Indigenous Australian Substance Abuse Needs Assessment - Research Proposal Example

Indigenous Australian Substance Abuse Needs Assessment Name: Unit: Course: Professor: Submission Date: Table of Contents Indigenous Australian Substance Abuse Needs Assessment 1 Table of Contents 2 Indigenous population overview 4 Geographic distribution 4 Substance abuse: Literature review 4 Burden of Substance Abuse 5 Root causes of health disparity among indigenous population in Australia 6 SWOT analysis 6 Methods feasible for the program 9 Approach to need assessment 10 Program priorities 10 Population priorities 11 Program Challenges 11 References 12 Indigenous population overview Wilson, Stearne, Gray, & Sherry, (2010) about 2.6% (517,200) of the Australian population is indigenous population. Durey & Thompson, (2012), despite the fact that indigenous people have worse health, they are also over represented amongst the disadvantaged and the poor, have minimal chances in improving disparities of success, and have lower life-expectancies. Various research have been trying to address the issue by providing partial understanding influences that has contributed to slow progress when focusing to solution on the marginalized and disadvantaged groups. Geographic distribution State Indigenous population as per 2006 census The Northern Territory 66,600 Western Australia 77,900 Queensland 146, 400 New South Wales 148,200 From the 2006 census both Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal origin were 4% (20,200), Torres Strait Islander only were 6% (33,100) and Aboriginal origin only were 90% (463,900) (ABS, 2006). Substance abuse: Literature review AIHW, (2011) recent data show substantial decline in active tobacco smokers among the aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in Australia with 53% in 2002 and 50% in 2008, although the percentage is still high. In 2008 there was 51% smoking rate among indigenous people living in remote zones and non-remote area, 46%. In the same year, 49.9% of indigenous adults were current smokers, and this was two times in comparison to the non-indigenous people rate of active smokers. 51% of expectant mothers smoked while pregnant in 2008, among indigenous mothers with the rate stagnating since 2001. Comparing non-indigenous community stats show that most indigenous person did abstain from both binge drinking and alcohol drinking. In 2008, about 29% indigenous Australian had for the last 12 months not taken alcohol, compared to 15% of non-indigenous community. Binge drinking among the indigenous Australians, 17% was almost doubling that of the non-indigenous population 8% in 2004-2005. In 2008, similar chronic drinking rates were observed among the non-indigenous and indigenous community with 14% and 15% respectively. In 2008, statistics did conclude that compared to women, more men drunk more and at high risk levels among the indigenous population. The 2008 survey approximately a quarter of the indigenous population (23%), did indicate that were recent user of illicit substance, with about 43% indicating to have consumed single illicit substance during their lifetime. Men compared to the female counterparts in the indigenous community had 28% in relation to 17% probability of using an illicit substance. Marijuana did lead among the most illicit substance abused, 17% followed by amphetamines 5% and analgesics abuse for non-medical function, 5%. About 51% men compared to 36% females did report to have used an illicit substance among the indigenous community. Burden of Substance Abuse Wilson, Stearne, Gray, & Sherry, (2010) alcohol was termed as a contributing factor to about 3.2% of disease burden, with most males below 45years suffering from injury and disease cases linked with alcohol. Alcohol abuse is termed as a contributory to psychological, physical as well as social harm including suicide and self-inflicted, homicide and interpersonal violence, neglect and child abuse harms. About $55.2 billion national money was invested in managing and treating socials cost harms of which the contribution from alcohol use was 27.3%, with the cost going higher by 1.9% when illicit drugs impacts was added. Major social and health problems arising from alcohol and other substance abuse include: increased rates of imprisonment, diversion or loss of income to buy substance abuse and alcohol, child neglect, family breakdown, social disorder and violence. Root causes of health disparity among indigenous population in Australia Wilson, Stearne, Gray, & Sherry, (2010) contributory factors to health disparity and substance abuse include exclusion and inclusion societal and social organization mechanisms that have emanated from historical forces and which have strong influence across lifespan, capital resources access, status of employment, and educational attainment; a legal system advocating child detachment, social exclusion, racism and dispossession history. The coming up of assimilation policy on the wider community of the Aboriginal indigenous community in Australia after World War II that introduced forceful detachment of their children has had adverse effects on the health of the Australian indigenous community with such cases