Wapau, Chenoa, Pilot, Pelista, Kris, Ella, McDonald, Malcolm, and Hempenstall, Allison (2022) Healthy skin, healthy mepla: a skin health promotional event for children in the Torres Strait. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 33 (3). pp. 736-739.

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Abstract

Issue addressed: Skin infections such as impetigo and scabies are common in Aboriginal Australian and Torres Strait Islander children living in rural and remote settings. Effective health promotion is a key element when addressing health literacy aimed at reducing the burden of skin disease. Community-driven health promotion provides a potentially effective and sustainable model for improved health outcomes.

Methods: A one-day community-driven skin health promotional event was conducted on Waiben [Thursday Island] with the aim of improving local Torres Strait Islander children's appreciation of the importance of skin health through art, music and creation of a video. Participants completed written pre- and post-questionnaires to determine their response.

Results: Fifty-two children participated in the event; median (range) age was 11 (9-12) years and all identified as Torres Strait Islander. Overall, 34 of 50 children (68%) felt that participating in this workshop improved their skin health knowledge.

Conclusions: Skin health promotion can be successful achieved through a locally conceived, locally driven and locally owned approach.

So what?: This skin health promotional event could be a model for other health promotion activities in the Torres Strait.

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