Obstructive sleep apnea diagnosis and management in First Nations communities: protocol for the Let's Yarn About...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Indigenous Health
• Sleep Medicine

Background:

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a prevalent but under-recognized condition among First Nations Australians.
• There is a community-driven need for local capacity building to address sleep health inequities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the protocol for the Let's Yarn About Sleep-OSA (LYAS-OSA) program.
• To co-design, implement, and evaluate a culturally responsive, place-based model for OSA diagnosis and management.
• To improve sleep health equity for First Nations peoples in Queensland.

Main Methods:

• A 4-year program (2023-2027) involving 12 Queensland communities.
• Stage one includes data analytics on OSA phenotypes and co-design workshops with consumers and healthcare professionals.
• Stage two focuses on capacity building for nurses and Aboriginal Health Workers, followed by service model implementation and evaluation.

Main Results:

• The program will generate a co-designed, culturally responsive service delivery model for OSA care.
• Advanced data analytics will identify OSA phenotypes and symptomatology in First Nations communities.
• Capacity building will enhance local expertise in OSA diagnosis and management.

Conclusions:

• The community-led LYAS-OSA program will advance knowledge in culturally responsive OSA diagnosis and management.
• The program outputs will contribute to the evidence base for improved OSA care.
• This initiative aims to significantly improve sleep health equity for First Nations Australians.