Centre for Rural and Remote Area Health, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Queensland.
Health Promot J Austr. 2010 Apr;21(1):39-44. doi: 10.1071/he10039.
In Australia, asthma is more prevalent among Indigenous than non-Indigenous people. Awareness of asthma and compliance with management plans are poor, as is engagement with health services in general. The study explored whether offering culturally appropriate music lessons could enhance asthma awareness and engagement to improve asthma and general wellbeing.
Two studies undertaken in 2007 and 2009 offered music lessons to Indigenous asthmatics in a junior school and a senior school, an Aboriginal Medical Service and a community centre. Males were taught the didgeridoo and females singing and clap sticks. Associated activities of painting and boomerang throwing were offered. At regular intervals participants were assessed for their asthma status. At completion participants reported on the benefits of the study.
Excellent retention occurred in Study 1 for adolescents and junior males but was poor for junior females and adults. Contributory factors to retention were parental and school support for minors and other health factors for adults. Respiratory function improved in males and both males and females reported increased wellbeing. In Study 2 retention of all participants was excellent. In addition there was increased engagement of both participants and their families with medical services. In both studies awareness of asthma and compliance with asthma management plans increased. Social skills improved as did cultural awareness.
The offering of music lessons is a culturally appropriate and enjoyable intervention to promote asthma, general health awareness and engagement with medical services.
在澳大利亚，原住民患哮喘的比例高于非原住民。他们对哮喘的认识和对管理计划的遵守情况都很差，对一般医疗服务的参与度也很低。本研究探讨了提供文化适宜的音乐课是否可以提高对哮喘的认识和参与度，从而改善哮喘和整体健康状况。
2007 年和 2009 年进行的两项研究在一所初中和一所高中、一家原住民医疗服务机构和一个社区中心为原住民哮喘患者提供音乐课。男性学习迪吉里杜管，女性学习唱歌和拍手棒。还提供了与之相关的绘画和回旋镖投掷活动。在定期的时间间隔内，对参与者的哮喘状况进行评估。在研究结束时，参与者报告了研究的好处。
在研究 1 中，青少年和初中男性的保留率非常高，但初中女性和成年人的保留率很低。保留率高的因素包括未成年人的父母和学校的支持，以及成年人的其他健康因素。男性的呼吸功能有所改善，男性和女性都报告说他们的整体健康状况得到了改善。在研究 2 中，所有参与者的保留率都非常高。此外，参与者及其家属对医疗服务的参与度也有所增加。在这两项研究中，对哮喘的认识和对哮喘管理计划的遵守都有所提高。社交技能得到了提高，文化意识也得到了增强。
提供音乐课是一种文化适宜且有趣的干预措施，可以促进哮喘、整体健康意识以及对医疗服务的参与。
