Melody SM, Bennett E, Clifford HD, Johnston FH, Shepherd CCJ, Alach Z, Lester M, Wood LJ, Franklin P, Zosky GR. A cross-sectional survey of environmental health in remote Aboriginal communities in Western Australia.
Int J Environ Health Res 2016;
26:525-535. [PMID:
27267619 DOI:
10.1080/09603123.2016.1194384]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2016] [Accepted: 05/14/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
The Australian Aboriginal population experiences significantly poorer health than the non-Aboriginal population. The contribution of environmental risk factors in remote communities to this health disparity is poorly understood.
OBJECTIVE
To describe and quantify major environmental risk factors and associated health outcomes in remote Aboriginal communities in Western Australia.
METHODS
The association between environmental health indicators, community infrastructure and reported health outcomes was analysed using linear and logistic regression of survey data.
RESULTS
Housing/overcrowding was significantly associated with increased reports of hearing/eyesight (OR 3.01 95 % CI 1.58-5.73), skin (OR 2.71 95 % CI 1.31-5.60), gastrointestinal (OR 3.51 95 % CI 1.49-8.26) and flu/colds (OR 2.47 95 % CI 1.27-4.78) as health concerns. Dust was significantly associated with hearing/eyesight (OR 3.16 95 % CI 1.82-5.48), asthma/respiratory (OR 2.48 95 % CI 1.43-4.29) and flu/colds (OR 3.31 95 % CI 1.88-5.86) as health concerns.
CONCLUSION
Poor environmental health is prevalent in remote Aboriginal communities and requires further delineation to inform environmental health policy.
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