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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
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The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA |
Martha Andom, MPH, Arlington County Communicable Disease Bureau, 1800 N. Edison St., Arlington, VA 22207, (703) 228-5314, mandom@co.arlington.va.us
Diversity has posed a unique cultural and linguistic challenge in providing health-related services to immigrant communities in Arlington County, VA. The county has a population of 187,000 persons, 30% of whom are immigrants primarily from central and south America, Africa, and southeast Asia. This translates into 70 different languages being spoken in households throughout Arlington. The communication challenge is underscored in the sexually transmitted diseases clinic where nurses and HIV counselors have to ask personal and intimate questions about sexual behavior, use of contraceptives, history of STDs, and domestic violence, as well as counsel clients about reducing their risk for sexually transmitted diseases. The county’s Communicable Diseases program has undergone a learning curve in understanding and responding to the needs of persons with limited english proficiency (LEP). Our strategy evolved from utilizing family members and friends as interpreters to currently partnering with an agency which specializes in medical interpretation. While the latter strategy has greatly improved our ability to communicate with LEP clients, we continue to face communication challenges related to culturally appropriate counseling on communicable diseases.
Learning Objectives: By the end of the presentation, participants will be able to
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: AHEC (Area Health Education Center)
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.