Hospitalisation rates for diseases of the digestive system are lower among Indigenous peoples compared with other Australians. However, of those who are hospitalised with a disease of the digestive system, Indigenous people are less likely to have a procedure recorded than other Australians. The aim of this study was to examine patterns of undergoing a procedure for diseases of the digestive tract once in hospital for Indigenous Australians compared with other Australians, after adjustment for a number of explanatory variables.

Authors: Dr Anthony Moore, Department of Health and Ageing (seconded to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare) Dr Hien Vu, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Dr Ana Herceg, Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service (formerly Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, Department of Health and Ageing) Dr Fadwa Al-Yaman, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare