240733 Community-based Participatory Research to Develop Emergency Preparedness and Capacity in under-served communities

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Kristine Nodarse-Hernandez, MPH, CHES , Department of Community & Family Health, University of South Florida, College of Public Health, Tampa, FL
Aria Miller, MS, MPH , School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA
Pamela Mukaire, MEd, MPH , School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA
Megan Karius, MPH(c) , School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA
Crystal Kandoll, MPH(c) , School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA
Thelma Gamboa-Maldonado, DrPH (c), MPH, CHES , School of Public Health, Dept. Health Promotion & Ed, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA
Patti Herring, PhD, RN , School of Public Health, Dept. Health Promotion & Ed, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA
Susanne Montgomery, PhD, MPH, MS , Behavioral Health Institute, Loma Linda University, Redlands, CA
California is known for its natural disasters, and in the Mira Loma/Glen Avon communities in Riverside there is the additional risk of man-made disasters, including chemical spills, overturned freight trains, and diesel truck collisions. The residents of these communities are primarily low income, mono or bi-lingual Spanish speaking Hispanics leaving them underrepresented in emergency preparedness skills and response. To understand the target community's needs, assets and vulnerabilities around emergency preparedness we conducted a targeted needs and asses assessment. Graduate students conducted ethnographies/targeted observations, 10 key-informant interviews, followed by a validation focus group (n=9) some in English, some in Spanish. Data was recorded, transcribed verbatim and coded using a codebook derived from inductive line-by-line coding. Themed analyses resulted in 5 main themes. Findings included high levels of perceived community vulnerability to man-made hazards in the area, but feeling unprepared to respond. Local CBOs were seen as lacking resources and training needed to help equip the community to respond to a disaster. However, residents felt that if these CBO's were given resources and training they are connected and trusted to implement programs that the residents would attend. A lack of trust in state or city officials and time and money as barriers were identified, as were strategies to get community prepared such as involving trusted CBOs. Continuing to work with these highly motivated and dedicated community members may create new opportunities to hear the voice of the community and provide dialogue and activities to help overcome barriers to emergency preparedness.

Learning Areas:
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
At the end of this presentation the learner will be able to define a natural and man-made disaster and evaluate the themes found in this study as possible strategies for working with under-served communities in emergency preparedness.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I did the research for the program as part of Dr.PH in Health Education and Health Promotion .
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.