as mental ill-health remaining high. Other effects did include the, high rate of children brought up in absence of their role model parents leading to increased rates of child abuse and neglect, this process led to the formation of Stolen Generation. Berry & Crowe, (2009) in reference to attachment theory, detachment of a child with the parents has adverse consequences in the future quality development of the child. SWOT analysis Strength of the program The program is being carried out by experienced surveyors in the health disciplines and thus is easier to carry out data collection and analyzes. The expertise in this field has gotten support from WHO which has been building linkages to eradicate substance abuse among indigenous population in Australia Stationeries and computer access is possible within the school department Weaknesses The program may suffer from using unprofessional in the research field to help in data acquisition due to the low monetary resources Being a student I might not been in a position to invest on large study sample as it is more costly. Language, barrier could be a problem among the study population within the indigenous population in Australia as most of them have low or no formal education. Since the study plans to use observation, that means the research has to be done in the community to get to understand such social determinants of health such as poor sanitation, housing which may indicate the living standards, substance use thus I will need a means of transport which the program may find a challenge. Opportunities Among the indigenous communities the country at large, NGOs, policy makers and local health service providers have developed a mind shift towards addressing the root causes of substance abuse and thus the program has a room of high acceptance. Such, course is build by National Drug strategy, focusing on three drug pillars, reduction of supply, reduction of demand and harm reduction (Commonwealth of Australia, 2015). The government has set various policies to help fight substance abuse in Australia, with budgetary allocation done on the same and in support of NGO inform of grants (Australia, Government, 2007) Being a student, many organizations may as well be willing to support my program Also, the target population may much be willing to air out their views as the information required has been a thorn in their flesh for ages and they are in need of help Threats Many programs have been done focusing on the indigenous community and substance abuse with little or no progress, thus many of the respondents may fail to respond to or respond sincerely to those questions made for assessment as trustworthiness on the usefulness of the information might have declined. Goal Understand what can be done to address the problem of substance abuse amongst the indigenous community by defining the root cause. Objective i. To find out the health disparity in existence among the indigenous and non-indigenous people ii. To establish the contributory factors to substance abuse among the indigenous community in Australia iii. To investigate the policies in place to help eradicate or contributing to substance abuse among the indigenous population in Australia. Methods feasible for the program The study will use questionnaire and interviews to gather both qualitative and quantitative information in reference to the study population. The survey will help in understanding for instances how frequent do mothers attend pre-natal and post-natal care. This is fundamental in assessing normative need and can tell how the indigenous community has access to healthcare. Further, this can help explain why the community could be struggling with substance abuse. For example, more women having felled to attend pre-natal care may indicate low and lack of healthcare service commitment or promotion. Also, the surveys can be used to compare service access among the indigenous community and the non-indigenous community, morbidity, mortality and demography. Further, focused groups discussion will be used to aid in airing views which might have been missed out by the framed questions, and also get to hear the common feeling on the target population. Focused groups discussion is substantial method in this study as it help in understanding felt needs of the indigenous community in Australia in reference to substance abuse. The information gathered will be analyzed on the root causes of the community problems, what is being done or left out and what could be hindering positive outcome from the population as well as policies promoting or hindering sustainable solution to substance abuse menace. An observation method of data collection is fundamental as the researcher can get the feeling and see some realities otherwise not communicated in writing (RHIhub, 2016). Observation will help in gathering data fundamental in understanding the expressed need of the indigenous community fighting substance abuse battle in Australia over the ages. Observation will help in understanding in reality services of health in place, their usage, staffing ratio, and services offered for a quality healthcare. Observation can help notice basic social infrastructures in place of