A Qualitative Study Exploring the Experiences and Perspectives of Australian Aboriginal Women on Oral Health during Pregnancy

Ariana Kong, Michelle Dickson, Lucie Ramjan, Mariana S. Sousa, Joanne Goulding, Jemma Chao and Ajesh George
Additional contact information
Ariana Kong: Centre for Oral Health Outcomes and Research Translation (COHORT), School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
Michelle Dickson: Sydney School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
Lucie Ramjan: Centre for Oral Health Outcomes and Research Translation (COHORT), School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
Mariana S. Sousa: IMPACCT—Improving Palliative, Aged and Chronic Care through Clinical Research and Translation, Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia
Joanne Goulding: Primary and Community Services, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool, NSW 2170, Australia
Jemma Chao: The Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
Ajesh George: Centre for Oral Health Outcomes and Research Translation (COHORT), School of Nursing and Midwifery, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 15, 1-16

Abstract: The aim of this study was to explore whether oral health was an important consideration for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women during pregnancy, whether oral health could be promoted by Aboriginal health staff, and strategies that would be appropriate to use in a new model of care. A qualitative descriptive methodology underpinned the study. All participants in this study identified as Aboriginal, with no Torres Strait Islander participants, and were from New South Wales, Australia. The interviews were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. From the data, two themes were constructed. The first theme identified that oral health was not always the first priority for participants as poor accessibility alongside other competing commitments were challenges to accessing oral health services. The second theme highlighted how relationships with personal networks and healthcare providers were essential and could be used to support maternal oral health during pregnancy. Effective strategies to promote oral health during pregnancy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women should involve key stakeholders and health care providers, like Aboriginal Health Workers, to facilitate culturally safe support and tailored oral health advice.

Keywords: indigenous; aboriginal; pregnancy; oral health; qualitative; interview; culturally safe; Australia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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