Abstract
Addition of a Religion and Public Health Course: Student Learning Experiences and Implications for Work in Communities of Faith
Christina Gebel, MPH, LCCE, birth doula1, McKenna Longacre, MPH2, Doug Oman, PhD3, Miriam Segura-Harrison, MD, CLC4 and Michael Grodin, MD1
(1)Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, (2)Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, (3)University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, (4)Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
APHA 2016 Annual Meeting & Expo (Oct. 29 - Nov. 2, 2016)
Background. Faith-based partnerships are critical for health promotion in communities. However, public health students are not widely trained in religious and spiritual literacy, which would aid facilitating these partnerships and working in faith-based settings. This study seeks to determine students' perceived value of a public health education course regarding the intersection of religion and public health, with particular interest in students' learning experiences and possible impacts for their future careers.
Methods. Students (n=31) enrolled in a “Religion, Ethics, and Public Health course” in the spring of 2013, 2014, and 2015 were given iterations of course surveys with open-ended responses. Data from three years of surveys were aggregated and qualitatively analyzed retrospectively (2013 and 2014) and prospectively (2015) using NVivo 10. Codes were created using inductive coding methods, and themes were drawn from the resulting data analysis.
Results. Themes emerged in the following four areas: Patient Care (subtheme: the holistic definition of health); Community Relations (subthemes: community partnerships and dialoging about religion with communities); Policy and Intervention Programming (subtheme: designing and implementing policies and programs); and Career Readiness (subthemes: career readiness and personal transformation). Students reported unanimously positive experiences and a high perceived value for including this type of course in a curriculum.
Conclusions. Results demonstrate that a course on this topic has a high potential to help students prepare to work in faith-based communities, settings, or with religious or spiritual patients, clients, or partnerships. Public health schools should consider offering a similar course and creating curriculum competencies in this area.
Public health or related education
Abstract
It's A Girl: Addressing SexualHealth Disparities in North American Muslim Communities through Culturally-Sensitive Sex Education
Nadiah Mohajir, MPH and Sameera Qureshi
HEART Women & Girls, Chicago, IL
APHA 2016 Annual Meeting & Expo (Oct. 29 - Nov. 2, 2016)
When thinking about the sexual and reproductive health needs of Muslim women and girls, a number of cultural barriers and challenges need to be addressed before they can feel empowered to access and process information, resources and services in a way that is comfortable and safe. As such, despite the evidenced need for sexual health education and services, there is a glaring lack of resources that address the particular concerns and challenges of this racial /religious minority community in a culturally competent manner. Currently, the reproductive health education available to Muslim youth in private Islamic schools is generally limited to hygiene and basic biology. There is no focus on pregnancy or STDs, nor is their any component focusing on self-esteem, healthy relationships, and decision-making. For those students who attend public schools, access to such education varies: some students are pulled out of class, while others are allowed to go, but often complain about not being able to put the information in context of their own worldviews. As such, many young Muslims are ill-prepared to make sound decisions regarding their sexual and reproductive health, and the public health implications of this reality are significant. Led by HEART Women & Girls,this workshop will explore the internal and external barriers to resources and education and identify innovative programs and strategies that support North-American Muslim girls and women in their journey towards wellness using faith-based approaches to health promotion and education.
Advocacy for health and health education Assessment of individual and community needs for health education Diversity and culture Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Abstract
Spiritual and Religious Faith of Non-Directed Living Kidney Donors
Ariella Maghen1, Sarah E. Connor, MPH, CHES2, Grecia B. Vargas, MSPH1, Sima Nassiri1, Elisabeth Hicks, MA3, Lorna Kwan, MPH4, Sally L. Maliski, RN, PhD, FAAN5 and Jeffrey Veale, MD3
(1)David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, (2)UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, (3)University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, (4)David Geffin School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, (5)University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS
APHA 2016 Annual Meeting & Expo (Oct. 29 - Nov. 2, 2016)
Background: Transplant chains triggered by non-directed donors (NDDs) are a novel approach to address the severe shortage of kidneys that capitalizes on the generosity of these NDDs. Chains are initiated when a NDD donates a kidney to a recipient who has a willing but incompatible donor. NDDs undergo a thorough physical and mental evaluation in order to donate their kidney, yet little is known about the characteristics and factors that lead NDDs to consider and ultimately decide to donate. The purpose of this study was twofold: to describe NDDs' spirituality and religious beliefs and critically analyze how religious and spiritual beliefs influence the donation decision-making process.
