South Pacific Island Countries Research Articles

A qualitative exploration of food choice motives of Pacific Islanders: Implications for the use of the Food Choice Questionnaire in understudied populations

Nutrition transitions are key contributors to the obesity epidemic plaguing South Pacific Island countries (SPIC). Prior to European contact and colonisation, traditional Pacifica diets consisted mainly of root crops, indigenous fruits and vegetables, freshwater proteins and seafood(1). This diet has been replaced by diets high in processed foods which are high in salt, sugar and unhealthy fats(2). Various political, economic, environmental and socio-cultural factors have been associated with the proliferation of unhealthy foods in Pacifica diets. However, very few studies have examined how these changes have impacted individual food choices. This study aims to address the gap in the knowledge of food choice motives of Pacific Islanders. An online qualitative survey was used(1) to explore how the nine food choice motives in the widely used Food Choice Questionnaire (FCQ)(3) impact food choice and (2) to identify additional food choice motives, not captured in the FCQ. The first section of the survey included open-ended questions which explored the top three food choice motives of the participants. This section was followed by a series of open-ended questions exploring participant’s views on the nine food choice motives from the FCQ. The last part of the survey asked participants to identify any other food choice motives which were not already identified in the survey. An exploratory qualitative approach, employing inductive and deductive thematic analyses, was used to analyse results(4). The sample (N = 105) was predominantly female (73%), living with family (72%) and the average age was 22.06 years (S.D = 5.0). It consisted of 28% indigenous Fijians, 26% Fijians of Indian descent, 15% Solomon Islanders, 13% I-Kiribati and smaller percentages of students from Niue (3%), Samoa (5%), Tonga (5%) and Vanuatu (5%). Of the nine FCQ motives, the most commonly identified top three food choice motives included price (n = 54), health (n = 45), and sensory appeal, especially taste (n = 40). Participants also identified three new food choice motives which many ranked in their top three motives: satiety concerns (n = 22), food quality and hygiene when eating out (n = 26) and religious or cultural food restrictions (n = 11). Additionally, issues with face validity of the health, convenience, price, weight control and familiarity food choice motives from the FCQ were identified. These findings highlight the importance of validity studies prior to using FCQ, and more broadly other similar instruments, with understudied populations like that of SPIC. The findings also provided important insights into the food choice motives of Pacific Islanders and can inform public health interventions for encouraging healthy eating. Further research using an adapted FCQ with larger and diverse samples will increase its effectiveness of measuring food choice motives in the region.

Characteristics and Evolution of the Response of the Lower Atmosphere to the Tonga Volcanic Eruption

Research concerning the response characteristics of lower atmosphere to volcanic eruption is a key and hot topic in the field of volcanic environment research. Against the background of a submarine volcano in the South Pacific island country of Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha’apai (HTHH) on 15 January 2022, this paper explores the response characteristics of this volcanic eruption on environmental factors in the lower atmosphere region using a priori data such as ERA5 reanalysis data, water vapor data from GNSS inversion and surface temperature data from Landsat inversion for the Tonga Islands region. Among them, (1) The amount of precipitable water (PWV) in Tonga was abnormally high on 15 January. (2) The water vapor flux was mainly in the lower space below 850 hPa. (3) The average surface temperature in December 2021 was higher. In February 2022, the average surface temperature was lower. (4) There was a low-pressure center near 30° S on the south side of Tonga volcano on 14 January, and a new low-pressure center was formed on the east side of Tonga volcano after the eruption of Tonga volcano on 15 January. Furthermore, the precipitation area of Tonga increased in January and decreased in February 2022. The PWV values, water vapor fluxes, temperature and circulation response characteristics, and precipitation characteristics show that the volcanic eruption affected part of the atmospheric and oceanic circulation, and water vapor was transported to the low-pressure center along the direction of atmospheric circulation. With the continuous water vapor transport, precipitation formed in Tonga, and the intensity and area of precipitation in Tonga increased significantly in January. Thus, the volcanic eruption could have significantly triggered the response between the low-pressure center, PWV, precipitation and surface temperature in the lower atmosphere, which influenced the environmental characteristics of this eruption.

