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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Sharla K. Willis, DrPH1, Marķa Carmen Lambea, MPH2, and Ann M. Smyntek, MPH1. (1) Ohio State University School of Public Health, 320 West 10th Ave., B209 Starling-Loving Hall, Columbus, OH 43210, (2) Promotoras de Salud Program, Ohio Hispanic Coalition, 4889 Sinclair Rd, Columbus, OH 43229, (614) 840-9934, willis.181@osu.edu
Latinos are the fastest growing ethnic group in the U.S.(1) Between 1990 and 2000 the Latino population in Ohio increased by 55%, while in Columbus it more than doubled.(2) Currently, limited data exists regarding health needs of the Latino community in Columbus.(3,4) The current study was the first step in developing an ongoing community-based participatory process to identify and address health needs in the Latino community using an assets-based approach. Focus groups were conducted to gain an understanding of Latino community members' perceptions of Columbus, and the strengths and needs of the Latino community in Columbus. Community leaders assisted in recruiting monolingual Spanish-speaking recent immigrants to participate in one of six focus groups conducted by community members trained in focus group facilitation. Twenty women and seventeen men, primarily from Mexico or South America, participated in the focus groups. Focus groups were audiotaped and transcribed in Spanish. Transcripts were coded and analyzed in ATLAS/ti,(5) a qualitative data analysis program. The focus was on identifying overarching themes and looking for variations within and between groups. Preliminary findings suggest that Latino residents view their community as dispersed and see leadership development and unification as important to the health of the community. Residents focused on concerns regarding health care access, and the need for health-related information. Implications of the findings for development of culturally appropriate health promotion interventions will be discussed, as will plans for involving community members in each step of the process.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Latinos, Community Health Assessment
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.