Walk & Talk: The Results of the St. Petersburg, Florida Outreach Women’s Health Questionnaire Angela Horvath, Ph.D. Evaluator St. Petersburg Federal Healthy Start Project Pinellas County Health Department
Background St. Petersburg Healthy Start Federal Project Goal: to reduce disparities in infant mortality and perinatal and interconceptional health experienced by African-American women living in an intervention area comprised of 4 contiguous zip codes of South St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida. Core services include Outreach and Recruitment, Case Management, Health Education, Interconceptional Care, and Depression Screening/Referral
Survey Purpose Administer an anonymous survey to capture significant health indicators of hard to reach African-American women of child-bearing age residing in the Project Area
Survey Instrument Demographics Zip code, age, race Access to Health Care Have a doctor, comfort level communicating with health care professionals Nutrition & Physical Activity Fruits & vegetable consumption, exercise, height, weight
Survey Instrument Chronic Health High blood pressure, diabetes, low iron, asthma, dental problems Women’s Health Annual exam, breast exams, birth control, folic acid, STIs Social & Emotional Health Stress, depression, housing concerns, discrimination, domestic violence
Survey Administration Administered by: team of outreach workers affiliated with local church When: After-hours, weekends Locations such as: housing projects, bus stops, beauty parlors, convenience stores, motels, parks, street corners Strategies: everyday presence, multiple contacts, build rapport
Sample size = 488, average age = 26.5 (SD=9.2) Results – Sample of Key Findings Women’s report of currently having a doctor:
Sample size = 488, average age = 26.5 (SD=9.2) Results – Sample of Key Findings Women’s report of having a Pap test within past two years:
Sample size = 488, average age = 26.5 (SD=9.2) Results – Sample of Key Findings Birth control use among those not wanting to get pregnant:
Sample size = 488, average age = 26.5 (SD=9.2) Results – Sample of Key Findings Folic acid use among those wanting to get pregnant:
Sample size = 488, average age = 26.5 (SD=9.2) Results – Sample of Key Findings Current condom use among those with a history of STI:
Sample size = 488, average age = 26.5 (SD=9.2) Results – Sample of Key Findings Women reporting experience of stress or depression:
Results – Sample of Key Findings Reports of current and past chronic health conditions
Walk & Talk: Lessons Learned Consistent presence in the community Knowledge of local hang-outs and timing are key Multiple contacts are needed to build rapport Trust/credibility with a faith-based institution Access to care may not be primary need Opportunity during outreach for health education- folic acid, STIs, birth control, and mental health
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