Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #117227

Lucia McLendon, MPH¹, Catherine W. Gribbin, MPH², Shunling Tsang, MPH², Peter J. Lee, MPH², and Theresa J. McCann, MPH, PhD². (1) School of Medicine, St George's University, PO Box 7, St. Georges, Grenada, 473-533-7067, mclluc@sgu.edu, (2) School of Medicine, St. George's University, P.O. Box 7, St. George's, Grenada

Introduction: Direct correlations have been found between skilled labor and social empowerment. Most Caribbean Islands exhibit traditional gender roles in the home and the workplace. In light of this, Grenadian women suffer economically, socially, mentally and physically. After a devastating natural disaster, the opportunity was presented to teach construction skills to a select group of socially vulnerable women and this research aims to observe the corresponding changes in their social and economic status as well as their personal identity.

Methods: Participants were chosen from an on-going USAID rebuild project. These women were selected for their vulnerability status as designated by the Grenadian government. Survey data will be collected at three time points: prior to workshop, immediately following, and two months after the workshop. Using culturally competent tools we will assess general health and social function.

Results: This research aims to evaluate changes in social empowerment introduced through construction workshops teaching participants the skills necessary to rebuild their own homes and communities. By assessment of general health and social function pre and post workshop, we will gain the necessary data to evaluate potential improvement in participant's lives after successful completion of the rebuilding program.

Discussion: We expect to find that women participating in the construction workshops are empowered to improve their own well-being. This will result in a decreased prevalence of depression amongst participants, as well as their being able to better tend to their families needs, and having better general health outcomes.

Learning Objectives: Learning Objectives

• Assess general health and social function using culturally competent tools prior to rebuild workshops, immediately following, and two months after the workshop
• Evaluate changes in social empowerment through assessments gathered with participant’s successful completion of the rebuilding program

Keywords: Women, Disasters

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.