The project is focused on treating children with ear infections around the southern suburbs of Perth.
A new research program, called Djaalinj Waakinj (Noongar for listening talking), aims to curb the high incidence of middle ear infections in young, urban Aboriginal children.
The project is a partnership between the Telethon Kids Institute, Dr George Sim and St John of God Murdoch Hospital. The initiative offers no-cost essential surgery to Aboriginal children suffering severe ear infections.
About the problem
Middle ear infections, also called otitis media, is a viral or bacterial infection affecting the region behind the eardrum. These infections usually affect young children, with a higher incidence among children who are exposed to cigarette smoke, go to a day care facility, or use a dummy.
While middle ear infections usually go away on their own, they sometimes require treatment. Delays in medical evaluation and treatment can result in serious complications.
“Otitis media (OM) can cause permanent hearing loss if not caught and treated early; unfortunately many children are living with undiagnosed ear infections over a long period of time. If it is not identified and treated as soon as possible, these kids face long-term issues with language, behavioural and educational development, as well as poor mental health outcomes and job prospects later in life,” Dr Brennan-Jones, Head of Ear Health at the Wesfarmers Centre of Vaccines and Infectious Diseases based at Telethon Kids Institute, told Medical Forum.
Middle ear infections in Australia are common among children, but they disproportionately affect certain groups. A recent study found that young Aboriginal children are at an increased risk of developing middle ear infections, compared to non-Aboriginal children.
“Telethon Kids Institute researchers have found close to 40 per cent of Aboriginal babies begin to develop middle ear infections between two and four months of age in a first of its kind study in metropolitan Perth. By six to eight months this increased to over 50 per cent of kids,” Dr Brennan-Jones said.
With these troubling statistics in mind, Dr Brennan-Jones’ team established the Djaalinj Waakinj program.
About the program
The Djaalinj Waakinj program was initiated by discussions with Aboriginal community members, and Aboriginal health researchers who visited 125 families in their homes, assessing ear health in babies at two, six and 12 months of age.
“This allowed us to learn more about how many children are developing ear disease and how early and often they should be checked for early signs. We were also able to identify any potential factors that could increase a child’s risk of developing OM,” Dr Brennan-Jones explained.
The program, the first of its kind in Australia, stands as a unique example of collaboration, translation of policy into practice and tangible health care benefits. Djaalinj Waakinj works in close collaboration with the Aboriginal Community Advisory Group, scientists, health services and the wider community and offers children essential surgery, normally priced at $2,500, at no cost.
The road ahead
In the future, Dr Brennan-Jones hopes to expand the Djaalinj Waakinj program, to reach out to all children in need. “The program is already expanding across the Perth metro area to take in areas beyond Cockburn and Armadale – initially to Rockingham and Midland,” Dr Brennan-Jones said.
Children who benefit from this program are likely to experience significant benefits in their health and academic life. “The first three years of your life are so critical, particularly when it comes to language development. If you can’t hear, it’s really tough at school, and it’s really hard to learn. This project is giving kids a chance to reach their full potential by identifying OM and hearing loss early and providing a pathway for prompt treatment in a culturally appropriate way,” Dr Brennan-Jones said.