Access to contraception for remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women: necessary but not sufficient

Larkins, Sarah; Page, Priscilla

doi:10.5694/mja16.00431

Cited by 3 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…In Australia, surveillance data show persistent disparities in the sexual health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (referred to as 'Aboriginal' hereafter) young people, with the former experiencing higher rates of sexually transmissible infections (STIs), teenage pregnancy and teenage births than their non-Aboriginal counterparts. [1][2][3] STI notification rates are also up to 5-, 30-and 50-fold higher respectively for chlamydia, gonorrhoea and infectious syphilis in remote and very remote areas. 1 Qualitative research can enhance our understanding of these issues by examining the reasons why young Aboriginal people are at increased risk of unintended or unwanted sexual health outcomes 4 and their strategies for reducing sexual health risks, to inform the design and delivery of culturally appropriate youth-centred sexual health services and programs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Young Aboriginal people's sexual health risk reduction strategies: a qualitative study in remote Australia

et al. 2020

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Background Surveillance data indicate that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people are more likely than their non-Indigenous counterparts to experience sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and teenage pregnancy. Despite increasing emphasis on the need for strengths-based approaches to Aboriginal sexual health, limited published data document how young Aboriginal people reduce sexual health risks encountered in their everyday lives. Methods: In-depth interviews with 35 young Aboriginal women and men aged 16–21 years in two remote Australian settings were conducted; inductive thematic analysis examining sexual health risk reduction practices was also conducted. Results: Participants reported individual and collective STI and pregnancy risk reduction strategies. Individual practices included accessing and carrying condoms; having a regular casual sexual partner; being in a long-term trusting relationship; using long-acting reversible contraception; having fewer sexual partners; abstaining from sex; accessing STI testing. More collective strategies included: refusing sex without a condom; accompanied health clinic visits with a trusted individual; encouraging friends to use condoms and go for STI testing; providing friends with condoms. Conclusion: Findings broaden understanding of young Aboriginal people’s sexual health risk reduction strategies in remote Aboriginal communities. Findings signal the need for multisectoral STI prevention and sexual health programs driven by young people’s existing harm minimisation strategies and cultural models of collective support. Specific strategies to enhance young people’s sexual health include: peer condom distribution; accompanied health service visits; peer-led health promotion; continued community-based condom distribution; enhanced access to a fuller range of available contraception in primary care settings; engaging health service-experienced young people as ‘youth health workers’.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Young Aboriginal people's sexual health risk reduction strategies: a qualitative study in remote Australia

et al. 2020

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“…However, Barratt, Roach, Morgan, and Colbert (1996) found that adolescent mothers reported higher well-being postpartum than their same-aged peers without children. Adolescent childbearing may be protective for drug use and binge drinking (Fletcher, 2012), may serve as a catalyst for lifestyle changes, and may also be associated with higher self-esteem and sense of identity (Breen, 2014;Hanna, 2001;Larkins et al, 2011;Mulherin & Johnstone, 2015;Seamark & Lings, 2004;Shea, Bryant, & Wendt, 2015;Sheeran, Jones, & Rowe, 2016;Smith-Battle & Leonard, 1998). In short, compared with alternative options, the sense of life meaning and direction associated with becoming an adolescent mother may be a protective factor for women from disadvantaged backgrounds (Arai, 2003).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adolescent Mothers' Experiences Over Time

et al. 2018

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Objective To examine patterns and trajectories for Australian adolescent mothers as they transition into adulthood. Background Adolescent mothers have diverse outcomes; some experience multiple negative outcomes for themselves and their children, and others prosper. Little is known about the experience over time for adolescent mothers and what factors affect their trajectories. Method Three exemplar women's stories are presented as case studies, showcasing themes identified from in‐depth interviews conducted with 10 women who gave birth as adolescents. Interviews were conducted at the time of infant birth, as well as 3 months, 12 months, and 5 years later. Results Two themes emerged that captured the nuanced experiences of these adolescent mothers: stability to chaos and I've grown, but I can't reach the stars. Stability in the areas of family, relationships, geography, and planning/routine were related to whether young women had sufficient resources to focus on their own growth. Conclusion An adolescent mother's functioning is related to the extent to which she experiences stability across a number of key domains, which in turn act to limit or enable growth and development. Implications Adolescent mothers are a heterogeneous group. Targeted assessments and interventions are needed that address disadvantage and promote stability.

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“…15 Young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in Australia experience higher rates of STIs and teenage pregnancy than their non-indigenous counterparts. 11,16 In-depth interviews of 35 young Aboriginal women and men aged 16-21 years old by Bell et al explored how participants reduced sexual health risks, including exploring condom and contraception use. The strategies reported here can support culturally safe and youth-centred SRH promotion programs that reinforce and supplement the existing harm minimising strategies these young people are already using.…”

Section: Priority Populationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Emerging sexual and reproductive health in Australia and New Zealand: gaps, challenges and solutions

Phillips,

Chow,

Coombe

2023

Sex. Health

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Access to contraception for remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women: necessary but not sufficient

Cited by 3 publications

References 11 publications

Young Aboriginal people's sexual health risk reduction strategies: a qualitative study in remote Australia

Young Aboriginal people's sexual health risk reduction strategies: a qualitative study in remote Australia

Adolescent Mothers' Experiences Over Time

Emerging sexual and reproductive health in Australia and New Zealand: gaps, challenges and solutions

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