학술논문
Healthy Skin, Healthy Mepla: A skin health promotional event for children in the Torres Strait.
Document Type
Article
Source
Subject
Language
ISSN
1036-1073
Abstract
Issue addressed: Skin infections such as impetigo and scabies are common in Aboriginal Australian and Torres Strait Islander children living in rural and remote settings. Effective health promotion is a key element when addressing health literacy aimed at reducing the burden of skin disease. Community‐driven health promotion provides a potentially effective and sustainable model for improved health outcomes. Methods: A one‐day community‐driven skin health promotional event was conducted on Waiben [Thursday Island] with the aim of improving local Torres Strait Islander children's appreciation of the importance of skin health through art, music and creation of a video. Participants completed written pre‐ and post‐questionnaires to determine their response. Results: Fifty‐two children participated in the event; median (range) age was 11 (9‐12) years and all identified as Torres Strait Islander. Overall, 34 of 50 children (68%) felt that participating in this workshop improved their skin health knowledge. Conclusions: Skin health promotion can be successful achieved through a locally conceived, locally driven and locally owned approach. So what?: This skin health promotional event could be a model for other health promotion activities in the Torres Strait. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]