Strong culture, healthy lifestyles: a mixed methods feasibility study for a co-created afterschool cultural programme for Australian Aboriginal children
Abstract Background Having a strong connection to culture and Country is fundamental to the health and wellbeing of Australian Aboriginal children. The aim of the research was to evaluate the feasibility of study methods and programme implementation of a co-created afterschool cultural programme, an...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Pilot and Feasibility Studies |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-023-01422-y |
| _version_ | 1797275839785598976 |
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| author | Rebecca M. Stanley Anthony McKnight Yasmine Probst Gabrielle O’Flynn Sarah Tillott Cullunghutti Aboriginal Child and Family Centre |
| author_facet | Rebecca M. Stanley Anthony McKnight Yasmine Probst Gabrielle O’Flynn Sarah Tillott Cullunghutti Aboriginal Child and Family Centre |
| author_sort | Rebecca M. Stanley |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Having a strong connection to culture and Country is fundamental to the health and wellbeing of Australian Aboriginal children. The aim of the research was to evaluate the feasibility of study methods and programme implementation of a co-created afterschool cultural programme, and identify areas for improvement. Methods Aboriginal Relational Research Methodology and mixed methods were applied to evaluate the feasibility of the implementation of the programme and study methods using a non-randomised single-group study design. Australian Aboriginal children and their siblings aged 5–13 years were recruited within regional New South Wales, Australia. The primary outcomes for feasibility included recruitment rates of children and Aboriginal programme mentors, compliance rates of outcome data collection and of the planned programme activities, programme attendance, retention rates and mean enjoyment scores. Follow-up yarning circles were conducted with the children, their parents/caregivers, programme mentors and teachers to explore aspects of feasibility, and areas for improvement. Results A total of 90 caregivers consented to their children (n = 111) being part of the research. Sixteen Aboriginal mentors were recruited to deliver the programmes across the communities. Overall, 74.4% of all health outcome measures were completed across baseline (86.5%) and follow-up (55.9%). Only 61.0% of the programme activities were delivered as originally planned. The average programme attendance rate was 70.0% with a 92.0% retention rate. Eighty-nine percent of children reported a high level of enjoyment with the programmes. Follow-up yarning identified the importance of relational methodologies and flexibility within the programme design and implementation to ensure programmes were adapted to the local community, conditions and differing age groups. Considerations for future programmes included the timing of the programme and identifying health outcome assessment tools and methods that acknowledge cultural protocols and experiences. Conclusions Engaging the communities in the development, implementation and evaluation of the programmes were key to community support of the programme and conducting the feasibility study. Future programmes and evaluations need to be built on strong partnerships and embrace flexible and culturally embedded methodologies in order to be adaptive and responsive to research approaches, communities and to Country. Trial registration ACTRN12619001224112. Retrospectively registered on 05 September 2019. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T15:19:48Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3beb862f938f402bba8f8c3f6ee9ebb8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2055-5784 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T15:19:48Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pilot and Feasibility Studies |
| spelling | doaj.art-3beb862f938f402bba8f8c3f6ee9ebb82024-03-05T17:43:19ZengBMCPilot and Feasibility Studies2055-57842024-02-0110111510.1186/s40814-023-01422-yStrong culture, healthy lifestyles: a mixed methods feasibility study for a co-created afterschool cultural programme for Australian Aboriginal childrenRebecca M. Stanley0Anthony McKnight1Yasmine Probst2Gabrielle O’Flynn3Sarah Tillott4Cullunghutti Aboriginal Child and Family Centre5Early Start, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of WollongongSchool of Education, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of WollongongIllawarra Health and Medical Research InstituteSchool of Education, Faculty of the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, University of WollongongFaculty of Health, Southern Cross UniversityCullunghutti Aboriginal Child and Family CentreAbstract Background Having a strong connection to culture and Country is fundamental to the health and wellbeing of Australian Aboriginal children. The aim of the research was to evaluate the feasibility of study methods and programme implementation of a co-created afterschool cultural programme, and identify areas for improvement. Methods Aboriginal Relational Research Methodology and mixed methods were applied to evaluate the feasibility of the implementation of the programme and study methods using a non-randomised single-group study design. Australian Aboriginal children and their siblings aged 5–13 years were recruited within regional New South Wales, Australia. The primary outcomes for feasibility included recruitment rates of children and Aboriginal programme mentors, compliance rates of outcome data collection and of the planned programme activities, programme attendance, retention rates and mean enjoyment scores. Follow-up yarning circles were conducted with the children, their parents/caregivers, programme mentors and teachers to explore aspects of feasibility, and areas for improvement. Results A total of 90 caregivers consented to their children (n = 111) being part of the research. Sixteen Aboriginal mentors were recruited to deliver the programmes across the communities. Overall, 74.4% of all health outcome measures were completed across baseline (86.5%) and follow-up (55.9%). Only 61.0% of the programme activities were delivered as originally planned. The average programme attendance rate was 70.0% with a 92.0% retention rate. Eighty-nine percent of children reported a high level of enjoyment with the programmes. Follow-up yarning identified the importance of relational methodologies and flexibility within the programme design and implementation to ensure programmes were adapted to the local community, conditions and differing age groups. Considerations for future programmes included the timing of the programme and identifying health outcome assessment tools and methods that acknowledge cultural protocols and experiences. Conclusions Engaging the communities in the development, implementation and evaluation of the programmes were key to community support of the programme and conducting the feasibility study. Future programmes and evaluations need to be built on strong partnerships and embrace flexible and culturally embedded methodologies in order to be adaptive and responsive to research approaches, communities and to Country. Trial registration ACTRN12619001224112. Retrospectively registered on 05 September 2019.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-023-01422-yIndigenousAustralian AboriginalWellbeingAfterschoolCultureChild |
| spellingShingle | Rebecca M. Stanley Anthony McKnight Yasmine Probst Gabrielle O’Flynn Sarah Tillott Cullunghutti Aboriginal Child and Family Centre Strong culture, healthy lifestyles: a mixed methods feasibility study for a co-created afterschool cultural programme for Australian Aboriginal children Pilot and Feasibility Studies Indigenous Australian Aboriginal Wellbeing Afterschool Culture Child |
| title | Strong culture, healthy lifestyles: a mixed methods feasibility study for a co-created afterschool cultural programme for Australian Aboriginal children |
| title_full | Strong culture, healthy lifestyles: a mixed methods feasibility study for a co-created afterschool cultural programme for Australian Aboriginal children |
| title_fullStr | Strong culture, healthy lifestyles: a mixed methods feasibility study for a co-created afterschool cultural programme for Australian Aboriginal children |
| title_full_unstemmed | Strong culture, healthy lifestyles: a mixed methods feasibility study for a co-created afterschool cultural programme for Australian Aboriginal children |
| title_short | Strong culture, healthy lifestyles: a mixed methods feasibility study for a co-created afterschool cultural programme for Australian Aboriginal children |
| title_sort | strong culture healthy lifestyles a mixed methods feasibility study for a co created afterschool cultural programme for australian aboriginal children |
| topic | Indigenous Australian Aboriginal Wellbeing Afterschool Culture Child |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-023-01422-y |
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