Spearfishing and public health promotion: A cross-sectional analysis of the Hawai'i Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey.

Spearfishing, a culturally relevant practice in many locations globally, may foster physical activity and enhance well-being by promoting social cohesion, food security, and nature connectedness, but is understudied in public health promotion and surveillance. This study measured the population-leve...

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Main Authors: Lauryn Hansen, Yan Yan Wu, Tetine Lynn Sentell, Mika Thompson, Tonya Lowery St John, Simone Schmid, Catherine McLean Pirkle
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2025-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0319169
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author Lauryn Hansen
Yan Yan Wu
Tetine Lynn Sentell
Mika Thompson
Tonya Lowery St John
Simone Schmid
Catherine McLean Pirkle
author_facet Lauryn Hansen
Yan Yan Wu
Tetine Lynn Sentell
Mika Thompson
Tonya Lowery St John
Simone Schmid
Catherine McLean Pirkle
author_sort Lauryn Hansen
collection DOAJ
description Spearfishing, a culturally relevant practice in many locations globally, may foster physical activity and enhance well-being by promoting social cohesion, food security, and nature connectedness, but is understudied in public health promotion and surveillance. This study measured the population-level prevalence of lifetime spearfishing engagement in Hawai'i and identified associated factors for public health promotion. The Hawaiian Islands present an ideal setting for such activities due to its central Pacific location and a diverse population with cultural ties to spearfishing. In 2019 and 2020, lifetime spearfishing engagement was added to the Hawai'i Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (N = 12,737). Prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were estimated for spearfishing "sometimes," "often," or "very often" during one's lifetime, considering sociodemographic, health behavior, and health status variables. A quarter of respondents statewide reported engagement, with higher rates amongst men (41%), Native Hawaiians (43%), other Pacific Islanders (36%), American Indian or Alaskan Native (32%), and rural island residents of Lāna'i (51%) and Moloka'i (43%). All age groups reported similar lifetime engagement. After statistical adjustment, those with a high school diploma or less were significantly more likely to have engaged in spearfishing than those with higher education. Spearfishing engagement was also associated with a higher likelihood of meeting physical activity guidelines (PR 1.45 95%CI 1.29-1.63). There is widespread lifelong engagement in spearfishing in Hawai'i, especially among Indigenous and rural populations. Supporting culturally relevant activities, such as spearfishing, is a strength-based approach to health promotion with global relevance, including encouraging physical activity.
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spelling doaj-art-d00c6525f5fd4e7f806c7d88b032e7412025-08-20T03:08:17ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032025-01-01203e031916910.1371/journal.pone.0319169Spearfishing and public health promotion: A cross-sectional analysis of the Hawai'i Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey.Lauryn HansenYan Yan WuTetine Lynn SentellMika ThompsonTonya Lowery St JohnSimone SchmidCatherine McLean PirkleSpearfishing, a culturally relevant practice in many locations globally, may foster physical activity and enhance well-being by promoting social cohesion, food security, and nature connectedness, but is understudied in public health promotion and surveillance. This study measured the population-level prevalence of lifetime spearfishing engagement in Hawai'i and identified associated factors for public health promotion. The Hawaiian Islands present an ideal setting for such activities due to its central Pacific location and a diverse population with cultural ties to spearfishing. In 2019 and 2020, lifetime spearfishing engagement was added to the Hawai'i Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (N = 12,737). Prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were estimated for spearfishing "sometimes," "often," or "very often" during one's lifetime, considering sociodemographic, health behavior, and health status variables. A quarter of respondents statewide reported engagement, with higher rates amongst men (41%), Native Hawaiians (43%), other Pacific Islanders (36%), American Indian or Alaskan Native (32%), and rural island residents of Lāna'i (51%) and Moloka'i (43%). All age groups reported similar lifetime engagement. After statistical adjustment, those with a high school diploma or less were significantly more likely to have engaged in spearfishing than those with higher education. Spearfishing engagement was also associated with a higher likelihood of meeting physical activity guidelines (PR 1.45 95%CI 1.29-1.63). There is widespread lifelong engagement in spearfishing in Hawai'i, especially among Indigenous and rural populations. Supporting culturally relevant activities, such as spearfishing, is a strength-based approach to health promotion with global relevance, including encouraging physical activity.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0319169
spellingShingle Lauryn Hansen
Yan Yan Wu
Tetine Lynn Sentell
Mika Thompson
Tonya Lowery St John
Simone Schmid
Catherine McLean Pirkle
Spearfishing and public health promotion: A cross-sectional analysis of the Hawai'i Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey.
PLoS ONE
title Spearfishing and public health promotion: A cross-sectional analysis of the Hawai'i Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey.
title_full Spearfishing and public health promotion: A cross-sectional analysis of the Hawai'i Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey.
title_fullStr Spearfishing and public health promotion: A cross-sectional analysis of the Hawai'i Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey.
title_full_unstemmed Spearfishing and public health promotion: A cross-sectional analysis of the Hawai'i Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey.
title_short Spearfishing and public health promotion: A cross-sectional analysis of the Hawai'i Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey.
title_sort spearfishing and public health promotion a cross sectional analysis of the hawai i behavioral risk factor surveillance system survey
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0319169
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