Table 4 Undergraduate midwifery student responses to statements about Aboriginal-related issues (adapted from Paul, Carr and Milroy [10])
Social priority statements | Undergrad responses % N = 40 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Agree | Disagree | Neither | |
The state of Aboriginal health is a social priority. | 97.5 | 2.5 | 0 |
Trust is a key for culturally secure health care. | 95.0 | 2.5 | 2.5 |
Feeling intimidated is a barrier to culturally secure health care. | 95.0 | 2.5 | 2.5 |
Health service delivery statements | |||
The Western medical model suits the health needs of Aboriginal peoples. | 7.5 | 82.5 | 10.0 |
The state of Aboriginal health is mainly due to a lack of funding for health services. | 22.5 | 52.5 | 5.0 |
Aboriginal people have the same level of access to health services as all other Australians. | 20.0 | 67.5 | 12.5 |
Community control in Aboriginal health care services is fundamental to the improvement of health for Aboriginal people. | 75.0 | 7.5 | 17.5 |
Aboriginal people should take more individual responsibility for improving their own health. | 80.0 | 2.5 | 17.5 |
Preparedness and ability statements | |||
I think it will be difficult to get Aboriginal women to adhere to advice from health professionals. | 62.5 | 10.0 | 27.5 |
I think I have the ability to communicate with Aboriginal women by myself. | 62.5 | 10.0 | 27.5 |
I need to think beyond the individual when considering Aboriginal health issues. | 92.5 | 0 | 7.5 |
The information I learned in the Indigenous Cultures and Health unit changed my views on Aboriginal issues. | 65.0 | 12.5 | 22.5 |
It is important that a unit on Indigenous Cultures and Health is compulsory in all health science courses. | 90.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
Future commitment statements | |||
I will work for improvements in Aboriginal health as a personal priority in my health practice. | 70.0 | 5.0 | 25.0 |
I have a social responsibility to work for changes in Aboriginal health. | 80.0 | 5.0 | 15.0 |