Pacific Island Countries Research Articles

Making it real: Actioning the mental health strategy with Pacific Island communities.

This paper explores the practical implications of the World Health Organization strategy of focussing on community-based mental health and wellbeing ecosystems in the context of the Pacific Island Countries. It draws on the expertise of the participants of a collaborative workshop held during the Creating Futures conference in 2023 to discuss successes, challenges, barriers, opportunities in the implementation of the framework and to examine potential future actions. Some of the significant factors that make for effective and sustained community-based mental health systems include appropriate central coordination and oversight of community-based services, adequate frameworks for quality assurance, meaningful data collection and sustained long-term funding, as well as a range of workforce factors. Flexible and place-based approaches also need to be considered in effective implementation, moving away from Western diagnostic 'labels' to communication that is effective at the local level. Positive community resources as well as the relative youth of the mental health sector in the Pacific Island Nations are huge opportunities to develop affective and appropriate community mental health systems.

How physical activity opportunities seized by adolescents differ between Europe and the Pacific Islands: the example of France and New Caledonia

Background France (FR) and New Caledonia (NC) are both French territories, one in Western Europe, the other as part of the Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs). Despite schooling in similar educational systems, FR and NC adolescents develop distinct relationships with physical activity, which is influenced by the geographical-cultural and symbolic structures of their respective societies. This study explored the distribution of physical activity according to geographical culture and opportunity-temporal dimensions. Methods Participants were randomly selected, with individual (boys vs. girls), spatial (rural vs. urban), and geographical (FR vs. NC) stratifications. Accelerometers GT3X (ActiGraphTM, Pensacola FL, USA) and daily logbooks were used to measure the physical activity intensity and opportunities during the week. Results A total of 156 participants were included in this study. A significant effect was found in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) intensity with the geographical-cultural dimension; participants living in FR were more likely to engage in MVPA, especially in five opportunities: school, supervised leisure, home, school breaks, and transport. For both FR and NC adolescents, physical education lessons had the highest MVPA. Conclusion This study showed that MVPA differed in the same national educational system according to geographical culture. Physical education lessons could catch the challenge of an “opportunity education” (opportunities are defined as temporal invitations to engage in PA) by opening the door to two particular opportunities: supervised leisure and active transport.

Applications of dry chain technology to maintain high seed viability in tropical climates.

Seed storage life in tropical areas is shortened by high humidity and temperature and the general inaccessibility to dehumidifying and refrigeration systems, resulting in rapid decreases in seed viability in storage as well as a high incidence of fungal and insect infestations. The dry chain, based on rapid and deep drying of seeds after harvest followed by packaging in moisture-proof containers, has been proposed as an effective method to maintain seed quality during medium-term storage in humid climates, even without refrigeration. In addition, seed drying with zeolite drying beads can be more effective and economical than sun or heated-air drying under these warm, humid conditions. In this paper, we review recent published literature regarding the dry chain, considering different crop species, storage environments and seed traits. In addition, we provide new original data on the application of dry chain methods and their implementation at larger scales in South Asia, Latin America and Pacific Island Countries. The clear conclusion is that the combination of reusable drying beads and waterproof storage containers enables the implementation of the dry chain in tropical climates, enhancing seed viability and quality in storage of many crop species. The dry chain approach can therefore significantly enhance seed security for farmers in many tropical countries. Finally, we propose actions and strategies that could guide further scaling-up implementation of this technology.

Advancing local government in Pacific Island Countries: a practitioner reflects

Advancing local government in Pacific Island Countries: a practitioner reflects

Climate change undermines seafood micronutrient supply from wild-capture fisheries in Southeast Asia and Pacific Island countries