Methods: Thirty NDDs enrolled into our study and completed in-depth interviews between September 2014 and April 2015. Using inductive content analysis, two independent coders reviewed and coded interview transcripts. As a team, codes were refined and rearranged in order to develop categories and identify decision-making related themes.
Results: Three thematic areas relating to the role of spirituality and religiosity in the decision-making process were identified: motivation to donate, mentorship, and donation justification and value.
Conclusions: This study provides an insight into spiritual and religious faith among the NDD community and its role in their decision-making process. Primary findings suggest that spirituality and religiosity provide NDDs with reassurance and confidence regarding their donation decision. These findings will help facilitate future discussions to improve NDD recruitment strategies and educational resources in efforts to increase the living donor pool.
Advocacy for health and health education Chronic disease management and prevention Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs Public health or related research Social and behavioral sciences
Abstract
A Case Study: Exploring the Influence of Multi-level Capacity and Readiness Factors on Partner Experience Implementing a Collaborative Faith-Based Health Program
Monica Motley, MSEd, MPH, PhD1, Kathryn W. Hosig, PhD, MPH, RD1, J. Elisha Burke, D.Min.2, Ann Forburger, MS1, Eleanor Schlenker, PhD, RD1 and Eileen Bill, EdD1
(1)Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, (2)Baptist General Convention of Virginia, Richmond, VA
APHA 2016 Annual Meeting & Expo (Oct. 29 - Nov. 2, 2016)
Objective: 1) gain the perspectives of FBO, community, health and research partners actively involved in a collaborative faith-based health program; and 2) explore the influence of capacity and readiness factors on partners' experience implementing such a program. Participants: partners of a collaborative faith-based lifestyle- related program called Balanced Living with Diabetes (BLD). The BLD advisory committee recognized varying readiness and capacity among churches and faith-based partners to deliver BLD. Partners provided a comprehensive perspective of their experience based on consistent participation in multiple phases of the BLD program. Methods: Participants completed a questionnaire to rate capacity and readiness factors that influenced their BLD experience followed by an interview to discuss factors they rated most important. Basic descriptive statistical analysis, thematic coding and mixed methods research analysis software were used to synthesize, organize and interpret data. Results: Eighteen out of 31 capacity and readiness factors were collectively rated as ‘10' (extremely important) to participant's role and BLD partnership experience. Additional data further contextualizes capacity and readiness factors influence on the processes and strategies that shaped partner recruitment and participation in BLD design and delivery. Conclusion: These 18 factors should be further explored to determine strategies and areas of improvement to better position FBO to more actively participate and lead such work. Data further affirmed existing observations and generated additional hypotheses to expand this research beyond the sample population. Continued exploration can enhance FBO capacity and readiness to move beyond recruitment and hosting to implement and sustain work beyond the research agenda.
