HRC Pacific news June 2014 Researcher thriving on the challenge to outsmart viruses By Suzy Botica As a young child, Zabeen Lateef was always intrigued by how things worked and, more importantly, why they worked that way. During school she was good at math and science, particularly biology as it helped answer questions about where we come from, how we get sick, and why some people recover from infections and others don’t. laboratory field. After finishing her MSc, she was awarded a 2004 HRC Pacific Health Research Postgraduate Scholarship to study an orf virus protein that can reduce inflammation. “During my PhD, I learnt that viruses can selectively attract or repel our immune cells and even reprogramme them, so that these cells which are supposed to fight infection end up helping the virus.” Currently, Zabeen is studying human norovirus as part of a 2012 HRC Pacific Health Research Postdoctoral Fellowship. Dr Zabeen Lateef “Most viral diseases are like a game of chess played between the virus and the host,” says Zabeen. “The unfathomable thing is that we humans are alive, and our cells are more complex and advanced. Viruses are just little parcels of genetic material that are not technically alive, so how can they outsmart us?” Zabeen started off learning about human viral diseases in the medical “Noroviruses are a fascinating challenge – we understand so little about them because we cannot grow them in the laboratory. Their genomic information is encoded by ribonucleic acid1 rather than DNA, which means they are smaller and can mutate faster.” Norovirus outbreaks in New Zealand cost about $50.5 million to manage each year. In cases where hospitalisation is required, studies have shown that Pacific Island children are 1 Ribonucleic acid is used to translate instructions from DNA to make proteins in the body 1.5 times more likely to be admitted for more severe gastroenteritis than other New Zealand children. One of the viral proteins found only in noroviruses is NS1-2. This is the first protein made when the virus replicates, but its role is unknown. “The aim of my project is to characterise this protein. Once it’s made inside the cell, where does it go and what does it do? NS1-2 is an ideal drug target as the first segment of the protein is disordered, which gives it the ability to change shape under different conditions. This flexibility means that the protein plays multiple roles during infection. By making anti-virals to target this part of the protein, we should theoretically be able to stop virus replication.” Zabeen says the HRC Pacific research awards that she’s received have had a big influence on her career, enabling her to balance family and work commitments. “I’ve been incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to do what I love and still raise a family.” (Continued on page 4) HRC Pacific News June 2014 Message from the Pacific Health Research Committee Chair Conference to be held in Auckland on 3–5 November 2014 is well underway. This conference is an extraordinary opportunity for interdisciplinary dissemination of health research, practice, and knowledge under the broad theme of Pacific health solutions through research and practice. Registrations for the conference open at the end of July. See the conference website, pacificconference.hrc.govt.nz for more information. Dr Edward Saafi Malo e lelei, warm Pacific greetings, and welcome to this June edition of HRC Pacific News for 2014. Since our last newsletter, a lot has happened and it is therefore my pleasure to give you a brief update on progress to date. First, the HRC’s Pacific Health Research Committee (PHRC) has successfully completed its strategic planning for the period 2014–2016. The Strategic Activities for Pacific Health Research (2014–2016) document has now been signed off by the HRC Board as the agreed strategic road map forward to help the PHRC achieve its aims and objectives. The strategic activities document consists of four main parts: Part one consists of the vision statement ‘Optimal health for Pacific peoples’ and mission statement ‘Pacific solutions through research’; Part two deals with responsiveness, or ways in which decisions relating to Pacific health research could be influenced; Part three looks at workforce/research capacity development; and Part four focuses on collaborations and partnerships. Second, the planning for the International Pacific Health 2 This conference is supported by the HRC in partnership with the Ministry of Health; Secretariat of the Pacific Community; Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan; AUT University Pacific Islands Families Study; the University of