Marine ecosystem functions are affected by climate change impacts such as ocean warming, deoxygenation and acidification. These impacts drive changes in distributions and body size of fish species and directly affect fisheries. Wild-capture fisheries are crucial for providing nutrients, livelihoods, and employment in tropical Southeast Asia and Pacific Island countries, where coastal communities are highly vulnerable to climate change. We examined the impacts of climate change on fish stocks and nutrient availability of seven key micronutrients (calcium, Omega-3 fatty acids, iodine, iron, vitamin A, vitamin B12 and zinc) in Southeast Asia, Pacific Islands, and Oceania (Australia and New Zealand). We combined micronutrient demands by local human populations with Sea Around Us reconstructed catch time series and catch projections from a dynamic bioclimate envelope model for the 21st century. The model predicted a decline in the Maximum Catch Potential (MCP) within Exclusive Economic Zones for Oceania, Pacific Islands, and Southeast Asian countries. Under the ‘strong mitigation’ scenario, catch potential reductions ranged from a decline of 54–66 % in Oceania, 58–92 % in Pacific Islands, and 65–86 % in Southeast Asia by the mid to the end of the 21st century relative to the historical period, respectively. Under the ‘no-mitigation’ climate scenario, reductions were more severe, with a decline of 55–70 % in Oceania, 66–92 % in Pacific Islands, and 70–86 % in Southeast Asia for the same time periods. Our findings indicate that Australia and New Zealand are unlikely to meet the recommended nutrient intake demand for most micronutrients through their fisheries (not considering trade or aquaculture production), except for iodine and vitamin B12. Pacific Island countries will likely follow the same pattern while Southeast Asia is expected to face worsening deficits, except for iodine and vitamin B12. This study highlights the importance of incorporating nutritional considerations of seafood into national food, trade and economic policies.

Baseline evaluation of the World Health Organization (WHO) infection prevention and control (IPC) core components in Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs)

BackgroundComprehensive infection prevention and control (IPC) programmes are proven to reduce the spread of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR). However, published assessments of IPC programmes against the World Health Organization (WHO) IPC Core Components in Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs) at the national and acute healthcare facility level are currently unavailable.MethodsFrom January 2022 to April 2023, a multi-country, cross-sectional study was conducted in PICTs. The self reporting survey was based on the WHO Infection Prevention Assessment Framework (IPCAF) that supports implementing the minimum requirements of the WHO eight core components of IPC programmes at both the national and facility level. The results were presented as a ‘traffic light’ (present, in progress, not present) matrix. Each PICT’s overall status in achieving IPC core components was summarised using descriptive statistics.ResultsFifteen PICTs participated in this study. Ten (67%) PICTs had national IPC programmes, supported mainly by IPC focal points (87%, n = 13), updated national IPC guidelines (80%, n = 12), IPC monitoring and feedback mechanisms (80%, n = 12), and waste management plans (87%, n = 13). Significant gaps were identified in education and training (20%, n = 3). Despite being a defined component in 67% (n = 10) of national IPC programmes, HAI surveillance and monitoring was the lowest scoring core component (13%, n = 2). National and facility level IPC guidelines had been adapted and implemented in 67% (n = 10) PICTs; however, only 40% (n = 6) of PICTs had a dedicated IPC budget, 40% (n = 6) had multimodal strategies for IPC, and 33% (n = 5) had daily environmental cleaning records.ConclusionsIdentifying IPC strengths, gaps, and challenges across PICTs will inform future IPC programme priorities and contribute to regional efforts in strengthening IPC capacity. This will promote global public health through the prevention of HAIs and AMR.

Genomic identification of Oryctes rhinoceros nudivirus isolates, a biocontrol agent for coconut rhinoceros beetle

The coconut rhinoceros beetle (Oryctes rhinoceros, CRB) is a serious pest of coconut and oil palms. It is native to South and Southeast Asia and was inadvertently introduced to Samoa in 1909. It has invaded many other Pacific countries throughout the last century. Oryctes rhinoceros nudivirus (OrNV), a natural pathogen of CRB in its native range, was successfully introduced as a classical biocontrol agent and has effectively suppressed invasive CRB populations for decades. However, resurgence of CRB has been recorded, with new invasions detected in several Pacific Island Countries and Territories. Additionally, new populations of CRB are emerging in some invaded areas that have a degree of resistance to the virus isolates commonly released for CRB biocontrol. Here, we designed a fast and reliable tool for distinguishing between different OrNV isolates that can help with the selection process to identify effective isolates for management of new CRB invasions. A comparison of 13 gene/gene region sequences within the OrNV genome of 16 OrNV isolates from native and invaded ranges allowed us to identify unique Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs). With these SNPs, we developed an assay using multiplex PCR-amplicon-based nanopore sequencing to distinguish between OrNV isolates. We found that as few as four gene fragments were sufficient to identify 15 out of 20 OrNV isolates. This method can be used as a tool to monitor the establishment and distribution of OrNV isolates selected for release as biocontrol agents in CRB-infected areas.

