Objective: A cross sectional survey of the Aboriginal people living in Mandurah, Pinjarra and Waroona (South West district of Western Australia) was undertaken to determine their health status and health service utilisation patterns.
Method: The project was funded by the General Practice Research Program and conducted by the Forrest House Medical Group. The data were collected by an Aboriginal research assistant with tertiary training in public health. Demographic and health characteristics, prevalence of common acute and chronic conditions, rates of pregnancy, use of antenatal and women's health screening services, use of legal and illegal drugs, and satisfaction with local health services were estimated.
Results: A total of 57 families were interviewed, they comprised 271 adults and children. Acute and chronic health problems were common, the rate of pregnancy was high for young women, and the immunisation status was poor among children. Respondents were more likely to express satisfaction with the Aboriginal health worker and local doctor services than with the local hospital service. The local doctor's surgery was the most often used service.
Conclusion: The survey included 70% of the Peel region's Aboriginal families and is one of the few comprehensive descriptions of the health status of an urban Aboriginal group. Thus it should provide an excellent basis for the re-orientation of health services and the development of environmental and educational interventions to improve the health status of the Aboriginal people living in the Peel region. An advisory committee has been formed to take action from the findings.