Otago; John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa; Le Va; Ministry of Social Development Pasefika Proud; the University of Auckland; AUT University; and the Pasifika Medical Association. If any other organisation wishes to take part in this conference, please contact Dr Nuhisifa Seve-Williams at the HRC for more information (email: nseve-williams@ hrc.govt.nz). Third, I am pleased to acknowledge the completion of the revised HRC Pacific Health Research Guidelines document. This piece of work has been driven by the PHRC with the help of the hardworking group members Dr Tai Sopoaga (Chair), Dr Mele Taumoepeau, Dr Karlo Mila-Schaaf, Dr Ieti Lima, and Dr Julia IoaneApaula. This was a necessary piece of work to update the original document to reflect new methodologies, information, and technologies – now embraced as part of the methodology repertoire – for Pacific health research. The revised Pacific Health Research Guidelines document was launched at the HRC on Thursday, 5 June. Health Research Council of New Zealand Te Kaunihera Rangahau Hauora o Aotearoa Fourth, I wish to congratulate Dr Colin Tukuitonga on his appointment as the new Director General of the South Pacific Commission. Due to his recent change in circumstances, Dr Tukuitonga has asked to step down from the PHRC to focus on his new role. On behalf of the PHRC, I extend our appreciation to Dr Tukuitonga for his many valuable contributions as the regional member and representative to this committee during his tenure. Fifth, the PHRC is delighted to welcome Dr Paula Vivili, Acting Director: Policy, Planning and Regulation in the Public Health Division of the South Pacific Commission. Dr Vivili has joined the PHRC as the Pacific regional replacement for Dr Tukuitonga. Dr Vivili brings extensive experience in the areas of non-communicable diseases, health promotion, ophthalmology, diabetes, internal medicine, and surgical services. Last, but not least, I wish to thank the PHRC team (Dr Vili Nosa, Dr Josephine Herman, Dr Mele Taumoepeau, Dr Palatasa Havea, and Ms Hilda Faasalele) for their continued dedication to this work. I also acknowledge the guidance of the HRC Board, the HRC’s Chief Executive, Dr Robin Olds, the HRC Group Manager, Research Partnerships, Ms Sharon McCook, and especially our HRC Project Manager, Pacific Health Research, Dr Nuhisifa SeveWilliams, for supporting the work of the committee. Faka’apa’apa Atu Dr Edward Saafi, PhD, MBA Chair, HRC Pacific Health Research Committee HRC Pacific News June 2014 Revised Pacific Health Research Guidelines available On 5 June 2014 the HRC’s Pacific Health Research Committee launched the second edition of the ‘Guidelines on Pacific Health Research’. The original guidelines were developed in 2005 through a process of wide consultation with relevant stakeholders, and laid the initial foundations for considering the ethical principles of Pacific health research. Since then, however, the Pacific health research landscape has changed significantly. “There have been huge advancements in the plethora of methodologies available for the study of Pacific people’s health. Hence, there was a need to update the original guidelines, to keep pace with, and remain relevant to the progress in research methodologies that are now being applied to Pacific health research,” said Dr Edward Saafi, Chair of the HRC Pacific Health Research Committee. This edition of the Pacific Health Research Guidelines targets both Pacific and non-Pacific researchers who are engaged in HRC-funded health research with Pacific populations residing in New Zealand and the realm countries of New Zealand (Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau). Researchers conducting non-HRCfunded studies in Pacific communities may also find this document useful. The guidelines aim to ensure that the research undertaken informs and empowers Pacific peoples about health research within their own communities, and their rights as research participants; provides an ethical and operational guide for health research that contributes to the attainment of the highest level of health and wellbeing for Pacific peoples in Pacific research proposal writing workshop The HRC has arranged for a Pacific research proposal writing workshop to be held in Auckland on 25 June 2014. This workshop is specifically focusing on the HRC’s Project and Emerging Researcher First Grant contract types for Pacific health researchers. The workshop facilitator is Professor Robert Scragg. Video conferencing links will be available for researchers outside of Auckland. To register for this workshop, please email Dr Nuhisifa Seve-Williams, [email protected]. Details: 25 June 