Pacific Fono: a community-based initiative to improve rheumatic fever service delivery for Pacific Peoples in South Auckland
The National Hauora Coalition;1 , Anneka Anderson 1 2 , Rachel Brown 1 , Jadene Wheeler 1 , Rawiri McKree Jansen 11 PO Box 104221, Lincoln North, Auckland 0654, New Zealand
2 Corresponding author: Anneka Anderson. Email: AnnekaA@nhc.maori.nz
Journal of Primary Health Care 12(4) 384-390 https://doi.org/10.1071/HC20022
Published: 11 December 2020
Journal Compilation © Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners 2020 This is an open access article licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT: Rheumatic fever inequitably affects Māori and Pacific children in New Zealand. School-based throat swabbing services, such as the South Auckland Mana Kidz programme, are a key element of rheumatic fever prevention interventions.
ASSESSMENT OF THE PROBLEM: Counties Manukau has the highest national rates of rheumatic fever (4.7 per 100,000 for first recorded rates). Given these disparities, Mana Kidz undertook an exploratory, community-based initiative to improve its service delivery for Pacific Peoples.
RESULTS: Mana Kidz held a Pacific Leaders’ Fono (meeting) to discuss initiatives to improve rheumatic fever outcomes in South Auckland focused around challenges and solutions for addressing rheumatic fever, effective engagement strategies and leadership qualities needed to drive initiatives. Oral and written responses from 66 attendees were collected and thematically analysed. Four key themes were identified around challenges and solutions for rheumatic fever: social determinants of health; cultural responsiveness; health system challenges; and education, promotion and literacy. Three effective engagement strategies were identified: by Pacific for Pacific; developing a rheumatic fever campaign; improving health services. Three key leadership attributes were identified: culturally responsive leaders; having specific expertise and skills; youth-driven leadership.
STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVEMENT: Mana Kidz has now created Pacific leadership roles in rheumatic fever governance groups, promotes Pacific workforce development and endorses Pacific-led initiatives and partnerships.
LESSONS: Recognising the value of critical reflection and the importance of good governance and collaborative, right-based partnerships in health services.
KEYwords: Community health; Pacific health; rheumatic fever; school health; Treaty of Waitangi
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