Pilbara FASD Project

Background

Rates of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) in remote WA Aboriginal communities are among the highest in the world, and anecdotal evidence suggests that the impacts of FASD are now widespread in the Pilbara.

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Expected Outcomes

The aim of this research is to develop, implement and evaluate an evidence-based, culturally appropriate model of prevention aimed to reduce the rates of alcohol use in pregnancy among Aboriginal women in three communities in the Pilbara Western Australia (WA) as well as Aboriginal women of childbearing age and their partners and families, community leaders and young people.

We also aim to enhance the capacity of health professionals (community midwives, community health nurses, general practitioners, Aboriginal Health Workers, community health workers) working with women.

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Target Group

Our primary target group is pregnant women.
Our secondary target groups are:

• Aboriginal women of childbearing age and their partners and families, community leaders and young people; and
• Health professionals who are providing ante-natal care in the Pilbara.

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Sites

This research will take place at the following sites:

• Port/South Hedland and the communities of Yandeyarra and Warralong;
• Newman and the communities of Jigalong, Parnngurr, Punmu and Kunawaritji
• Roebourne

   

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Guiding Principles

• Aboriginal leadership, participation and consultation
• Strengthen the capacity of parents, health workers and organisations
• Acknowledge and respect different learning styles
• Recognition and respect for Aboriginal people and cultures
• Understand the size and distribution of the Aboriginal population, especially in remote locations
• Account for the cultural diversity of Aboriginal populations

 

Research Components

1. Formative research
We are conducting in-depth qualitative research and a community scoping exercise to confirm the specific features and implementation processes of the intervention in each site.

2. Baseline data collection
We ae using the AUDIT-C screening tool to capture information on alcohol use during pregnancy, and we conduct Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices surveys among

3. Intervention
This project will be the first in Australia to systematically implement and evaluate an evidence-based, holistic and woman-centred Four Part Model for Prevention framework:

• Level 1: Broad awareness building and general health promotion activities.
• Level 2: Training of local health service providers in women’s care to deliver targeted interventions.
• Level 3: Specialised holistic support of pregnant women with alcohol and other health and social problems.
• Level 4: Post-partum support social and emotional wellbeing to maintain positive behaviour change and abstaining from alcohol use in future pregnancies.

4. Evaluation
We are evaluating the intervention by measuring the rates of pregnant women abstaining from alcohol use in pregnancy as well using surveys and the RE-AIM framework to measure Reach, Efficacy, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance of the intervention and the research process.

 

Pilbara arts project

Through Healthway funding the Telethon Kids Project team conducted a series of FASD and alcohol in pregnancy discussions and art workshops with women from Jigalong, Roebourne and Hedland.  The women decided to tell the Pilbara alcohol story through painting so they can talk with their families and communities and share the story between the three communities and more broadly the Pilbara. 

Some of the participants attended the Hot North Conference in Port Hedland and presented their art work and stories to members of the Pilbara Aboriginal Health Planning Forum, researchers from Telethon Kids Institute, Pilbara service providers and interstate participants.