 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Dyanne D. Affonso, PhD, FAAN, Dean, Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, 50 St. George Street, Toronto, ON M5S3H4, Canada, 416-935-1272, daffonso@mindspring.com, June Y Shibuya, MSN, RN, PHN, Maternal and Child Health, Department of Health, P.O. Box 159, Kurtistown, HI 96760, and Nalani Sing, MEd, Department of Education, Keaau Elementary School, 16-680 Keaau-Pahoa Road, Keaau, HI 96749.
Hawaiian Values as Social Determinants of Health among School-aged Children
A school-based violence prevention program on the island of Hawaii explored the relevance of Hawaiian cultural values as a social determinant of health status in children of grades 1 to 5. Public health nurses in partnership with teachers and parents designed a curricula approach to teach children violence prevention strategies using a cultural metaphor framework that activated five Hawaiian values. Aloha meaning love targeted caring about others and oneself. Ho'ihi (respect) of adults and peers to deal with insubordination. Kuleana (Responsibility) for learning about behaviors and being accountable for one's actions. Laulima (cooperation) in learning from and living with others to generate community spirit. Koa (Courage) in making righteous (Pono) decisions and to take good care of oneself (Malama Pono). Students who integrated the Hawaiian values into their classroom behaviors had lower incidents of insubordination, harrassment and bullying on campus. Children who exhibited behaviors congruent with the Hawaiian values has better social skills, self esteem and academic conduct as health status that were observed by teachers and principal. The Hawaiian values also generated a sense of wellbeing for the school as a healthier community as reported by teachers and parents as compared to the school's health status before the violence prevention program was implemented.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Cultural Competency, Violence Prevention
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.