ABSTRACT
AIM: To use a Pacific model of health to describe relationships between questions within a structured questionnaire developed for a prospective study of injured New Zealand residents' outcomes and important elements of Pacific people's health; and identify health issues of particular importance for Pacific peoples that future studies may consider including. METHOD: The Fonofale model of Pacific health identifies culture, family, physical, spiritual, and 'other' elements (e.g. socioeconomic status and service use) as important. In consultation with Pacific researchers, each question from a Prospective Outcomes of Injury Study (POIS) questionnaire was assessed. Relationship between the type and number of POIS questions were considered in relation to each of the Fonofale elements. RESULTS: Two-thirds of the POIS questions were able to be placed within a single element of the Fonofale model; remaining questions were placed into multiple elements. The POIS questionnaire strongly addressed the physical, mental and 'other' Fonofale elements. Culture, spirituality and family elements were not strongly addressed. CONCLUSIONS: The Fonofale model identified areas of strength in the POIS questionnaire, and areas of limitation. Researchers undertaking population studies or surveys could consider using a Pacific model to help inform structured questionnaire development.