Stakeholder views on factors influencing the wellbeing and health sector engagement of young Asian New Zealanders
Roshini Peiris-John 1 2 , Agnes Wong 1 , Amritha Sobrun-Maharaj 1 , Shanthi Ameratunga 11 School of Population Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland
2 Correspondence to: Roshini Peiris-John Section of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Population Health, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand. Email: r.peiris-john@auckland.ac.nz
Journal of Primary Health Care 8(1) 35-43 https://doi.org/10.1071/HC15011
Published: 31 March 2016
Journal Compilation © Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners 2016.
This is an open access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: In New Zealand, while the term ‘Asians’ in popular discourse means East and South-east Asian peoples, Statistics New Zealand’s definition includes people of many nationalities from East, South and South-east Asia, all with quite different cultural norms, taboos and degrees of conservatism. In a context where ‘Asian’ youth data are typically presented in aggregate form, there are notable gaps in knowledge regarding the contextual determinants of health in this highly heterogeneous group. This qualitative study explored key stakeholder views on issues that would be most useful to explore on the health and wellbeing of Asian youth and processes that would foster engagement of Asian youth in health research.
METHODS: Interviews were conducted with six key stakeholders whose professional activities were largely focused on the wellbeing of Asian people. The general inductive approach was used to identify and analyse themes in the qualitative text data.
FINDINGS: Six broad themes were identified from the key stakeholder interviews framed as priority areas that need further exploration: cultural identity, integration and acculturation; barriers to help-seeking; aspects to consider when engaging Asian youth in research (youth voice, empowerment and participatory approach to research); parental influence and involvement in health research; confidentiality and anonymity; and capacity building and informing policy.
CONCLUSION: With stakeholders strongly advocating the engagement of Asian youth in the health research agenda this study highlights the importance of engaging youth alongside service providers to collaborate on research and co-design responsive primary health care services in a multicultural setting.
KEYWORDS: Asian youth; New Zealand; health research; minority health; Community and social participation
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