Pacific ABC Training

Auckland Focus Group. Backrow: Daniel Tasao (WDHB), Stephanie Erick (Tala Pasifika), Filipo Motulalo (ACC), Sione Tupou (ADHB), Halo Asekona (Penina Trust), Maria Cassidy (Independant), Peter Aiono (ARPHS); Seated: Mali Erick (Werry Centre, UoA), Eva Zombos (Martin Hautus).

In 2007, the Ministry of Health released the ABC Smoking Cessation Guideline. This guideline is an easy three-step guide that health providers can use in their everyday work.

ABC stands for: Ask if the patient smokes; give Brief advice to quit; and support Cessation (stopping smoking) with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), behavioural support or referrals.

In 2011, the government made the decision to make New Zealand tobacco free by 2025. Evidence showed that the original ABC methods of engagement were not working for Pacific people. With one in three Pacific people smoking a more targeted approach was needed.

Pacific Heartbeat was invited to develop a Pacific ABC resource that relates closely to the Pacific community and enables healthcare workers to work with more confidence with Pacific smokers.

Pacific Heartbeat consulted Pacific communities nation-wide. Focus groups were held in Auckland, Hamilton and Wellington. From these meetings resources were developed and then presented to the groups again for feedback.

The resulting Pacific ABC resources are intended to be used around 'talanoa', the creating and initiating of conversation. Two resources were developed to be used by communities and healthcare workers.