Linking 'data silos' to investigate anaemia among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers and children in Far North Queensland

Leonard, Dympna, Buettner, Petra, Thompson, Fintan, Makrides, Maria, and McDermott, Robyn (2018) Linking 'data silos' to investigate anaemia among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers and children in Far North Queensland. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 42 (5). pp. 456-462.

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DOI: 10.1111/1753-6405.12821

View at Publisher Website: https://doi.org/10.1111/1753-6405.12821

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Abstract

Objective: Data collection ‘silos’ can be linked for health research. Anaemia in early childhood is a long-recognised health issue in remote Aboriginal communities of the Northern Territory and Western Australia, but information is lacking for Queensland. The objective of this work was to compile existing information from health and education data collections to investigate anaemia among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers and their children in Far North Queensland.

Methods: Data mapping identified four health data collections and one education data collection holding relevant information. Data Custodians’ approval was secured for release of linked de-identified information.

Results: Approval processes and preparation of the dataset for release took 23 months. Birth information was obtained for 2,205 mother–child pairs where the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander child was born in Far North Queensland between 2006 and 2010. Pathology information from before/during pregnancy was obtained for 2,126 mothers (96.4%), growth and haemoglobin information for 982 children (44.5%), and childhood development indicators at school entry for 963 children (43.7%).

Conclusion: Linking existing information ‘silos’ enables research into key public health issues. Implications for public health: Information linkage is particularly valuable in respect of vulnerable populations including rural and remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.


Item ID:	57111
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1753-6405
Copyright Information:	This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made.
Funders:	Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
Projects and Grants:	NHMRC AP1092732
Date Deposited:	20 Jun 2019 00:03
FoR Codes:	45 INDIGENOUS STUDIES > 4504 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing > 450414 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers and babies health and wellbeing @ 33% 42 HEALTH SCIENCES > 4203 Health services and systems > 420308 Health informatics and information systems @ 34% 32 BIOMEDICAL AND CLINICAL SCIENCES > 3210 Nutrition and dietetics > 321099 Nutrition and dietetics not elsewhere classified @ 33%
SEO Codes:	92 HEALTH > 9203 Indigenous Health > 920303 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health - Health System Performance (incl. Effectiveness of Interventions) @ 50% 92 HEALTH > 9203 Indigenous Health > 920302 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health - Health Status and Outcomes @ 50%
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