title: Predictors of specialist referral for developmental and behavioural problems in a Queensland urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prevalence of developmental and/or behavioural problems is greater among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, compared with their non-Indigenous counterparts. We aimed to identify predictors of specialist paediatric referral for these problems that could enable primary health professionals to identify at-risk children and implement early interventions.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study of urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children aged 0-14 years having annual child health checks from September 2010 to February 2012 was undertaken. Predictors of paediatric referral were identified using univariable and multivariable analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 183 eligible children, 30% were referred to a paediatrician. Parental/carer mental illness was self-reported in 36% of cases and these children were more likely to be referred (OR = 3.07; 95%  CI: 1.44, 6.57).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The strong association between paediatric referral for behavioural and/or developmental problems and self-reported parental/carer mental illness highlights the intergenerational nature of health and social disadvantage.
authors.affiliation: MBBS, Paediatrician, Inala Indigenous Health Service, Queenslad Health, Inala Indigenous Health Service, Queensland Health, Brisbane, QLD.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Liddle
authors.forename: Deborah A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Askew
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Betts
authors.forename: Noel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hayman
authors.forename: Rosa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alati
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006303:Health Services, Indigenous; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents; D002666:Psychology, Child / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011793:Queensland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D057566:Self Report