Health education for Somali Bantu refugees via home visits.
BACKGROUND
Somali Bantu refugees, with unique health information needs, created challenges for health and social service providers.


OBJECTIVE
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.


RESULTS
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.
Kaleida Health Libraries, Buffalo, NY, USA. e.eisenhauer@att.net
Elizabeth R
ER
Eisenhauer
Elaine C
EC
Mosher
Karen S
KS
Lamson
Helen Ann
HA
Wolf
Diane G
DG
Schwartz
D054521:Cultural Competency; D003479:Curriculum; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017144:Focus Groups; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D057220:Health Literacy; D006291:Health Policy; D006792:House Calls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012036:Refugees / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012998:Somalia / Q000208:ethnology