Esala was in his research area in Galoa Island in Kadavu, a remote island village in Fiji
Esala’s research topic: Culturally Appropriate Motivation to Reduce the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in the iTaukei.
“My research uses Mixed Method Research to re-explore Culturally Appropriate Motivation to Reduce the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) in the iTaukei (Indigenous Fijians) in Fiji and the diaspora in New Zealand. T2DM is a significant health problem, preventable with behaviour change targeting modifiable risk factors: Physical activity and exercise, Obesity, and Healthy Diet. While qualitative data measures emotions through stories, quantitative data uses numbers and statistics to investigate the magnitude of T2DM in Fijians. My study population is Fijians in New Zealand and Fiji. The survey in Fiji allowed me to reconnect with family and the Vanua, invisible cohesive forces that keep Fijians together.
I thank the DEVNET Research grant for funding my data collection in Fiji. The award allowed me to explore the T2DM risk of Fijians in New Zealand and Fiji and identify an applicable motivation framework that can address the diversity within the Fijian culture. The information gathered from my research has been used to write articles on motivating behaviour change in New Zealand through culturally practical methods that are ‘By the People, For the People’.
Esala Vakamacawai, PhD Researcher, University of Canterbury”
