Gladys T Mabunda, PhD, RN, School of Nursing, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville, 2906 Rutger St., St. Louis, MO 63104, 618-650-3905, gmabund@siue.edu

One goal of Healthy People 2010 is to eliminate disparities in health status among ethnic minorities. There is a lack of research into the needs of resettled refugees. The purpose of this study was to identify the health needs of African refugees living in a Midwestern city. Qualitative research methods were used to conduct the. A convenience sample of 15 African refugee women participated in the study. Individual interviews and focus groups were held using an interview guide. Data were analyzed using qualitative methods of data analysis. Two themes emerged: participants have access to health care and are satisfied with the services they receive; participants would like to have opportunities to engage in health promotion activities, especially exercises. These results are very significant, in that the need for health promotion activities is consistent with the Healthy People 2010 objective: to increase the number of adults who engage in regular physical activities. Since the refugees stated they have access to care, it is important during regular health care visits that nurses make sure to assess refugees’ ability to meet their needs for physical activity, to assess barriers to participation in physical activity, and to counsel on ways to increase physical activity.

Learning Objectives:

• •Identify the health promotion needs of East African women refugees
• •Identify barriers to health promotion as perceived by refugee women from East Africa.
• •Identify strategies to meet the health needs of refugees from East Africa

Keywords: Refugees, Community Health

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.