A call for multi-agency collaboration in the Pacific Island countries' mental health - The World Federation for Mental Health viewpoint.

To introduce the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) viewpoint on the Pacific Island countries' mental health capacity building. Multi-agency collaboration guided by a nuanced understanding of the local context can enable a public health model of mental health service delivery in the Pacific Island countries.

“We cannot escape this”: discussing leverage points for sustainability across scales with the example of Ouvéa, Kanaky New Caledonia

Despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions, Pacific Island Countries and Territories often shoulder an unequal burden of climate risks. To analyse pathways to sustainability, we conducted a leverage points analysis on the complex sustainability challenges facing the low-lying atoll Ouvéa in Kanaky New Caledonia (France). Leverage points are places within complex systems where interventions can lead to transformative change. Combining a literature review and qualitative interviews with regional, government, provincial, and local stakeholders, we contextualised eight leverage points: (1) expanding and improving coastal protection, (2) strengthening or creating monetary incentives, funding possibilities or forms of compensation to alleviate costs of climate change adaptation and sustainability measures, (3) conducting more research and monitoring, (4) strengthening environmental regulation and restrictions, (5) empowerment of women, youth, and local communities and increasing awareness of power imbalances to strengthen gender equity and social inclusion, (6) establishing new conservation management measures and improving existing ones, (7) increasing institutionalisation of environmental and climate change education, and (8) involving diverse knowledge systems and practices in research and management to strengthen participatory, transdisciplinary, and community-based initiatives. Our results emphasise the importance of acknowledging responsibilities across multiple scales, showing the non-transferability of some interventions due to perceived high costs and incompatibility with local culture. Illustrating dimensions of ocean equity in the context of Ouvéa, we discuss the importance of local values and knowledge systems to ensure fair distribution of costs and benefits in sustainability interventions.

A systematic survey of environmental DNA in Palau's lakes and waterfalls reveals an increase in Leptospira levels after flooding

ObjectiveLeptospirosis is an important bacterial zoonosis which is widespread in tropical and subtropical islands and influences human and animal health which has secondary economic effects. Although leptospirosis is endemic in Palau, an Oceanian Pacific Island country, few systematic surveys of potential risk factors for Leptospira infection, such as weather and host animals, have been conducted in the natural environment. We used environmental DNA metabarcoding to assess the distribution, species diversity, and abundance of pathogenic Leptospira in this endemic region to investigate the potential environmental risks. MethodsForty-two paired water samples, representing fine and rainy weather conditions, were collected from four representative waterfalls and lakes on Babeldaob Island, the largest island in Palau. High-throughput sequencing analysis was conducted for polymerase chain reaction products of leptospiral 16S rRNA and vertebrate animal mitochondrial 12S rRNA genes. ResultsWe revealed greater Leptospira diversity and abundance in samples collected after continuous rain, particularly in the presence of flooding, compared with samples collected under typhoon, monsoon, or fine weather conditions. From same samples, six mammalian species including cats (Felis catus), mice (Mus musculus), Yap flying fox (Pteropus yapensis), rats (Rattus spp.), and pigs (Sus scrofa) were repeatedly detected. These may be candidates of host animals of Leptospira in Palau; however, their detection was not clearly correlated with that of Leptospira. ConclusionWe repeatedly detected several species of pathogenic Leptospira from water samples of a wide region of Babeldaob Island. We confirmed that Leptospira contamination in freshwater environments increased under rainy conditions, particularly in the presence of flooding. This information could be used to improve public health control measures in this region.

