Wednesday, 04 April 2007

MIT takes new Otara health research findings to international stage

Two senior lecturers from the Manukau Institute of Technology Department of Nursing and Health Studies, Fay Cobden-Grainge and Pat Walthew, have recently completed a history of Otara Health which charts the ongoing development of the organisation.

They will report their findings at a major international conference on health promotion in Vancouver in June which also involves presentations on indigenous people.

Established 10 years ago, Otara Health began as a grassroots healthcare promotion service with the slogan “Creating Health for all Otara”. The organisation provides health promotion services in partnership with Total Healthcare Otara, the area’s largest primary health organisation.

“A major concern in 1997 was a healthy home environment,” says Fay. “Otara Health went out and talked to people about insulation and taught them that windows should be opened to prevent condensation. The other big issues were rubbish, getting people to put rat baits down and to install fire alarms.”

The organisation helped the community take full advantage of the healthcare available because many of the services were previously under-utilised. It offered support in practical ways such as arranging buses to get people to hospital appointments.

“The organisation continues to educate the community about healthy homes while also focusing on diabetes, obesity, healthy food, exercise, meningococcal and immunisation and road safety,” says Fay.

“There are social and economic determinants of health, and education is one of the key factors. To help themselves, communities need to know more.”

Guided by a philosophy of community participation, Otara Health is unique in giving every ethnic group in the area a voice so it can deliver healthcare that is culturally appropriate.

This starts with the employment of local people to be community health workers and health promoters. These “way-smoothers” bring the needs of their group to Otara Health’s attention and take the organisation’s message back to their communities. In turn, these community workers are upskilling, gaining self-esteem and becoming role models, with a number of them also furthering their education.

“Participation builds empowerment. When a community takes action it ultimately becomes more capable of looking after itself. The essence of Otara Health has always been about the community, rather than healthcare professionals, deciding what is needed.

“This has led to widespread community acceptance of the organisation and a rise in the level of health literacy over the past 10 years. Its success is a tribute to the community’s spirit.”

ends

About MIT

Manukau Institute of Technology is one New Zealand’s largest polytechnics. It offers more than 100 formal programmes at degree, diploma and certificate level and has a student population of around 32,000. Established in 1970 as the country’s first purpose built polytechnic, MIT delivers vocational education and training. With a workforce of 900, MIT is one of the biggest employers in the Counties Manukau region. Manukau City is New Zealand’s fastest growing metropolis.