Role of environmental conditions in structuring the stock trajectory of Thunnus albacares, Th. alalunga and Th. obesus in the South Pacific Region

The lifestyle and culture of South Pacific Island countries have been long intertwined with oceanic resources. These countries are heavily dependent on tuna resources for their economies and socioeconomic livelihoods. Despite their importance, the mechanisms behind tuna stock trajectory patterns need to be better understood. With changing climatic and environmental conditions, it has become vital to understand the impact of these changes on tuna resources and if possible include them in long-term tuna harvest and management plans. A significant portion of the stock dynamics of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), albacore tuna (Th. alalunga) and bigeye tuna (Th. obesus) in the South Pacific Region may possibly be explained only by the environmental factors of sea surface temperature (SST) and Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation AMO. The relationship of monthly SST and AMO was investigated with time series stock patterns of Th. albacares, Th. alalunga and Th. obesus in the Eastern and Western Pacific Ocean for the years 1972 to 2019. Monthly variables that exhibited significant correlation with CPUE variables were used in the Generalised Linear Model and Generalized Additive Model to reproduce the CPUE trajectory of the three tuna species from 1972 to 2019. Results showed that a significant portion of stock dynamics of Th. albacares, Th. alalunga and Th. obesus can be explained well by two environmental conditions of SST and AMO. This shows that a large portion of tuna variation in the Eastern and Southern Pacific is related to environmental conditions. Models with single variables are evidence of the significant individual effect of SST and AMO on stock time series of each tuna species. Models with two variables had a better fit in comparison to models with a single variable for all tuna stocks. Possibilities of two significantly different patterns in the trajectory of the three tuna species and environmental conditions used in the models were also observed. The trajectory patterns seemed to change around the 1990s and had significantly different means, indicating possible regime shifts. Environmental conditions play a highly significant role in structuring tuna stock trajectory in the South Pacific and need to be included in tuna management / harvest plans to ensure sustainability of this important resource. The importance of regime shifts should be recognised and further investigated for possible inclusion in tuna sustainability plans due to their influence on long-term tuna trajectory patterns.

Tropical cyclone climatology, variability, and trends in the Tonga region, Southwest Pacific

The focus of several past tropical cyclone (TC) studies in the Southwest Pacific (SWP) had been primarily at the regional scale, with little or no attention to the local-scale TC activity (i.e., at the country level). With the growing coastal population in the South Pacific Island countries, as well as increasing threats from and exposure to climate extremes mostly affecting vulnerable communities, examining TC-related risks at the country level is more imperative now than before. This study catalogues for the first time the climatology, variability and trends of TCs affecting Nuku'alofa, the capital of Tonga using the Southwest Pacific Enhanced Archived for Tropical Cyclone (SPEArTC) dataset for the period between 1970 and 2019. The variability is examined in relation to the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon, which is the major driver of the year-to-year variability of TC activity in the SWP. A total of 128 TC tracks affected the Tonga region over the study period, with a seasonal average of ∼2.6 TCs per year. Of these, about 50% occurred during the peak months of January and February, and ∼38.8% of the total were of hurricane intensity (Categories 3, 4 and 5). Although differences were found between the average number of TCs per year during El Niño, La Niña and ENSO-neutral events (∼2.9, ∼2.6 and ∼2.3, respectively), they were statistically insignificant. No significant long-term trends were found in the number of TCs, severe TCs, and accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) over the period of study. The findings of this study will provide the information needed for disaster preparedness and TC predictions in Tonga.

The Role of Agricultural Institutions in Providing Support Towards Sustainable Rural Development in South Pacific Island Countries

This paper examines the agricultural training in higher education institutions and tertiary colleges, their pre-eminent role and how best they can contribute to alleviate poverty in rural communities in Fiji and other South Pacific island countries. These institutions provide support through training farmers (vocational and adult education) and/or extension officers and providing researchers. Unfortunately, agricultural training institutions are not adapting to the rapid changing times early enough and have more or less maintained the traditional way of training. There is a need for agricultural institutions to amend their programs to facilitate the new emerging areas, together with new learning and teaching frameworks, establish new partnerships with the private sector in addition to expanding their representation in governance in addition to holding continuous dialogue with policymakers. Further, these institutions can potentially showcase local customs and knowledge, mirroring the regional culture, and ethical customs of the Pacific island community, as well as global movements and development forces. In reinforcing their title role as contributors to a culture of education and rural agricultural development, we suggest that agricultural institutions engage more directly and more effectively in partnerships and dialogue with other local agricultural stakeholders and their surrounding rural communities in Fiji and other Pacific island countries.

