Application of Community Based Participatory Research to the Creation of a Diabetes Prevention Documentary with New Zealand Māori

Background

Despite the high rate of Type 2 diabetes in the indigenous people of New Zealand (Māori), little is known about their personal understanding or experience of the disease. Several studies of Māori health identify a need for new health communication approaches to diabetes prevention. There is both an absence of theoretically grounded audio visual materials focusing on Māori health and a lack of academic studies on diabetes prevention and mediated health communication. This is particularly true of studies utilising and evaluating documentary narratives. This research addressed this gap in understanding and lack of health resources for this population.

Aim

The aim of this research was  to engage Māori health leaders and community members in a participatory process to develop a culturally relevant diabetes prevention documentary.

Method

Principles of community based participatory research (CBPR) were applied to research with a convenience sample of Māori living in Christchurch, New Zealand. A Qualitative research design employing Key Informant interviews and focus groups (Hui) was used to inform the content of a diabetes prevention documentary.

Results

A filmmaking collaboration is detailed that illustrates a participatory process for developing health documentaries with indigenous communities. 

Conclusions

A (CBPR) approach provides an appropriate model for enacting local action-oriented approaches in the creation of a diabetes documentary that reflects Māori cultural beliefs, practices, and narrative traditions. Digital storytelling has the potential to be a culturally relevant form of communication in indigenous communities.