The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #48398

Suzanne Christopher, PhD, Alma Knows His Gun McCormick, and Adina Smith, PhD. Department of Health and Human Development, Montana State University, 104 Hosaeus Complex, Bozeman, MT 59717, 406-994-6321, suzanne@montana.edu

Open community meetings were held to develop and evaluate educational materials, report on project results and to discuss events related to the Messengers for Health Program. This project’s aim is to educate women on the Apsáalooke reservation about cervical cancer with the goal of increasing prevention. Meetings occurred in four districts of the Apsáalooke reservation. Meetings were organized as potluck dinners which are viewed by the tribe as a time for gathering, sharing information, uniting around a theme, and giving and receiving sustenance. Thus, meetings were conducted in a manner that was culturally sensitive to the Apsáalooke people. Meetings featured a woman speaker who had survived cancer and wanted to convey her experience. The speakers were an important educational medium since “telling stories” are a primary means of information transmission on the reservation. In addition, cervical cancer (and other) educational materials were developed, reviewed and evaluated by the Apsáalooke community members attending the meeting. These materials will be used to provide information on cervical cancer prevention, risk-factors, recognizing and addressing barriers to cervical health screening, and treatment. Educational materials to be used for this project were developed and evaluated through 1) assessing survey results of 100 randomly-sampled Apsáalooke women 2) determining community needs based on survey results 3) choosing educational topics relevant for the Apsáalooke women 4) determining format, presentation and layout for the materials and 5) evaluating the effectiveness of these materials. Results of the evaluation of the educational materials will be presented.

Word Count 249

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the process by which culturally relevant educational materials may be developed and evaluated by a Native American community.
• Recognize the importance of community participation through involving the community members as advisors, developers and evaluators of program materials.

Keywords: Community Involvement, Native Americans

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.