Samoan Community Research Articles

'Tausi Feagaiga: A Project to Train Caregivers and Empower the American Samoan Community.

The 'Tausi Feagaiga (Covenant Keeper) project was a partnership to support the traditional values of tausi matua (caring for one's elders). The partners included a non-governmental organization (Pacific Youth and Community Development), a faith-based organization (Roman Catholic Diocese of Samoa-Pago Pago), and an institute of higher education (University of Hawai'i John A. Burns School of Medicine). The project was created to address the lack of community-based health care such as home health or hospice, and families needing to work outside the home. A culturally based caregiving curriculum was developed to educate caregivers and improve their knowledge and skills. Using a train-the-trainer model, 125 caregivers were trained in family caregiving from 2016-2020. Training was conducted through an intensive workshop followed by practicum at Hope House, the Catholic Diocese home for the aged. Participants who expressed a willingness and competency were mentored to be trainers to continue the 'Tausi Feagaiga project. The mean self-rated confidence in caregiving improved significantly from 3.17 ± 1.02 (mean SD) pre workshop to 3.53 ± 0.71 post workshop (P = .001). Competence in geriatric syndromes was improved from 18.04 ± 4.27 to 21.31 ± 4.30 after attending the workshop (P < .001) and the feedback was extremely positive. Technical assistance was provided to obtain funding through American Samoa Medicaid State Agency to improve the existing infrastructure of Hope House, obtain much needed supplies, and increase ability to hire the participants. 'Tausi Feagaiga positively impacted the lives of the residents of Hope House, the course participants, the elders in the community, and those who care for them.

“We are competing with culture” the chasm between healthcare professionals and Australian Samoan women in the prevention and management of gestational diabetes mellitus

Objective: The Samoan community has a disproportionately higher incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). We explored consumer and healthcare providers’ insight into perceptions of risk, attitudes to lifestyle behaviour change and experiences of GDM among Australian Samoan women in South Western Sydney. Methods: Semi-structured interviews and a focus group with Samoan women recruited through three churches, a diabetes and pregnancy clinic in South Western Sydney and via social media were conducted. Semi-structured interviews with healthcare providers’ were also conducted. Main themes were thematically analysed to identify recurring patterns using Quirkos software. Identified themes were framed against the constructs of the Health Belief Model. Results: One focus group (n=4) and 12 one-to one interviews were conducted among Samoan women. Eighteen semi-structured interviews with healthcare providers’ were also conducted. There was a high concordance between Samoan women and healthcare providers’ regarding perception of risk and barriers to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. However, Samoan women reported negative interactions with healthcare providers’ that hindered their behaviour change, while healthcare providers’ reported that normalisation of diabetes, confusion of GDM with type 2 diabetes and spiritual health beliefs were deterrents to behaviour change among Samoan women. Conclusion: Cross-cultural factors can influence the uptake of a healthy lifestyle. Future research should consider use of culturally tailored strategies when developing educational resources targeting Samoan women. Implications for research, policy and practice: The participants’ viewpoints expressed in this study suggest a critical need for the development of culturally-tailored health promotion strategies for Samoan women and cultural training for healthcare providers’, to improve GDM care and subsequent pregnancy outcomes.

Disasters in the Anthropocene: a storm in a teacup?

Dramatic alterations to the natural environment due to human activity have produced a permanent rupture in the Earth system; the relative stable epoch of the Holocene has given way to a volatile Anthropocene. Acceptance of these claims means that we now live in this altered physical reality, inviting us to rethink how we conceptualise disasters. Yet, disaster scholars have been hesitant to apply the Anthropocene label and to acknowledge the profound changes that it can bring to the study of disasters. This paper queries whether this label is a necessary adage or unnecessary baggage for disaster studies by examining the possibilities and the challenges associated with engaging with the Anthropocene. An analysis of the concepts, causes, and consequences of disasters reveals how the Anthropocene provides, as the very least, a theoretical heuristic for challenging linear temporal assumptions, the epistemological status of uncertainty, and the location of agency in disaster studies.

