title: Identifying Health Promotion Needs Among Dominican-American Adolescents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Immigration from the Dominican Republic to the United States has grown rapidly. Yet, although adolescent pregnancy and obesity are common concerns among Hispanics, little is known specifically about Dominican adolescent health. This study was undertaken to assess Dominican-American adolescents' health concerns and their perceptions about their health promotion needs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dominican-American adolescents (N=25) were recruited in a pediatric clinic in New York City which primarily serves a Dominican population. Eligibility criteria included age 13-21years, self-identifying as Dominican ethnicity, and able to speak and read English. They completed a questionnaire, with demographic questions and questions about their risk behaviors including sexual and substance use. After completing the questionnaire, they participated in a semi-structured interview addressing their health education experiences and suggestions for such programs. Quantitative data were analyzed using frequencies to provide a demographic and behavioral profile. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-five adolescents, ages 13-21years, (female N=19, male N=6) participated in the study. Most were in school (92%) and were sexually experienced (68%). Programmatic preferences included in-person programs rather than online. They spontaneously addressed the importance of cultural issues, and the need to address several issues in addition to sexuality, including obesity and substance use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Programming for this population should address a broad conceptualization of health, and incorporate Dominican cultural issues.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nurses working with adolescents of Dominican origin, should provide health education that incorporates the specific needs of this population, including culturally congruent face-to-face interventions.
authors.affiliation: Lee and Joseph D. Jamail Endowed Professorship in Nursing, School of Nursing, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX. Electronic address: championj@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Jane Dimmitt
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Champion
authors.affiliation: Pace University, College of Health Professions, Pleasantville, NY.
authors.forename: Carol F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Roye
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D004293:Dominican Republic / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D019529:Sexuality / Q000208:ethnology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adolescents; Dominican-American; Health promotion; Obesity; Sexual health; Substance use