Christina
Persico, RNZ Pacific Bulletin Editor
A
Wellington-born Tongan researcher wants to see more Pasifika
included in clinical studies in Aotearoa New
Zealand.
Melemafi Porter is a junior research fellow
at the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand (MRINZ) and
also a PhD candidate.
She is currently involved in a
study investigating whether the needles used for
Covid-19 vaccination are the right size for people with
higher BMIs (body mass indexes).
“Specifically,
[we’re] making sure that the guidelines we currently have in
play are suitable for everybody, but with that focus on our
bigger body people,” she said.
“And an underlying kind
of reflection is that Māori and Pasifika here in Aotearoa
New Zealand have the highest rates of obesity and so we
already experience poorer health outcomes.”
Porter
said further investigation into this was even more important
to make sure that Māori and Pasifika got equitable
care.
But she said Pasifika were also underrepresented
in clinical studies, which was concerning for obtaining an
accurate demographic for clinical trials in
Aotearoa.
“If our people aren’t involved in that, we
don’t know how it is affecting our people.
“I can
speak specifically from a Pacific point of view – there’s
just heaps of stigmas around clinical trials and studies,
and this can come from cultural stances, but then also
religious and faith, belief ones.
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“Just that stigma
around something being tested on you I think is what sways
Pasifika from wanting to participate.
“But then also
the fact that Pacific communities are known for having
poorer health outcomes and that therefore over researched
and can have research fatigue.
“But then again from
throughout history have been under compensated. So I think
making sure that the incentive behind it matches the work
that they’re putting in and ensuring that reciprocation is
there.”
Porter is also connected to a sister study
basically testing the feasibility of having a surveillance
programme throughout pharmacies. Traditionally the
surveillance has been run through GP clinics but these are
getting overstacked.
“Pharmacies are key because if
you can’t get into the GP, the other closest place that you
usually go to is the pharmacy.
“I just think that
switch in perspective for that study is beautiful and like a
highlight to me personally…because it’s just another area
which we can get information from to help protect our
communities.”
Porter said to see more Pasifika get
involved in medical studies, more community outreach is
needed, as well as resources designed to help educate
communities but for having it voiced through community
leaders.
“So that you’ve got that familiarity and that
trust that’s already established within those little
niches.
“And also, just reciprocation and the feedback
– once you’ve gone and conducted studies with Pacific
communities making sure that the dissemination goes back to
them and that you are adequately informing them of the
results that they were involved
in.”
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