The SToP (See, Treat, Prevent) Skin Sores and Scabies Trial

The SToP Trial: A cluster randomised, stepped-wedge trial for skin disease control in remote Western Australia

Skin is important in Aboriginal culture as it is central to identity, determines kinship, connection to country and creates belonging. Maintaining healthy skin is important for maintaining overall physical and cultural health and well-being. However, environmental, social and demographic factors place Australian Aboriginal people living in remote communities at risk of skin infections including impetigo, scabies, and crusted scabies and their sequelae. These skin infections have a high burden and contribute to sustaining the health disparities experienced by Australian Aboriginal people.Skin health has been identified as one of the health priorities by communities and health services in the Kimberley. A number of healthy skin activities and guidelines are currently underway. The SToP trial study aims to strengthen and build on these current skin health practices to improve the awareness, detection, and treatment of skin infections (sores and scabies) in the Kimberley. The study has been designed in partnership with Kimberley investigators.

The SToP trial study will implement several activities aimed at Seeing (S), Treating (T) and Preventing (P) skin infections (sores and scabies):

• Seeing: Provide health worker training to improve detection and treatment of skin infections, and introduce school-based screening surveillance activities to check kids’ skin for infections, and refer them to their local clinic if they need treatment.
• Treating: At the local community clinic, provide streamlined evidence based treatment medications for skin infections that are safe, effective, less invasive and easier for people to manage.
• Preventing: Work with local communities and health services to strengthen culturally appropriate skin related health promotion and environmental health activities.

Our people

Investigators: Asha Bowen, Cheryl Bridge, Clancy Read, David Hendrickx, Frieda McLoughlin , Glenn Pearson, Janine McNamara, Jessica Knight, John Jacky, Jonathan Carapetis, Juli Coffin, Julie Marsh, Katherine Middleton, Kristen White, Lucy Davidson, Marianne Mullane, Mark Jones, Natasha Maginnis, Phillipa May, Rachel Donovan, Rebecca Pavlos, Rebekah Newton, Roz Walker, Slade Sibasado, Tim Barnett, Tom Snelling, Tracy McRae

External collaborators: Andrew Steer (Menzies School of Health Research), Steven Tong (Menzies School of Health Research), David Atkinson (Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Council), Bec Smith (WA Department of Health Country Health Service), Vicki O'Donnell (Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services (KAMS)), Raymond Christophers (Nirrumbuk Aboriginal Corporation), Edith Wright (WA Department of Education)

Project partners: Department of Education WA, Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Ltd (KAMS), Nirrumbuk Environment Health and Services, Western Australia Country Health Service - Kimberley