142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition

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Utilizing the LHW model to increase breast and cervical screening among refugee (Burmese, Bhutanese, Somalian and Congolese) women

142nd APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition (November 15 - November 19, 2014): http://www.apha.org/events-and-meetings/annual
Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Amy Raines-Milenkov, DrPH , Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX
Raquel Y. Qualls-Hampton, PhD, MS , Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX
Lucy Smith, MPH, CPH, CHES , Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX
Eva Baker, MPH , Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX
Background: Approximately 25% of newly resettled refugee women have an identified reproductive health problem. Community resources exist that could address these problems, but complex barriers such as fear of the healthcare system and obstacles in enrolling into discounted health programs prevent their use. The lay health worker (LHW) model has proven to provide effective education and successfully link refugee families to health services.

Objective: To illustrate the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) and implementation of the LHW model in several refugee populations. In particular, enumerate successes and challenges to increasing breast and cervical screening among Burmese, Bhutanese, Somalian-Bantu, and Congolese women.

Methods: Extensive engagement with refugee communities will yield the selection of four LHWs representative of their corresponding countries.  LHWs recruit participants through outreach and culturally and linguistically-appropriate education in apartment complexes with high concentrations of refugees. Participants attend group and/or individual educational sessions and are connected to screening services.

Results: Selection and training of LHWs is on-going with BBI recruitment to begin in April 2014. Within Year 1 LHWs will reach out to 150 refugee women with education, preventative health screenings and follow-up and case management for abnormal screening results. Pre/post assessment of education, demographic distribution, characterization of recipients and refusers of screening services and focus group themes will be reported.

Discussion: The purpose of the LHW model is to reduce barriers to services for vulnerable populations. This initiative offers a detailed roadmap to provide woman-centered, culturally sensitive and appropriate cancer prevention, education and screening services for multi-cultural refugee women.

Learning Areas:

Chronic disease management and prevention
Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs

Learning Objectives:
Describe prevalence of breast and cervical screening among Burmese, Bhutanese, Somalian-Bantu and Congolese refugee women. Explain how BBI employs the LHW model to engage, educate and encourage breast and cervical screenings. Report education and screening participation rates by refugee group. Enumerate successes and challenges to increasing screening among refugee women.

Keyword(s): Community Health Workers and Promoters, Refugees

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have worked with refugee populations for 5 years, and I am the current Program manager for this project.
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.

Back to: 4373.0: Innovative programs addressing the critical role of CHWs working with populations outside of the health care system