Service Uptake Challenges Experienced by Pasifika Communities during COVID-19 Lockdowns in New Zealand

Simple item page
dc.citation.issue11
dc.citation.volume3
dc.contributor.authorNosa V
dc.contributor.authorSluyter J
dc.contributor.authorKiadarbandsari A
dc.contributor.authorMalakai O
dc.contributor.authorHeather M
dc.contributor.authorFa’alau F
dc.contributor.authorReddy R
dc.contributor.editorCampus G
dc.date.accessioned2025-07-04T02:51:25Z
dc.date.available2025-07-04T02:51:25Z
dc.date.issued2023-11-10
dc.description.abstractBackground: 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.
dc.description.confidentialfalse
dc.edition.editionNovember 2023
dc.format.pagination1688-1697
dc.identifier.citationNosa V, Sluyter J, Kiadarbandsari A, Malakai O, Heather M, Fa’alau F, Reddy R. (2023). Service Uptake Challenges Experienced by Pasifika Communities during COVID-19 Lockdowns in New Zealand. COVID. 3. 11. (pp. 1688-1697).
dc.identifier.doi10.3390/covid3110116
dc.identifier.eissn2673-8112
dc.identifier.elements-typejournal-article
dc.identifier.urihttps://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/73160
dc.languageEnglish
dc.publisherMDPI (Basel, Switzerland)
dc.publisher.urihttps://www.mdpi.com/2673-8112/3/11/116
dc.relation.isPartOfCOVID
dc.rights(c) 2023 The Author/s
dc.rightsCC BY 4.0
dc.rights.urihttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.subjectPasifika community
dc.subjectCOVID-19
dc.subjectNew Zealand
dc.subjectlockdown
dc.subjectchallenges
dc.subjecthealth services
dc.titleService Uptake Challenges Experienced by Pasifika Communities during COVID-19 Lockdowns in New Zealand
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.elements-id501365
pubs.organisational-groupOther
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
501365 PDF.pdf
Size:
611.61 KB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Published version.pdf
Download
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
license.txt
Size:
9.22 KB
Format:
Plain Text
Description:
Download
Collections
Journal Articles