‘The Drug Survey App’: a protocol for developing and validating an interactive population survey tool for drug use among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians
Year: 2022
Type: article
Study design: Study Protocol
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Disadvantage and transgenerational trauma contribute to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) Australians being more likely to experience adverse health consequences from alcohol and other drug use than non-Indigenous peoples. Addressing these health inequities requires local monitoring of alcohol and other drug use. While culturally appropriate methods for measuring drinking patterns among Indigenous Australians have been established, no similar methods are available for measuring other drug use patterns (amount and frequency of consumption). This paper describes a protocol for creating and validating a tablet-based survey for alcohol and other drugs ("The Drug Survey App"). METHODS: The Drug Survey App will be co-designed with stakeholders including Indigenous Australian health professionals, addiction specialists, community leaders, and researchers. The App will allow participants to describe their drug use flexibly with an interactive, visual interface. The validity of estimated consumption patterns, and risk assessments will be tested against those made in clinical interviews conducted by Indigenous Australian health professionals. We will then trial the App as a population survey tool by using the App to determine the prevalence of substance use in two Indigenous communities. DISCUSSION: The App could empower Indigenous Australian communities to conduct independent research that informs local prevention and treatment efforts.
Institutions: The University of Sydney, Sydney Local Health District, National Health and Medical Research Council, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Curtin University, National Drug Research Institute, Griffith University, The University of Queensland, Inala Community Health Centre, University of Technology Sydney, The University of Adelaide, Charles Darwin University, Menzies School of Health Research, Western Sydney University, UNSW Sydney, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Burnet Institute, La Trobe University
Language: English
Subfield: Health
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,590
Awards: A Centre for Research Excellence: Building Indigenous research capacity to find solutions to alcohol problems, Working with Indigenous services and communities to reduce the harms from alcohol, Better methods to collect self-report data on alcohol use behaviours from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, Better data on methamphetamines and other drugs among Indigenous Australians to inform policy and practice
OpenAlex ID: W4220798086