2014 | School of Population Health The University of Auckland | Tamaki Campus Room 730–266 | 12pm–3pm (Light refreshments available) New Zealand; and provides a common template and shared vision on Pacific health research for the various Pacific health research stakeholders, including the HRC, researchers, research participants, and Pacific communities. Hardcopies of the revised Pacific Health Research Guidelines are now available by contacting Dr Nuhisifa Seve-Williams, email: nseve-williams@ hrc.govt.nz. You can also download the guidelines from www.hrc.govt.nz. – Problem gambling research opportunity The HRC is administering the Preventing and Minimising Gambling Harm Career Development Awards, which are funded by the Ministry of Health. Applicants are invited to apply for Masters, PhD, and Postdoctoral awards to support the career development of emerging health researchers seeking to prevent and minimise gambling-related harm for Māori and Pacific populations in New Zealand. Applicants will apply using the standard HRC Māori or Pacific career development forms, which will be available on the HRC’s website, www.hrc.govt.nz, in June. Health Research Council of New Zealand Te Kaunihera Rangahau Hauora o Aotearoa 3 HRC Pacific News June 2014 International Pacific Health Conference update The International Pacific Health Conference 2014 (Auckland, 3–5 November) is a chance for community stakeholders, policymakers, philanthropic leaders, researchers and students to engage in interdisciplinary dissemination of health research, practice and knowledge. Check out the conference website – pacificconference.hrc.govt.nz – for regular updates. Challenges facing Pacific peoples at a global level Some of the key issues that will be discussed at the conference include the: high incidence, prevalence and economic cost associated with non-communicable diseases; high chronic disease burden, particularly for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes; growing health inequities in the Pacific region; and the greater prevalence of mental health disorders, suicide attempts, and tobacco and alcohol use among Pacific youth. Abstracts Abstract submissions closed on 2 June. Many thanks to all those who applied. The HRC will advise all applicants about the outcome of the abstract review by Monday, 16 June 2014. Keynote speakers: The conference has a great line up of keynote speakers. These include: • Professor Sir Mason Durie, (Retired) Professor of Māori Research and Development and Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Māori and Pasifika), Massey University • Global health challenges: Associate Professor Keawe’aimoku Kaholokula, John A. Burns School of Medicine at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa • Panel of Pacific health leaders of tomorrow: • Dr Dianne Sika-Paotonu, Victoria University of Wellington • Dr Yvette C. Paulino, University of Guam • Seini Jensen, Pasifika Medical Association, Auckland • Dr El-Shadan Tautolo, AUT University, Auckland Registrations Registrations for the conference will open at the end of July. For more information, please contact Dr Nuhisifa Seve-Williams at the HRC, email: [email protected]. (Continued from page 1) “Without HRC funding, the supportive environment at my department, and the understanding of my family, I could not have come this far in my research career. The flexibility to have a family and do research is a bit like having your cake and eating it, too!” Zabeen’s Fijian and Indo-Fijian cultural background has also played an important part in how she approaches her work. 4 “In Fiji I was part of a multicultural and multi-religious society. This made me realise that there are multifaceted aspects to everything in life. I use this maxim in my research as well. My research is multifaceted in the sense that I study genetics, proteins, cellular biology, and gut immunology all as part of a single project.” In the future, Zabeen hopes to remain at the University of Otago and eventually secure enough funding to Health Research Council of New Zealand Te Kaunihera Rangahau Hauora o Aotearoa manage her own lab. “Discoveries in science are only possible by standing on the shoulders of giants. There are a lot of scientists who have forged the path for the next generation and all we have to do is follow and build on previous work, piece by piece, until we see the bigger picture. I’ve been privileged to work with great scientists here in New Zealand, and I hope to leave behind a similar legacy.” HRC Pacific News June 2014 2015 funding round: Pacific roadshows The HRC’s 2015 annual funding round gets underway next month. In addition to the main funding round