
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Mooney-Somers, Julie 
A1  - Erick, Wani 
A1  - Scott, Robert 
A1  - Akee, Angie 
A1  - Kaldor, John 
A1  - Maher, Lisa 
T1  - Enhancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people?s resilience to blood-borne and sexually transmitted infections: findings from a community-based participatory research project
JF  - Health Promotion Journal of Australia
JO  - Health Promot J Aust
Y1  - 2009
VL  - 20
IS  - 3
SP  - 195
EP  - 201
KW  - 
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1071/HE09195 
N2  - Issue addressed: Health services are fundamental to reducing the burden of blood-borne and sexually transmitted infections (BBV/STI) in Indigenous communities. However, we know very little about young Indigenous people?s use of mainstream and community-controlled health services for the prevention and treatment of these infections, or how health services can best support young people?s efforts to prevent infection. Methods: University-researchers, a site co-ordinator and peer researchers developed a project and conducted interviews with 45 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged between 17 and 26 years. Thematic analysis of interview notes identified key themes around health service use and experiences of Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Services (ACCHS). Results: Most participants had accessed health services for the prevention or treatment of BBV/STI, with positive experiences characterised by the provision of information and feeling cared for. Participants described the comfort and understanding they experienced at ACCHS; personal relationships and having an Indigenous care provider present were important factors in the overwhelmingly positive accounts. Young people reported strategies for overcoming challenges to prevention and accessing treatment services, including being proactive by carrying condoms and persisting with behavioural intentions despite feeling shame. Conclusion: Our findings reinforce the important role both mainstream and community-controlled health services have in the prevention and treatment of blood-borne and sexually transmitted infections in young Indigenous people. We highlight opportunities to build on young people?s strengths, such as their valuing of their health, their persistence, and their offers to support peers, to better prevent transmission of infections and enhance access to treatment. Key words: Sexually Transmitted Infections, Indigenous, young adults, health services, community-based participatory research. 
ER  -

