Service Uptake Challenges Experienced by Pasifika Communities during COVID-19 Lockdowns in New Zealand
Background: New Zealand was one of the first countries to adopt an elimination strategy based on a four-tier Alert Level system that included strict lockdowns at levels three and four. The lockdowns meant shutting out external social networks and being confining to individual household ‘bubbles’ onl...
| Principais autores: | , , , , , , |
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| Formato: | Artigo |
| Idioma: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-11-01
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| coleção: | COVID |
| Assuntos: | |
| Acesso em linha: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8112/3/11/116 |
| _version_ | 1827640253948624896 |
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| author | Vili Nosa John Sluyter Atefeh Kiadarbandsari Malakai Ofanoa Maryann Heather Fuafiva Fa’alau Ravi Reddy |
| author_facet | Vili Nosa John Sluyter Atefeh Kiadarbandsari Malakai Ofanoa Maryann Heather Fuafiva Fa’alau Ravi Reddy |
| author_sort | Vili Nosa |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: New Zealand was one of the first countries to adopt an elimination strategy based on a four-tier Alert Level system that included strict lockdowns at levels three and four. The lockdowns meant shutting out external social networks and being confining to individual household ‘bubbles’ only. This presented challenges for minority Pasifika communities in New Zealand as their cultural values are based on social bonding, interconnectedness, community engagement and caring for each other. The aim of this research was to conduct a small-scale pilot study to test and refine the study design and identify the major challenges faced by Pasifika communities in relation to accessing health, social and mental services while in lockdown. Methods: This exploratory study was designed using an online anonymous questionnaire survey targeting people who identified as Pasifika. A total of eighty-seven respondents were included in our analyses following the questionnaire survey. Results: Five main barriers to accessing health, social and mental health services during lockdowns were identified; (1) unavailability of or limited services; (2) fear of contracting the virus; (3) perception of high costs associated with seeking medical assistance; (4) transportation difficulties; and (5) lack of time. Almost a quarter of the respondents reported losing their jobs, 80% indicated a decline in their household income and more than half experienced some form of psychosocial distress while in lockdown. Conclusions: The findings of this research highlight existing challenges faced by Pasifika communities in adequately accessing essential services. Future research can focus on the key barriers to access identified in this research to gain a deeper understanding of services and its interaction with Pasifika communities during lockdowns. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T16:55:19Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fded41524e844a7696f4f5ebfbc75a8a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2673-8112 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T16:55:19Z |
| publishDate | 2023-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | COVID |
| spelling | doaj.art-fded41524e844a7696f4f5ebfbc75a8a2023-11-24T14:36:34ZengMDPI AGCOVID2673-81122023-11-013111688169710.3390/covid3110116Service Uptake Challenges Experienced by Pasifika Communities during COVID-19 Lockdowns in New ZealandVili Nosa0John Sluyter1Atefeh Kiadarbandsari2Malakai Ofanoa3Maryann Heather4Fuafiva Fa’alau5Ravi Reddy6Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New ZealandFaculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New ZealandFaculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New ZealandFaculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New ZealandFaculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New ZealandFaculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New ZealandCollege of Health, Albany Campus, Massey University, Auckland 0632, New ZealandBackground: New Zealand was one of the first countries to adopt an elimination strategy based on a four-tier Alert Level system that included strict lockdowns at levels three and four. The lockdowns meant shutting out external social networks and being confining to individual household ‘bubbles’ only. This presented challenges for minority Pasifika communities in New Zealand as their cultural values are based on social bonding, interconnectedness, community engagement and caring for each other. The aim of this research was to conduct a small-scale pilot study to test and refine the study design and identify the major challenges faced by Pasifika communities in relation to accessing health, social and mental services while in lockdown. Methods: This exploratory study was designed using an online anonymous questionnaire survey targeting people who identified as Pasifika. A total of eighty-seven respondents were included in our analyses following the questionnaire survey. Results: Five main barriers to accessing health, social and mental health services during lockdowns were identified; (1) unavailability of or limited services; (2) fear of contracting the virus; (3) perception of high costs associated with seeking medical assistance; (4) transportation difficulties; and (5) lack of time. Almost a quarter of the respondents reported losing their jobs, 80% indicated a decline in their household income and more than half experienced some form of psychosocial distress while in lockdown. Conclusions: The findings of this research highlight existing challenges faced by Pasifika communities in adequately accessing essential services. Future research can focus on the key barriers to access identified in this research to gain a deeper understanding of services and its interaction with Pasifika communities during lockdowns.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8112/3/11/116Pasifika communityCOVID-19New Zealandlockdownchallengeshealth services |
| spellingShingle | Vili Nosa John Sluyter Atefeh Kiadarbandsari Malakai Ofanoa Maryann Heather Fuafiva Fa’alau Ravi Reddy Service Uptake Challenges Experienced by Pasifika Communities during COVID-19 Lockdowns in New Zealand COVID Pasifika community COVID-19 New Zealand lockdown challenges health services |
| title | Service Uptake Challenges Experienced by Pasifika Communities during COVID-19 Lockdowns in New Zealand |
| title_full | Service Uptake Challenges Experienced by Pasifika Communities during COVID-19 Lockdowns in New Zealand |
| title_fullStr | Service Uptake Challenges Experienced by Pasifika Communities during COVID-19 Lockdowns in New Zealand |
| title_full_unstemmed | Service Uptake Challenges Experienced by Pasifika Communities during COVID-19 Lockdowns in New Zealand |
| title_short | Service Uptake Challenges Experienced by Pasifika Communities during COVID-19 Lockdowns in New Zealand |
| title_sort | service uptake challenges experienced by pasifika communities during covid 19 lockdowns in new zealand |
| topic | Pasifika community COVID-19 New Zealand lockdown challenges health services |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8112/3/11/116 |
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