The needs of Pacific families affected by age-related cognitive impairment in New Zealand: interviews with providers from health-care organisations.

INTRODUCTION Pacific populations in New Zealand are aging, but little is known in the health-care environment about their experiences with cognitive impairment. AIM The aim was to explore the needs of Pacific peoples affected by age-related cognitive decline from the perspectives of health-care providers. METHODS Six health-care service providers from organisations focused on Pacific patients were interviewed to determine services available to aged Pacific peoples, access, and whether they met Pacific people's needs. RESULTS Three areas of concern were identified by all participants: access to services; getting a diagnosis; and communication and language. Many experienced a lack of information and poor access to services. Diagnosis of cognitive impairment was frequently made difficult by inconsistent access to general practitioners in lower socio-economic areas. Communication was hindered by poor access to information in Pacific languages. DISCUSSION Common themes noted by all participating health-care providers indicated the needs of aged Pacific people experiencing cognitive decline were often not being met.

A retrospective analysis of calls to the New Zealand National Poisons Centre regarding Pacific patients.

AIMS: Poisoning is a common type of injury in New Zealand. The New Zealand National Poisons Centre (NZNPC) offers a free 24/7 specialist assessment service for enquiries about substance exposures for all New Zealanders. This study aimed to characterise calls to the NZNPC relating to Pasifika patients to explore the potential for unmet need or health disparity in this area. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 2018-2019 human exposure call data was performed. Patients were stratified into three groups: those with at least one Pacific ethnicity listed (Pasifika); those with known ethnicities but no Pacific ethnicity listed (non-Pasifika); those of unknown ethnicity (unknown). Demographic variables and substance groups were described. RESULTS: Of the 40,185 human exposure patients, 1,367 (3.4%) were Pasifika, 24,892 (61.9%) were non-Pasifika and 13,926 (34.7%) were of unknown ethnicity. The median age of Pasifika patients was 2.0 years, with 78.0% aged 0-5, and the exposure most commonly involved a liquid product (46.6%) and a simple analgesic (8.3%). CONCLUSIONS: The NZNPC receives a relatively small number of calls about exposures to Pasifika patients, especially given the youthful population demographic. It is unclear whether there is unmet need for this service, and this study suggests the need for further research.