and partnerships; sample qualities; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander involvement in research; culturally appropriate and safe research practice; capacity building efforts; providing resources or reducing costs for services and communities; understanding local culture and context; and appropriate timelines for completion. Reported limitations included difficulties achieving the target sample size; inadequate time; insufficient funding and resources; limited capacity of health workers and services; and inadequate community involvement and communication issues. This review highlights that community consultation and leadership coupled with appropriate time and funding, enables Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health intervention research to be conducted. These factors can enable effective intervention research, and consequently can help improve health and wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

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Young Deadly Free: impact evaluation of a sexual health youth peer education program in remote Australian communities

Cited by 3 publications

References 11 publications

Lessons learned from the implementation of the Young Deadly Free peer education programme in remote and very remote Australian Aboriginal communities

Lessons learned from the implementation of the Young Deadly Free peer education programme in remote and very remote Australian Aboriginal communities

Key stakeholders’ perspectives of illicit drug use and associated harms in the Northern Territory of Australia

Exploring the Reported Strengths and Limitations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Research: A Narrative Review of Intervention Studies

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