Pelvic instability - Painful pelvic girdle in pregnancy.

Background: Pelvic instability is a term describing a group of conditions causing pelvic girdle pain in pregnancy. Although a common problem in pregnancy, it is easily overlooked and sometimes dismissed as 'normal' by primary care professionals.

Objective: This article outlines the clinical features, diagnosis and management of pelvic instability in pregnancy.

Participatory action research in indigenous health.

Background: Participatory action research engenders change not just through research outcomes but through the research process itself. Collaboration between researchers and those being researched is intrinsic to the model.

Objective: This article discusses the 'Sadness and Heart Disease' research project undertaken by an Aboriginal community controlled health service in Darwin (Northern Territory) in 2005 and 2006 using a participatory action framework.

The psychosocial experience of women with PCOS--a case control study.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting 5-10% of women. It is characterised by androgenisation and anovulation, with sufferers being at increased risk of metabolic problems such as noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus and dyslipidaemia. An increased risk of cardiovascular disease is speculated.

The acceptability of a depression screening tool in an urban, Aboriginal community-controlled health service.

Objective: To assess the acceptability and face validity of a psychological assessment instrument, the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9), as a depression screening tool for use with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.

Methods: Four focus groups were held in an urban, Aboriginal community-controlled health service. Participants' attitudes to screening for depression and the specific components of PHQ-9 were explored.