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs Chronic disease management and prevention Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice Diversity and culture Public health or related education
Abstract
Partnerships That Work: How a Pediatric Hospital Utilized a Faith Advisory Board to Implement a Community Health Needs Assessment
Melody Schaeffer, MPH1, Greta Todd, MA2, Kel Ward, BS3, Nicole F. Kozma, MPH2 and Catherine Rains, MPH2
(1)St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, (2)St. Louis Children's Hospital, St. Louis, MO, (3)BJC HealthCare, St. Louis, MO
APHA 2016 Annual Meeting & Expo (Oct. 29 - Nov. 2, 2016)
Effective partnerships with the community can help address the health and social needs of a community. In 2012, St. Louis Children's Hospital, created a Faith Advisory Board to engage faith leaders in decision making. The board was initially composed of 15 members from across the region who met to discuss ways the hospital could establish and maintain meaningful, long-term relations with the faith community to help advance positive health outcomes in the community. Four principal activity areas were established through strategic planning and prioritization including: improving hospital effectiveness, enhancing health ministries/programs, expanding community education, outreach and input, and strengthening public policy advocacy and agenda-setting.
As a non-profit hospital, St. Louis Children's Hospital is required to complete a Community Health Needs Assessment. To complete this assessment, the Child Health Advocacy and Outreach department of the hospital worked with the Faith Advisory Board. This partnership included the Board's input when creating the Parent Health Concerns Survey; this survey played an instrumental role in collecting data from parents living in the community. These leaders were asked to review the survey questions to ensure that appropriate language and health concerns were included for the populations they represent. Additionally, members of the Faith Advisory Board championed the survey in their individual religious organizations to increase the diversity of survey respondent.
Strategic relationships between hospitals and the faith community can exist with help from committed Faith Advisory Board members. This partnership can facilitate conversations with community members to further grow overall trust of the hospital.
Administration, management, leadership Assessment of individual and community needs for health education Diversity and culture
Abstract
Role of leadership support in a church-based cancer education implementation study
Randi M. Williams, PhD, MPH1, Erin K. Tagai, MPH2, Sherie Lou Z. Santos, MPH, CHES3, Jimmie Slade, MA4, Roxanne Carter4 and Cheryl L. Holt, PhD5
(1)Georgetown University Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington, DC, (2)University of Maryland, College Park School of Public Health, College Park, MD, (3)University of Maryland, School of Public Health, College Park, MD, (4)Community Ministry of Prince George's County, Upper Marlboro, MD, (5)University of Maryland, College Park, MD
APHA 2016 Annual Meeting & Expo (Oct. 29 - Nov. 2, 2016)
Background: Leadership often plays a critical role in the success of an organization's initiatives. Faith-based organizations frequently conduct health promotion programs for their members and communities. These activities, however, are executed with varying degrees of success. We describe the relationship between church leaders' support—as perceived by lay community health advisor (CHA) interventionists—and implementation outcomes in Project HEAL (Health through Early Awareness and Learning), a cancer early detection implementation trial in 14 African American churches. Methods: Trained CHAs (N = 28) conducted group educational workshops on cancer screening in their churches. We evaluated the extent to which CHAs' perceptions of their pastor's promotion of the intervention, workshop attendance, and enthusiasm were associated with implementation outcomes including: CHA promotion of the intervention, church member participation in the intervention, and initial sustainability of the intervention. Results: CHAs perceived that their Pastors: were enthusiastic about Project HEAL (M=4.7/5, SD=.55), helped promote the intervention (M=3.2/4, SD=1.2) and attended an average of 1.7/3 (SD=1.3) workshops. Pastor attendance at the workshops was positively associated with church member overall study enrollment (rs=.50, p < .05). CHAs used more techniques to recruit members to the workshops when they perceived that their Pastors were more engaged in promoting the program (rs=.49, p < .05). Intervention adherence by CHAs and church members and ongoing cancer educational activities were not associated with pastor support. Conclusions: Pastor support may be related to the receptivity of both lay health advisors as well as congregants to engage in a health promotion program.
