Family and Community Health
Volume 37, Issue 1, 2014, Pages 60-73

Developing programs for african families, by african families: Engaging african migrant families in melbourne in health promotion interventions (Article)

Halliday J.A.* , Green J. , Mellor D. , Mutowo M.P. , De Courten M. , Renzaho A.M.N.
  • a Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  • b Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, Parenting Research Centre, East Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  • c School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia
  • d Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
  • e School of Global Health, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
  • f Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, Centre for International Health, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Abstract

Obesity is an emerging problem for African migrants in Australia, but few prevention programs incorporate their cultural beliefs and values. This study reports on the application of community capacity-building and empowerment principles in 4 workshops with Sudanese families in Australia. Workshop participants prioritized health behaviors, skill and knowledge gaps, and environments for change to identify culturally centered approaches to health promotion. The workshops highlighted a need for culturally and age-appropriate interventions that build whole-of-family skills and knowledge around the positive effects of physical activity and nutrition to improve health within communities while reducing intergenerational and gender role family conflicts. Copyright © 2014 Lippincott Williams &Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.

Author Keywords

Community capacity building Culturally centered interventions African migrants and refugees Acculturation Obesity prevention

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84890076837&doi=10.1097%2fFCH.0000000000000011&partnerID=40&md5=59c74787defd01b5a331d0fe969054d9
DOI: 10.1097/FCH.0000000000000011
ISSN: 01606379
Cited by: 9
Original Language: English