ARS | Publication request: FROM NEEDS ASSESSMENT TO PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH: A COMMUNITY VISION OF HEALTH PROMOTION PROGRAMS IN ONE NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITY

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract
Publication Acceptance Date: June 23, 2008
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Identify unique cultural needs, priorities, program delivery preferences and barriers to achieving a healthy diet and lifestyle in one Native American community. DESIGN: A novel modified nominal group technique (NGT) conducted in four districts and three age groups (Elders, adults and youth) (N=114). Participants listed, discussed, ranked and then scored their responses to four questions using a modified NGTA formula using ranking and scoring data was used to produce an ordinal list of proportionally identified community concerns, barriers and preferences. RESULTS: The biggest concerns for the overall community were: substance abuse, housing, recreation, employment, and emergency response time. Barriers to healthy eating included: taste, cost, time, availability, and knowledge. Barriers to physical activity included: health problems, motivation, time, available activities, and lack of fitness centers. Preferred health program strategies/ elements appropriate for inclusion in health program design included: improve the recreation center; provide workshops and activities that include the entire family, offer nutrition programs, offer outdoor activities, and offer parenting programs. CONCLUSION: Culturally appropriate interventions to address identified barriers in this community should be designed to include education for the entire family at an improved recreation facility. It is also important to develop skills among tribal programs to utilize existing quantitative and qualitative data for health promotion and environmental interventions for the Spirit Lake Tribe. Further research will use a participatory research design to familiarize tribal entities with documentation research conducted on the Spirit Lake Reservation.