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Abstract
Feasibility and Acceptability of a Healthy Living Messaging Intervention as part of a Multi-Ethnic, Faith-Based Obesity and Diabetes Prevention Program
Margaret Whitley, MPH1, Malcolm Williams, MPP, PhD1, Karen Flórez, DrPH, MPH1, Denise Payán, PhD, MPP2, Cheryl Branch, MA3, Dominic Lathos, BA4 and Kathryn Pitkin Derose, PhD, MPH1
(1)RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA, (2)UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, (3)Los Angeles Metropolitan Churches, Los Angeles, CA, (4)Episcopal Urban Intern Program, Los Angeles, CA
APHA 2016 Annual Meeting & Expo (Oct. 29 - Nov. 2, 2016)
Background
Through a community-based participatory research study in Los Angeles, faith and health partners prioritized obesity and diabetes prevention and included a messaging component (text, email) in a multi-level, church-based intervention to improve diet and physical activity in African American and Latino churches from multiple faith traditions.
Methods
Five churches participated in the pilot (3 randomized to intervention, 2 to control). Over 4 months, intervention participants received daily texts or emails with healthy eating and physical activity strategies that were informed by publicly-available secular and faith-based material. Participants provided their messaging preferences (opt-in, message mode, and language) at baseline. We collected data on barriers, feedback, and opt-out requests using the web-based platform. A follow-up survey will be used to measure impact on health behavior and health outcomes.
Results
131 of 155 study participants agreed to receive messages at baseline. Six participants requested to stop receiving messages. 44 congregants responded to messages with comments that were either positive (“thanks I am drinking more water,” “do you have any special hints for Easter Parties?”) or neutral (“okay,” “yes.”). Barriers included technological challenges delivering Spanish language characters and confirming that some text messages were received.
Conclusions
Daily healthy living messaging via text and email was feasible to implement across churches and appeared acceptable to participants. Lessons learned include the importance of verifying contact information, assessing phone type, and simplifying the opt-in process. A platform that automatically sends messages and tracks responses and receipt would facilitate implementation.
Chronic disease management and prevention Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs Public health or related research
Abstract
Partnership between a faith-based health center and urban university to improve population health: Healthy Memphis Initiative
Marian Levy, DrPH, RD, FAND1, Alan Swistak, M.A.2, Lisa Sikkink, M.A.3, Marion Donohoe, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC3 and Ann Langston2
(1)The University of Memphis School of Public Health, Memphis, TN, (2)Church Health Center, Memphis, TN, (3)University of Memphis, Memphis, TN
APHA 2016 Annual Meeting & Expo (Oct. 29 - Nov. 2, 2016)
Issues: The University of Memphis (UM), an urban research university, and the Church Health Center (CHC), a faith-based institution providing health coverage for the working poor, have partnered to benefit Memphis's underserved populations and formally agreed to collaborate in wellness research, programming, and education. Description: The CHC and UM developed opportunities for collaborative research in wellness and health to benefit the underserved, offer reciprocal programming to provide a deeper educational experience for students, and provide access to educational opportunities at the UM for CHC staff. Additionally, the CHC provides health coverage for University of Memphis's graduate students. Joint research projects investigate CHC patient health outcomes related to diabetes, hypertension, obesity and HIV. Joint programming includes a Poverty Simulation in which faculty, students, and CHC staff experience the challenges of poverty and adverse social determinants of health. Additionally, Health Care Interpreters trained at UM conduct volunteer interpreter services to limited English speaking patients at the CHC. Also, the CHC intern program provides experiential opportunities for UM students in public health, nursing, anthropology, psychology, social work, counseling, education, computer science, and graphic design. Lessons learned: Regular communication and outcomes measurement are critical. Quarterly team meetings are held at the University to facilitate communication. A database and tracking system have been established to monitor growth in collaborative efforts. Recommendations: Partnerships must address shared missions. Our collaboration enables CHC staff to further their mission of providing quality care and service to the underserved, while supporting the University's mission as a learner-centered metropolitan research university.
