Research Paper
Moving forward with dignity: Exploring health awareness in an isolated Deaf community of Australia

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2015.11.002Get rights and content

Abstract

Background

Those within the Deaf community are disadvantaged in a number of aspects of day-to-day life including their access to health care. At times, they may encounter barriers to health care even before they reach the consultation room. As a consequence, they may receive insufficient and inappropriate health care which may lead to poorer health outcomes.

Objective

A study was conducted to explore health awareness and access to health information and services of Deaf people living in Tasmania, Australia and identify ways of enhancing the interaction between the Deaf and the wider community.

Methods

A questionnaire was administered, including a number of demographic, health awareness and health service usage questions. In addition, semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with service providers and the Deaf community between March and August 2014. An interpreter was present to translate the questions into Auslan and who then translated the Deaf participant's discussion into English for the researcher. Data were then analyzed using research software SPSS v20.0 and NVivo 10.0.

Results

Health as a concept was poorly understood, including mental health, sexual health and health concerning alcohol and drug abuse. Regarding health care resources, due to a sense of security, trust and confidence, the family physician or general practitioner was the single most important health care provider among the Deaf.

Conclusions

The Deaf remain underserved by the current health care system; however, through resourcefulness and life experiences, the Deaf have developed coping and management strategies to move forward with dignity in education, meaningful employment and health access.

Section snippets

Setting

The research was conducted in Tasmania, which is a small island state off the south east coast of mainland Australia with a population of over 500,000.22 Currently, there are approximately 299 people who use some form of sign language within Tasmania with the majority (85.6%) using Auslan as their first language across the North and North West and South of Tasmania.22 Tasmanian Deaf community represents only 3% of the total Deaf population in Australia (9935) and are geographically isolated

Results

In total, 17 Deaf participants completed the questionnaire, and 21 Deaf individuals were interviewed. Five additional interviews were conducted with service providers who were working with the Deaf at various sites across Tasmania.

Discussion

The study aimed to examine the issues facing the Deaf community in Tasmania and explore their health issues and identify ways of enhancing the interaction between the Deaf and the wider community, particularly with regard accessing health information and services. It was particularly vital to gain these insights through their own ‘voices.’

Equity and fairness were an overarching theme, particularly around having the right to desire and seek further education, meaningful employment and access to

Limitations

The key limitation of the study was the lack of interest from the Deaf community. For example, there were a high number of invitations and reminders sent out regarding Health project; however, very few attended. Future events and projects will need to be adjusted to meet the needs of the Deaf. Such as evening sessions and activities that involve a more social element within health projects. In addition, future development of the questionnaire's wording is required to ensure its efficacy among

Conclusion

The Deaf are a linguistic minority that live and work within the greater community. They have social and educational needs, employment aspirations and health concerns much like those of the hearing community. However, as part of this study, it has been highlighted that the Deaf as a community have undergone substantial issues and challenges both within education, employment and health care access. Deaf community at times may receive insufficient interpreting services that may lead to

Acknowledgments

We would like to acknowledge the Deaf community who participated in this project and who gave both their time and information so willingly, their input is greatly appreciated. We would like to express our deep appreciation to the TasDeaf staff for giving up their time to participate and assist with the project. Lastly, we would like to acknowledge the Tasmanian Community Fund (TCF) for their generous grant to ensure this vital project went ahead for the Deaf community.

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    Funding: Tasmanian Community Fund (TFC) funded the project, but funder did not play any role of the study design; in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the article for publication.

    Conflicts of interest: No conflict of interest.

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