O071 MOEMOEĀ: The Development of an Indigenous Sleep and Well-being Intervention in Aotearoa WHĀNAU (New Zealand families)

INTRODUCTION: The creation of culturally relevant interventions is essential to improving access and outcomes for Māori. Moemoeā is a Māori-led, tikaka ritual-based, Multiphase Optimisation Strategy (MOST) sleep intervention. This presentation will outline the creation of three pou (components) which aimed to increase connection to Māori language, culture, and well-being as well as sleep. METHODS: Māori members of our team co-designed with whānau (families) and experts in mātauraka Māori (knowledge) using kaupapa Māori methods. The team undertook semi-structured interviews with experts and structured interviews with whānau using kaupapa Māori principles of: taonga tuku (passed down knowledge), ako (learning), utu (reciprocity) and aroha ki te takata (respect). RESULTS: Three pou (Rongo time, Uru time, whanau support) were created and are currently being tested in a MOST factorial trial in 500 whānau across Aotearoa. Qualitative feedback to date shows that use of ritual rather than routine works in varied whānau contexts, and that our pou create a better sense of connection to living as Māori. This connection is a significant driver of good outcomes and removes the shame that whānau often experience as research participants in Western projects. DISCUSSION: Whānau who have a strong sense of (honoka) connection felt validated in their use of ritual and mātauraka, while those who were less connected appreciated being able to grow their connection to the Māori world. Use of the western MOST trial design posed challenges as everything is interconnected in Māori culture, but our decolonizing tools and measures were able to overcome much of this.