Strengths-Based Nursing to Combat Common Infectious Diseases in Indigenous Australians

Rajkumar Cheluvappa; Selwyn Selvendran

doi:10.3390/nursrep12010003

Strengths-Based Nursing to Combat Common Infectious Diseases in Indigenous Australians

Nurs Rep. 2022 Jan 18;12(1):22-28. doi: 10.3390/nursrep12010003.

Authors

Rajkumar Cheluvappa¹, Selwyn Selvendran²

Affiliations

¹ Nursing and Midwifery, Australian Catholic University, Watson, ACT 2602, Australia.
² Department of Surgery, St. George Hospital, Kogarah, NSW 2217, Australia.

Abstract

(1) Problem: The increasing incidence and prevalence of infectious diseases in Indigenous Australians (Aboriginal groups and Torres Strait Islanders) are concerning. Indigenous Australians experience the burden of infectious diseases disproportionately when compared to non-Indigenous Australians. (2) Aim: Our report aims to describe how to apply Strengths-Based Nursing (SBN) to ameliorate the impact of the most common infectious diseases in Indigenous Australians. Specifically, we aim to describe how nurses can use SBN to partner with Indigenous Australian communities to remediate, control, and mollify the impact of the most common infectious diseases encountered by them using their limited resources. (3) Methods: Meticulous PubMed, Google Scholar, and web searches were conducted pertaining to Strengths-Based Nursing and common infectious diseases in Indigenous Australians. (4) Findings: The two groups of infectious diseases considered are sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and infectious skin diseases (including parasitic infestations). The prevalence of these infectious diseases in Indigenous Australians is deliberated on, with data when possible, or known trends and impacts. Finally, existing, evidence-based, prudent, and possible SBN approaches are discussed towards tackling these infectious diseases judiciously with available local resources, in conjunction with the support of impacted people, their families, and their communities. (5) Discussion and Conclusion: The SBN approach is a relatively new perspective/approach to clinical and nursing care. In contradistinction to the commonly utilised medical model, SBN pits strengths against deficits, available resources against professional judgment, solutions against unavailable items, and collaborations against hierarchy. In light of the current situation/data, several SBN approaches to combat STIs and skin infections in Indigenous Australians were identified and discussed for the first time in the "Results" section of this paper.

Keywords: Aboriginal; HIV; Indigenous Australians; Strengths-Based Nursing; chlamydia; gonorrhoea; infectious disease; scabies; skin infection; skin sore; syphilis.