'Mob want to see mob': Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young peoples' perspective on accessing primary health care services in urban southeast Queensland

Stephen Harfield; Judith A Dean; Peter Azzopardi; Gita D Mishra; James Ward

doi:10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100273

'Mob want to see mob': Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young peoples' perspective on accessing primary health care services in urban southeast Queensland

Aust N Z J Public Health. 2025 Dec;49(6):100273. doi: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100273. Epub 2025 Oct 21.

Authors

Stephen Harfield¹, Judith A Dean², Peter Azzopardi³, Gita D Mishra⁴, James Ward⁵

Affiliations

¹ Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; Aboriginal Health Equity, South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, Australia; School of Public Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; Adolescent Health and Wellbeing team, The Kids Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia. Electronic address: s.harfield@uq.edu.au.
² Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; School of Public Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
³ Adolescent Health and Wellbeing team, The Kids Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia; Global Adolescent Health Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.
⁴ School of Public Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
⁵ Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.

PMID: 41125515
DOI: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2025.100273

Abstract

Objective: This study examines the enablers and barriers to accessing primary health care services from the perspective of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15-24 years in urban southeast Queensland.

Methods: Thirty-five Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 15-24 years were recruited using multiple methods and participated in research yarns and yarning groups. Inductive thematic analysis was used.

Results: Enablers and barriers were identified across four strength-based themes that align with three levels of a modified social ecological model; individual: (i) health literacy is important for how young people access, understand and use primary health care services; family and community: (ii) family and friends play a key role in offering support and information related to healthcare, as well as assisting young people to access healthcare services; and systems and organisation: (iii) primary health care services that are accessible, equitable, holistic and culturally safe engage young people and (iv) health care providers can make all the difference in young people's healthcare experience.

Conclusion: Young people's perspectives on healthcare are distinct and multilayered; however, leveraging these perspectives will help improve both access and utilisation of primary health care for this population.

Implications for public health: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people's perspectives can assist healthcare planning, governance, and clinical care pathways.

Keywords: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander; adolescents; barriers; enablers; primary health care; young people.

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
Female
Health Literacy
Health Services Accessibility*
Health Services, Indigenous* / organization & administration
Humans
Male
Primary Health Care*
Qualitative Research
Queensland
Urban Population
Young Adult