202995 Beyond the volcanoes: A community health assessment in rural Nicaragua

Wednesday, November 11, 2009: 10:30 AM

Rebekah Schmerber , College of Nursing, Valparaiso University, Elgin, IL
Amy C. Cory, PhD, RN, CPNP , College of Nursing, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN
Tricia Erdmann , College of Nursing, Valparaiso University, Racine, WI
Kerstin Kost , College of Nursing, Valparaiso University, Avon, IN
Katherine Thomas , College of Nursing, Valparaiso University, Evanston, IL
Background: Health inequities related to gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and geography exist in rural Nicaragua. The purpose of this ongoing project is to improve health equity in rural Nicaragua through social transformation using community-based participatory action research. Bronfenbrenner's ecological model of human development, school health, and primary health care theories provided the framework for this research.

Methods: Community-based participatory action research involves six phases: partnership, assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation, and dissemination. In the assessment phase, community partners developed a comprehensive community health assessment survey. This survey ascertained the community's primary health concerns, potential causes for their health concerns, health-related goals, resources currently available to reach those goals, and ideas for future plans to reach health goals.

Results: Ninety community members completed surveys. Community members identified respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses as their two primary health concerns. Community members described poor air quality, water quality, and sanitation as potential causes for their health concerns. Health-related goals included: improving air quality, water quality, and sanitation. Using currently available community health resources, educational interventions were cited as the primary plan to reach the community's health-related goals.

Conclusions: Results from the community health assessment were used by community members to guide planning for a participatory educational intervention aimed at health promotion and disease prevention to reach the community's health-related goals. Partnership in community health assessment provides a mechanism to engage community members in working toward a common goal—health for all.

Learning Objectives:
Describe one method to engage community members in the assessment phase of community-based participatory action research. Describe at least two key findings from the assessment phase specific to the community-based participatory action research project in rural Nicaragua. Discuss a strength and limitation of the assessment phase in community-based participatory action research.

Keywords: Community-Based Partnership, Community Health Assessment

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: Engaged with my faculty mentor in a multi-year community-based participatory action research project in rural Nicaragua. Have completed independent study credits in the method as well as in service learning in health in Central America.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Culturally Relevant Research to Improve Health
See more of: Public Health Nursing