Browsing by Author "Nosa V"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    Attitudes to noise and behaviour towards hearing protection among Pasifika university students in New Zealand
    (Taylor and Francis Group on behalf of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 2021-01-17) Reddy R; Nosa V; Mafi I; Welch D; Gaffney JS
    It is estimated that 1.1 billion young people worldwide are at risk of hearing loss due to high levels of noise exposure. Hearing loss can contribute to low self-esteem, poor employment prospects and social problems. The aim of this research was to explore the attitudes and beliefs towards noise, hearing loss and hearing protection among Pasifika university students in New Zealand. 96 Pasifika students completed the Youth Attitude to Noise Scale (YANS) and Beliefs About Hearing Protection and Hearing Loss (BAHPHL) questionnaire electronically using a Qualtrics survey. The findings show that the study sample had higher mean scores in the BAHPHL scales related to susceptibility to hearing loss, severity of hearing loss, and benefits of preventive action compared to findings of similar international research. This implies that Pasifika participants had more positive beliefs than their international peers on some factors. Despite their greater awareness, the Pasifika sample had similarly poor attitudes related to minimising loud sounds in the daily environment, perceived barriers towards prevention, behavioural intention and social norms towards hearing conservation. This study provides a good foundation to develop a culturally appropriate hearing conservation intervention aimed at improving hearing-health outcomes among young Pasifika people.
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    Priority Health Needs and Challenges in New Zealand Pacific Communities-A Qualitative Analysis of Healthcare Delivery during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
    (MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2023-08-09) Reddy R; Sluyter J; Kiadarbandsari A; Ofanoa M; Heather M; Fa'alau F; Nosa V; Younis MZ
    BACKGROUND: The Pacific community in New Zealand experienced an increased risk of COVID-19 transmission due to delayed contact tracing, along with a disproportionate prevalence of health challenges. The community is representative of a diverse population who proudly identify with the vibrant Pacific Island nations of Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands, Niue, Fiji, etc. Pacific communities in New Zealand face a higher burden of health challenges compared to other groups. These challenges include obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, mental health disorders, respiratory issues, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, disabilities, and chronic conditions. Concerns were raised regarding the oversight of Pacific community views in the initial pandemic response planning. Pacific healthcare professionals expressed concerns about inadequate state support and the need for active involvement in decision making. METHODS: This article reports thematic analyses of text data gained from open-ended questions from a purposive anonymous online survey completed by Pacific healthcare professionals in New Zealand. RESULTS: The participants shared their experiences and opinions, which generated four major themes highlighting priority health needs and challenges. These themes included the necessity for a culturally appropriate healthcare plan, adequate resourcing, addressing discrimination, and emphasising a united and collaborative effort for consistency. The research's limitation is the narrow scope of open-ended questions in the questionnaire survey. However, conducting semi-structured face-to-face interviews can provide more in-depth data and offer further insights beyond the four broad themes identified in the analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The findings can inform the development of future research to provide more in-depth data and offer further insights beyond the four broad themes identified in the analysis. This will help develop future tailored healthcare delivery plans that address specific Pacific community needs.
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    Service Uptake Challenges Experienced by Pasifika Communities during COVID-19 Lockdowns in New Zealand
    (MDPI (Basel, Switzerland), 2023-11-10) Nosa V; Sluyter J; Kiadarbandsari A; Malakai O; Heather M; Fa’alau F; Reddy R; Campus G
    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.
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    Vaping cessation strategies and triggers for relapse amongst people from New Zealand who have vaped
    (John Wiley and Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Australasian Professional Society on Alcohol and other Drugs, 2025-06-11) Rahimi M; Lang B; Shahab L; Brown J; Palmer A; Kemper J; Bullen C; Laking G; Nosa V; Parag V; Walker N
    Introduction: In New Zealand (NZ) vapes (e-cigarettes) are a government-endorsed strategy to help people stop smoking, as well as being used recreationally by people who have never smoked. Nicotine vapes are addictive and many users want to quit. We surveyed current and past users of nicotine vapes to gather insights about their vaping cessation reasons and strategies. Methods: In December 2022, we undertook a web-based survey in NZ using market research survey panels. Eligible panellists were aged ≥16 years, did not currently smoke and had vaped nicotine. Questions focused on demographics, smoking and vaping status, vaping dependence, strategies used to quit vaping, and triggers for vaping relapse. Results: One thousand one hundred nineteen participants completed the survey: 144 had never smoked; 975 used to smoke, 401 currently vaped nicotine, and 718 used to vape nicotine. Participants were predominantly aged ≥25 years (89%); 63% were female, and 21% were Indigenous Māori and/or Pacific. Predictors of vaping dependence were having smoked or vaped for ≥2 years and vaping >3% nicotine. Reasons for trying to quit vaping included health concerns, disliking feeling dependent, and cost. Quitting strategies included stopping abruptly, nicotine tapering and family/friend support. Triggers for relapse were stress, being around others who vaped and nicotine withdrawal. Discussion and Conclusion: In NZ reasons to quit and triggers to return to vaping are similar to quitting smoking. Until more research is available, it seems appropriate to support people who wish to stop vaping with similar strategies used to support people to quit smoking.