286401
Lessons learned from organizations implementing income generation plus health education among indigenous guatemalan women artisans: Findings from a qualitative study
Tilly Gurman, DrPH, MPH,
Department of Global Health, The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services, Washington, DC
Samantha Kerr, MPH,
Department of Global Health, The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services, Washington, DC
Anne Ballard, MPH,
Department of Global Health, The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services, Washington, DC
Background: Many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Guatemala strive to alleviate poverty among indigenous women through income generation. Select NGOs incorporate health education within their programs as a strategy to address health more directly. This qualitative study identifies factors essential to achieving success for two such NGOs. Objective: To identify lessons learned and best practices from organizations working to improve the livelihood and well-being of indigenous Guatemalan women through income generation plus health education. Methods: Researchers conducted semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 34 indigenous Guatemalan women artisans and 9 NGO staff. Interviews explored respondents' experiences with an NGO's income generation and health education activities. Researchers analyzed the data employing a Grounded Theory approach. Researchers used results to develop a conceptual model illustrating the pathway through which income generation plus health education can improve the lives of indigenous women artisans. Results: Organizational as well as artisan-level factors surfaced as instrumental to successful income generation plus health education efforts. Artisans expressed maximizing earning potential by diversifying into non-artisan work. At the organizational level, staff expressed a genuine dedication to the organization's social mission. NGOs also placed importance on group interactions, which diffused and reinforced health education content. As a result, although health education activities were secondary to income generation, respondents recalled specific health information. Conclusion: NGOs implementing income generation plus health education among indigenous Guatemalan artisans have the potential to improve the health and well-being of their participants. Future income generation projects may benefit from applying the current study's lessons learned and conceptual model.
Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Diversity and culture
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related education
Public health or related research
Systems thinking models (conceptual and theoretical models), applications related to public health
Learning Objectives:
Identify at least three best practices and lessons learned from organizations working to improve the lives of indigenous Guatemalan women artisans through income generation plus health education
Explain the way in which a strategy of incorporating health education within income generation programs can enhance the potential of income generation to improve the health and well-being of disenfranchised communities
Describe a conceptual model illustrating the pathway to improving the lives of indigenous women artisans through income generation plus health education
Keyword(s): Indigenous Populations, Health Education Strategies
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I was the Principal Investigator on this research project and have conducted work in Guatemala since 2007.
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.
