242678 Developing a conceptual framework of the community health worker role with hypertension related behavior change

Monday, October 31, 2011

Carina Katigbak, MS, APRN-BC , College of Nursing, New York University, New York, NY
Nancy VanDevanter, DrPH, RN , New York University College of Nursing, New York, NY
Rhodora Ursua, MPH , Center for the Study of Asian American Health, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY
Leonida Gamboa, BS , Kalusugan Coalition, Inc., Woodside, NY
David E. Aguilar, MA , Center for the Study of Asian American Health, NYU Institute of Community Health and Research, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY
Chau Trinh-Shevrin, DrPH , Institute of Community Health and Research, NYU Center for Study of Asian American Health, New York, NY
Deborah Chyun, PhD, RN , College of Nursing, New York University, New York, NY
Nadia Islam, PhD , Center for the Study of Asian American Health, NYU Institute of Community Health and Research, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY
Mariano Rey, MD , Center for the Study of Asian American Health, NYU Institute of Community Health and Research, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY
Filipino-Americans (FA) have the highest prevalence of hypertension (HTN) among all Asian ethnic subgroups in the U.S. This disparity is attributed to a lack of culturally and linguistically appropriate education materials, poor knowledge of the health care system, and lack of health insurance. While Community Health Workers (CHWs)address these gaps producing favorable health outcomes, little is known about how specific components of the CHW role function to effect various outcomes. This knowledge is critical to the design, implementation, evaluation, and replication of effective CHW interventions.

This grounded theory study will triangulate multiple data sources (e.g. in-depth interviews, care logs, and current literature) to develop a conceptual framework explicating the role of CHWs in HTN related behavior change for FAs in NYC. The sample will consist of FAs and CHWs participating in Project AsPIRE, an NYC-based CHW hypertension intervention study.

Themes identified through qualitative analysis serve as the building blocks for the emerging framework of the CHW role in behavior change related to hypertensive FAs. The presentation will further highlight potential applications of this emerging framework for training CHWs working with FA communities, along with policy and practice implications to support the sustainability and expansion of CHWs.

Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention
Diversity and culture
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related nursing
Systems thinking models (conceptual and theoretical models), applications related to public health

Learning Objectives:
Describe the role of cultural congruence between CHWs and Filipino Americans (FA) in hypertension (HTN) related health behaviors. Describe the role of CHWs in relation to psychosocial constructs (self-efficacy, role modeling, motivation and skills building) and health behaviors. Articulate the role of social support as part of the CHWs’ role in hypertension related health behavior

Keywords: Immigrants, Community Health Advisor

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am currently a Prevention Research Fellow with NYU Medical Center, and have worked at length as a volunteer and PhD student involved with formal training with Project AsPIRE, a CHW intervention with which this present study is based.
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: Addressing the Critical Role of CHWs, Promotores(as) and CHRs in Urban, Rural and Tribal Settings
See more of: Community Health Workers