Rapid SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence Survey in Central and Western Divisions of Fiji, 2021.

During November-December 2021, we performed a SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence survey in Central and Western Divisions of Fiji. A total of 539 participants 8-70 years of age were 95.5% (95% CI 93.4%-97.1%) seropositive, indicating high community levels of immunity. Seroprevalence studies can inform public health responses to emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Patient-related factors associated with poor glycaemic control among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the number one cause of premature deaths, hospital admissions and disability in Fiji. The purpose of this qualitative study was to determine healthcare providers' perceptions of factors associated with glycaemic control. METHOD: Three focus group discussions were conducted with 19 healthcare providers selected through purposive variation sampling in three selected diabetes clinics in Suva, Fiji, in August 2017 and analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Five themes on factors associated with poor glycaemic control emerged: patients' adherence to treatment and management plans, attitudes, knowledge about diabetes, culture/beliefs and support. Other factors that play a pivotal part in achieving good glycaemic control are healthcare providers' behaviour and addressing patient's caregiver issues DISCUSSION: Knowing how to empower patients with T2DM to manage the different patient-related factors associated with poor glycaemic control at first encounter will assist healthcare providers to deliver high-quality patient-centred diabetic care services and achieve better health outcomes in patients.

Healthcare Providers' Perception of Healthcare System Factors Associated with Poor Glycemic Control among Type 2 Diabetes Patients in Fiji.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the perceptions and experiences of healthcare providers regarding the role of healthcare system factors on glycemic control among type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients in Fiji in 2018. METHODS: Nineteen healthcare providers (physicians and nurses) from three randomly selected urban healthcare centers in Suva, Fiji, were selected through purposive variation sampling to participate in three focus group discussions (FGDs). The participants in this study were healthcare providers working in diabetes clinics, and medical officers and nurse team leaders from the selected healthcare centers. The data were analyzed by means of thematic analysis using Attride-Stirling's thematic network analysis framework. RESULTS: The majority of the participants (52.6%) were nurses, most of them female (84.2%), with a mean age of 39 years (SD ±9.2). A large part of the participants had been working in the diabetes clinics for more than 5 years (52.6%) and had more than 10 years' experience (52.6%) in their current employment. Five main healthcare system factors that may affect glycemic control were identified during thematic analysis: 1. Healthcare workforce (shortage of staff, high workload). 2. Medicine, consumables, and equipment (regular stock-outs of basic diabetes medicines and consumables, poorly equipped diabetes clinics). 3. Service delivery (lack of effective diabetes service delivery, continuum of care). 4. Healthcare information system (inadequate, not fully functional, unreliable). 5. Infrastructure (lack of supportive diabetes clinic infrastructure and processes). CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare system factors influence glycemic control among T2D patients. Understanding these factors is important in order for healthcare providers to deliver an effective and efficient service for diabetes patients in Fiji.