Popular political attitudes in Samoa: Findings of the Pacific Attitudes Survey

AbstractPopular political attitudes surveys have been conducted globally for several decades, but the Pacific region remains an exception. This paper presents the findings of the first Pacific Attitudes Survey (PAS), conducted in Samoa from December 2020‐January 2021. Drawing on a nationally representative sample of Samoans of voting‐age (n = 1319) the PAS gauges the attitudes of ordinary Samoans to their democracy, levels of popular trust in institutions, attitudes towards the role of government, and to women's participation in politics. Findings reveal high levels of support for democracy and trust in democratic institutions. At the same time, popular political attitudes highlight a distinct model of Samoan democracy, in which respect for modern democratic norms is tempered and entwined with deeper traditions of Samoan community and identity.

Knowing Who You Are: Heritage Language, Identity and Safe Space in a Bilingual Kindergarten

Evidence shows that when young children’s diverse language heritages are valued and supported, there are benefits for their linguistic and conceptual development, their sense of identity and their learning. However, there are few early learning settings in Australia which nurture young children’s bilingual repertoires. And, while it is well established that early childhood is a critical period for first and second language acquisition, there is a lack of empirical research available on children’s bilingual development in institutional early childhood education and care. Against this backdrop, our article reports on a study of a bilingual Samoan community kindergarten (a’oga amata) in southeast Queensland. In this paper, we focus on how the a’oga amata supported the maintenance of the children’s heritage language and culture. We explore language use in the a’oga amata, the cultural values underpinning the educators’ practices, and the positive responses of the children and parents in the study. We also examine the constraints on the community leaders and educators’ efforts to create an authentic bilingual experience in this English-dominant environment. Finally, we revisit the notion of safe spaces for young bilingual learners (Conteh &amp; Brock, 2011) and rearticulate the need for clear language policies that support heritage language education.

Using Community Based Research Frameworks to Develop and Implement a Church-Based Program to Prevent Diabetes and Its Complications for Samoan Communities in South Western Sydney.

Pasifika communities bear a disproportionate burden of diabetes compared to the general Australian population. Community-based participatory research (CBPR), which involves working in partnership with researchers and communities to address local health needs, has gained prominence as a model of working with underserved communities. This paper describes how Le Taeao Afua (LTA) Samoan diabetes prevention program was underpinned by two CBPR frameworks to develop a culturally tailored church-based lifestyle intervention to prevent diabetes and its complications in the Australian Samoan community. The name LTA, which means ‘a new dawn,’ was chosen by the community to signify a new dawn without diabetes in the Australian Samoan community. Strategies for engaging with the Australian Samoan community in South Western Sydney are discussed mapped to the key principles from the CBPR frameworks. In particular, this paper highlights the steps involved in building relationships with Samoan community leaders and the vital role of community activators and peer support facilitators in the success of delivering the program. Lessons learnt, such as the importance of church and maintaining a Samoan way of life in daily activities, and processes to build effective partnerships and maintain long-term relationships with the Australian Samoan community, are also discussed. Our paper, through providing a case example of how to apply CBPR frameworks, will help guide future community-based health promotion programs for underserved communities.

Higher Education and the Indigenous Language and Culture: Samoanisation of the National University of Samoa

Established in 1984, the National University of Samoa has undergone multiple phases of change to adapt to the needs and demands of the Samoan community. As the only national university in Samoa, one of the main functions bestowed upon the University is the preservation and sustainment of the Samoan language and culture through its teaching and research functions. Higher education being a non-Samoan concept, meant that the University had to undergo unique customisations and alterations in order to feature the Samoan language and culture in its general operations. This responsibility and expectation placed on the University saw the rise of three champions, who have led the Samoanisation of higher education in Samoa, despite the challenges of their respective times. In achieving the University’s intent for cultural adaptation, the late Dr. Fanaafi Le Tagaloa set the precedent in the University’s formative years, followed by Dr. Asofou So’o and Dr. Malama Meleisea, who are both proud advocates for the integration of the Samoan language and culture in higher education. This paper covers the historical context of the Samoanisation of higher education in Samoa while also forecasting its prospective future.

