TRIAL OF AN ASTHMA ACTION PLAN IN THE MAORI COMMUNITY OF THE WAIRARAPA

Aims. An asthma action plan has been tested in a study conducted by Wa irarapa Maori community health workers and the Wellington asthma resea rch group. There were several distinctive features of the project, inc luding the programme of marae-based asthma clinics, and the partnershi p between the researchers and the Maori community groups. This paper d escribes the process by which the study was conducted since this exper ience may be relevant to future Maori health research projects. Method s. The programme was launched with a series of hui at marae in the Wai rarapa, and marae-based clinics were set up. These were followed up by further support from the Maori community health workers who helped pe ople to keep diaries to monitor their asthma, and generally maintained contact. The severity of asthma in the participants was compared for a two-month period before the action plan was introduced, and for a fo ur-month period after the plan was introduced. Results. There was a hi gh participation rate, with 91% (63/69) of participants finishing the programme, 75% of whom adequately completed their daily asthma diaries . Asthma control improved significantly in the participants. They comm ented positively on the programme, and particularly on the marae-based clinics.Conclusions. The study was successful in terms of participati on in the marae-based clinics, acceptance and use of the plan, and imp rovement in asthma control of the participants. The findings indicate what can be achieved when researchers and Maori community groups work in partnership.