roadshows held in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin (see www.hrc.govt.nz/news-and-media/events), the HRC has also organised a series of roadshows tailored specifically for students looking at applying for a HRC Pacific health research grant. See the following table for dates, times and locations. Date Location Monday, 21 July 2014 University of Otago, Dunedin Venue: Pacific Islands Research and Student Support Unit, Room GO5–71, Frederick Street Time: 6pm–8pm Tuesday, 22 July 2014 University of Canterbury, Christchurch Venue: Pasifika Student Fale, 45 Creyke Road Time: 1pm–3pm Wednesday, 23 July 2014 Victoria University, Wellington Venue: Ground floor of the new Alan McDiarmid Building, Kelburn Campus, Room AM103 Time: 11am–12.30pm Whiteria Polytechnic Venue and Time: TBC Thursday, 24 July 2014 Massey University, Palmerston North, Manawatu Campus Venue: Fale Pasifika (YFC Building, University Ave) Time: 11am–1pm Monday, 28 July 2014 Waikato University, Hamilton Venue: Lecture theatre B.G.24 Time: TBC Tuesday, 29 July 2014 The University of Auckland, Tamaki Campus Venue: School of Population Health, 261 Morrins Road, Glen Inn3pm Wednesday, 30 July 2014 AUT University, Manukau Campus Venue: MB317 Time: 11am–12.30pm Thursday, 31 July 2014 Massey University, Albany Campus Venue: SC5, Ground Floor, Study Centre, East Precinct Time: 10am–12pm Upcoming closing dates For an up-to-date list of all application registration, opening and closing dates, please go to the HRC website: www.hrc.govt.nz. Pacific Career Development Award forms and guidelines for the HRC’s 2015 funding round will be available from the HRC website this month. Pacific Health Research Development Grant Pacific Health Research Summer Studentship Pacific Health Research Masters Scholarship Pacific Health Research PhD Scholarship Pacific Health Research Postdoctoral Fellowship Full applications open 2 July 2014 (9am) Full applications close 2 September 2014 (12pm) About HRC Pacific News Current and past issues of HRC Pacific News can be viewed on the HRC website: www.hrc.govt.nz. Contributions are welcome. All articles in HRC Pacific News may be reprinted, provided the source is acknowledged. If you would like to subscribe to HRC Pacific News, please email [email protected], put ‘Subscribe HRC Pacific News’ in the header and include your name and mailing address details. You can also use this email address to advise us if you no longer wish to receive HRC Pacific News. Health Research Council of New Zealand Te Kaunihera Rangahau Hauora o Aotearoa 5 HRC Pacific News June 2014 Study investigates Pacific parent-child interactions By Suzy Botica A HRC-funded study by Miss Manatu Fia, a postgraduate psychology student at Otago University, provides insights into how Pacific parents influence their children’s social and emotional development. “Investigation into the socioemotional development of our Pacific children should be a priority so that we can seek ways in which we can prevent the onset of behavioural problems. Identifying what supports healthy socioemotional development in the Pacific context may also help in tackling the high Pacific mental illness rates in New Zealand,” says Manatu. Manatu Fia Manatu, of Tongan-New Zealand heritage, recently completed the 10week study under the supervision of Dr Mele Taumoepeau as part of a HRC Pacific Health Summer Studentship. Her main aim was to describe the effects of parent-child interactions on children’s behaviour in a Pacific context, an area where there has been a notable lack of research. According to the World Health Organization, family and social environment play major roles in the prevalence, onset and course of mental and behavioural disorders. Behavioural problems in young children include internalising (shyness, social withdrawal and depressive symptoms) and externalising (aggression, noncompliance, lack of impulse control) difficulties. Manatu says it’s important to target interventions at an early age and perhaps prevent these problems from further developing throughout school and even later in life. 6 In her study, Manatu studied 41 Pacific families living in New Zealand with toddlers varying in age from 27 to 37 months. She first tested if the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was a valid measure of emotional and behavioural problems for Pacific people. The SDQ is a universal measure of children’s psychological wellbeing, including prosocial behaviours – positive behaviours intended to help others (e.g. sharing, cooperating). To perform the validation test, Manatu correlated observed child behaviour with the SDQ scores of the children as reported by