Addressing Mental Health Challenges of Samoan Americans in Southern California: Perspectives of Samoan Community Providers.

While a variety of health concerns have been documented, little is presently known about the mental health challenges facing Samoan Americans in Southern California. This community-based research study investigated the perspectives of Samoan healthcare providers affiliated with two Los Angeles County agencies regarding: 1) mental health challenges; 2) obstacles to use of formal services to address mental health concerns, and 3) recommendations and needed resources for development of culturally responsive interventions to address mental health challenges. Eleven healthcare advocates affiliated with two agencies specializing in health and social services for Samoans participated in a 90-minute group discussion and/or an individual interview. Qualitative data were analyzed using a thematic data analytic approach based on grounded theory. Participants strongly self-identified as Samoan or mixed-race Samoan and were primarily female (73%). Key themes from these discussions are presented to highlight this seminal discussion. Despite concerns regarding substance use, depression, and suicide, significant cultural resources were noted as sources of resilience that could be incorporated into prevention and intervention for Samoan Americans coping with mental health problems. The perspectives of these community advocates for the Samoan community reflect a low level of mental health awareness and identify urgent unmet mental health needs among Samoan Americans in Southern California. Findings support prioritization of mental health awareness interventions and education regarding available services. Systemic efforts to integrate physical and mental health care services may be aligned with traditional Pacific Islander concepts of mental health and facilitate addressing the unmet mental health needs of underserved Samoan Americans.

Diabetes, its risk factors and readiness to change lifestyle behaviours among Australian Samoans living in Sydney: Baseline data for church-wide interventions.

To describe the current prevalence of type 2 diabetes (diabetes) and readiness to change diet and physical activity among Samoans associated with churches in Sydney. Residents aged ≥18years attending four Samoan churches in Sydney were invited to participate in a church-wide lifestyle intervention. Participants completed questionnaires, anthropometric measurements, provided a non-fasting blood sample for HbA1c and random blood glucose (RBG) measurement, and performed a 6-minute walk test. Obesity was defined using a Pacific body mass index (BMI) threshold ≥32kg/m2 and diabetes if HbA1c was ≥6.5%. In total, 131/187 (70%) of Samoans (mean age of 44.1±15years; Female 52%) participated. Diabetes was present in 33% of the population which included 20% previously diagnosed diabetes, duration 13.4±6.7years, (HbA1c 8.3±2.5% and RBG 10.2±4.1mmol/L) and 13% had undiagnosed diabetes (HbA1c 8.1±2.7% and RBG 10.3±4.7mmol/L). The overall baseline prevalence of obesity, high blood pressure and meeting the physical activity recommendation of ≥150min/wk were 77%, 44% and 38% respectively. Over 90% of participants were contemplating, if not already taking action towards healthier diet choices and increasing physical activity. Prevalence of diabetes and its risk factors were high among Samoans in Sydney with a high proportion with undiagnosed diabetes. SO WHAT?: These findings highlight the need to prioritise the delivery of culturally appropriate interventions tailored to the needs of the Samoan community. The high level of healthy lifestyle contemplation suggests that the community would be receptive to such interventions.

SUN-338 CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE IN A SAMOAN COMMUNITY

Maori and Pacific people have a 3 to 5 fold risk developing end Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) compared to New Zealand Europeans with the major aetiology being type 2 diabetes (1). In a NZ community based prevalence study, Pacific people had a 2.56 fold higher risk of CKD, controlling for diabetes (2). Likewise Pacific people (predominantly Samoan) in NZ with a family history of ESKD have an increased risk of nephropathy independent of diabetes (3). This cross sectional pilot study aimed to identify the prevalence of proteinuria in a Samoan community in absence of diabetes as a way of identifying potential risk for progressive CKD.

Samoan migrants' perspectives on diabetes: A qualitative study.

