Health Information and Libraries Journal
Volume 29, Issue 2, 2012, Pages 152-161

Health education for Somali Bantu refugees via home visits (Article)

Eisenhauer E.R.* , Mosher E.C. , Lamson K.S. , Wolf H.A. , Schwartz D.G.
  • a Kaleida Health Libraries, Buffalo, NY, United States
  • b Women and Children's Hospital of Buffalo, Buffalo, NY, United States
  • c Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Boston, MA, United States
  • d Jericho Road Family Medicine, Buffalo, NY, United States
  • e Kaleida Health Libraries, Buffalo, NY, United States, State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, United States

Abstract

Background: Somali Bantu refugees, with unique health information needs, created challenges for health and social service providers. Objectives: A service innovation was developed (i) to raise awareness, especially among local health and social service providers, about the Bantu refugees' presence in the community, their culture, and their information needs and (ii) to deliver needed health information, emphasizing child health, to the Bantu mothers in their homes. Methods: The project consisted of: (i) a community conference targeting local health and social service providers, describing the refugees' presence in the community, their culture, and information needs. (ii) Focus groups conducted with members of the Bantu population elicited additional information needs. (iii) Curriculum was developed based on identified needs, and (iv) the curriculum was delivered to the refugees in their homes. A clinical informationist and MP3 technology enhanced the project. Findings: Conference attendees' evaluation responses indicated improved understanding of Bantu culture. Focus groups' identification of health information needs provided a framework for the health education curriculum. A project website made educational materials available to other healthcare providers. Conclusions: The project raised awareness of the Bantus' presence, culture, and information needs. Identification of other unmet needs demonstrated that additional support for refugees is required. © 2012 The authors. Health Information and Libraries Journal © 2012 Health Libraries Group.

Author Keywords

Web 2.0 Collaboration Library and information professionals Health information needs Health literacy focus groups Health education Nurses North Africa

Index Keywords

evaluation information processing Needs Assessment curriculum refugee methodology health care policy human Refugees statistics Ethnic Groups House Calls ethnic group professional practice Cultural Competency ethnology cultural competence Humans pilot study Article program evaluation health education health care quality Somalia Health Policy health literacy Pilot Projects Focus Groups

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84861591146&doi=10.1111%2fj.1471-1842.2012.00979.x&partnerID=40&md5=b9b87ffd765a38f112b8eda7d89f26a6

DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-1842.2012.00979.x
ISSN: 14711834
Cited by: 7
Original Language: English