Volume 59, Issue 3 pp. 194-200
Original Research

Systematic literature review to identify methods for treating and preventing bacterial skin infections in Indigenous children

Smriti Nepal

Smriti Nepal

Discipline of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia

Search for more papers by this author
Susan L Thomas

Corresponding Author

Susan L Thomas

Hunter Medical Research Institute, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia

Correspondence: Dr Susan L Thomas, Hunter New England Population Health, Locked Bag 10, Wallsend, NSW 2287, Australia. Email: [email protected]Search for more papers by this author
Richard C Franklin

Richard C Franklin

Discipline of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia

Search for more papers by this author
Kylie A Taylor

Kylie A Taylor

School of Health, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia

Search for more papers by this author
Peter D Massey

Peter D Massey

Hunter New England Population Health, Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia

College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, Australia

Search for more papers by this author
First published: 28 July 2017
Citations: 5
Smriti Nepal, MPH. Susan L Thomas, PhD. Richard C Franklin, FPHAA. Kylie A Taylor, DipPH. Peter D Massey, DrPH.
Conflict of interest: none.

Abstract

Background/Objectives

Bacterial skin infections in Indigenous children in Australia frequently lead them to access primary health care. This systematic review aims to identify and analyse available studies describing the treatment and prevention of bacterial skin infections in Indigenous children.

Methods

Electronic databases including Scopus, MEDLINE, CINAHL, ProQuest, Informit and Google Scholar were searched. Studies in English published between August 1994 and September 2016, with the subject of bacterial skin infections involving Indigenous children and conducted in Australia, New Zealand, the USA or Canada were selected.

Results

Initially 1474 articles were identified. After the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 10 articles remained. Strategies for the treatment and prevention of bacterial skin infections included the management of active infections and lesions, improving environmental and personal hygiene, the installation of swimming pools and screening and treatment.

Conclusion

There is a need for more, rigorous, large-scale studies to develop evidence for appropriate, culturally acceptable methods to prevent and manage bacterial skin infections in Indigenous children in Australia. The problem is complex with multiple determinants. Until underlying socioeconomic conditions are addressed skin infections will continue to be a burden to communities.

The full text of this article hosted at iucr.org is unavailable due to technical difficulties.