Broadening Mothers Knowledge, Skills and Social Networks to Improve Latino Family Health

Abstract

Ethnicity, culture and place affect a person's health (Bonder, Martin, & Miracle, 2001), and social ties among immigrants play a central role in preservation of health (Romero de Slowing, 2012). Thus, interventions that are aimed to improve the health status of Latino immigrant populations need to consider barriers to health (e.g., place, acculturation, knowledge, skills) as well as Latino cultural values in order to be effective (Cristancho et. al 2008). Commonly, the concept of "health" among Latinos refers to the balance of social, physical, spiritual, and psychological aspects of an individual (Spector, 1991), and "good health" is associated with absence of illness (Reina, Greder, and Lee, 2013). Based on data gathered 2011-2013 from 98 individual interviews and a focus group interview with Latina immigrant mothers in rural Iowa, Iowa State University Extension is piloting a series of health focused workshops for Latina immigrant mothers. The workshops are designed to offer mothers a space where they can learn and share information about health, wellness and nutrition, and at the same time strengthen social networks with each other. We will share a summary of the data related to mothers' health concerns, how they want to engage in education to improve their health and the health of their families, workshop details including recruitment, topics, learning activities, and preliminary data. Workshop objectives include: Reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation among mothers ; Broaden mothers' knowledge and skills related to preparing traditional cultural food dishes with less fat or "healthy fat", less salt and less sugar ; Mothers identify strategies to maintain cultural foods in their family's diet despite new demands on family time and changing child food preferences ; Broaden mothers' knowledge related to how to incorporate inexpensive, enjoyable family activities that involve physical activity into routines at home and or in the community ; Broaden mothers' knowledge and skills related to growing food and herbs in Iowa To briefly summarize the interview findings that shape the workshop series: Mothers want to interactively participate in educational programs, and share knowledge and skills with each other. Mothers expressed feelings of isolation, and strongly desired to meet as a group on a regular basis to share, discuss, and broaden their knowledge and skills to improve their health. Specifically, mothers expressed interest in learning how to grow food and herbs in their new community, cook with less oil, help their children desire and eat traditional foods at home versus wanting "American food". Mothers also expressed concern with canned, pre-packaged and frozen foods served at school and didn't know what they could do about it. Mothers stated that they are not as physically active as they would like to be. In their home country, physical activity was built into their daily activities. Mothers also shared concerns about accessing healthcare in the community. They do not feel comfortable going to the health clinic in the community. Mothers want to learn more about where and who they can go to in the community for information and resources to help their families. Keywords: health education, knowledge, and skills, Latino immigrant, social networks, qualitative