Appraising community driven health research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities: a scoping review using the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Quality Appraisal Tool

Use of the CONSIDER statement by eye health researchers when conducting and reporting research involving Indigenous peoples: an online survey

BACKGROUND

Indigenous peoples experience worse eye health compared to non-Indigenous peoples. Service providers and researchers must avoid perpetuating this inequity. To help achieve this, researchers can use the CONSolIDated critERia for strengthening the reporting of health research involving Indigenous peoples (CONSIDER) statement. This study aimed to identify the degree to which the CONSIDER statement has been used by eye health researchers when conducting and reporting research with an Indigenous component, and how they perceive its relevance in their future research.

METHODS

We used purposive sampling to recruit eye health researchers from any country who have undertaken research with an Indigenous component. The online survey collected quantitative and qualitative data and was analysed using descriptive statistics and reflexive thematic analysis. Responses were gathered on a four-point Likert scale (1 to 4), with four being the most positive statement.

RESULTS

Thirty-nine eye health researchers from nine countries completed the survey (Aotearoa New Zealand, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Guatemala, Panama, Peru); almost two-thirds (n = 24) undertake epidemiological research. On average, participants disclosed only 'sometimes' previously reporting CONSIDER items (2.26 ± 1.14), but they thought the items were relevant to eye health research and were motivated to use these guidelines in their future research. Some participants requested clarity about how CONSIDER aligned with existing guidelines, and when and how to apply the statement. Others shared rich experiences of the benefits to their research of Indigenous leadership and collaboration.

CONCLUSIONS

The CONSIDER statement is perceived as a valuable tool by these eye health researchers, and there are opportunities to maximise uptake and use, including increasing awareness of the statement, clarity about when it applies, and availability of institutional-level support.

Gaawaadhi Gadudha: understanding how cultural camps impact health, well-being and resilience among Aboriginal adults in New South Wales, Australia-a collaborative study protocol

INTRODUCTION

The health and well-being of Aboriginal Australians is inextricably linked to culture and Country. Our study challenges deficit approaches to health inequities by seeking to examine how cultural connection, practice and resilience among Aboriginal peoples through participation in 'cultural camps' held on sites of cultural significance promotes health and well-being.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The study will be undertaken in close collaboration and under the governance of traditional cultural knowledge holders from Yuwaalaraay, Gamilaraay and Yuin nation groups in New South Wales, Australia. Three cultural camps will be facilitated, where participants (n=105) will engage in activities that foster a connection to culture and cultural landscapes. A survey assessing connection to culture, access to cultural resources, resilience, self-rated health and quality of life will be administered to participants pre-camp and post-camp participation, and to a comparative group of Aboriginal adults who do not attend the camp (n=105). Twenty participants at each camp (n=60) will be invited to participate in a yarning circle to explore cultural health, well-being and resilience. Quantitative analysis will use independent samples' t-tests or χ2 analyses to compare camp and non-camp groups, and linear regression models to determine the impact of camp attendance. Qualitative analysis will apply inductive coding to data, which will be used to identify connections between coded concepts across the whole data set, and explore phenomenological aspects. Results will be used to collaboratively develop a 'Model of Cultural Health' that will be refined through a Delphi process with experts, stakeholders and policymakers.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study has ethics approval from the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council (#1851/21). Findings will be disseminated through a combination of peer-reviewed articles, media communication, policy briefs, presentations and summary documents to stakeholders.