For more information on group work read Wass (1994), pages 168-185, and Egger, Spark and
Lawson (1990) pages 50-63
For more information on group work read Wass (1994), pages 168-185, and Egger, Spark and
Lawson (1990) pages 50-63
For information about training and resources, contact Staff Development Services: Top End:
8922 8715 or 8922 8747 and Central Australia: 8951 7722 or 8951 7735
In the following case study the nutritionist shifted roles in response to changing group needs and aspirations. The group changed from being participants in a formal training course to a community action group. The nutritionist changed from being an expert and teacher to a facilitator and resource.
| Facilitating group action In October 1997 I began teaching the Certificate 1 in Health (Aboriginal Communities) at Tangentyere Council. It was a course recommended by the Food and Nutrition Unit in Darwin. I went over to the Training Officer at Tangentyere Council with the information about the course and offered to teach it. They advertised it around the Council and town camps. Some of the people who decided to do the course had met me before but not all. The course was chosen because it has a strong nutrition component. It also contains things like 'Introduction to Health, Homemaker Skills', 'Shopping Wise' and 'Senior First Aid'. The course also has electives and the next module planned is 'Care Giving - Older People'. We have completed four modules now. We started with a group of five women. Three were employed by the Homemakers and Old People's Service (HOPS) and two were with CDEP. After the group had completed two modules they decided they wanted to start a Meals on Wheels project to feed 40 old people in the town camps. They felt that the service was really needed. They'd gained in confidence since they started the training and they also knew that I would support them in whatever way I could. We went out and talked to the old people. They said that they'd like to try the idea and agreed to pay some money out of their pension cheque each fortnight. We worked together for about three months during the first stages of the project. We decided on the recipes together and I typed them out onto A3 paper and had them laminated. I helped set up lists for the ordering of the food. We worked together as a team. I washed dishes too. They taught me things and I taught them things. After a few months I gradually began to pull out. Now I stay in touch by phone and go over for morning tea sometimes. Alison McLay, Nutritionist, |
This case study shows how Health Promotion Officers worked closely with Aboriginal Health Workers to develop a project for well men's checkups in East Arnhem Land. The project aimed to raise men's awareness of health issues and to encourage them to make lifestyle changes to improve their health. The project team approached community football teams to talk about fitness and winning games. They used a mix of strategies, including screening followed by brief interventions, media for group and community education, and incentives.
| Well Men's Checkups - A program of the East Arnhem Health
Promotion Unit Men, especially Aboriginal men, rarely go to the Health Centre when they are sick, let alone when they are healthy. They wait and wait until the problem is unbearable then they go to the health centre. Providing health education to groups of young men can be a difficult exercise. It is difficult to find them, to raise their interest in health issues and to identify what is important to them. Five key concepts/strategies were included in the design of the well men's checkups. The health centre was taken to the people: Tests were undertaken, some by Health Promotion Officers and others by Aboriginal Health Workers: blood pressure; height/weight; blood sugar levels; cholesterol; haemoglobin; sweat loss; and peak flow. The National Heart Foundation's healthy heart assessment was modified to include information on smoking, dehydration and alcohol. Health education was integrated into group activities that men enjoy and are already participating in: Groups of men meet several times a week to train and play football. Approaching men at football settings appeared to be the perfect way to target groups of men. Messages were made relevant to the men and their activities: Messages were targeted at how to improve the players' chances of winning, that is by getting fitter, stronger, healthier and smarter. Discussions with players included the importance of water to functions of the body; how smoking reduces the lungs' ability to absorb oxygen, … the detrimental affects of drinking kava or alcohol the night before playing football, and the positive benefits of eating a high carbohydrate meal before playing to increase energy levels. Healthy lifestyle role models were used to provide inspiration to younger men: To increase knowledge of men's health issues and promote interest in the well men's checkups, a local football role model was identified…who is now playing Australian Football League…[and] speaks the language. He was able to visit schools and football teams to talk about healthy lifestyles and the dangers of smoking. A video of the local community football grand final was also put together with messages about smoking, nutrition and fitness… Incentives were provided for men to attend well men's checkups: Barbecues were held at the health centre after the men's check-ups. Extracts from an article by Smith and King 1998:69-71 |