The Samoan community in Australia has one of the highest rates of diabetes in Australia. We explored the experiences and perceptions of Samoan patients living with diabetes and their family members. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with adults from a Samoan background living in Australia who had diabetes and their family members. Participants were recruited from a single general practice with a high proportion of Pacific Islander patients, through self-response to waiting room flyers. Inductive thematic analysis was conducted using a constructivist-grounded theory approach. This qualitative project was part of the developmental phase of a larger project aiming to promote healthy lifestyles and decrease diabetes in the Samoan community in Sydney, Australia. Twenty participants, aged 36-67years, were interviewed. The majority was men (n=13) and all were migrants to Australia. Participants reported a range of barriers to early detection and self-management of diabetes, including dietary practices common within their culture and the role of church and religion. They identified that pride in their heritage and role within families could be a barrier to care but also provided an opportunity for health promotion. The cultural factors which influence the risk and management of diabetes in the Samoan community in Australia can be the barriers to health change but also provide opportunities for culturally targeted diabetes education and health promotion. SO WHAT?: These findings will inform the development of approaches for the prevention and management of diabetes within the Samoan-Australian community. These include health-promotion initiatives which take into account the role of cultural dietary practices, diabetes stigma, cultural pride and working with churches.

Samoan body and soul: adapting an evidence-based obesity and cancer prevention program.

Obesity-associated chronic diseases persist in Samoan populations in the United States. Samoans and African Americans share cultural similarities such as church affiliation, perceptions of weight and body size, and obesity-related health risks. Adapting an effective energy balance intervention originally designed for African Americans--Body and Soul--might be useful in reducing obesity among U.S. Samoans. To determine potential attractiveness and adaptations, we used aspects of grounded theory to analyze key-informant and focus group interviews with 31 purposively selected Samoans in Hawaii. We incorporated participatory features into the research with Samoan community members conducting parts of the study. From interview narratives, we identified relevant themes from Samoan culture, such as "fa'aSamoa", or the Samoan way, and specific energy balance activities to include in an obesity and cancer prevention intervention for U.S.-dwelling Samoans. Our findings describe methods to address health disparities by incorporating culturally appropriate health concepts into existing evidence-based interventions.

From learning organization to learning community

PurposeThis paper aims to: extend the concept of “The learning organization” to “The learning community”, especially disadvantaged communities; demonstrate how leaders in a migrant community can achieve positive change at the personal, professional, team and community learning levels through participatory action learning and action research (PALAR); and identify the key characteristics of a sustainable learning community.Design/methodology/approachThe paper combines an innovative and creative methodology of PALAR and a new learning system designed by the Global University for Lifelong Learning (GULL).FindingsA lack of cultural understanding on the part of government agencies contributes to a migrant community's socio‐economic disadvantage, e.g. high unemployment and crime rates, underachievement in education, exclusion from higher education. The Samoan community is a disadvantaged migrant group in Australia who were helped to help themselves to achieve positive change and quality learning in partnership with university researchers. The use of an enabling framework designed by GULL, mainly for developing countries, also proved to be an effective system for achieving personal and organizational learning in a disadvantaged community in Australia.Practical implicationsThe findings represented in the conceptual models enhance understanding of the key principles and processes involved in an organizational learning project for sustainable development of a learning community.Originality/valueThis is one of the first papers to evaluate and track the learning outcomes in a community applying the GULL system that is used successfully in about 40 developing countries, but has not yet been sufficiently researched and documented in a developed country.

Fa’afaletui: A Framework for the Promotion of Renal Health in an Australian Samoan Community

Samoan communities in Australia exhibit a disproportionate rate of kidney disease compared with other Australians. This article describes a research project that used a culturally sensitive framework, Fa'afaletui, to help reduce the barriers of language and culture and increase our understanding of the factors contributing to kidney disease, in one Samoan community in Australia. Semistructured group interviews were undertaken with Samoan community families and groups. The interviews were analyzed according to key concepts embedded in the Fa'afaletui framework. Four factors associated with health risks in this Samoan community emerged: diet and exercise, issues related to the collective (incorporating the village, church, and family), tapu or cultural protocols, and the importance of language. The findings suggest that future kidney health promotion initiatives within this Samoan community will be more effective if they are sensitive to Samoan cultural norms, language, and context.

