Long-term benefits for Mäori of an asthma self-management program in a Mäori community which takes a partnership approach.

BACKGROUND

In 1991, an intervention trial of the efficacy of an asthma self-management plan was carried out in partnership with a rural Mäori community. The program relied on Mäori community health workers and other health professionals working in partnership, was delivered through clinics in traditional Mäori community centres and Mäori processes were followed throughout. The plan was shown to be effective in reducing asthma morbidity.

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether the long-term benefits of the program extent beyond reduced asthma morbidity and the extent to which any additional benefits may be related to the partnership approach employed by the program.

METHOD

Forty-seven (68%) of the original program participants were surveyed in August 1997. Participants were questioned on the program's impact in areas such as cultural development, health service access and lifestyle.

RESULTS

In addition to the improvements in asthma morbidity, the program was found to have four key benefits: cultural affirmation; improved access to other health services; a greater sense of control for participants; and positive impacts on the extended family.

CONCLUSIONS

The program's benefits extended beyond reduced asthma morbidity and were not due simply to the introduction of the asthma self-management plan but also to the partnership approach employed by the program.

IMPLICATIONS

The study provides support for providing public health services for indigenous communities that take a partnership approach, utilise community expertise and are delivered in a way that is consistent with each community's cultural processes.