A new study reveals that indigenous Fijian women living in New Zealand have a lower rate of awareness and practice of family planning compared to women living in Fiji.

The study undertaken by Dr Radilaite Cammock, looked at the reproductive health of indigenous Fijian or iTaukei women in different cultural and socioeconomic contexts in New Zealand and Fiji.  140 women took part in NZ and 212 in Fiji.

“We assume that Pacific peoples living in New Zealand would have improved outcomes. But, the idea that moving to a country with greater resources will provide better access to healthcare is not true,” said Dr Cammock.

The study showed that iTaukei women under 24-years of age have lower odds of being aware of family planning with more than 20 percent of them reporting unplanned pregnancy.

According to the study, iTaukei women who are married or in a relationship are 10 times more likely to use contraception compared to those who are single. Family planning methods are practiced at the average age of 24 for iTaukei women.

“For younger women, the likelihood of using contraception is lower, which has serious implications when we consider the statistics for teenage pregnancy,” said Dr Cammock.

“There are a lot of negative connotations and stigma associated with family planning. For young people coming here, they are often trying to balance traditional ways of thinking with the new norms they are exposed to in New Zealand.” 

Although there is a relative wealth of resources in New Zealand, the study raises questions on the accessibility to family planning services among Pacific minority groups.

Reasons contributing to this result are barriers to access and cultural sensitivities and a lack of female providers in New Zealand, less engagement with mainstream society, and language barriers can hinder understanding the information.

Pacific youth are diverse and the fastest growing young population with high rates of teenage pregnancy, often double that of the general population in NZ.

The study highlights education as an important factor in raising awareness of family planning. Women were found to have more exposure to information as they go through higher levels of education. A tertiary education significantly increased the odds of iTaukei women using a contraception.

“Education opens your mind to different ways of thinking. It’s important, because – if you come from a traditional culture that is hierarchical and dominated by men – finding autonomy can be a challenge,” says Dr Cammock.

In addition, Dr Cammock calls for a wider multi-sector approach for more accessible family planning services for Pacific minority groups living in New Zealand.