Community-based Needs Assessment of Youth Living in a High Risk Neighborhood

Background: The purpose of this IRB-approved exploratory study was to determine needs of youth living in a high risk area of a metropolitan southern city. Previous work in the community indicated that youth and parents wanted interventions to promote healthy eating/exercise. The study resulted from community members' recommendations that teens should be asked their views of health-related needs. Methods:The study was expanded to include any problems that the youth experienced living in the neighborhood. Five open-ended questions guided the interviews with key informants as study participants: youth, parents/guardians/ agency program staff. Parental consent and child assent were completed prior to the interviews. The questions included: What are the problems that you would like to address in your community? Where do these problems occur? Which youth and families are most affected by these problems? What resources and strengths does your community have to address these problems? Who else do you recommend that we contact to assess the community needs? Study protocols included handwritten notes as no audio-taping was used during data collection. The study is ongoing through the summer months so as to include a larger number of youth participants in the study. Results: Preliminary findings include sample responses: “Resources are only temporary, but some perceive resources as a long term entitlement. Often, the child may be translator to the parent. The community uses natural, cultural remedies. They depend on them. If western medicine is introduced, it should be integrated with natural remedies. The people of this community do not go to the doctor. They do not have the same comfort with MD's or NP's. The strengths are strong work ethic and sense of community. People in the community informally guide others in the community.” Additional responses from participants will be presented.Conclusions: The importance of participant informed needs is essential to public health practice and client confidence in the health care provider. Prioritized health interventions specific for youth will be proposed for nursing practice.