Using community-based participatory techniques to develop and disseminate a cross-sectional survey to assess community-specific quality of life

APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

5084.0: Wednesday, November 07, 2007 - 9:10 AM

Abstract #153957

Kristi Lewis, PhD, MPH, Department of Health Sciences/CISAT, James Madison University, 701 Carrier Drive, Harrisonburg, VA 22801, 540/568-2607, lewiskristi@gmail.com and Judith Trumbo, RN, MBA, Home and Community Health, Rockingham Memorial Hospital, 411 Stone Spring Road, Harrisonburg, VA 22801.

A 2006 cross-sectional study was conducted to assess quality of life (QOL) based on a list of community-specific indicators. One area of emphasis in assessing QOL was overall health and well-being. Of the 643 individuals (response rate = 42% with 3.8% sampling error) who completed t he 2006 assessment survey, 93% of adults (under 65 years of age) and 79% of seniors (65 and older) self-reported that their overall health was good or better. In reviewing at risk factors for infant and maternal mortality, 95% of women stated that they had received prenatal care during the first trimester. In assessing prevalence of chronic diseases, diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure were above the Healthy People 2010 goals for both adults and seniors. Only 18% of adults and 20% of seniors stated that they engaged in physical activity for at least 30 minutes for 5 or more days per week, below the Healthy People 2010 goal of 30%. In assessing nutrition, 20% of adults and 40% of seniors stated that they ate at least 5 servings of fruits and/or vegetables daily compared to the Healthy People goal of 50%. Based on state statistics for tobacco use, over twice as many people within the community (28% in the city and 24% in the county) used tobacco in comparison to the 12% goal set by Healthy People 2010. Based on the 2006 assessment, there is a clear need to set health goals and prioritize health services within the community.

Learning Objectives:

Develop community-specific indicators to assess quality of life.
Construct a cross-sectional survey to assess specific health indicators based on Healthy People 2010.
Identify priorities and set policies based on data to improve overall health and quality of life.

Keywords: Survey, Community Health Assessment

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.

Statistics, Measurement, Health Outcomes, and Public Policy

The 135th APHA Annual Meeting & Exposition (November 3-7, 2007) of APHA