Addressing the podiatry needs of Pacific matua through community-based service delivery – prioritising collaborative engagement approaches
Main Article Content
Keywords
Pacific, Public health , Podiatry, community health care, engagement, co-design
Abstract
Introduction:
Pacific peoples in Aoteaoroa NZ experience poorer health and greater unmet health needs than the non-Pacific population, often due to financial or language barriers, mono-cultural assumptions, and practices of healthcare professionals. Within the plethora of health and social issues faced by Pacific matua, podiatric (foot) health is increasingly recognised as a vital component for health and wellbeing for older Pacific people. This study used a co-design approach to investigate podiatric health amongst a cohort of Pacific matua (older Pacific people) based in Auckland, NZ.
Methods:
Seventy-eight Pacific matua, recruited from amongst the four largest Pacific ethnicities in New Zealand, participated as co-researchers in the project. Talanoa and participatory action research methods were used by the team which comprised Pacific matua representatives, university-based podiatry staff and students, and academic researchers, to co-design and deliver sessions on footcare assessment and maintenance.
Results:
Overall, lower limb health was good; however, 13 Pacific matua required follow-up, for thickened toenails and other minor issues such as dry skin. Two Pacific matua were referred to their family physician for further assessment of suspected melanoma underneath the toenail.
Conclusion:
Regular podiatric assessments and maintenance sessions were highlighted as important events for Pacific matua. The fundamental requisites for effective community-academic partnerships with Pacific matua are grounded in collaborative processes, regular consultation, and sustained engagement.
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Prof. El-Shadan Tautolo, Auckland University of Technology
Dr Tautolo is Director of the Centre for Pacific Health & Development Research based at Auckland University of Technology. As part of his work within the centre he leads the Pacific Islands Families (PIF) Study, a longitudinal birth cohort study of 1,398 Pacific children, and their parents, who have been tracked and interviewed regularly since their birth in the year 2000. His research expertise primarily focusses on the health of Pacific families, including Pacific fatherhood, child development, tobacco control, and addictions research. Dr Tautolo was born in NZ, is of Samoan and Cook Islands heritage, and is married with two children.