NUM3511 – Community Health Care in Nursing and Midwifery Practice

Assignment Task

Introduction

The community health needs assessment (CHNA) is an important tool used to understand the health status and social requirements of a specific population (Guzys et al., 2021). The process of conducting assessments to inform practice is an important role of the registered nurse that is central to this exercise (Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia [NMBA], 2016). This essay aims to outline the principles and processes of the assessment from the perspective of a community health nurse (CHN) working in an Aboriginal community in Derby. The CHN is imperative in the provision of primary health care using community partnership, interdisciplinary practice, health promotion and cultural safety (Yue et al., 2020). The collection and analysis of data provides an understanding of the region’s current health issues and needs (Guzys et al., 2021). Through collaboration with the community, these findings are used to form the basis for health promotion programs, resource distribution and planning to create and support a healthier community.

Demographics

The CHNA begins with research of community demographics using a range of datacollecting strategies. This can be done independently or through partnership with health professionals and community members and compared to the wider state of Western Australia (WA) (Guzys et al., 2021).

Despite being one of the larger towns in the Kimberley, Derby is considered a remote region, with a population of over 2000 (Australian Bureau of Statistics [ABS], 2020). According to the ABS (2020), the Aboriginal community makes up 49% of the population compared to only 3% in WA. The community is significantly younger than the State with almost 50% of its residents under 20 years old (Western Australian Country Health Service [WACHS], 2018). As well as experiencing many health disparities, the region is also classed 1 Downloaded by Thiri San (thirisan95@gmail.com) lOMoARcPSD|15812119 as socio-economically disadvantaged, based on education, employment, income and housing (WACHS, 2018).

Health Issues

An analysis of secondary data can identify health issues amongst the population. Diabetes and kidney failure are noteworthy issues, with almost half of hospitalisations due to renal dialysis compared to only 3% amongst non-Aboriginal residents (WACHS, 2018). The rate of avoidable deaths caused by diabetes is 5.3 times higher than State, with Aboriginal people under 40 years old four times more likely to develop diabetes (WACHS, 2018). Infectious diseases are common and account for large numbers of hospitalisation and avoidable death (WACHS, 2018). Conditions including cellulitis, ear nose and throat infections and urinary tract infections are the leading causes of hospitalisation, whilst rheumatic heart disease is amongst the leading causes of avoidable mortality (WACHS, 2018).

Social Determinants of Health

The CHN must consider the social determinants of health that effect the community so that implemented strategies can address these. These refer to a wide range of non-medical factors which effect health outcomes and equities amongst individuals and populations (World Health Organisation, 2017).

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