A cross-sectional survey of environmental health in remote Aboriginal communities in Western Australia

作者：Melody, S. M.^*; Bennett, E.; Clifford, H. D.; Johnston, F. H.; Shepherd, C. C. J.; Alach, Z.; Lester, M.; Wood, L. J.; Franklin, P.; Zosky, G. R.

来源：International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 2016, 26(5-6): 525-535.

DOI：10.1080/09603123.2016.1194384

• Environmental health
• Aboriginal health
• remote

Introduction: The Australian Aboriginal population experiences significantly poorer health than the non-Aboriginal population. The contribution of environmental risk factors in remote communities to this health disparity is poorly understood.Objective: To describe and quantify major environmental risk factors and associated health outcomes in remote Aboriginal communities in Western Australia.Methods: The association between environmental health indicators, community infrastructure and reported health outcomes was analysed using linear and logistic regression of survey data.Results: Housing/overcrowding was significantly associated with increased reports of hearing/eyesight (OR 3.01 95% CI 1.58-5.73), skin (OR 2.71 95% CI 1.31-5.60), gastrointestinal (OR 3.51 95% CI 1.49-8.26) and flu/colds (OR 2.47 95% CI 1.27-4.78) as health concerns. Dust was significantly associated with hearing/eyesight (OR 3.16 95% CI 1.82-5.48), asthma/respiratory (OR 2.48 95% CI 1.43-4.29) and flu/colds (OR 3.31 95% CI 1.88-5.86) as health concerns.Conclusion: Poor environmental health is prevalent in remote Aboriginal communities and requires further delineation to inform environmental health policy.

• 出版日期2016-12
• 单位河北医科大学