Potentiality of Vermicomposting in the South Pacific Island Countries: A Review

Incorporation of vermin culture in the composting system produces “vermicompost”, an enriched biofertilizer known to improve the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil. It is applied in granular form and/or in liquid solution (vermiwash), and in both open fields and greenhouses. Vermicompost has been shown to contain plant growth hormones, which stimulate seed germination and improve crop yield, the ‘marketability’ of products, plant physiology, and their ability to fight against disease. In recent years, South Pacific island countries (SPICs) have placed an increasing emphasis on the importance of organic agricultural practices as a means of achieving more sustainable and environmentally friendly farming practices. However, vermiculture is not practiced in South Pacific island countries (SPICs) largely due to the lack of awareness of this type of application. We consider the inclusion of vermiculture in this region as a potential means of achieving sustainable organic agricultural practices. This study represents a systematic review in which we collect relevant information on vermicomposting and analyze the applicability of this practice in the SPICs based on these nations’ physical, socioeconomic, and climatic conditions. The tropical climate of the SPICs means that they meet the combined requirements of a large available biomass for composting and the availability of earthworms. Perionyx excavatus and Pontoscolex corethrurus have been identified as potential native earthworm species for vermicomposting under the conditions of the SPICs. Eisenia fetida, a well-known earthworm species, is also effectively adapted to this region and reported to be an efficient species for commercial vermicomposting. However, as a new input into the local production system, there may be unforeseen barriers in the initial stages, as with other advanced technologies, and the introduction of vermiculture as a practice requires a steady effort and adaptive research to achieve success. Further experimental research is required to analyze the productivity and profitability of using the identified native earthworm species for vermiculture using locally available biomass in the SPICs.

Mortality in Tonga over three triennia, 2010\u20132018

BackgroundTonga is a South Pacific Island country with a population of 100,651 (2016 Census). This study examines Tongan infant mortality rates (IMR), under-five mortality rates (U5MR), adult mortality and life expectancy (LE) at birth from 2010 to 2018 using a recent collation of empirical mortality data over the past decade for comparison with other previously published mortality estimates.MethodsRoutinely collected mortality data for 2010–2018 from the Ministry of Health, national (Vaiola) hospital, community nursing reports, and the Civil Registry, were consolidated by deterministic and probabilistic linkage of individual death records. Completeness of empirical mortality reporting was assessed by capture-recapture analysis. The reconciled data were aggregated into triennia to reduce stochastic variation, and used to estimate IMR and U5MR (per 1000 live births), adult mortality (15–59, 15–34, 35–59, and 15–64 years), and LE at birth, employing the hypothetical cohort method (with statistical testing). Mortality trends and differences were assessed by Poisson regression. Mortality findings were compared with published national and international agency estimates.ResultsOver the three triennia in 2010–2018, levels varied minimally for IMR (12–14) and U5MR (15–19) per 1000 births (both ns, p > 0.05), and also for male LE at birth of 64–65 years, and female LE at birth 69–70 years. Cumulated risks of adult mortality were significantly higher in men than women; period mortality increases in 15–59-year women from 18 to 21% were significant (p < 0.05). Estimated completeness of the reconciled data was > 95%. International agencies reported generally comparable estimates of IMR and U5MR, with varying uncertainty intervals; but they reported significantly lower adult mortality and higher LE than the empirical estimates from this study.ConclusionsLife expectancy in Tonga over 2010–2018 has remained relatively low and static, with low IMR and U5MR, indicating the substantial impact from premature adult mortality. This analysis of empirical data (> 95% complete) indicates lower LE and higher premature adult mortality than previously reported by international agencies using indirect and modelled methods. Continued integration of mortality recording and data systems in Tonga is important for improving the completeness and accuracy of mortality estimation for local health monitoring and planning.

Impact of climate change on sustainable livestock production and existence of wildlife and marine species in the South Pacific island countries: a review.