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs Chronic disease management and prevention Clinical medicine applied in public health Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs Provision of health care to the public
Abstract
Role of Psychosocial Factors in a Hepatitis B Screening Intervention for Koran Americans
Grace X. Ma, PhD1, Minsun Lee, PhD1, Joanne Rhee, MSW1, Yin Tan, MD, MPH1, Philip Siu, MD2, Sung il Park3 and Min Qi Wang, PhD4
(1)Center for Asian Health, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, (2)Chinatown Medical Services of Greater Philadelphia Health Action, Inc., Philadelphia, PA, (3)Jubilee Presbyterian Church, Conshohocken, PA, (4)School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
APHA 2016 Annual Meeting & Expo (Oct. 29 - Nov. 2, 2016)
Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the role of psychosocial components of Hep B screening intervention on screening behaviors among Korean Americans.
Methods: A community-based, clustered randomized trial was conducted among 1834 Korean American from 32 Korean churches in the eastern region of PA and NJ. Based on the Health Belief Model and Social Cognitive Theory, the culturally appropriate intervention targeted knowledge of HepB, self-efficacy, and risk susceptibility, as well as perceived barriers, benefits, and severity. The ANCOVA was conducted on each psychosocial variable between the intervention and control groups at 6-month follow up. In addition, a logistic regression was conducted with the change scores of psychosocial variables as the predictor and the HepB screening at the 6 month follow-up as the dependent variable.
Results: All psychosocial factors were significantly higher in intervention compared to control group, except for perceived barriers. The increased self-efficacy, knowledge, perceived severity, benefits, and risk susceptibility were individually associated with greater likelihood of having the HBV screening. In a multivariate model, increased knowledge, decreased perceived severity, and increased risk susceptibility were significantly associated with greater likelihood of HBV screening.
Conclusion: Hep B screening intervention addressing knowledge of Hep B screening and health beliefs such as perceived severity and risk susceptibility are beneficial in improving screening behavior in the at-risk Korean Americans.
Advocacy for health and health education Chronic disease management and prevention Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice Protection of the public in relation to communicable diseases including prevention or control Public health or related education Public health or related research
Abstract
Translation of an evidence-based weight loss maintenance intervention for rural, African American adults of faith: Design of The WORD (Wholeness, Oneness, Righteousness, Deliverance)
Karen Yeary, PhD1, Carol E. Cornell, PhD1, T. Elaine Prewitt, DrPH1, Page Moore, PhD1, Jerome Turner, MDiv2 and Kimberly Harris, PhD1
(1)University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, (2)Boys Girls Adult Community Development Center, Marvell, AR
APHA 2016 Annual Meeting & Expo (Oct. 29 - Nov. 2, 2016)
Background: Obesity is a major public health problem that disproportionately affects African Americans. Although successful behavioral weight loss interventions for diverse groups have developed, little work has translated evidence-based weight loss interventions with the aim of sustaining weight loss. Using a community-based participatory research approach (CBPR) that engages the strong faith-based social infrastructure characteristic of rural African American communities is a promising way to sustain weight loss in African Americans. We built upon our 10+ year community-academic partnership to develop a weight loss maintenance intervention for rural, African American adults of faith.
Methods: We used a CBPR approach to design The WORD, a cultural adaptation of an evidence-based weight loss intervention (Diabetes Prevention Program).
Results: The WORD is a randomized controlled trial (450 participants nested in 30 churches) that will be implemented by trained church members. Both arms (treatment, control) will receive a 16-session weight loss intervention and the treatment will receive an additional 12-session maintenance component. Participants' body weight, height, dietary intake, physical activity, and psychosocial measures will be assessed at baseline, 6, 12, and 18 months. Specific application of CBPR principles, interweaving spiritual messages into the curriculum, and details regarding outcome, process, and cost-effectiveness measures will be described. Preliminary participant baseline characteristics and baseline to 6-month outcome results will also be presented.
Conclusions: As a faith-based intervention that uses a CBPR approach to address weight loss maintenance in rural African Americans, the WORD is a unique intervention that engages faith-based social infrastructure in African American communities.
Chronic disease management and prevention Diversity and culture Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs Program planning Public health or related research