Australian journalism and challenges of climate change reporting: Lessons for journalists and academics

A steadily increasing body of scholarship on Australian media coverage of climate change in Pacific Island countries has emerged over the past two decades. Often critical of journalists and media organizations, this body of research still offers much to learn about Australian journalism and coverage of climate change and its impact on Pacific Island countries. Also significant, are lessons that can be learned about the state of research on this subject. The article draws out common themes in the discussion and raises questions about the ways in which journalists and media organizations are framed in scholarship relating to climate change. Through a review of published literature and media content analysis, lessons for journalists, media organizations and academics are outlined. The article contends that there is need for more research on Australian media reporting on climate change in Pacific Island countries. The authors note that there is room for positivity about the future of Australian reporting on climate change in the region.

The Police Practice of Resolving Domestic Violence in Fiji

Using the plural policing and Global South policing frameworks, this article examines police officers' actions when handling domestic violence (DV) cases in Fiji. Drawing on an empirical survey of 365 police officers, it discusses what police do when dealing with DV reports. The findings show, firstly, that the majority of police officers are aware of the zero-tolerance policy for DV. Secondly, the majority of police officers assert they do not implement the zero-tolerance policy when handling DV cases. Thirdly, police officers take DV cases seriously. Fourthly, officers say they encourage people to use traditional customary and religious ways of settling cases and proceed with further investigation and possible prosecution only if the victim insists. Theoretically, the findings show that police practise a plural policing method of resolving DV. The article empirically and theoretically contributes to the literature on plural policing of DV in Pacific Island countries.

Simulation-based education in the Pacific Islands: educational experience, access, and perspectives of healthcare workers.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends simulation-based education (SBE) to acquire skills and accelerate learning. Literature focusing on SBE in the Pacific Islands is limited. The aim of this study was to determine Pacific Island healthcare workers' experiences, perspectives, and access to SBE. This was a cross-sectional survey of Pacific Island healthcare workers. We designed an online questionnaire based on existing literature and expert consultation. The questionnaire included Likert scales, multiple-choice, multi-select and open-ended questions. Participants were healthcare workers recruited from professional networks across the region. Descriptive statistics and relative frequencies summarized data, and comparative testing included unpaired t-tests, Mann-Whitney U, Chi-squared and Fisher's exact tests. Free-text responses were presented to illustrate findings. Responses from 56 clinicians working in 11 Pacific Island countries were included. Fifty were medical doctors (89%), including 31 (55%) surgeons. Participants reported experience with scenario-based simulation (73%), mannequins (71%), and simulated patients (61%). Discrepancies were identified between previous simulation experience and current access for simulated patients (P = 0.002) and animal-based part-task trainers (P = 0.002). SBE was seen as beneficial for procedural skills, communication, decision-making and teamwork. Interest in further SBE was reported by most participants (96%). Barriers included equipment access (59%), clinical workload (45%) and COVID-19 restrictions (45%). Some Pacific Island healthcare workers have experience with SBE, but their ongoing access is predominantly limited to low-technology modalities. Despite challenges, there is interest in SBE initiatives. These findings may inform planning for SBE in the Pacific Islands and may be considered prior to programme implementation.

A qualitative exploration of food choice motives of urban indigenous food gatekeepers in Fiji: Implications for the use of the food choice questionnaire

Pacific Island Countries (PICs) have exceptionally high rates of obesity and non-communicable diseases. The causes are complex but one prominent factor is the notable shift from traditional plant and seafood diets to diets high in unhealthy processed foods. Literature is sparse on the motives behind food choice decisions of Pacific Islanders. The widely used Food Choice Questionnaire (FCQ) (Steptoe et al., 1995) is a multi-dimensional tool capturing nine potential food choice motives. This study used a hybrid thematic analysis. Fourteen in-depth semi-structured interviews with urban indigenous Fijian mothers were conducted to (1) explore how the nine FCQ motives impact food choice (2) to examine conceptual equivalence of the nine FCQ motives and (3) to identify additional food choice motives, not captured in the FCQ. Mothers identified seven of the nine FCQ motives (i.e., health, mood, convenience, sensory appeal, weight control and familiarity) and three new food choice motives (i.e., food that is filling, religious dietary restrictions and food quality) as important determinants of food choice. Moreover, while choosing foods that promote health and well-being was identified as an important food choice motive, mothers also identified four other motives, that they considered important, which lead to over-eating and unhealthy eating. Food choice is a complex, layered decision, driven by multiple considerations, some more important than others. These findings can inform diet-related interventions and policy within this community. Adapting the FCQ for broader PIC use through further qualitative exploration in PICs, and validating the adapted FCQ with larger samples will enhance its utility in measuring food choice motives in PICs.

