 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
|
| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Alison A. Eisinger, MSW, MPH, Epidemiology, Planning, and Evaluation Unit, Public Health -- Seattle & King County, 999 Third Ave., 12th floor, Seattle, WA 98104, (206) 296.2766, Alison.Eisinger@metrokc.gov, Sandra Ciske, MN, RN, Epidemiology, Planning and Evaluation Unit, Public Health - Seattle & King County, 999 Third Avenue, Suite 1200, Seattle, WA 98104, and Kathryn J. Horsley, DrPH, Epidemiology, Planning and Evaluation, Public Health-Seattle & King County, Wells Fargo Center, Suite 1200, 999 Third Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104.
Public health department researchers in King County, Washington collected both quantitative and qualitative primary data on several social determinants of health, including Social Support and Neighborhood Social Cohesion. In preparing a biannual report on key social and heath indicators, a random digit dial telephone survey was conducted in English. The survey included a nine question social support scale, and ten questions about trust and informal social control used to create a neighborhood social cohesion scale. Survey results revealed variations, including some significant differences according to income, ethnicity, and education. However, the survey sample under-represented certain segments of the county's population, including low income people, people with limited education, non-English speakers, and members of some ethnic minorities. To complement survey data, researchers collected additional primary data from these groups using qualitative methods. In partnership with several community-based social service agencies, an advocacy network, and a mutual aid association, 29 focus groups were conducted with members of six populations: low income people, African Americans, and Russian, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese speakers. Community agency partners provided bilingual and bi-cultural staff who received training and on-going technical assistance; reviewed and translated data collection tools; conducted focus groups; and carried out preliminary data analysis. Focus group findings, despite some limitations, included rich themes which offer insight into the meanings of selected social determinants of health. The use of multiple methods to measure and explore social support and neighborhood social cohesion suggests opportunities to develop assessment tools that are increasingly culturally complex and locally apt.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Underserved Populations, Community Health Assessment
Related Web page: www.communitiescount.org
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.