Climate change poses a significant threat to humanity by intensifying multiple hazards. South Pacific Island countries (SPICs) are affected and face a dire challenge to survival. Sea level rise is reducing the already limited land for human and animal habitation. Tropical cyclones and droughts are having devastating effects on the lives of humans and animals. Tropical cyclone Winston, for example, destroyed infrastructure for humans and animals in some parts of Fiji, and infectious diseases are spreading to regions where they are not commonly seen following cyclones and floods. Likewise, climate change is making droughts worse. Droughts are destroying crops and pasturelands and making freshwater unavailable for human and animal populations in the Solomon Islands and Tuvalu. There is an urgent need to ascertain the best approaches to tackle the events, which are already happening. Short-term changes can be managed at local levels through public awareness campaigns, understanding the weather patterns to prepare for disasters, reclaiming land, improving livestock breeds, introducing zoos and wildlife sanctuaries and inventing economically feasible technologies to harvest water. Long-term solutions depend on the implementation of international agreements, international aid and collective effort.

Potential of ethno-veterinary medicine in animal health care practices in the South Pacific Island countries: a review.

The South Pacific island countries (SPIC) are among the most vulnerable countries in the world to economic shocks, climate change and natural disasters. Agriculture including livestock production makes important contribution to socio-economic development in the region. However, the livestock sector is marred by many livestock diseases, which are crippling the economies as well as threatening the food security of the island nations, most of which have high dependence on imports. Limited veterinary medical facilities, high cost of conventional medicine and remoteness of some rural farming communities make it difficult for farmers to treat their diseased animals. Nevertheless, the island nations are endowed with vast reserves of medicinal plants in diverse ecosystems including mangroves, rainforests and tropical dry forests. Despite the ubiquity of traditional medicine systems, most of the plant species have been used to treat human aliments in the SPIC and very few farmers utilise herbal medicine to treat their animals. This review highlights the common diseases affecting livestock production in the SPIC, threats to ethno-veterinary knowledge, and potential plant species and their efficacies to treat animal diseases and parasites. It also discusses the common methods of preparation of veterinary herbal medicine and possible ways of making the medicine available in the formal and informal markets in the region. It is envisaged that the review will stimulate further ethno-veterinary research among livestock disease management practices in the SPIC.

The relationship between China-South Pacific island countries tourism and trade in the context of the Belt and Road Initiative

In the context of the Belt &amp; Road Initiative (BRI), China attaches great importance to tourism diplomacy with the South Pacific Island Countries (SPIC). The study of the relationship between tourism and trade is therefore of great significance for the further development of bilateral political and economic cooperation. This paper selected data on the inbound and outbound tourism, as well as import and export trade, between China and SPIC in the period 1998-2017, and used econometric methods to demonstrate the interconnections. The results show that there is a positive long-term equilibrium relationship between passenger flow and import and export trade of China and SPIC. Under the influence of policies, the interaction between inbound and outbound tourism and import and export trade is characterized by periodic fluctuations. China’s outbound tourism to SPIC plays a stronger role to import trade than to export trade. From the analysis of two sections, major events have a moderating effect on the proportion of SPIC tourists and trade dependence on SPIC, while both of the proportion of Chinese tourists and their trade dependence on China are on the rise, and these two have a pulling effect for each other.

Suva Residents’ Views on Cancer, Diabetes and HIV in The Fiji Times

The burden of preventable diseases is increasing in the South Pacific Island Countries and Territories. In Fiji, significant media attention and national finances are spent on public dissemination of the modifiable risk factors of chronic illnesses. However, little is known about lay societal perceptions of chronic illnesses and of people living with these illnesses. This preliminary study takes an area-situated approach to lay knowledge and examines Suva residents’ moral evaluations associated with socially significant health concerns in Fiji. Using the case studies of HIV, cancer, and diabetes, the research employs content analysis to examine 144 Suva residents’ Letters to the Editor, published between 2000 and 2019 in The Fiji Times. The findings indicate that letter writers on chronic illnesses are power sensitive, interested in governmental responsibility, and aware of the role of stigma in creating inequitable health outcomes. The study’s findings locate chronic illness as not only a medical responsibility but also a social justice and human rights concern that requires a multisectoral approach, with community-tailored responses at the heart of all discussions. The lay-societal recognition of the three illnesses as being socially relevant suggests grassroots support for policies directed towards structural reforms for the prevention and management of these illnesses.

