'They have a really good way of getting it to the kids': evaluation of a child injury prevention programme in Walgett, New South Wales.

Abstract

Background: Aboriginal community-led programmes are likely to be most effective in prevention of injury, but more evaluation is needed. This article examined participating family and community stakeholder views of the Child Injury Prevention Partnership (CHIPP) programme delivered within an existing playgroup at the Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service.

Methods: This codesigned, mixed-methods evaluation adopted a decolonising Indigenous methodological approach. Aboriginal staff members provided weekly reflections on implementation, and family participation data were documented. Parents/carers provided regular feedback and, along with community stakeholders, participated in postprogramme research yarning.

Results: During 2021, playgroup sessions were facilitated by locally trained Aboriginal early childhood staff, who offered 2 hourly sessions twice a week. CHIPP implemented safety education for both adults and children through safety yarns and resources to take home focused on water, home and road safety. Parent/carer and stakeholder research yarns revealed six themes: CHIPP was feasible and culturally acceptable for families; Playgroup enabled supportive, holistic delivery of safety messages to adults and children; CHIPP provided information and resources to equip parents and carers to help teach safety at home; Approach to teaching infants and preschoolers safety was based on building confidence through fun, engaging, age-appropriate activities; Programme topics and content were relevant for families and COVID-19 impacted programme delivery but pivoted temporarily to remote delivery.

Conclusions: The CHIPP programme was feasible, accessible, acceptable and demonstrated initial beneficial impact, despite implementation challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering suggestions to inform other child injury prevention programmes in Aboriginal community-controlled settings.