Rapid soil attribute evaluation for soil security assessments in data-poor environments in the Pacific region

Many global environments face increasing pressures on soil resources, and effective, scalable methods for assessment of soil condition and capital are essential to respond to tangible soil threats. This situation is common across Pacific Island Countries and Territories (PICTs), where high throughput soil analysis laboratories are limited, and issues such as soil organic carbon decline, acidification and fertility declines are present. Soil spectral inference presents an opportunity in such regions to provide rapid insights into soil capital and condition, though the need for robust calibration libraries remains a limiting factor. This work investigates the utility of a regionally appropriate spectral library, the New Zealand Soil Spectral Library (NZSSL) to support the development of soil spectral inference in data-poor environments, such as PICTs, through a case study on the island of Tongatapu in The Kingdom of Tonga. We contrast the performance of existing partial least squares regression (PLSR) models developed for New Zealand soils on soils from Tongatapu and explore the opportunities for enhancement of predictions formed through memory-based learning (MBL) supplemented with local data. Our work shows the potential for cost-effective and timely soil monitoring through soil spectral inference in PICTs. The work further underscores the importance of regional cooperation and data-sharing for addressing soil security.

An Interview with Volker Boege

Dr Volker Boege is a Senior Research Fellow for Climate Change and Conflict at Toda Peace Institute. He has made significant contributions to peace studies, particularly in the Pacific region. His work focuses on hybrid political orders, traditional conflict transformation methods, and the link between environmental degradation and conflict. Currently, he researches the intersection of climate change, land, migration, identity, and conflict, with a focus on Pacific Island Countries. Dr Boege is also an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Queensland’s School of Political Science and International Studies. His career includes research roles at the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg, the University of Duisburg, and the peace research institute BICC. He has lectured extensively and in the 1980s/1990s advised the Green Party in the German Parliament on peace and security policy. Through his diverse roles and research, Dr Boege has advanced the integration of environmental and traditional approaches in conflict resolution.

Measuring what matters: Context-specific indicators for assessing immunisation performance in Pacific Island Countries and Areas.

Increasing countries' access to data can improve immunisation coverage through evidence-based decision-making. However, data collection and reporting is resource-intensive, so needs to be pragmatic, especially in low-and-middle-income countries. We aimed to identify which indicators are most important for measuring, and improving, national immunisation performance in Pacific Island Countries (PICs). We conducted an expert elicitation study, asking 13 experts involved in delivering immunisation programs, decision-makers, health information specialists, and global development partners across PICs to rate 41 indicators based on their knowledge of the feasibility and relevance of each indicator. We also asked experts their preferences for indicators to be retained or removed from a list of indicators for PICs. Experts participated in two rating rounds, with a discussion on the reasons for ratings before the second round. We calculated mean scores for feasibility and relevance, and ranked indicators based on experts' preferences and mean scores. We used framework analysis to identify reasons for selecting indicators. Experts agreed that certain indicators were essential to measure (e.g. data use in program planning and measles vaccination coverage), but preferences varied for most indicators. Preferences to include indicators in a set of indicators for PICs moderately correlated with scores for relevance (r = 0.68) and feasibility (r = 0.56). In discussions, experts highlighted usefulness for decision-making and ease of data collection, reporting and interpretation as the main reasons driving indicator selection. Country-specific factors such as health system factors, roles and influence of various immunisation actors, and macro-level factors (namely population size, distribution and mobility) affected relevance and feasibility, leading us to conclude that a single set of indicators for all PICs is inappropriate. Rather than having a strict set of indicators that all countries must measure and report against, performance indicators should be flexible, country-specific, and selected in consultation with immunisation actors who collect and use the data.