Development and usability of a mobile tool for identification of depression and suicide risk in Fiji.

In Fiji and other South Pacific island countries, depression and suicide are of great concern. There is a pressing need to rapidly identify those at risk and provide treatment as soon as possible. Design, develop and test a mobile health tool that enables CHNs to easily and rapidly identify individuals at risk for suicide and depression and provide guidelines for their treatment. Using Android Studio, a native app called ASRaDA was developed that encoded two validated scales: Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D), and Suicide Behavior Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R). The usability of the app was measured using the System Usability Scale by community health nurses in Fiji. Out of a maximim possible of 100 on SUS, ASRaDA was scored at 86.79. Mobile tools with high usability can be designed to aid community health nurses in Fiji and Pacific island counties rapidly identify those at risk for depression and suicide.

Double trouble in the South Pacific subtropical gyre: Increased plastic ingestion by fish in the oceanic accumulation zone

Fish are an important food source for South Pacific (SP) island countries, yet there is little information on contamination of commercial marine fish species by plastic. The aim of our study was to perform a broad-scale assessment of plastic ingestion by fish common in the diet of SP inhabitants. We examined 932 specimens from 34 commercial fish species across four SP locations, and some of the prey they ingested, for the presence of marine plastics. Plastic was found in 33 species, with an average ingestion rate (IR) of 24.3 ± 1.4% and plastic load of 2.4 ± 0.2 particles per fish. Rapa Nui fish exhibited the greatest IR (50.0%), significantly greater than in other three locations. Rapa Nui is located within the SP subtropical gyre, where the concentration of marine plastics is high and food is limited. Plastic was also found in prey, which confirms the trophic transfer of microplastics.

The Role of Foreign Aid In Addressing Urban Vulnerability and Poverty In The Pacific

The poverty index in most of the eleven Pacific Island Countries (PICs) is alarming. In these countries, there is a growing challenge meeting the other basic needs besides food emanating from the substantial economic and environmental risks. In 2012 the World Bank reported, at least six South Pacific Island Countries were categorized as lower-middle-income countries with a general per capita of less than 4,085 United ins Dollars as documented (World Bank, 2012). It is worth noting that at least cases of extreme food deprivation are low in the South Pacific Island Countries but there are other new forms of hardships such as the need to strive to meet the costs of non-food needs such as housing orchestrated by the increasing uncontrolled urbanization and monetization of the economy. Some notably vulnerable scenarios in this region are the small populations and remote location of areas that impede economic diversification hence constant economic shocks. Also, the topography of this region exposes them to a range of natural calamities such as earthquakes. This, substantially, renders the countries to be highly dependent on the foreign aids and grants. Again, external cash over-reliance and goods inflows by the South Pacific Island Countries (PICs) renders them to the volatility in bordering large economies. This article will highlight how international organizations address the issues of hardship and vulnerability to natural disaster among PICs like Papua New Guinea and Samoa. This paper will firstly bring to readers the current economic status of the island countries in the Pacific followed by the directions and methods taken to cope with livelihood issue. Finally for conclusion and recommendations on how communities can address these issues locally.

Internal factors influencing effective opportunity identification in a Tongan social enterprise

In this paper we assess the internal factors that influence effective opportunity identification in a social enterprise. Although previous studies have identified personal and organizational characteristics that may spur the search for new venture opportunities, there has been little research to assess the controllable factors that lead to sustainable outcomes. The need for greater understanding is particularly important in the context of enterprises affected by climate change and other macro-environmental challenges. We address this knowledge gap through thematic analysis of 15 semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders associated with the Tongan National Youth Congress. This organization helps young people in the small, climate-threatened south Pacific island country of Tonga to develop micro-enterprises. Our findings suggest that more creative entrepreneurial and marketing approaches need to be tempered by more analytical business management approaches if organizations are to identify opportunities that they can effectively and sustainably exploit using their own resources and those of partner organizations. Entrepreneurs need to ask ‘how can we make this idea viable?’ early in the opportunity identification process, rather than later. We recommend further qualitative and quantitative studies be undertaken using larger samples in other contexts to improve the generalizability of links between creative and analytical capabilities and effective opportunity identification.

