‘Jumping around’: exploring young women’s behaviour and knowledge in relation to sexual health in a remote Aboriginal Australian community

Sexual health indicators for young remote-living Aboriginal women are the worst of all of Australian women. This study aimed to describe and explore young women's behaviour and knowledge in relation to sexual health, as well as to provide health professionals with cross-cultural insights to ass...

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Main Authors: Ireland, S., Wulili, C., Belton, S., Saggers, Sherry, McGrath, A.
Format: Journal Article
Published: Routledge 2014
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/6125
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author Ireland, S.
Wulili, C.
Belton, S.
Saggers, Sherry
McGrath, A.
author_facet Ireland, S.
Wulili, C.
Belton, S.
Saggers, Sherry
McGrath, A.
author_sort Ireland, S.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Sexual health indicators for young remote-living Aboriginal women are the worst of all of Australian women. This study aimed to describe and explore young women's behaviour and knowledge in relation to sexual health, as well as to provide health professionals with cross-cultural insights to assist with health practice. A descriptive ethnographic study was conducted, which included: extended ethnographic field work in one remote community over a six-year period; community observation and participation; field notes; semi-structured interviews; group reproductive ethno-physiology drawing and language sessions; focus-group sessions; training and employment of Aboriginal research assistants; and consultation and advice from a local reference group and a Cultural Mentor. Findings reveal that young women in this remote community have a very poor biomedical understanding of sexually transmitted infections and contraception. This is further compounded by not speaking English as a first language, low literacy levels and different beliefs in relation to body functions. In their sexual relationships, young women often report experiences involving multiple casual partners, marijuana use and violence. Together, the findings contribute to a better understanding of the factors underlying sexual health inequity among young Aboriginal women in Australia.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-61252017-09-13T14:41:38Z ‘Jumping around’: exploring young women’s behaviour and knowledge in relation to sexual health in a remote Aboriginal Australian community Ireland, S. Wulili, C. Belton, S. Saggers, Sherry McGrath, A. - young people sexual and reproductive health Australia rural communities Aboriginal women Sexual health indicators for young remote-living Aboriginal women are the worst of all of Australian women. This study aimed to describe and explore young women's behaviour and knowledge in relation to sexual health, as well as to provide health professionals with cross-cultural insights to assist with health practice. A descriptive ethnographic study was conducted, which included: extended ethnographic field work in one remote community over a six-year period; community observation and participation; field notes; semi-structured interviews; group reproductive ethno-physiology drawing and language sessions; focus-group sessions; training and employment of Aboriginal research assistants; and consultation and advice from a local reference group and a Cultural Mentor. Findings reveal that young women in this remote community have a very poor biomedical understanding of sexually transmitted infections and contraception. This is further compounded by not speaking English as a first language, low literacy levels and different beliefs in relation to body functions. In their sexual relationships, young women often report experiences involving multiple casual partners, marijuana use and violence. Together, the findings contribute to a better understanding of the factors underlying sexual health inequity among young Aboriginal women in Australia. 2014 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/6125 10.1080/13691058.2014.937747 Routledge restricted
spellingShingle - young people
sexual and reproductive health
Australia
rural communities
Aboriginal women
Ireland, S.
Wulili, C.
Belton, S.
Saggers, Sherry
McGrath, A.
‘Jumping around’: exploring young women’s behaviour and knowledge in relation to sexual health in a remote Aboriginal Australian community
title ‘Jumping around’: exploring young women’s behaviour and knowledge in relation to sexual health in a remote Aboriginal Australian community
title_full ‘Jumping around’: exploring young women’s behaviour and knowledge in relation to sexual health in a remote Aboriginal Australian community
title_fullStr ‘Jumping around’: exploring young women’s behaviour and knowledge in relation to sexual health in a remote Aboriginal Australian community
title_full_unstemmed ‘Jumping around’: exploring young women’s behaviour and knowledge in relation to sexual health in a remote Aboriginal Australian community
title_short ‘Jumping around’: exploring young women’s behaviour and knowledge in relation to sexual health in a remote Aboriginal Australian community
title_sort ‘jumping around’: exploring young women’s behaviour and knowledge in relation to sexual health in a remote aboriginal australian community
topic - young people
sexual and reproductive health
Australia
rural communities
Aboriginal women
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/6125