Climate-fuelled disasters and perinatal health: the catch 22 when undertaking research within an under-resourced health sector.

Abstract

Background: Climate-fuelled disasters are increasing in frequency and duration, with impacts known to disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, such as perinatal women and young families. Local healthcare workforce engagement into planning responses is required to ensure improved healthcare for these populations. One important component of perinatal care in Australia occurs through the maternal and child health nurses (MCHN). Attempted research engagement with the maternal child health nurse sector regarding the impact of disasters on the care of perinatal women during times of disaster has encountered structural barriers.

Aim: To understand the structural barriers that impact the research engagement of rural MCHN particularly during times of disasters.

Methods: A facilitated focus group with semi-structured questions was conducted with five participant-researchers. The focus group discussion underwent reflexive thematic analysis.

Results: Identified themes were Rationale for Research into Care of Families in the Perinatal Period, Perinatal Health and Service Provision and The Overlay of Disasters. An overarching fourth theme Implications for future Research identified elements that may improve the research engagement of primary healthcare staff, including MCHN.

Conclusion: There is a need to overcome structural challenges to MCHN engagement in meaningful research around the impacts of multiple disasters. Appropriate research design, including utilising co-design, adequate resourcing, and planned and considered participant communication may help to improve participant engagement for this important research. With improved sector engagement, the ongoing care of perinatal women in the current environment of multiple and compounding climate-fuelled disasters will be improved.