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Abstract #150399

Julie Gast, PhD, Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, Utah State University, 7000 University BLVD, Logan, UT 84322-7000, 435-797-1490, julie.gast@usu.edu and Terry Peak, PhD, Sociology, Social Work, and Anthropology, Utah State University, 0730 University BLVD, Logan, UT 84322-0730.

Previous research indicates that church groups are an excellent way to both address and assess the health concerns of men and women who are diverse in terms of socioeconomic status, education levels, employment status, and race/ethnicity.Our current research replicates and expands on our earlier work assessing the health needs and concerns of men and women using faith-based focus groups. No research was found asking Hispanic men about their health concerns and how spiritual beliefs impact their health decision making. Four focus groups were held with a volunteer sample of men from various church denominations (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints [LDS],Catholics, etc.).Topics discussed in the focus groups included: (1) perceptions of men's health issues (2) personal health concerns and behaviors related to health (3) utilization of health services and suggestions for improvement of services (4) assessment of level of interest in church-based health promotion programs and (5) cultural competence in the delivery of health programs and (6) how religion impact their health behavior. Focus groups were both audio and videotaped and conducted in Spanish with male moderators. Data were analyzed using N6 software. Interestingly, the Hispanic participants had a present orientation toward their health as compared to past mens' groups that were more future oriented. In addition, health care costs were a pressing concern across groups as was access to healthcare. LDS participants correlated their health behaviors and religious beliefs far more so than participants of other religions in this study. Other themes and implications will be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify hispanic men's health concerns for themselves and the community for the study sample
• Identify how church denomination impacted health behavior for this sample of hispanic men
• Identify how denomination impacted the willingness to have faith-based health education
• Identify how health services can become more culturally appropriate for Hispanic men
• Identify the barriers to primary prevention for Hisapnic men

Keywords: Hispanic, Faith Community

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.