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

Abstract #117706

kathleen a. Sternas, PhD, RN and maryann Scharf, EdD, RN. college of nursing, seton hall university, 400 south orange avenue, south orange, NJ 973 275-2154, sternaka@shu.edu, sternaka@shu.edu

This paper describes a model of community partnership which includes community health planning, and has demonstrated positive outcomes for community members, agency partners and students. The model focuses on students collaborating with agency partners, community members and faculty to assess health needs of high risk populations, plan, implement and evaluate interventions that meet needs like asthma, homelessness, violence,obesity, immunizations, alcohol, smoking, lead poisoning,communicable diseases, and bioterrorism. Traditional (n = 131) and accelerated (second degree, n=108) community health nursing students and 62 agency partners participated.

Results: Agency partners reported that interventions decreased community health problems,and promoted health. Interventions included: asthma triggers computer program, brochure on alcohol/smoking during pregnancy; resource manual on mental illness; STD brochure which increased clinic attendance, watch alarm to increase HIV clients' medication compliance; town bioterrorism plan. Student benefits include: expertise in caring for high-risk populations; leadership; and evidence of effective interventions. Outcomes from 2004 data: 100% of traditional (n=31) and 100% accelerated (n=22)agreed experiences promoted cultural awareness; 96.77% traditional and 100% accelerated collaborated with diverse professionals; 100% of both groups reported increased competence in assessing and planning community interventions;improved Internet abilities,interest in community work. Partner evaluations: 100% agreed assessments and interventions met community needs, findings were useful in program planning. Conclusions: The partnership model helps meet needs of high-risk populations, results in positive outcomes for partners and students, and increases health planning knowledge. Findings have implications for policy development for high-risk populations.

Learning Objectives:

• To describe a model of community partnership which includes community health planning, and has demonstrated positive outcomes for community members, agency partners and students over a three year time period; 2)To describe interventios for high-risk populations that address their health needs and are derived from evidence-based assessments.

Keywords: Partnerships, Community Health Planning

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.