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MA/PhD Theses Abstracts of Current Students & Alumni |
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Mathai, Lisa. 1993. Working Toward Preventive Health Solutions: An Evaluation of the "Be Wise - Immunize" Project.
Abstract: The research project was an evaluation of an immunization outreach program in Tampa, Florida. This outreach program is a result of public and private organizations volunteering to work together to address a particular health problem in a specific population. The purpose of this evaluation was to identify reasons for low family/client participation in this immunization project and to recommend strategies for improving client participation in this program.The basic methods of research for this study were traditional anthropological techniques such as participant observation and interviews with key informants, in addition to statistical analysis. The population approached for this information was the target population of the project outreach efforts and the representatives of each organization participating in this program. A total of 84 questionnaires were administered. Findings from the questionnaires administered to the parents/guardians of children attending the outreach program supported barriers to access and health behavior models found in the literature. The access barriers identified can be classified into three categories: structural, financial, and personal/cultural. Health behavior models found in the literature and supported by data collected are the conditional, sociocultural, and the systemic. Use of these health behavior models was informative because they helped to identify and illuminate motivating influences for people's use of available health care services. Conclusions emerging from collected data were primarily programmatic. For example, the importance and potential of this program to provide preventive health care in nontraditional settings. All of the respondents appreciated the program and were pleased that this service was provided in their respective neighborhoods. Another important point was raised: any changes that could possibly affect these neighborhoods and especially the manner in which the outreach efforts for this program are conducted needs to be a product of honest and open communication between the resource holders and the target population. During the course of the evaluation, many people expressed the need for their voices to be a part of the design process. Other issues raised by respondents were the need to offer other types of services via the bus and the importance of having a constant, identifiable contact person for the program.
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