their primary caregivers. The behavioural interactions recorded were based on a new coding system Manatu helped develop to look at Pacific parent-child interactions. “Although we didn’t fully validate the use of the SDQ with Pacific toddlers, the results were promising,” says Manatu. “As expected, there was a negative correlation between children’s prosocial skills and their reported conduct problems. The more the child is reported to misbehave, the Health Research Council of New Zealand Te Kaunihera Rangahau Hauora o Aotearoa fewer prosocial skills were observed. There was also a negative correlation between children’s responses to physical directions and their reported hyperactivity.” Manatu also examined how verbal and non-verbal (e.g. eye contact, pointing, facial expressions, touch) interactions between parent/caregiver and child might support the development of prosocial behaviour. She found caregivers were just as likely to use verbal as non-verbal interactions to teach and encourage their child’s prosocial skill development. Interestingly, she says the children in the study were more likely to voluntarily display prosocial behaviours when their primary caregivers used non-verbal encouragement, rather than when the caregivers used verbal language. “If we could identify the specific nonverbal languages involved in Pacific parent-child interactions then we can promote these behaviours within our Pacific families,” says Manatu. However, the opposite correlations were found when observing secondary caregiver-child interactions. “The mothers were effective in eliciting voluntary prosocial acts from their child when they used non-verbal methods, whereas the secondary caregivers – mostly fathers – were more effective when they used verbal language.” Manatu says that although causal implications can’t be made from her HRC Pacific News June 2014 findings, they do provide insight into Pacific parent-child interactions. For example, how children interact with and learn from their mothers will be different from how they interact and learn from their fathers. She says this should be taken into account when Manatu received the Cogita Inspiration Award at the Prime Minister’s Pacific Youth Awards ceremony in 2013. She is currently in her Honours year at Otago University and plans to become a clinical psychologist, developing interventions which will help Pacific people manage mental illness. developing intervention programmes for Pacific Island families. “I know that the knowledge and practice I’ve gained from doing this summer studentship will be of great help in the future. I look forward to developing this research further.” Cultural focus could aid recovery from spinal cord injury By Suzy Botica Updating current informational resources to address spiritual and mental wellbeing could help Pasifika people’s recovery from spinal cord injuries, according to a HRC-funded study by AUT University student Tainafi Lefono. may help challenge preconceived ideas of disability in cultural communities and clear guidance on where to seek specific cultural support if required,” says Tainafi. Tainafi Lefono Tainafi’s four-month study, part of a 2014 HRC Pacific Health Research Summer Studentship, examined the informational materials that are routinely given to patients at New Zealand’s spinal units following a spinal cord injury (SCI). He found that these materials were missing culturally relevant information in some key areas that could aid the recovery of Pasifika patients. “My analysis revealed the absence of a Pasifika model of health that incorporates the physical, mental and spiritual facets of a Pasifika person, SCI involves lifelong neurological impairment, which is correlated with disabilities that affect not just mobility and sensation, but also other areas such as sexual function, body temperature regulation, and bowel and bladder function. New Zealand has one of the highest rates of SCI in the western world, with Pasifika peoples at increased risk. As part of his study, Tainafi analysed four qualitative interviews1 with Pasifika peoples who had experienced a SCI. Extracts from the interviews were grouped into categories related to the definition of culture2. He identified five key factors that contribute to the recovery of Pasifika peoples with a SCI. These are: 1. Change in roles within the family and community – changes in these roles as a result of SCI affected both male and female participants 2. Seeing disabled people as able – more community education about SCI 3. Opportunities for work and study post-injury – the change to work or study post-SCI, whether returning to pre-injury work or pursuing something entirely