Publications by authors named "Paul Memmott"
Housing Initiatives to Address Strep A Infections and Reduce RHD Risks in Remote Indigenous Communities in Australia.
Int J Environ Res Public Health
September 2024
Article Synopsis
- - Group A Streptococcus (Strep A) skin infections, like impetigo, can lead to serious conditions such as acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD), particularly in Indigenous communities where these rates are significantly higher.
- - Strep A can spread through three key ways: direct skin contact, surface contamination, and airborne transmission, highlighting the importance of addressing these pathways.
- - The study suggests various household-level initiatives to reduce Strep A transmission, such as improving washing facilities, enhancing yard space for better social distancing, and increasing home ventilation, with an interactive tool developed to evaluate these initiatives' costs and effectiveness.
Aim: This mixed-method study aimed to establish preliminary evidence for spatial and design features that can improve the experience and participation of Indigenous inpatients in healthcare.
Background: Disadvantaged across a range of health measures, a disproportionately high number of Indigenous people leave hospital without receiving appropriate medical care. Australian government policies to improve cultural safety of Indigenous patients have largely ignored physical settings and their potential to improve health outcomes.
Objective The aim of this study was to develop an effective digital survey instrument incorporating images to investigate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander preferences for health clinics and hospitals, design of healthcare settings and the differences between inner regional and remote locations. Methods Design-related constructs developed from qualitative interviews informed the construction of healthcare setting images. These images were embedded in an online survey instrument to elicit data on design preferences and an area-based recruitment strategy ensured participation by Indigenous Australians from three Queensland locations.
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