Researchers: Dr Sally Banfield, Dr Carole Reeve (Kimberley Population Health Unit)
Funding: Internal
Project summary: Delivery of high-standard antenatal care to Indigenous Australians is essential to improving the health outcomes for both mother and newborn child. If service delivery is effective, it can strengthen positive bonds between the health care providers and the individual.
Unacceptably high rates of preterm births, low birthweight babies and perinatal mortality fall to the Australian Indigenous population. Research has shown poor obstetric outcomes are related to poor antenatal attendance, maternal malnutrition and high rates of tobacco and alcohol use.
Traditionally, the Kimberley region has provided antenatal care with community and hospital based midwives, GPs, and hospital based medical staff.
This project is considered to be an audit of antenatal care and its health outcomes prior to and during the intervention period of a case-based midwifery model of care. This intervention model involved a regionally-located midwife following women throughout the antenatal period, ensuring continuity of care in a culturally safe environment.
Progress: Completed in 2012