The WA Goldfields Aboriginal Community Antenatal Program: A community midwifery initiative

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the acceptability and satisfaction with the Aboriginal Community Antenatal Program by staff in the program and partner agencies. Design: A Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats framework guided the research and data collection methods. Mixed methodology was used, accessing qualitative and quantitative information from data bases, program and supporting agency staff. Quantitative data were analysed through a social sciences statistical package. Qualitative data were identified through questionnaires and analysed using thematic analysis. Setting: Remote Aboriginal communities in the Goldfields region of Western Australia. Participant sources: Twenty two participants including program and supporting agency staff. Main outcome measures: This study measures acceptability and satisfaction of program antenatal and pre-conception activities by program staff and partner agencies. Results: Qualitative results indicate acceptability and satisfaction with the program, identifying a range of organisational, staffing, cultural and interagency issues relating to a model of service provision. Quantitative data suggested positive program outputs from service delivery. Conclusion: Findings suggest the Aboriginal Community Antenatal Program and partner agencies are increasing provision of community based pre-conception and antenatal health services and enhancing collaboration between a range of health provider agencies, with partnerships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal program staff contributing to an emerging model of community antenatal care.