Alone and in between Cultural and Academic Worlds: Voices of Samoan Students

In a collaborative research study with a Samoan community leader and a high school student, the authors explored the academic and cultural identities of 10 Samoan high school students. In-depth qualitative interviews revealed the students' struggles with negotiating cultural and academic identities in the ecological contexts of home, peer, teacher, school, and community. Using grounded theory, the authors described the reciprocal, contradicting, and alienating nature of Samoan and academic identities in the face of negative stereotypes, competing relational obligations, and low expectations. Findings and implications also focused on cultural strengths and values such as unity, giving back to the community, and respect.

‘O Se Toe Fafagu Mo Lau Gagana Sāmoa

The decline of the Samoan language spoken by Samoan people in New Zealand is ringing alarm bells for the Samoan community. It is a serious issue and a challenge facing the Samoan people. A study conducted in South Auckland in 2002 entitled “Languages of Manukau” has concluded that Pasifika languages in New Zealand, including the Samoan language, are declining (Bell, Starks, &amp; Taumoefolau, 2002). Further decline from 48% to 44%, particularly in the case of New Zealand-born Samoans who can speak Samoan, was registered in the 2006 Census (Collins, 2008). The objective of this paper is to examine practices and strategies collected from various narratives and comments the Samoan Talanoa Group brought to the discussion table. These stories reflect the situation and some of the causes of language loss, and may lead to effective strategies to minimize and address the issue facing the Samoan people. These practices may become leading paradigms that will empower and reinforce the maintenance of the Samoan language in New Zealand.

Community, Neighborhood, and Peer Influence on Samoan-American Youths

ABSTRACT This article examines the Samoan community, neighborhood, and peer groups as possible sources of risk and/or protection for delinquency among Samoan youths. Study participants include Samoan-American youths and parents living in one U.S. state. Data were collected via individual interviews of 30 Samoan adolescents, 15 of whom have been involved in the juvenile justice system. Results indicate that community involvement, neighborhood structures and practices, and peer groups may serve as sources of risk and/or protection for juvenile delinquency among these Samoan youths. A theory is proposed based on community, neighborhood, and peer group factors related to delinquency among these youths. Implications for future research and policy and practice specifically focusing on the lived experiences of Samoan-American youths in the United States are discussed.

“You got to do so much to actually make it”: Gender, Ethnicity, and Samoan Youth in Hawai’i

Although a burgeoning literature exists examining the intersections of gender and race in adolescent research, little attention has been paid to Asian American or Pacific Island youth, and this is especially true for girls from these groups. This study surveys the issues confronting Samoan adolescents, with a particular emphasis on the problems facing girls. Utilizing focus group and interview data with Samoan community leaders, other key informants, parents, and adolescent girls (N = 42), this study highlights some of the ways Samoan girls negotiate a social terrain characterized by both racism and sexism. Participants discuss unfavorable biases in schools, unequal domestic gender roles, western legal confines, and a lack of positive role models as critical issues for Samoan girls in contemporary society.

"You got to do so much to actually make it": Gender, Ethnicity, and Samoan Youth in Hawai'i

Although a burgeoning literature exists examining the intersections of gender and race in adolescent research, little attention has been paid to Asian American or Pacific Island youth, and this is especially true for girls from these groups. This study surveys the issues confronting Samoan adolescents, with a particular emphasis on the problems facing girls. Utilizing focus group and interview data with Samoan community leaders, other key informants, parents, and adolescent girls (N = 42), this study highlights some of the ways Samoan girls negotiate a social terrain characterized by both racism and sexism. Participants discuss unfavorable biases in schools, unequal domestic gender roles, western legal confines, and a lack of positive role models as critical issues for Samoan girls in contemporary society.

Samoa

Events and issues that stirred the Samoan community in the period under review include the petition by Samoans to the New Zealand Parliament to repeal the Citizenship (Western Samoa) Act 1982; rumors surrounding the SinaleiTouristResort; the controversy over theOceaniaUniversity of Medicine; the SARS threat; government structural reforms; and parliamentary by-elections.