Characterization of an Australian isolate of taro bacilliform virus and development of an infectious clone.

The badnavirus taro bacilliform virus (TaBV) has been reported to infect taro (Colocasia esculenta L.) and other edible aroids in several South Pacific island countries, but there are no published reports from Australia. Using PCR and RCA, we identified and characterized an Australian TaBV isolate. A terminally redundant cloned copy of the TaBV genome was generated and shown to be infectious in taro following agro-inoculation. This is the first report of TaBV from Australia and also the first report of an infectious clone for this virus.

Comparative investigation of body mass index of tertiary students of the South Pacific origin

The body mass index (BMI) trends in the South Pacific Island Countries (PICs) have been analysed. Five South Pacific countries, namely; Fiji, Tonga, Nauru, Kiribati and Solomon Islands have been analysed based on the population that have stayed in Fiji at some point (mean age 25.20±5.27). Standard BMI threshold defined as underweight (2), normal weight (18.5–24.9 kg/m2) overweight (25–30 kg/m2) and obese (≥30 kg/m2) was used to study the BMI trends. The data collection was carried out by randomly selecting the subject of study and manually recording their heights (in meters) and weight (in kg). These measurements were done during the period of 2014–2015. The data showed that only Fiji had an average BMI with normal weight of 23.74±4.63 kg/m2 while other countries’ population were either overweight (Solomon Islands) or obese (Nauru) in the range of 25.29±4.37 kg/m2 to 37.24±12 kg/m2. Cohen’s d and eta square test were performed to see differences in height and weight where large differences were found primarily in the male population compared to female. The average BMI for gender within a country did not show variation (p&gt;0.001) but variation was seen among the PICs (p

South Pacific transnational money laundering typologies

PurposeThe paper aims to present typologies of transnational money laundering in South Pacific island countries, thereby filling a gap in the extant literature.Design/methodology/approachThis paper is based on seven significant transnational money laundering cases involving South Pacific island nations. It provides analyses of the modus operandi of criminals and classifies those according to typologies from anti-money laundering authorities and bodies.FindingsTypologies of money laundering have arrived through a content analysis of seven cases involving transnational money laundering destined for South Pacific island nations. The typologies which have emerged show the predominant forms of transnational money laundering in this region. This knowledge could be useful to government policy-makers and financial institutions pursuing anti-money laundering initiatives.Originality/valueThere is a dearth of academic research into typologies of transnational money laundering involving the South Pacific. This paper makes a useful contribution to the extant literature by providing the most recent typologies in this respect.

Searching for appropriate criminal evidence laws in the South Pacific

Most island states in the South Pacific have inherited a common law legal system as a consequence of their colonial history. After independence only a few of these countries have been active in replacing or amending the inherited laws. In the field of evidence, many countries are still reliant on introduced statutes from the 19th century. Commencing with a brief outline of legal systems in the small island states of the South Pacific, this article moves on to identify the legislation which governs criminal evidence in a representative sample of countries from Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. It explains the complexities of this exercise in countries which still rely in whole or in part on legislation introduced during the colonial era. The article then moves on to discuss the application of the common law and the extent to which South Pacific courts have developed their own jurisprudence in this area. It considers how far these countries have come in developing their own rules of criminal evidence. The article concludes with a discussion of whether the prevailing criminal evidence laws are suitable for the circumstances of South Pacific island countries.

At the Edges and on the Margins: Hearing the Voices of Young People in South Pacific Island Countries

‘Youth’ are frequently referred to under the mantra of inclusivity in any aid-funded project, development initiative or government–donor initiative in the Pacific region. Indeed, ‘youth’ ranks alongside ‘women/gender’ as a catch term for communicating diversity compliance. But how are ‘youth’ framed and who speaks for this group of people who are not yet adults or are only just adults in law, and yet are beyond the voiceless or barely articulate stage of childhood? This question may be particularly pertinent in cultures such as those found in the Pacific, where the right to speak out is traditionally not afforded to those on the edge of adulthood, and where ‘youth’ for the purposes of inclusive dialogue frequently means people over the age of 20. Although they may seem isolated, the Pacific islands are linked to global, regional and national movements to give young people more voice, to recognise the valuable contributions they can make and to ensure that they are participants in determining their own futures.