The Indigenous Birthing in an Urban Setting study: the IBUS study : A prospective birth cohort study comparing different models of care for women having Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies at two major maternity hospitals in urban South East Queensland, Australia

• Published in: BMC pregnancy and childbirth 2018-11, Vol.18 (1), p.431, Article 431
• Main Authors: Hickey, Sophie, Roe, Yvette, Gao, Yu, Nelson, Carmel, Carson, Adrian, Currie, Jody, Reynolds, Maree, Wilson, Kay, Kruske, Sue, Blackman, Renee, Passey, Megan, Clifford, Anton, Tracy, Sally, West, Roianne, Williamson, Daniel, Kosiak, Machellee, Watego, Shannon, Webster, Joan, Kildea, Sue
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Australia; Cohort Studies; Cost-Benefit Analysis; Female; Health Services Accessibility - statistics & numerical data; Health Services Needs and Demand - statistics & numerical data; Health Services, Indigenous - economics; Health Services, Indigenous - statistics & numerical data; Hospitals, Maternity - statistics & numerical data; Humans; Infant; Parturition; Perinatal Care - economics; Perinatal Care - methods; Pregnancy; Prospective Studies; Queensland; Study Protocol; Urban Population
• ISSN: 1471-2393; 1471-2393
• DOI: 10.1186/s12884-018-2067-8

With persisting maternal and infant health disparities, new models of maternity care are needed to meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia. To date, there is limited evidence of successful and sustainable programs. Birthing on Country is a term used to describe an emerging evidence-based and community-led model of maternity care for Indigenous families; its impact requires evaluation. Mixed-methods prospective birth cohort study comparing different models of care for women having Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies at two major maternity hospitals in urban South East Queensland (2015-2019). Includes women's surveys (approximately 20 weeks gestation, 36 weeks gestation, two and six months postnatal) and infant assessments (six months postnatal), clinical outcomes and cost comparison, and qualitative interviews with women and staff. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, sustainability, clinical and cost-effectiveness of a Birthing on Country model of care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in an urban setting. If successful, findings will inform implementation of the model with similar communities. Australian New Zealand Clinical Trial Registry # ACTRN12618001365257 . Registered 14 August 2018 (retrospectively registered).