title: 'Partnerships are crucial': an evaluation of the Aboriginal Family Birthing Program in South Australia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate implementation and outcomes of the Aboriginal Family Birthing Program (AFBP), which provides culturally competent antenatal, intrapartum and early postnatal care for Aboriginal families across South Australia (SA).
  
  
  METHODS
  Analysis of births to Aboriginal women in SA 2010-2012; interviews with health professionals and AFBP clients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Around a third of all Aboriginal women giving birth in SA 2010-2012 (n=486) attended AFBP services. AFBP women were more likely to be more socially disadvantaged, have poorer pregnancy health and to have inadequate numbers of antenatal visits than Aboriginal women attending other services. Even with greater social disadvantage and higher clinical complexity, pregnancy outcomes were similar for AFBP and other Aboriginal women. Interviews with 107 health professionals (including 20 Aboriginal Maternal and Infant Care (AMIC) workers) indicated differing levels of commitment to the model, with some lack of clarity about AMIC workers and midwives roles. Interviews with 20 AFBP clients showed they highly valued care from another Aboriginal woman.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite challenges, the AFBP reaches out to women with the greatest need, providing culturally appropriate, effective care through partnerships. Implications for Public Health: Programs like the AFBP need to be expanded and supported to improve maternal and child health outcomes for Aboriginal families.
authors.affiliation: Healthy Mothers, Babies and Children, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, South Australia.
authors.forename: Philippa
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Middleton
authors.affiliation: Innovative Community Action Networks (ICAN), Centacare Catholic Family Services, South Australia.
authors.forename: Tanya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bubner
authors.affiliation: Aboriginal Health, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, South Australia.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Glover
authors.affiliation: Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, South Australia.
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rumbold
authors.affiliation: Healthy Mothers Healthy Families Research Group, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Victoria.
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Weetra
authors.affiliation: Department for Health, Government of South Australia.
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Scheil
authors.affiliation: Healthy Mothers Healthy Families Research Group, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Victoria.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D054521:Cultural Competency; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006282:Health Personnel; D006303:Health Services, Indigenous / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008429:Maternal Welfare / Q000208:ethnology*; D008430:Maternal-Child Health Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008880:Midwifery; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D018743:Perinatal Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D024382:Professional Role; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods*; D013021:South Australia; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Aboriginal health; maternal and child health; maternity care models; program evaluation