Developing culturally appropriate reproductive health materials for the increasingly diverse US population is essential to providing quality health care. In recent years, the Somali population in Minnesota has grown tremendously. Almost one half of the Somalis in the US now reside in Minnesota, as they are drawn to an area with low unemployment, a relatively low crime rate, quality public schools, and existing family networks. To date, however, few health education resources are available in the Somali language, especially in the area of reproductive health. There are also numerous barriers to receiving adequate health care including language difficulties, insufficient income, lack of transportation and affordable housing, and illiteracy. In 1999 and 2000, the presenter developed a culturally sensitive family planning (child spacing) booklet and video in the Somali language while working at Neighborhood Health Care Network (NHCN). NHCN is a Minnesota-based non-profit organization whose mission is to strengthen community clinics in order to improve the health of underserved communities. This presentation will outline key steps to take in order to develop culturally sensitive reproductive health care materials for immigrant or refugee groups in the US. It will also discuss some of the challenges and "lessons learned" from developing these materials.
Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to develop and design culturally appropriate reproductive health materials for refugee and immigrant groups
Keywords: Family Planning, Refugees
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.