Peer-reviewed article
Using Aboriginal participatory action research within a mixed methods study exploring COVID-19 vaccination uptake in Aboriginal women: a methodological framework for co-design.
Eades AM, Guima Chinen T, Walton-Blane A, Razak E, Buckley A et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study explored COVID-19 vaccination uptake among Aboriginal women of childbearing age in Western Australia using participatory action research methods. Researchers surveyed 110 women and conducted 5 community discussion circles (Yarning Circles) to understand factors affecting vaccination decisions. The study found that safety, trust, and cultural legitimacy were key to vaccination uptake, though vaccination rates declined after vaccine mandates ended. The research demonstrates how Indigenous-led, co-designed approaches can build trust between communities and health researchers to improve health outcomes.
Key points
- Aboriginal women reported safety and trust as key factors influencing vaccination decision making
- Vaccine uptake increased during the mandate period but declined after the mandate ended
- Participants reported ongoing challenges with lack of engagement and access to health information and services following the COVID-19 pandemic
- The study emphasizes the importance of cultural legitimacy in research and sustained partnerships between Indigenous communities and health researchers
- The research used an explanatory sequential mixed methods design combining Western quantitative surveys with Indigenous qualitative methodologies (Yarning Circles)
Limitations
The study focuses specifically on one region of Western Australia and may not represent vaccination experiences across all Aboriginal communities. The framework is methodological rather than providing comprehensive outcome data on vaccination rates or long-term health impacts.
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic evidenced the critical role of vaccination in reducing the severity of illness and the risk of infection. Despite the policies and efforts of governments to increase vaccination uptake, COVID-19 immunization among Australian Aboriginal pregnant women is lower compared to vaccine uptake of non-Indigenous pregnant women. To date, there have been no national Aboriginal Participatory Action Research (APAR) co-designed Aboriginal-led studies exploring the factors influencing uptake of COVID-19 vaccination in Aboriginal women of childbearing age. This Aboriginal-led research was conducted with Aboriginal women of childbearing age and non-Aboriginal mothers of Aboriginal children in the Great Southern region of Western Australia (WA). The study aimed to explore the factors influencing COVID-19 vaccine knowledge, confidence, and uptake and was conducted in consultation with Aboriginal Elders and health service partners in the region. This research employed an explanatory sequential mixed methods design, with co-design principles embedded at every stage of the study. Using Western quantitative methods and Indigenous qualitative methodologies, the research completed 110 surveys and conducted 5 Yarning Circles. Participants reported safety and trust as key factors influencing vaccination decision making. Although the vaccine mandate increased vaccine uptake, the study found a decline in vaccination following the end of the mandate. Participants also reported ongoing challenges following the COVID-19 pandemic as lack of engagement and access to health information and services. The findings underscore the importance of cultural legitimacy in research and the need for sustained partnerships between Indigenous communities and health researchers to foster trust and promote health equity. This paper outlines the methodological framework implemented in the Ngarngk Koolangka Moorditj Yarning Project (NKMY) conducted in Australia (2022-2024).