Engaging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men to understand their needs and priorities for accessing health and wellbeing care, is crucial to improving health inequities.
The ETTA Research Program aims to develop strengths-based, holistic, and innovative approaches to:
ETTA partners with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men, communities and healthcare providers to co-design, implement, and evaluate culturally, gender-appropriate SEWB programs. Local governance groups provide cultural oversight and research guidance. Utilising an Aboriginal Participatory Action Research (APAR) framework, ensures the ETTA project values Indigenous knowledges. A Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) approach provides a structured process for gathering, implementing and knowledge sharing.
Our project utilises ‘Men’s Groups’ as an engagement strategy in two diverse locations - in metropolitan South Australia (SA) and a very remote community in the Northern Territory (NT).
A national survey mapping the ‘landscape’ of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Men’s health programs synthesised data and was relayed to participants. An ETTA e-bulletin connects a national audience with information about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander male health.
In SA, men provided suggestions on improving health service access through, adjustments to system operations and increased promotion. Suggestions for enhancing the Men’s Group included providing opportunities to strengthen men’s connection to culture, and foster self-determination. This knowledge contributed to advancing the quality of care delivery and an evaluation program. Participants reported improved health literacy, SEWB, self-determination and empowerment.
In the NT, a Men’s Group was co designed by key stakeholders and facilitated by Mamulbak (a local Indigenous-owned organisation). The Men’s Group served as a central meeting point to come together over a meal and discuss SEWB and community priorities. Over a 2.5-year period, a total of 78 gatherings have been held. Through these gatherings, participants identified and implemented key initiatives vital to improving men’s SEWB, which included leadership and involvement of: i) a co-designed men’s health check initiative, ii) community events, and iii) on-Country excursions. Evaluation indicated that participating in these initiatives has strengthened men’s connections to culture, community and Country, contributing to the collective SEWB of the community.
Initiatives co-designed with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men can yield positive outcomes by empowering services and local men through addressing their priorities.