which such data will help in analyzing gaps in health service provision. With observation, the researcher can get to understand how the community set up is at risk of substance abuse such idle sitting in towns for productive age group may indicate lack of jobs, more people smoking openly may indicating drug abuse freedom or people found lying on the highways and besides paths due to alcohol. Approach to need assessment Various methods have been employed in history in carrying out needs assessment; however, this assessment will use a five step survey model. Singletary and Powell (2003), to determine focus of the program calls upon a formal approach and use of professional line of thought. The model entail structuring question and protocol determination, have all participants go through a training and be certified and be approved by responsible registering body in the country on human research, implementation of the needs assessment, record data and analyze using specified tools such as excel, SPSS and facts sheets and publish the results. Information gathered helps in isolating fundamental topics of the program so as to come with a meaningful program with impacts that can be measured. Despite the fact that some identified needs are likely to have variance within communities living in the same country, the findings are vital indicators to the implications of the country. The significance of survey is that the citizens or the target group of study gets a significant chance directly to influence program development. Program priorities Wilson, Stearne, Gray, & Sherry, (2010) the indigenous community does suffer from co-morbidity issues hand in hand with complex patterns in treatment and causality, unique to the population. Thus, management from service providers should be responsive and sensitive to disempowerment, identity and cultural trauma, especially for client within the indigenous community. Further, engagement, stigmas and needs issues ought also to be observed and addressed. The program will work towards addressing the expressed needs whose expertise and healthcare services are already on the ground. Further, comparative needs will be focused to priorities the population that is likely to be the first focus in addressing their needs and find out whether geographical location can be of concern. Population priorities Substance abuse exposure or use among the pregnant and lactating mothers and under-fives will be used to prioritize the groups, subsequently youth and adult women and men later. Program Challenges i. Language barrier will use interpreters more so the community health workers on the ground ii. Financial barriers, will request the health centers nearby the population targeted to assist with automobiles iii. Unprofessional surveyors, this will be addressed using the step by step approach model, to ensure they are trained for this study. References Allan, J., Ball, P. & Alston, M. (2007). Developing sustainable models of rural health care: a community development approach. Rural and Remote Health. Retrieved 3/14/2016 from, http://www.rrh.org.au/articles/subviewaust.asp?ArticleID=818 Australian Bureau of Statistics (2006). 4705.0-Population Distribution, Aboriginal and Torress Strait Islander Australians, 2006. Retrieved, 3/14/2016 from, http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/4705.0 Australia Government, Ministry of Health (2007). Further Combating Illicit Drug Use. Retrieved 3/15/2016 from, http://www.health.gov.au/internet/budget/publishing.nsf/Content/budget2007-hmedia07.htm Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, (2011). Substance use among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. Retrieved 3/14/2015 from, http://www.aihw.gov.au/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=10737418265&libID=10737418265. Berry, S. and Crowe, T.P. (2009). A review of engagement of indigenous Australians within mental health and substance abuse services. e-Journal for the Advancement of Mental Health, 1-12. Commonwealth of Australia, (2015). National Drug strategy, 2010-2015: A Framework for Action on Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs. Retrieved 3/14/2016 from, http://www.nationaldrugstrategy.gov.au/internet/drugstrategy/publishing.nsf/Content/DB4076D49F13309FCA257854007BAF30/$File/nds2015.pdf Durey, A. & Thompson, S. (2012). Reducing the health disparities of indigenous Australians: time to change focus. BMC Health Serv Res, 12:151. Singletary, L. & Powell, P. (2003). Conducting a Formal Needs Assessment: A Five-Step Survey Approach. Cooperative Extension. Bringing the university to you. Retrieved 3/14/2016 from, https://www.unce.unr.edu/publications/files/cd/2003/fs0348.pdf Rural Health Information Hub, (2016). Conducting Rural Health Research Needs Assessment And Program Evaluation. Retrieved, 3/14/16 from, https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/topics/rural-health-research-assessment-evaluation#purposes-roles Wilson, M., Stearne, A., Gray, D., Sherry, S. (2010). The Harmful Use of Alcohol amongst Indigenous Australians. Australians Indigenous HealthInFoNet, Retrieved, 3/14/16 from, www.healthinfonet.ecu.edu.au/uploads/docs/alcohol_review_june_2010.pdf Read More

