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Newcastle-based study helping Indigenous women quit smoking

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A Newcastle-based study is discovering ways to help pregnant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women quit smoking.

The Indigenous-led research project from the University of Newcastle (UoN) and Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI), the first of its kind, reveals more resources and funding are needed to improve culturally-safe and responsive supports for cessation care.

And, the lead researcher, a proud Wiradjuri woman herself, admitted change was desperately required.

“In order to reduce tobacco use and related mortality, we need to centre the voices and experiences of First Nations people with lived experiences,” said UoN Assistant Dean Indigenous Strategy and Leadership, and member of the HMRI’s Equity in Health and Wellbeing Research Program, Dr Michelle Kennedy.

“These novel research findings highlight the importance of taking a client-centred, culturally responsive approach, informing meaningful smoking cessation support strategies, clinical practice and healthcare delivery.”

“There is no ‘one-size fits all’ approach.”

Dr Kennedy’s team collaborated with Aboriginal health services, including Yerin on the Central Coast and Tamworth, as well as Waminda on the South Coast.

A survey, as part of the research, involved more than 400 women and found that most of them had made, and or continuing to make, attempts to quit.

They were interested in a range of smoking cessation supports including group-based, online and over the phone.

Seventy per cent of women preferred face-to-face support at their Aboriginal health service and 64.3% preferred smoking cessation support delivered by Aboriginal health workers or practitioners.

Data involved smokers and ex-smokers and assessed the differences in age and geographic location, as well as provided commentary on the systemic embedding of tobacco-use on First Nations peoples and how those factors impacted quitting attempts.

The findings supported evidence that comprehensive, community-led support for Aboriginal women was key to cessation success.

The research also assessed the ways in which support to quit smoking is delivered, saying it is vital to ensure there are culturally-safe and appealing alternatives to face-to-face counselling, including online and by telephone.

UoN executive support officer for Aboriginal health research Yeena Thompson said the institution aimed to be a model for best-practice research.

“It’s important, especially in this space, that any work being done is with Aboriginal people, and not for or about Aboriginal people,” she explained.

Wiradjuri man and University of Newcastle’s Pro Vice Chancellor of Indigenous Strategy and Leadership Nathan Towney echoed that philosophy.

“We have made an all-of-university commitment as part of our Cultural Capability Framework to ensure every staff member understands the process and protocols to conduct ethical research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants and are equipped to support their students in ensuring the research they undertake is best practice,” he stated.

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