Vindigni, D., Parkinson, L., Rivett, D., Da Costa, C., Perkins, J., Walker, B.F., and Blunden, S. (2006) Developing a musculoskeletal screening survey for Indigenous Australians living in rural communities. Rural and Remote Health, 6 (1). 321. - .

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Abstract

Introduction: Indigenous Australians living in rural communities experience high levels of musculoskeletal conditions that significantly impair their daily activities. Aboriginal health workers (AHWs) have a close understanding of their communities’ needs and play a central role in the assessment and management of these conditions. To assist in the musculoskeletal assessment process a screening survey was collaboratively developed, trialled and evaluated for use by AHWs.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was developed following discussions with key community informants, and a literature review for relevant survey instruments. It was piloted before being administered by AHWs and the findings compared with those of a clinical assessment conducted by musculoskeletal health professionals. The participants included 189 members of an Australian rural Indigenous community.

Results: The screening survey achieved face and content validity. It provided high sensitivity (above 70%) and moderately high specificity (above 60%) for measuring musculoskeletal conditions in this community. It did not achieve high enough Kappa scores when measuring agreement between the screening tool and clinical assessment. A significant correlation was, however, obtained between the most prevalent musculoskeletal condition and between reported overall pain as assessed by AHWs and chiropractors.

Conclusions: The screening survey has applicability in this community and has the potential to be adapted in similar settings. Incorporating a basic range of motion and palpation assessment to localise painful anatomical sites may help to further improve the sensitivity and specificity of this instrument.

Item ID:	3855
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1445-6354
Keywords:	Indigenous Australian; musculo-skeletal; screening survey; conditions
Date Deposited:	28 Oct 2009 01:14
FoR Codes:	11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1199 Other Medical and Health Sciences > 119999 Medical and Health Sciences not elsewhere classified @ 34% 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111716 Preventive Medicine @ 33% 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1117 Public Health and Health Services > 111799 Public Health and Health Services not elsewhere classified @ 33%
SEO Codes:	92 HEALTH > 9201 Clinical Health (Organs, Diseases and Abnormal Conditions) > 920116 Skeletal System and Disorders (incl. Arthritis) @ 34% 92 HEALTH > 9203 Indigenous Health > 920399 Indigenous Health not elsewhere classified @ 33% 92 HEALTH > 9299 Other Health > 929999 Health not elsewhere classified @ 33%
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