title: Patterns and characteristics of ethnic Australian women utilising ethno-specific maternal and child health services.
abstract: Few studies have explored the socio-economic profile, service utilisation, obstetric history and pregnancy outcomes of ethnic women who utilise ethno-specific obstetric services in Australia. The purpose of this study was to form a profile of women who accessed the Ethnic Obstetric Liaison Services (EOLO) in South Western Sydney Area Health Service (SWSAHS), New South Wales and explore their beliefs about using maternal and infant health services. We found that the prevalence of risks and special needs varied significantly by language groups in this study sample. Our results suggest that equity of access to quality care for this group of mothers and infants can be assured if models similar to the EOLO in SWSAHS are thoroughly planned and developed, and take account of cultural appropriateness for the population served.
authors.affiliation: Simpson Centre for Health Service Research, South Western Sydney Area Services (SWSAHS), South Western Sydney, Clinical School, UNSW.
authors.forename: Mai
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tran
authors.forename: Hai
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Phung
authors.forename: Lis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Ursula
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Hopper
authors.forename: Ken
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hillman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000208:ethnology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008427:Maternal Health Services / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009517:New South Wales; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000592:standards*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000208:ethnology; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000208:ethnology*; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors