Problem/context: The Pacific island nation of Fiji Islands has high rates of endemic typhoid fever which is difficult to diagnose and often underreported. However, the majority of cases are preventable through use of safe water; adequate sanitation; vaccination; and, most sustainable of all, simple hygienic behaviour, such as hand washing with soap (HWWS). Despite many attempts by public health authorities, little progress has been made in the area of environmental adaptation and behaviour change. Action:To explore perceptions of typhoid fever risk among urban squatters and behavioural determinants surrounding HWWS, indigenous Fijians living in informal settlements with high typhoid fever incidence were invited to participate in focus group discussions. In-depth interviews were conducted with community leaders.Outcome: Perceptions of typhoid fever suggest confusion about risk factors, symptoms and communicability. Environmental barriers for hand washing were related to water and soap access. Standard social marketing approaches have been trialled with little clear evidence of impact. Despite this, we continue to advocate for the social and cultural determinants of typhoid prevention to remain central to future public health strategies.Discussion: Despite behaviour change being notoriously difficult, we argue that community-driven behaviour adaptation initiatives based on sound epidemiological evidence and health communication theory are likely to have significant impact and greater likelihood of sustainability.

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore online teaching experiences of educators in Fiji National University (FNU). Although they quickly adapted to online teaching, their experiences are yet to be explored and documented, hence the relevance of this study.Design/methodology/approachThis study used phenomenological research design to understand the lived experiences of participants' regarding online teaching. A total of 58 in-depth interviews were conducted among educators, at various levels and analysed thematically using an inductive approach.FindingsThe findings show online teaching challenges including difficulties maintaining students' engagement, teaching practically oriented courses, assessing students and embracing change, limited knowledge impact and output, anxiety and stress, inadequate teaching environment, increased workload and unstable Internet. The facilitators and enablers were flexibility, free Internet, creating conducive environment, Moodle training, skills acquisition and support from faculty members' and information technology team. Recommendations for improvement ranged from modifying course outline, summarising previous lessons, reducing course load, adequate assessment tools, incentives, guidelines enforcement to regular training.Originality/valueThis is an original work carried out by the researchers in a specific context. The findings suggest the need to address various challenges for effective online teaching. School managers' and relevant key stakeholders need to understand educators’ teaching experiences as well as their recommended improvement strategies, to enhance online teaching.

Globally, the spread of COVID-19 has led to the closure of schools, thereby accelerating the expansion of the online learning environment. Though, Fiji National University students’ (FNU), had no option than to quickly adopt to this mode of learning, within limited period, their learning experiences are yet to be examined and documented. We used phenomenological study design to explore students’ online learning challenges, coping strategies and their perceptions on the causes of COVID-19. A total of 120 in-depth interviews were conducted with FNU students, at different levels and colleges, and analysed thematically, using inductive approach. The three themes emerged included COVID-19 misconception beliefs among students, online learning challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic and online learning coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic. The misconception beliefs identified were natural occurrence, manmade for depopulation, unreal/fake and as a means of soliciting for funds. The challenges included ineffective tutorial sessions, lack of learning devices, unstable internet service, inadequate learning environment, socio-cultural practices, feeling of loneliness, anxiety and stress, and difficulties accessing online platforms and acquiring practical skills. The coping strategies used by students ranged from support from family and counsellors, help-seeking, frequent communication, time management, learning flexibility to control over learning environment. The findings highlight the need for policy makers, school managers, lecturers and other key stakeholders to address online learning challenges to improve online learning among FNU students. Relevant information should be provided on the COVID-19 pandemic to clear misconceptions.

Background: Road Traffic Injuries (RTIs) cause approximately 1. 35 million deaths annually, and is the leading cause of death among people between ages 5 and 29. Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs) deal with Road Traffic Collisions (RTCs) and have contact with RTI victims at a daily basis, they possess an excellent perspective on preventing RTI. This study aimed to explore LEOs perceptions on risk factors and preventive measures of RTI in Vanuatu.Methods: This study employed qualitative methods that used Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) to gather data from 25 LEOs between October 14th and November 30th, 2020. Self-identified Ni-Vanuatu LEOs who have been serving for over 6 months and residing at the study setting were included in this study. Purposive sampling was used to recruit study participants from three municipalities in Vanuatu. A semi-structured open ended questionnaire was designed to guide the FGDs. Data obtained were sorted out using thematic analysis processed with some preconceived themes based on theory, and also allowing the data to determine new themes.Results: Data saturation was reached from conducting 5 FGDs with 25 LEOs who were traffic officers and municipal wardens. Five main themes and sixteen subthemes were generated from the study. The main themes include driving and alcohol, the challenges to effective enforcement, barriers to effective care and support for RTI victims, measures for road traffic control and promoting road traffic safety. The respondents perceived that addressing resources issues and the legislations on road traffic control act and vehicle regulation act will enhance prevention of RTI.Conclusion: This study explored the risk factors of RTI and the barriers to effectively prevent RTI in Vanuatu. The study also generated suggestions of a combination of road traffic control measures that could be implemented to prevent RTI. Future research should look at effective strategies of preventing RTIs in resource deficit settings.

Background Assessing the quality of mass drug administration (MDA) rounds is a key component of lymphatic filariasis (LF) elimination programs. Routine collection of administrative coverage is unreliable, especially when pockets with low program coverage exist. To address this gap, we used lot quality assurance sampling (LQAS) following the 10th annual LF-MDA round in Fiji to explore whether there was any area in which target coverage was not reached. We also assessed the level of drug compliance and satisfaction with the LF-MDA implementation strategy. Methodology/principal findings We conducted a cross-sectional household survey in 3 divisions of Fiji. For LQAS, we defined 19 lots in 7 medical areas of the Suva subdivision and another 12 subdivisions in the Central, Northern, and Eastern Divisions. A sample of 16 randomly selected household members was taken un each lot. We defined our decision rule as follows: if more than 1 person in a given lot did not swallow the medication, coverage was considered inadequate, i.e. less than 80%. Of the 7 lots in Suva subdivision and 12 lots in the 3 divisions, five and two lots, respectively, were identified as having inadequate coverage. The overall program coverage estimated from 304 samples was 92%, which was higher than the reported administrative coverage of 82%. About 98% of interviewees were offered the medication and 96% swallowed it. Non-participation arose from insufficient information on how to obtain the drugs. At least 92% were satisfied with the LF-MDA implementation strategy.