Nanati Pao - Smoking Cessation
Sharon Reid
Manager, Aukati KaiPaipa Smoking Cessation Programme
Kokiri Marae Health and Social Services
7-9 Barnes Street
Seaview
Lower Hutt
Quitting smoking has a domino effect in changing lifestyles…for whanau, Aukati KaiPaipa is more than a smoking cessation programme – it is a catalyst for many other life style changes…
| Sharon Reid, Kokiri Marae |
|
Sharon Reid has been a passionate and determined advocate for the smoking cessation programme, Aukati KaiPaipa (AKP) over many years, and today, she continues to be the programme’s most ardent advocate. In the ten years since the first AKP pilot programme began she has seen many changes take place, and has witnessed first hand the difference that quitting can make to whanau.
Some of the most inspiring and encouraging changes can be attributed to the people themselves; through support by her highly trained staff, and through sheer effort and will, many smokers have been able to make significant changes, and are now living differently to how they were before.
We have seen long term smokers entering the AKP programme, after smoking for 30 – 40 years and quitting. Many have succeeded in staying quit, some have relapsed but the key for us is having a no fail system. They can come back and access our services as many times as needed to quit.
AKP at Kokiri recognises that quitting is a long term process, and the AKP programme adapts to meet the needs of those smokers for whom quitting presents an extraordinary challenge. The programme is long term, provides intensive intervention and smokers will have regular contact for up to one year.
Face to face meetings conducted in the homes of clients and/or workplaces have attracted many to access the service. Clients are visited every week for up to 12 weeks, support is provided with nicotine replacement therapy and after the initial 12 weeks, contact is maintained on a monthly basis for 9 months. Whether the client quits or not, the AKP workers are in for the long haul – and the focus is on providing support to try again and again.
Sharon attributes the success of the AKP programme to a holistic approach – at Kokiri Marae Health and Social Services, whanau are able to receive help for a range of issues; respiratory, nutrition, immunisations, diabetes (Glossary description: Diabetes is a syndrome of disordered metabolism, usually due to a combination of hereditary and environmental causes, resulting in abnormally high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia).), women’s health, nurse clinics, social services and child and parent programmes such as Naku Enei Tamariki. Referral between services is common, in particular Tu Kotahi Maori Asthma (Glossary description: Asthma is a common chronic disorder of the airways that is complex and characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, airflow obstruction, bronchial hyperresponsiveness (bronchospasm), and an underlying inflammation.) Service, who works closely with AKP to better enhance the health of whanau within the community.
Kokiri Marae Health and Social Services have been operating for 30 + years and holds a Wellington wide contract with the Ministry of Health to deliver smoking cessation services including Wellington city and surrounding suburbs, through to Porirua and the Kapiti Coast, and including all of the Hutt Valley to the Rimutaka Hill. They also have specific smoking cessation contracts to work with young people and mental health consumers.
What keeps AKP motivated is the changes they have seen in people as they are on their journey of quitting; confidence increases, they feel good about themselves, and even though some may not succeed immediately, they make changes that remain over time. Quitting smoking will affect the biggest health gains for Māori and it is the main driver for our Aukati KaiPaipa Programme.