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Objectives Get Healthy in Pregnancy (GHiP) is a telephone based lifestyle coaching service for pregnant women, in New South Wales, Australia. GHiP had two service options; a telephone-based health coaching program consisting of up to 10 calls and information only (including one call). This study sought to compare the outcomes of the two GHiP options, to determine the characteristics of women likely to use the service and to explore the feedback from women and health professionals. Methods A pragmatic stratified clustered randomised controlled trial was conducted. Two metro and three rural hospitals were randomised into health coaching or information only arms. Self-reported measures of height and weight and health behaviours (dietary and physical activity) were collected at baseline and 36 weeks gestation. Process evaluation included descriptive analysis of routine program data, and semi-structured interviews with participants and health professionals. Results Of 3736 women screened, 1589 (42.5%) were eligible to participate, and of those eligible, 923 (58.1%) were recruited. More women in the health coaching arm gained weight within the target range for their BMI at 36 weeks gestation (42.9%) compared with information only (31.9%). Women found GHiP to be useful and supportive and midwives and doctors said that it facilitated conversations about weight with pregnant women. Conclusions for Practice Telephone-based lifestyle programs integrated with routine clinical care show promise in helping pregnant women achieve healthy gestational weight gain, but in this case was not significantly different from one information telephone call. Strong positive feedback suggests that scaled-up service delivery would be well received. Trial Registration ACTRN12615000397516 (retrospectively registered)., Author(s): Chris Rissel [sup.1] , Santosh Khanal [sup.1] , Jane Raymond [sup.2] , Vanessa Clements [sup.2] , Kit Leung [sup.2] , Michael Nicholl [sup.3] Author Affiliations: (Aff1) NSW Office of [...]

Background: A COVID-19 vaccination training program was designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (First Nations) health workers and practitioners in Queensland to expand their scope of practice to include COVID-19 immunisation. In the setting of a global pandemic, the project aimed to improve vaccination levels and show how First Nations staff are central to community-led responses to effectively address their community's health needs. Methods: The program, consisting of an online module and face to face workshop, is described and then evaluated with the RE–AIM framework via mixed methods of participant training surveys and qualitative feedback. Results: The program reached 738 online and 329 workshop participants with the majority identifying as First Nations. The 52 workshops were attended by participants from 12 different hospital and health services in Queensland and 13 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs). Feedback was positive, with participants rating the training highly. Of the First Nations Health Workers and Practitioners who responded to the workshop follow up survey, the majority (34/40) implemented their new skills in practice helping minimise the impact of COVID-19 outbreaks in their community. Most respondents (38/40) considered vaccination should be permanently in their scope of practice. Conclusions: The successful implementation of the vaccination training project was an example of First Nations led health care. Improving scope of practice for First Nations health staff can improve not just career retention and progression but also the delivery of primary care to a community that continues to bear the inequity of poorer health outcomes. First Nations health professionals remain underrepresented in the workforce. This program aimed to maximise community COVID-19 vaccination coverage by placing First Nations staff central to their own community's response to the pandemic. Evaluation shows these new skills were valuable in helping protect First Nations communities against the pandemic. Improving scope of practice for First Nations health staff can improve the delivery of primary health care to a community that continues to bear the inequity of poorer health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the knowledge, understanding and misconceptions of indigenous Australians about dementia in Australia. The study shows that indigenous people have a general lack of understanding about Alzheimer's disease. It suggests that educational programs must be directed towards enabling the indigenous population to understand the signs and symptoms of dementia.

Introduction: Dementia is a growing health and social concern for all Australians. Whilst the prevalence of dementia amongst Australia's indigenous people is unclear, there is some evidence that dementia rates are five times that of the general Australian population. To date no studies have examined dementia knowledge levels in indigenous communities., Purpose of the Study: This paper aims to explore indigenous Australians' understanding, knowledge and misconceptions of dementia., Design and Methods: Hundered and seventy-four indigenous adults participated in a cross-sectional survey using a modified version of the Alzheimer's Disease Knowledge Test (ADK). The survey included demographic information, two open-ended questions and 20 multiple choice questions. Each ADK item was examined to identify responses that revealed commonly held correct beliefs, knowledge gaps and misconceptions., Results: The overall level of understanding of dementia was poor. Younger participants were significantly more likely to have no knowledge of Alzheimer's Disease, whereas the other age groups were most likely to have at least some knowledge. It was also revealed that there are common misconceptions about Alzheimer's Disease held by both indigenous and non-indigenous communities., Implications: Culturally appropriate awareness campaigns and targeted educational interventions need to be implemented to improve the general level of understanding of dementia in indigenous communities., (Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)