Faith-based health fair intervention among a vulnerable population in Watts, California

Community-based interventions are used in underserved communities to reduce morbidity/mortality. Literature review shows a gap in knowledge regarding the effectiveness of a small urban faith-based health fair intervention and evaluation of such an intervention associated with vulnerable population. This project planned, implemented and evaluated the effectiveness of faith-based health fairs intervention in the Watts community. Project was conducted to understand the effectiveness of faith-based health fair intervention with regard to improving knowledge, health-seeking behavior of clients in the Watts Community, Los Angeles, California. A survey tool was used as a post-intervention tool to explore the clients' perceptions of the health fair and their readiness to change health behaviors. The survey had six items to obtain quantitative and qualitative data and demographic information. A total of 65 clients attended the health fairs, of those attended, 34 clients responded to the survey. Results suggest that a large number of clients were willing to utilize at least two of the educational materials provided and showed a desire to change health behavior. Analysis of data collected at the health fairs revealed that community members were interested in their health and desired services. However, although they were interested in making health-related changes, they may be limited in doing so due to external or internal factors that were not addressed in this project. Further research is needed to address some of the barriers to health behavior change such as financial/transportation limitations and limited access to healthful foods at affordable prices in this population.