Nanati Pao - Smoking Cessation
Aukati Kaipaipa Smoking Cessation Service
It’s about having a passion for the mahi (work)…we are there to support clients who want to quit, without having to judge…kanohi ki te kanohi (face to face), is best for our people…
| Kelly-Ann McLean, Mel Maniapoto and Sandi Ranginui - Te Oranganui Iwi Health Authority, Aukati Kaipaipa team |
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Mel Maniapoto is one of a team of three dedicated smoking cessation practitioners based within Te Oranganui Iwi Health Authority PHO in Whanganui. Together this small group runs a number of very successful quit smoking clinics in rural and urban settings and use the Aukati Kaipaipa approach to deliver a “for Maori, by Maori” cessation programme.
Client referrals from Te Waipuna Health Centre, local GP’s, Whanganui and MidCentral District Health Boards (working very closely with the Smokefree Coordinator) and workplaces ensure that Mel and her associates are kept busy. In addition, self referrals by clients enable the team to provide Nicotine Replacement Therapy and motivational support to the many Māori who access the Aukati Kaipaipa service.
Recently at the request of a local employer, Mel, Sandi Ranginui and Kelly McLean delivered an eight week, workplace smoking cessation programme at Tasman Tanning Co. Limited. The team worked with 32 clients on a weekly basis, motivating life style changes, encouraging peer support and providing the essential patches, gum and lozenges for their quitters each week. Although some attrition did occur (eight had left the programme at the end of eight weeks), 37% managed to quit on completion of the eight week programme with their help and support.
With management support, the team were allowed 30 minutes of paid time each week for staff and their whanau if they desired, to attend the cessation programme on site. Mel and her team will continue follow up visits every three months.
The three smoking cessation practitioners have all received training with the New Zealand Smoking Cessation Guidelines (Ministry of Health, 2007) and advocate the use of nicotine replacement therapy to help smoking cessation.
This highly motivated team were acknowledged as the best performing Aukati Kaipaipa service in New Zealand for two years running, and are looking to continue their success with record numbers recorded again for the past six months. Analysis has shown a quit rate of 38 per cent abstinence at various stages of the twelve month programme.
The Aukati Kaipaipa service that is offered in every region throughout the country works because it is ideally suited for Māori…in Whanganui, our clients can choose to attend a rural clinic in Waverley or come to Te Waipuna or our offices in town, or they can choose to have a practitioner come and visit them at home. This is one of the most popular ways that we work with clients – one on one or working with the whole whanau in the comfort of home, is a powerful way to help people quit smoking.