A Kaupapa Māori approach to a community cohort study of heart disease in New Zealand

• Published in: Australian and New Zealand journal of public health Vol. 35; no. 3; pp. 249 - 255
• Main Authors: Pitama, Suzanne, Wells, J. Elisabeth, Faatoese, Allamanda, Tikao‐Mason, Karen, Robertson, Paul, Huria, Tania, Gillies, Tawhirimatea, Doughty, Rob, Whalley, Gillian, Troughton, Richard, Sheerin, Ian, Richards, Mark, Cameron, Vicky A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Elsevier B.V 01.06.2011; Blackwell Publishing Ltd; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Adult; cardiology; Cardiovascular disease; Cardiovascular diseases; Censuses; Cohort Studies; Community; Community involvement; Community Participation; Community-Based Participatory Research - methods; Cultural Characteristics; Design; Disease; ethnic groups; Ethnicity; Female; Health; Health Services Research; Health Services, Indigenous - organization & administration; Healthcare Disparities; Heart diseases; Heart Diseases - ethnology; Heart Diseases - prevention & control; Humans; Indigenous population; Internet; Logistic Models; Male; Maoris; Medical research; Middle Aged; Mortality; New Zealand; Participation; Pilot Projects; Primary care; Primary Health Care - organization & administration; Qualitative research; Regression models; Research projects; Rolls; Sampling; Young Adult; New Zealand; PSE, New Zealand; Indigenous population; cardiology; ethnic groups; heart diseases
• ISSN: 1326-0200; 1753-6405; 1753-6405
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1753-6405.2011.00702.x

To report the processes and protocols that were developed in the design and implementation of the Hauora Manawa Project, a cohort study of heart disease in New Zealand and to report the participation at baseline. This study utilised application of a Kaupapa Māori Methodology in gaining tribal and health community engagement, design of the project and random selection of participants from territorial electoral rolls, to obtain three cohorts: rural Māori, urban Māori and urban non‐Māori. Logistic regression was used to model response rates. Time invested in gaining tribal and health community engagement assisted in the development and design of clear protocols and processes for the study. Response rates were 57.6%, 48.3% and 57.2%. Co‐operation rates (participation among those with whom contact was established) were 74.7%, 66.6% and 71.4%. Use of electoral rolls enables straightforward sampling but results in low response rates because electors have moved. Co‐operation rates highlight the acceptability of this research project to the participants; they indicate the strength of Kaupapa Māori Methodologies in engaging Māori participants and community. This study provides a model for conducting clinical/biomedical research projects that are compatible with cultural protocols and methodologies, in which the primary aim of the research was Māori health gain.