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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Recorded presentation

Anthony M. Sallar, MPH, PhD, MBA¹, Mathew Adeyanju, PhD, CHES², Stephen Howard, PhD³, and Dziedzom Kumodzie, MHA². (1) School of Health Sciences, Ohio University, Grover Center E335, Athens, OH 45701-2979, 740-593-0528, sallar@ohio.edu, (2) School of Health Sciences, Grover Center E317, Athens, OH 45701, (3) African Studies Department, Ohio University, Yamada House 206, Athens, OH 45701

Background Reports indicate that for the first time more blacks are coming to the United States from Africa than during the entire slave trade. It has been reported that since 1990, more people have arrived voluntarily. Immigrants are confronted with challenges in their adopted countries. These demands may make immigrants hard to reach. This study sought to seek information on West African immigrants on risk factors (RF) for stroke and CVD.

Methods A cross sectional pilot study of 110 immigrants eliciting information on demographic variables, immigration status, stroke RF, actions to mitigate stroke effect, and health insurance coverage. Participants were drawn from immigrant organizations and social gatherings.

Results Participants were 57.8% (males), 67.3% (married), 4.2% unemployed, and mean age 50.3 years (sd ± 10.8). Primary source of stroke information was from family members (97%), media (33.3%), and > 50% identified the major RF for stroke. Respondents identified stroke warning signs: sudden numbness in the face, arm or leg (71.6%); trouble speaking (46.1%); loss of vision (25.5%); sudden severe headache without cause (31.4%); dizziness (39.2%); and 12.7% had no knowledge. Although 53.9% heard about BMI, 69.5% did not know their BMI or the ideal target readings of BMI (78.4%); blood pressure (97.1%), fasting blood sugar (73.5%), and blood cholesterol (69.6%).

Conclusion There is the need to improve knowledge of stroke risk factors, stroke awareness, and appropriate response should they witness a stroke. Family and friends can be used to deliver health information especially risk factors in addition to traditional methods.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participants will be able to

• Know your numbers campaign and the relevant target readings.
• Conversant with current immigration trends by West Africans to the United States.
• Know appropriate actions to take in the event of witnessing somebody having a stroke
• Identify appropriate methodology to use to reach and deliver health education to an immigrant population in a culturally and sensitive way.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No

Recorded presentation