Marijuana did lead among the most illicit substance abused, 17% followed by amphetamines 5% and analgesics abuse for non-medical function, 5%. About 51% men compared to 36% females did report to have used an illicit substance among the indigenous community. Burden of Substance Abuse Wilson, Stearne, Gray, & Sherry, (2010) alcohol was termed as a contributing factor to about 3.2% of disease burden, with most males below 45years suffering from injury and disease cases linked with alcohol. Alcohol abuse is termed as a contributory to psychological, physical as well as social harm including suicide and self-inflicted, homicide and interpersonal violence, neglect and child abuse harms.

About $55.2 billion national money was invested in managing and treating socials cost harms of which the contribution from alcohol use was 27.3%, with the cost going higher by 1.9% when illicit drugs impacts was added. Major social and health problems arising from alcohol and other substance abuse include: increased rates of imprisonment, diversion or loss of income to buy substance abuse and alcohol, child neglect, family breakdown, social disorder and violence. Root causes of health disparity among indigenous population in Australia Wilson, Stearne, Gray, & Sherry, (2010) contributory factors to health disparity and substance abuse include exclusion and inclusion societal and social organization mechanisms that have emanated from historical forces and which have strong influence across lifespan, capital resources access, status of employment, and educational attainment; a legal system advocating child detachment, social exclusion, racism and dispossession history.

The coming up of assimilation policy on the wider community of the Aboriginal indigenous community in Australia after World War II that introduced forceful detachment of their children has had adverse effects on the health of the Australian indigenous community with such cases as mental ill-health remaining high. Other effects did include the, high rate of children brought up in absence of their role model parents leading to increased rates of child abuse and neglect, this process led to the formation of Stolen Generation.

Berry & Crowe, (2009) in reference to attachment theory, detachment of a child with the parents has adverse consequences in the future quality development of the child. SWOT analysis Strength of the program The program is being carried out by experienced surveyors in the health disciplines and thus is easier to carry out data collection and analyzes. The expertise in this field has gotten support from WHO which has been building linkages to eradicate substance abuse among indigenous population in Australia Stationeries and computer access is possible within the school department Weaknesses The program may suffer from using unprofessional in the research field to help in data acquisition due to the low monetary resources Being a student I might not been in a position to invest on large study sample as it is more costly.

Language, barrier could be a problem among the study population within the indigenous population in Australia as most of them have low or no formal education. Since the study plans to use observation, that means the research has to be done in the community to get to understand such social determinants of health such as poor sanitation, housing which may indicate the living standards, substance use thus I will need a means of transport which the program may find a challenge. Opportunities Among the indigenous communities the country at large, NGOs, policy makers and local health service providers have developed a mind shift towards addressing the root causes of substance abuse and thus the program has a room of high acceptance.

Such, course is build by National Drug strategy, focusing on three drug pillars, reduction of supply, reduction of demand and harm reduction (Commonwealth of Australia, 2015). The government has set various policies to help fight substance abuse in Australia, with budgetary allocation done on the same and in support of NGO inform of grants (Australia, Government, 2007) Being a student, many organizations may as well be willing to support my program Also, the target population may much be willing to air out their views as the information required has been a thorn in their flesh for ages and they are in need of help Threats Many programs have been done focusing on the indigenous community and substance abuse with little or no progress, thus many of the respondents may fail to respond to or respond sincerely to those questions made for assessment as trustworthiness on the usefulness of the information might have declined.

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