new, was important for Pasifika participants 4. Spirituality and mental wellbeing – this was very important to Pasifika participants, who expressed a sense of loss of control and self-confidence due to their SCI 5. Family and peer support – participants described family and peer support from other spinal-injured individuals as vital to their recovery “Injury and disability affected all the participants in different areas of their lives,” says Tainafi. “Many talked about the debilitating effect SCI had on their wellbeing. From a cultural lens, it was clear that areas beyond physical functioning, such as mental and spiritual wellbeing, were just as important for Pasifika people’s recovery.” (Continued on page 8) Health Research Council of New Zealand Te Kaunihera Rangahau Hauora o Aotearoa 7 HRC Pacific News June 2014 (Continued from page 7) Tainafi says the findings could present some challenges for healthcare services due to the differences between Pacific and New Zealand cultures. “This is important as culture can often be a barrier to Pasifika peoples acquiring healthcare and understanding the implications of injuries or conditions on themselves and their families.” Tainafi presented the preliminary findings of this study at the Le Va Growing Pacific Solutions Health and Disability Conference earlier this year, and will provide a summary of the findings to the Auckland and Christchurch spinal units involved and to the Accident Compensation Corporation. He also plans to present the findings at the HRC’s International Pacific Health Conference in November. “I believe that having a spinal cord injury and being Pasifika has provided me with deep insight into this topic. However, this project has also given me much back in terms of what I’ve learned about Pacific health and the importance of culture,” says Tainafi. Tainafi’s study was supervised by AUT University researchers Dr Alice Theadom and Dr Joanna Fadyl, in collaboration with Professor Kathryn McPherson. 1 These interviews were undertaken as part of a larger research study conducted in 2010. See Fadyl, J K, McPherson, K M (2010). Understanding decisions about work after spinal cord injury. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, 20(1), 69–80. 2 Definition of culture as used in Macpherson, C, Macpherson, L (1990). Samoan Medical Belief and Practice. Auckland, New Zealand: Auckland University Press. Sign up for HRC Gateway The HRC’s new online submission system, HRC Gateway, is now open for sign up at https://gateway.hrc.govt.nz. If you would like to apply for funding in the HRC’s 2015 annual funding round and you haven’t been an investigator on an HRC application since 2008, you’ll need to sign up for HRC Gateway and provide us with your details. Instructions on how to sign up to HRC Gateway can be found in the user guide link at the bottom of any page of the HRC Gateway website. We advise that you sign up for HRC Gateway well in advance of an application closing date to ensure you don’t miss out. (Please note that the First Named Investigator needs to ensure that anyone they intend to add to their application as a Named Investigator has signed up to HRC Gateway.) If you have previously been an investigator on an HRC application since 2008, you don’t need to worry about signing up to HRC Gateway. You should have been sent an email with your user name and password and asked to sign on to HRC Gateway and reset your password. Once you’ve done this, you can then sign on and update your details (e.g. new phone number or job title). If you didn’t receive an email from the HRC, then you’ll need to sign up for HRC Gateway as a new user. HRC documentation on how to apply for funding using the new HRC Gateway system is now available on the HRC Gateway (Online Submission System) website – https://gateway.hrc.govt.nz and the HRC website – www.hrc.govt.nz. If you have any questions about HRC Gateway, please contact the HRC’s Business Systems Manager, Vivien Lovell, email: [email protected]. Contact the Project Manager, HRC Pacific Health Research Dr Nuhisifa Seve-Williams Project Manager, Pacific Health Research [email protected] ✆ (09) 303 5225 Mobile: 021 588 155 Website: www.hrc.govt.nz Physical address: Level 3, 110 Stanley Street, Grafton, Auckland, New Zealand Phone: +64 9 303 5200 Fax: +64 9 377 9988 Level 3, 110 Stanley Street, Auckland PO Box 5541 Wellesley Street, Auckland 1141 www.hrc.govt.nz Postal address: PO Box 5541, Wellesley Street, Auckland 1141, New Zealand ISSN 1171-4069 (Print) ISSN 1171-3976 (Online) Health Research Council of New Zealand Te Kaunihera Rangahau Hauora o Aotearoa
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