Social and environmental factors in 10 aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory: relationship to hospital admissions of children.

Abstract

To identify social and environmental differences associated with differences in admission rates of children from 10 rural Aboriginal communities in the Northern Territory. Between March 1986 and December 1987, records of hospital admissions of the cohort of children for 1976-1985 were examined retrospectively; cross-sectional measurements of 74 historical, social and environmental characteristics of each community were collected. All 1961 children born between 1 January 1976 and 31 December 1985 and still living in the 10 communities. Scores on social and environmental factors for each community were generated by factor analysis. Generalised linear interactive modelling was used to investigate the association between these scores and admission rates. Mean admissions per child-year at risk were higher in Central Australian communities (range, 0.41-0.93) than Top End communities (0.26-0.38). Factor I accounted for 30% of the social and environmental differences between communities: communities with a high score on this factor had more houses, fewer shared toilets, more electrical appliances, better personal hygiene and a history of mission administration. High scores on this factor were predictive of lower admission rates and the factor explained most of the differences in admission rates between the Top End and Central Australian communities. Factor VI, correlated with dilapidated dwellings and fewer Aboriginal Health Workers, explained some differences in admission rates between six Top End communities. Social and environmental factors correlated with the degree of community development are associated with the health of Aboriginal children. Improved development programs should be community-controlled and evaluated to identify the social, educational, behavioural and environmental changes that are most effective in improving health.