Background
Despite significant improvements, there still remains a large disparity in early childhood (0-5 years) health outcomes between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children. Availability of high quality, culturally-secure services are likely to be key factors in reducing the gap.
Aims
We explored the scope, reach and cultural-security of health and social services available to Aboriginal children and families in Western Australia.
Method
Online surveys were developed to explore perspectives of staff on the scope, reach, quality and cultural-security of their service. Currently operational community-based and governmental health and social services for Aboriginal families located in metropolitan Perth and regional areas were identified and staff were approached to participate in the survey.
Results
21 services were recruited from: Perth metro (48%), Goldfields/Kalgoorlie (29%), Great Southern (19%) and South West (5%). 57% were Aboriginal community controlled health services (ACCHSs). Services were categorised based on the main service provided which included: family support (38%); general health (24%); alcohol/drug (14%); and maternal/child health (9%). 58 valid survey responses were received; 33% identified as Aboriginal. Majority of the staff perceived the service to be cultural-security (73%). 11% were unsure of which 80% identified as non-Aboriginal. A higher proportion of staff from ACCHSs thought the service was cultural-security compared to non-ACCHSs staff. Participants who said the service was not culturally-security were from non-ACCHSs family support services.
Conclusion
Although there is high level of cultural-security in services, more focus should be in improving cultural-security of non-ACCHSs and family support services and increasing cultural-security knowledge among non-Aboriginal staff.