A systematic review of the evidence that swimming pools improve health and wellbeing in remote Aboriginal communities in Australia
Abstract Objective: To provide an overview of the evidence for health and wellbeing benefits associated with swimming pools in remote Aboriginal* communities in Australia. Methods: Peer‐reviewed and grey literature from 1990 to 2014 was searched to identify studies set in remote Australia that evalu...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2016-02-01
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| Series: | Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.12433 |
| _version_ | 1797757372040478720 |
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| author | David Hendrickx Anna Stephen Deborah Lehmann Desiree Silva Marleen Boelaert Jonathan Carapetis Roz Walker |
| author_facet | David Hendrickx Anna Stephen Deborah Lehmann Desiree Silva Marleen Boelaert Jonathan Carapetis Roz Walker |
| author_sort | David Hendrickx |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Objective: To provide an overview of the evidence for health and wellbeing benefits associated with swimming pools in remote Aboriginal* communities in Australia. Methods: Peer‐reviewed and grey literature from 1990 to 2014 was searched to identify studies set in remote Australia that evaluated health and wellbeing benefits that have been associated with swimming pools. Studies were categorised using an evidence classification scale. Results: Twelve studies met our search criteria. All prospective studies that collected data on skin infections found access to swimming pools to be associated with a drop of skin sore prevalence and ‐where measured‐ severity. Studies documenting ear and eye infections showed mixed outcomes. Many wider community and wellbeing benefits were documented in various studies, although many of these were primarily anecdotal in nature. Conclusions: Although a case can be made regarding skin infections and the broader wellbeing benefits that swimming pools may bring to remote Aboriginal communities, the benefit to ear and eye health remains unresolved. Implications: The decision to provide swimming pools to remote Aboriginal communities should not hinge on the demonstration of direct health benefits alone. Equity considerations and the potential broader benefits such amenities may entail are equally important. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T18:14:06Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1f152e5befad4b259108e8f879bcb39e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1326-0200 1753-6405 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T18:14:06Z |
| publishDate | 2016-02-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-1f152e5befad4b259108e8f879bcb39e2023-08-02T09:11:09ZengElsevierAustralian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health1326-02001753-64052016-02-01401303610.1111/1753-6405.12433A systematic review of the evidence that swimming pools improve health and wellbeing in remote Aboriginal communities in AustraliaDavid Hendrickx0Anna Stephen1Deborah Lehmann2Desiree Silva3Marleen Boelaert4Jonathan Carapetis5Roz Walker6Telethon Kids Institute University of Western AustraliaChild Health Division, Menzies School of Health Research Royal Darwin Hospital Northern TerritoryTelethon Kids Institute University of Western AustraliaTelethon Kids Institute University of Western AustraliaDepartment of Public Health Institute of Tropical Medicine BelgiumTelethon Kids Institute University of Western AustraliaTelethon Kids Institute University of Western AustraliaAbstract Objective: To provide an overview of the evidence for health and wellbeing benefits associated with swimming pools in remote Aboriginal* communities in Australia. Methods: Peer‐reviewed and grey literature from 1990 to 2014 was searched to identify studies set in remote Australia that evaluated health and wellbeing benefits that have been associated with swimming pools. Studies were categorised using an evidence classification scale. Results: Twelve studies met our search criteria. All prospective studies that collected data on skin infections found access to swimming pools to be associated with a drop of skin sore prevalence and ‐where measured‐ severity. Studies documenting ear and eye infections showed mixed outcomes. Many wider community and wellbeing benefits were documented in various studies, although many of these were primarily anecdotal in nature. Conclusions: Although a case can be made regarding skin infections and the broader wellbeing benefits that swimming pools may bring to remote Aboriginal communities, the benefit to ear and eye health remains unresolved. Implications: The decision to provide swimming pools to remote Aboriginal communities should not hinge on the demonstration of direct health benefits alone. Equity considerations and the potential broader benefits such amenities may entail are equally important.https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.12433swimming poolsskin infectionsear infectionsAboriginal healthrural health |
| spellingShingle | David Hendrickx Anna Stephen Deborah Lehmann Desiree Silva Marleen Boelaert Jonathan Carapetis Roz Walker A systematic review of the evidence that swimming pools improve health and wellbeing in remote Aboriginal communities in Australia Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health swimming pools skin infections ear infections Aboriginal health rural health |
| title | A systematic review of the evidence that swimming pools improve health and wellbeing in remote Aboriginal communities in Australia |
| title_full | A systematic review of the evidence that swimming pools improve health and wellbeing in remote Aboriginal communities in Australia |
| title_fullStr | A systematic review of the evidence that swimming pools improve health and wellbeing in remote Aboriginal communities in Australia |
| title_full_unstemmed | A systematic review of the evidence that swimming pools improve health and wellbeing in remote Aboriginal communities in Australia |
| title_short | A systematic review of the evidence that swimming pools improve health and wellbeing in remote Aboriginal communities in Australia |
| title_sort | systematic review of the evidence that swimming pools improve health and wellbeing in remote aboriginal communities in australia |
| topic | swimming pools skin infections ear infections Aboriginal health rural health |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.12433 |
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