'Heaps Of Stigma' Affecting Pasifika Participation In Medical Studies, Says Researcher

Friday, 21 March 2025, 9:33 pm
Article: RNZ

Christina Persico, RNZ Pacific Bulletin Editor

A Wellington-born Tongan researcher wants to see more Pasifika included in clinical studies in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Melemafi Porter is a junior research fellow at the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand (MRINZ) and also a PhD candidate.

She is currently involved in a study investigating whether the needles used for Covid-19 vaccination are the right size for people with higher BMIs (body mass indexes).

"Specifically, [we're] making sure that the guidelines we currently have in play are suitable for everybody, but with that focus on our bigger body people," she said.

"And an underlying kind of reflection is that Māori and Pasifika here in Aotearoa New Zealand have the highest rates of obesity and so we already experience poorer health outcomes."

Porter said further investigation into this was even more important to make sure that Māori and Pasifika got equitable care.

But she said Pasifika were also underrepresented in clinical studies, which was concerning for obtaining an accurate demographic for clinical trials in Aotearoa.

"If our people aren't involved in that, we don't know how it is affecting our people.

"I can speak specifically from a Pacific point of view - there's just heaps of stigmas around clinical trials and studies, and this can come from cultural stances, but then also religious and faith, belief ones.

"Just that stigma around something being tested on you I think is what sways Pasifika from wanting to participate.

"But then also the fact that Pacific communities are known for having poorer health outcomes and that therefore over researched and can have research fatigue.

"But then again from throughout history have been under compensated. So I think making sure that the incentive behind it matches the work that they're putting in and ensuring that reciprocation is there."

Porter is also connected to a sister study basically testing the feasibility of having a surveillance programme throughout pharmacies. Traditionally the surveillance has been run through GP clinics but these are getting overstacked.

"Pharmacies are key because if you can't get into the GP, the other closest place that you usually go to is the pharmacy.

"I just think that switch in perspective for that study is beautiful and like a highlight to me personally...because it's just another area which we can get information from to help protect our communities."

Porter said to see more Pasifika get involved in medical studies, more community outreach is needed, as well as resources designed to help educate communities but for having it voiced through community leaders.

"So that you've got that familiarity and that trust that's already established within those little niches.

"And also, just reciprocation and the feedback - once you've gone and conducted studies with Pacific communities making sure that the dissemination goes back to them and that you are adequately informing them of the results that they were involved in."

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