Ailsa Munns1, Christine Toye1, Desley Hegney2,3,4, Marion Kickett5, Rhonda Marriott6,7,8, Roz Walker9,10. 1. a School of Nursing, Midwifery & Paramedicine, Faculty of Health Sciences , Curtin University , Perth , Western Australia , Australia. 2. b Research Division , Central Queensland University , North Rockhampton , Queensland , Australia. 3. c School of Nursing and Midwifery , University of Southern Queensland , Toowoomba , Queensland , Australia. 4. d School of Nursing , University of Adelaide , Adelaide , South Australia , Australia. 5. e Centre for Aboriginal Studies , Curtin University , Perth , Western Australia , Australia. 6. f Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing, School of Psychology and Exercise Science , Murdoch University , Murdoch , Western Australia , Australia. 7. g Centre for Child Health Research , The University of Western Australia , Crawley , Western Australia , Australia. 8. h Department of Health Western Australia , Maternal and Newborn Health, Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing, Nursing and Midwifery Office , Perth , Western Australia , Australia. 9. i Aboriginal Maternal Health and Child Development , NHMRC, Centre for Research Excellence in Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing, Telethon Kids Institute , West Perth , Western Australia , Australia. 10. j University of Western Australia , Crawley , Western Australia , Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Participatory action research (PAR) is a credible, culturally appropriate methodology that can be used to effect collaborative change within vulnerable populations. AIM/ OBJECTIVE: This PAR study was undertaken in a Western Australian metropolitan setting to develop and evaluate the suitability, feasibility and effectiveness of an Aboriginal peer-led home visiting programme. A secondary aim, addressed in this paper, was to explore and describe research methodology used for the study and provide recommendations for its implementation in other similar situations. METHODS: PAR using action learning sets was employed to develop the parent support programme and data addressing the secondary, methodological aim were collected through focus groups using semi-structured and unstructured interview schedules. Findings were addressed throughout the action research process to enhance the research process. RESULTS: The themes that emerged from the data and addressed the methodological aim were the need for safe communication processes; supportive engagement processes and supportive organisational processes. CONCLUSIONS: Aboriginal peer support workers (PSWs) and community support agencies identified three important elements central to their capacity to engage and work within the PAR methodology. This research has provided innovative data, highlighting processes and recommendations for child health nurses to engage with the PSWs, parents and community agencies to explore culturally acceptable elements for an empowering methodology for peer-led home visiting support. There is potential for this nursing research to credibly inform policy development for Aboriginal child and family health service delivery, in addition to other vulnerable population groups. Child health nurses/researchers can use these new understandings to work in partnership with Aboriginal communities and families to develop empowering and culturally acceptable strategies for developing Aboriginal parent support for the early years. Impact Statement Child health nurses and Aboriginal communities can collaborate through participatory action research to develop peer-led support for the early years. Indigenous Australian peoples are people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. Respectfully, throughout this paper, they will be described as Aboriginal.
BACKGROUND: Participatory action research (PAR) is a credible, culturally appropriate methodology that can be used to effect collaborative change within vulnerable populations. AIM/ OBJECTIVE: This PAR study was undertaken in a Western Australian metropolitan setting to develop and evaluate the suitability, feasibility and effectiveness of an Aboriginal peer-led home visiting programme. A secondary aim, addressed in this paper, was to explore and describe research methodology used for the study and provide recommendations for its implementation in other similar situations. METHODS: PAR using action learning sets was employed to develop the parent support programme and data addressing the secondary, methodological aim were collected through focus groups using semi-structured and unstructured interview schedules. Findings were addressed throughout the action research process to enhance the research process. RESULTS: The themes that emerged from the data and addressed the methodological aim were the need for safe communication processes; supportive engagement processes and supportive organisational processes. CONCLUSIONS: Aboriginal peer support workers (PSWs) and community support agencies identified three important elements central to their capacity to engage and work within the PAR methodology. This research has provided innovative data, highlighting processes and recommendations for child health nurses to engage with the PSWs, parents and community agencies to explore culturally acceptable elements for an empowering methodology for peer-led home visiting support. There is potential for this nursing research to credibly inform policy development for Aboriginal child and family health service delivery, in addition to other vulnerable population groups. Child health nurses/researchers can use these new understandings to work in partnership with Aboriginal communities and families to develop empowering and culturally acceptable strategies for developing Aboriginal parent support for the early years. Impact Statement Child health nurses and Aboriginal communities can collaborate through participatory action research to develop peer-led support for the early years. Indigenous Australian peoples are people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. Respectfully, throughout this paper, they will be described as Aboriginal.
Authors: April K Wilhelm; Shannon Pergament; Alainna Cavin; Nicole Bates; Mikow Hang; Luis E Ortega; Martha Bigelow; Michele L Allen Journal: Prog Community Health Partnersh Date: 2021
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