"I've yet to meet anyone who's not keen for simulation" - a qualitative study of simulation-based education in the Pacific Islands.

Simulation-based education (SBE) has been increasingly used to train healthcare workers in low-resource settings and has been endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Consideration of the educational and cultural context is important to maximize the effectiveness of SBE. Despite its demonstrable benefits, there have been no studies of the general approach in the Pacific Islands. This study aimed to determine the factors that influence the uptake and success of SBE in the Pacific Islands. In this qualitative study, participants were recruited via professional networks to contribute to focus groups. Questions focused on participants' previous experiences and perspectives on SBE. Data were manually transcribed before thematic analysis. The reporting of the research was guided by the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR). Human Research Ethics Committee approval was obtained. Two focus groups were conducted with 16 participants from six Pacific Island countries. Six themes and 15 subthemes were conceptualized from the data. Uptake of SBE is challenged by resource availability, clinical workloads and geographic remoteness. However, locally-driven solutions and positive attitudes towards SBE facilitate its success. This study reveals the complexity of factors affecting the uptake and success of SBE in the Pacific Islands. These findings can serve to optimize the impact of existing and future SBE programmes and may be considered by educators prior to programme implementation.

Coastal fisheries and community-based support systems in post disaster contexts

Pacific Island Countries and Territories are highly exposed to natural disasters, intensified by increases in frequency and force of extreme weather events. Pacific societies, like in Vanuatu, have been shaped in many ways by such natural disasters; reflected in customary practices and social fabric of rural coastal communities. When a natural disaster occurs, government attention justifiably focuses on channelling and coordinating international humanitarian aid to fill gaps in capacity and resourcing national recovery efforts. However, central to disaster recovery, particularly in the immediate aftermath of disruption, are the ways that local people support each other (within and between communities). Disconnects between national and local recovery efforts are common and stand to inhibit effective responses. This study aims to understand horizontal, self-organised community-to-community support systems and communities’ post-disaster engagement with external aid. It draws from two different datasets: i) the observations collected through the emergency relief work led by the National Disaster Management Office in Vanuatu shortly after the 2023 twin tropical cyclones Judy and Kevin hit the country, as well as ii) the loss and damage survey led by the Vanuatu Fisheries Department to estimate the level of damage these cyclones caused in various regions of Vanuatu. Through this process, we highlight the social systems that enable community-to-community support, as well as potential opportunities for external-aid to support communities in a more efficient manner. Results reveal that community-to-community support is critical in the first weeks post-disaster. Recognizing the roles that different support networks play at different stages of disaster response is critical not only to improving people's and institutions' ability to bounce back from particular disruptions, but also in broader efforts to strengthen community resilience in the face of climate change.

Climate justice and Pacific Island countries – a case study on grassroots advocacy

ABSTRACT Many Commonwealth member states face the brunt of the climate crisis. In the Pacific Island states and the wider Pacific region, the frequency of severe weather events has increased. For instance, in 2023 the island of Vanuatu was impacted by cyclones Judy and Kevin in March and afterwards by cyclone Lola. According to Vanuatu officials, more than 10,000 homes were destroyed and the storms caused massive destruction to Vanuatu’s infrastructure and economy. Facing the likelihood that the global temperatures will reach or surpass the 1.5 degrees Celsius target between 2021 and 2040, a grassroots student movement was launched at the University of the South Pacific (USP) based on Emalus Campus, Vanuatu, which ended with a United Nations General Assembly resolution on climate justice and Pacific Island states. Even so, the situation remains alarming for many Commonwealth Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Pacific and there are important questions as to how these states will adapt to and mitigate climate change and also address the climate justice issues they face. This article provides a case study on climate justice and Commonwealth member states and looks at measures currently being considered or implemented by political leaders and other stakeholders.