title: A pilot study of health priorities of Somalis living in Kansas City: laying the groundwork for CBPR.
abstract: African immigrant and refugee communities remain medically underserved in the United States. Formative efforts are being directed to address the local needs of communities by researchers, community agencies, and local populations. However, there is a paucity of data and sparse documentation regarding these efforts. The objectives for this pilot study were to identify the health priorities of the Kansas City Somali community and to establish a working relationship between an academic medical university and the local Somali community. Our team used community-based participatory research principles and interviewed Somali community members (n = 11). Participants stated that chronic and mental health conditions were of primary concern. Medical system navigation and literacy struggles were identified as barriers. Participants offered possible solutions to some health issues, e.g., using community health workers and Qur'anic readers. Preliminary findings will help guide future research and inform strategies to improve the health and well-being of this community.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, MS 1030, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS, 66160, USA, mfilippi@kumc.edu.
authors.forename: Melissa K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Filippi
authors.forename: Babalola
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Faseru
authors.forename: Martha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baird
authors.forename: Florence
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ndikum-Moffor
authors.forename: K Allen
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Greiner
authors.forename: Christine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Daley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research; D003710:Demography; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants; D005260:Female; D006292:Health Priorities; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007615:Kansas; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012998:Somalia / Q000208:ethnology