Exploring if Samoan Men Adopt Any Lifestyle Changes Following Cardiovascular Risk Assessment (CVRA)

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) have been identified as one of the leading causes of death for Pacific men in New Zealand (NZ). In an effort to address this issue, cardiovascular risk assessments (CVRA) have been offered free in NZ to Pacific men age 35 years and since 2007. The main aim of this study was to establish whether Samoan men implemented any lifestyle changes following CVRA. There were three key objectives of the study, firstly was to establish Samoan men’s knowledge on lifestyle changes and secondly was to establish whether Samoan men adopted lifestyle changes after CVRA, exploring what helped or assisted them in making changes. Lastly, it was to establish the barriers or limitations the men experienced which prevented them from adopting lifestyle changes. The participants also made recommendations on how best to deliver health education to Samoan men which were not directly related to the question.

The qualitative research design for this study; facilitated discussion with Samoan men enrolled at a Pacific primary health service. A conceptual framework was developed, to reflect the Samoan culture and perspectives incorporating some aspects of Critical Social Theory (CST) and Talanoa as the cultural methodology. Individual face-to-face interviews were conducted with four Samoan men to capture in-depth views, experiences and stories. The research found that three out of the four Samoan men who participated adopted lifestyle changes following CVRA, although some experienced some difficulties, in maintaining and sustaining these changes. The knowledge gained from health education following CVRA prompted the Samoan men to implement lifestyle changes. The common themes that emerged from the study for reasons for Samoan men adopting lifestyle changes highlighted the importance of the men being role models, health services that provide good communication and are culturally appropriate to suit the needs of Samoan men, as well as the knowledge gained through health education prompted prevention. Furthermore, the barriers to adopting lifestyle changes included the men’s cultural values and health practices, financial barriers and the men’s own personal choices. Further research on a greater scale and in different localities is required to explore if Samoan or Pacific men implement lifestyle changes following CVRA.