Health benefits of improving basic nutrition in Aboriginal communities
Raymond Jones, Fiona Smith Bulgarr Ngaru Medical Aboriginal Corporation, Grafton, New South Wales
Background
This program is an extension of research conducted in a remote NSW Aboriginal community. Initially students at the local primary school experienced high rates of skin infections and recurrent otitis media. Blood tests revealed that all students were deficient in vitamin C, so a program was established to supplement the students’ diets with fresh fruit, as well as vegetables grown in the school vegetable garden.
Following improvement of their diets, the rates of skin infections and otitis media have dropped to almost nil. Students also experienced an improvement in their hearing, as measured by the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children.
Based on the improvements in the children’s health at the primary school, the program has been extended to families in three other communities.
Methods
Eligible families had children with a history of skin and/ or ear infections and were recruited by the local Aboriginal Medical Service. The program includes a total of 31 families and 109 children. Families are provided with $40 of fresh fruit and vegetables each week, delivered to their home. The children’s health was screened when their family joined the program. Screening involved a medical check by the doctor including general health, skin and ear canals, as well as audiometry. Fifteen children from one community also underwent blood tests.
Results/principal findings
Pathology results revealed that 6 of 15 (40%) children had low serum vitamin C levels and all 15 (100%) had at least one abnormal parameter in their iron studies.
Outcomes so far are promising, with reductions in rates of infections becoming evident. This has been reported by Medical Service staff, families and Aboriginal playgroup facilitators.
Discussion
Although the results are not complete, the preliminary results support the results obtained from the original project conducted at the remote Aboriginal primary school.
Implications for policy, delivery or practice
To improve the health of Aboriginal communities, it is important to consider poor nutrition as a possible factor.
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