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Community-Informed Health Promotion to Improve Health Behaviors in Honduras.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Sullivan, BJ; Bettger, JP
Published in: J Transcult Nurs
January 2018

BACKGROUND: Honduras is the second poorest country in Central America. The already high burden of disease is disproportionately worse among individuals with less education and limited access to health care. Community engagement is needed to bridge the gap in health care resources with the need for health promotion and education. Culturally relevant health promotion activities can foster transcultural partnerships. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to partner nursing students with village leaders to assess a community's health needs and implement health promotion activities in Honduras. DESIGN: Participatory action research was used in the study. METHOD: U.S. nursing students ( n = 4) partnered with a nonprofit organization and community partners in Villa Soleada to interview mothers in Villa Soleada, a Honduran village of 44 families, and implement health promotion activities targeted to the health priorities of their families. RESULTS: Structured interviews with 24 mothers identified gastrointestinal issues, health care access and quality, and malaria as the top three priorities. Ninety-two percent of respondents were interested in nurse-led health promotion. Activities engaged new community partners. DISCUSSION: This partnership and learning model was well received and sustainable. The U.S. nurses involved in the partnership gained exposure to Honduran health issues and led locally tailored health promotions in Villa Soleada. The community's response to health promotion were positive and future activities were planned. IMPLICATIONS: Nursing student's immersion experiences to support population-based health activities in low-resource settings are a replicable model that can help build healthier communities with a sustainable local infrastructure. Transcultural nursing experiences enhance students' perspectives, increase personal and professional development, strengthen nursing students' critical thinking skills, and for some students, confirm their desire to practice in an international arena.

Duke Scholars

Published In

J Transcult Nurs

DOI

EISSN

1552-7832

Publication Date

January 2018

Volume

29

Issue

1

Start / End Page

14 / 20

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Students, Nursing
  • Organizations, Nonprofit
  • Nursing
  • Needs Assessment
  • Mothers
  • Middle Aged
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Humans
  • Honduras
  • Health Promotion
 

Citation

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Sullivan, B. J., & Bettger, J. P. (2018). Community-Informed Health Promotion to Improve Health Behaviors in Honduras. J Transcult Nurs, 29(1), 14–20. https://doi.org/10.1177/1043659616670214
Sullivan, Brittney J., and Janet Prvu Bettger. “Community-Informed Health Promotion to Improve Health Behaviors in Honduras.J Transcult Nurs 29, no. 1 (January 2018): 14–20. https://doi.org/10.1177/1043659616670214.
Sullivan BJ, Bettger JP. Community-Informed Health Promotion to Improve Health Behaviors in Honduras. J Transcult Nurs. 2018 Jan;29(1):14–20.
Sullivan, Brittney J., and Janet Prvu Bettger. “Community-Informed Health Promotion to Improve Health Behaviors in Honduras.J Transcult Nurs, vol. 29, no. 1, Jan. 2018, pp. 14–20. Pubmed, doi:10.1177/1043659616670214.
Sullivan BJ, Bettger JP. Community-Informed Health Promotion to Improve Health Behaviors in Honduras. J Transcult Nurs. 2018 Jan;29(1):14–20.
Journal cover image

Published In

J Transcult Nurs

DOI

EISSN

1552-7832

Publication Date

January 2018

Volume

29

Issue

1

Start / End Page

14 / 20

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Students, Nursing
  • Organizations, Nonprofit
  • Nursing
  • Needs Assessment
  • Mothers
  • Middle Aged
  • Interviews as Topic
  • Humans
  • Honduras
  • Health Promotion