Control your health: A low-literacy, interactive educational program for Somali refugee women with chronic diseases

Chronic disease represents a significant public health concern for Somali refugees in Kansas City, Missouri. The aim of this study was to educate non-literate female Somali refugees about relevant chronic diseases. The women in this study have been diagnosed with high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and/or diabetes (n=16). The study focused on conveying the most important information on each of these chronic conditions by breaking the input down into comprehensible units of learning that employed a reinforcing combination of visual, physical and audible information. The goal of the educational program was to assist the participants in understanding what these chronic diseases were, how they could be managed and the importance of complying with medical advice. Prior to the study, the participants were interviewed to determine their knowledge and understanding of their health status. Sixty-nine percent of the study group indicated that they did not fully understand the causes of their chronic disease(s). In addition, their chronic diseases were not managed (19%) or were incompletely managed (31%). Each chronic disease topic was presented in English and translated into Somali in small group sessions with familiar, culturally sensitive group leaders. Post-study interviews indicated improved chronic disease understanding in 86% of those interviewed. Furthermore, 43% of those interviewed were able to recognize and explain the interactive models used in the education sessions. The results of this study indicate that the use of comprehensible input and visually stimulating interactive models improves comprehension of complex health topics by non-literate populations.