title: Developing a disaster preparedness campaign targeting low-income Latino immigrants: focus group results for project PREP.
abstract: Low-income immigrant Latinos are particularly vulnerable to disasters because they are both ill-prepared and disproportionately affected. Disaster preparedness programs that are culturally appropriate must be developed and tested. To develop such a program, we conducted 12 focus groups with low-income immigrant Latinos to understand their perceptions and understanding of disaster preparedness, and facilitators and obstacles to it. Participants were concerned about remaining calm during an earthquake. Obstacles to storage of disaster supplies in a kit and developing a family communication plan were mentioned frequently. Misunderstandings were voiced about the proper quantity of water to store and about communication plans. Several focus groups spontaneously suggested small group discussions (platicas) as a way to learn about disaster preparedness. They wanted specific help with building their family communication plans. They rated promotoras de salud highly as potential teachers. Results will guide the development of a disaster preparedness program tailored to the needs of low-income Latino immigrants.
authors.affiliation: David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA-Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1736, USA. deisenman@mednet.ucla.edu
authors.forename: David P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Eisenman
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Glik
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Maranon
authors.forename: Lupe
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gonzales
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Asch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011203:Poverty