Perspectives on Emergency Preparedness Among Indigenous Pacific People in Hawaii: A Qualitative Study

This study sought an improved understanding of household emergency preparedness (EP) among Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and Filipino (Indigenous Pacific People [IPP]) parents in Hawaii.

We conducted an exploratory qualitative descriptive study with 60-minute interviews occurring from October 2022 through March 2023. A semi-structured interview guide exploring participant household EP was employed.

Prospective participants were females who identified as IPP, caregivers of a 0-12-year-old child, spoke English, and received health services at a federally qualified health center clinic. Two researchers conducted qualitative content analysis on interview transcripts. Initial coding of transcripts identified broad categories or themes. The process was reviewed continuously to verify data and coding procedures. Three investigators independently verified final themes and subthemes.

Participants (N=25) were female, between 30-49 years of age (68%), had received some college education (60%), and were fully employed (68%). Major themes included: 1) Perceptions of family EP and current behaviors, 2) Barriers and challenges to family EP, and 3) Perspectives on strategies to improve family EP. Subthemes included risk perception for emergencies; family EP practices; health protection and pandemic preparedness; lack of knowledge and experience; social, cultural and economic barriers; and clinic-based, technology-driven, and community-based interventions.

Factors impeding access to healthcare services also impede family EP among IPP groups and their ability to mitigate the impact of future public health emergencies.

Targeted, innovative interventions, including ones led by health clinics and those that utilize technology, are needed to overcome common barriers faced and to facilitate the uptake of household EP behaviors among IPP families.