Hancock W Thane, Durand A Mark, Yolwa Arthur, Sagury Josey, Legthar Clotilda, Ratima Mihi, Wachi Kelly, Adhikary Aparajita, Yarawamai Mikela, Yarawamai Ana, Maskarinec Gregory G
Wa'ab Community Health Center Colonia, Yap State, Federated States of Micronesia.
Pac Health Dialog. 2007 Mar;14(1):156-64.
The health challenges of Micronesians are generally well known. However most of the health-related data collection occurs in the population centers and relatively little is known about the health of the residents of Micronesia's rural outer islands. This is of particular concern in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) where a large portion of the population lives on the outer islands. To gain a better understanding of the health issues facing the isolated outer islands of Micronesia, a health survey was performed on Ulithi Atoll in Yap, FSM.
A survey was created by the Yap State Department of Health Services and members of the Ulithian community. The survey was carried out on two of the four inhabited islands of Ulithi Atoll in July 2004. Both island communities actively participated in the survey providing translation and data gathering assistance.
It was estimated that a >90% response rate for both islands was achieved. Analysis demonstrated that relative to the U.S., the Atoll's population experienced high rates of obesity (45%), hypertension (29%), and smoking (55%). Sixty-six percent of men surveyed reported alcohol use versus 16% of women. Use of alcohol was markedly lower on Fatharai Island where a Chief had mandated abstinence. Preventative health screening was limited with over 80% of women having pap smear in the past 2 years. In addition, the community identified finances and transportation as the main difficulties in accessing healthcare.
Overall, the research identified a number of health issues that require closer attention, in particular hypertension, overweight, obesity, alcohol misuse, smoking prevalence, betel nut/ tobacco chewing, and domestic violence. There is indication that the community may be ready to address some of these issues. The value of community action within cultural frameworks is apparent, and there may be potential to extend culturally-based approaches to address a broader range of issues.
密克罗尼西亚人的健康挑战广为人知。然而，大多数与健康相关的数据收集都集中在人口中心，对于密克罗尼西亚偏远外岛居民的健康状况了解相对较少。在密克罗尼西亚联邦（FSM），这一情况尤为令人担忧，因为很大一部分人口居住在外岛。为了更好地了解密克罗尼西亚偏远外岛面临的健康问题，在FSM雅浦州的乌利西环礁进行了一项健康调查。
雅浦州卫生服务部和乌利西社区成员共同设计了一项调查。该调查于2004年7月在乌利西环礁四个有人居住的岛屿中的两个岛屿上进行。两个岛屿社区都积极参与了调查，提供翻译和数据收集方面的帮助。
据估计，两个岛屿的回应率均超过90%。分析表明，与美国相比，该环礁居民的肥胖率（45%）、高血压率（29%）和吸烟率（55%）较高。接受调查的男性中有66%报告饮酒，而女性为16%。在法塔拉伊岛，由于一位酋长下令禁酒，饮酒率明显较低。预防性健康筛查有限，过去两年中超过80%的女性进行过巴氏涂片检查。此外，社区认为资金和交通是获得医疗保健的主要困难。
总体而言，该研究发现了一些需要密切关注的健康问题，特别是高血压、超重、肥胖、酒精滥用、吸烟率、嚼槟榔/烟草以及家庭暴力。有迹象表明，社区可能已准备好解决其中一些问题。在文化框架内开展社区行动的价值显而易见，并且有可能扩展基于文化的方法以解决更广泛的问题。
