Community Assessment

N415 Dr. Robinson

Objectives

Analyze the importance of community assessment in PHN. Employ various methods of assessment through data collection and data generation. Plan a community based intervention reflecting the assessment.

Community Assessment is a core function for PHN practice

Logical systematic approach to determine needs, prioritize problems, and plan interventions

Goal of community assessment ultimately is to improve the health status of the community Ideally involves a partnership with community members

Many types of communities

Community of place-Ex. City Heights, La

Mesa, Scripps Ranch

Community of interest-Ex. San Diego Military

Families, Families with special needs children

Community of common characteristics

Gay community Deaf Community Somali refugees

Each

community is unique

Place People Function

All have strengths and all have weaknesses

Community Data Sources

Collect existing data Generate new data

Place

Define the community boundaries Size Physical environment Main transportation arteries

Place: Scripps Ranch 92131

Scripps Ranch is located in the northeast corner of San Diego County. One of the unique characteristics is the number of eucalyptus trees.

Community Map

East of Interstate 15, north of the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, South of Poway

Realtors are a good source for community maps (possible bias) Triangular in shape, boundaried by I-15, Pomerado Road and Scripps Poway Parkway

People: Community Demographics

Population Age breakdown Ethnicity

Data source is SanDag-San Diego Association of governments www.sandag.org Go to demographics

Profile warehouse Data warehouse

Scripps Ranch Demographics

Population 34,906 About 30% of pop.20 years or younger About 40% is between 40-64
white Amer Indian Hispanic Black Asian Other

Compare to something
California demographics San Diego demographics

Household Income

Median income is 63,658. Housing is mostly single family homes.

Health Data

County of San Diego Health statistics

Data is by region

http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/hhsa/program s/phs/community_health_statistics/

Vital statistics Morbidity/mortality

Community Health Care

How do people access primary care in your community? clinics or travel needed Emergency care? nearest Social services? child care Safety net?-Where do people go to sign up for food stamps, medical, WIC?

Function:

What goes on in the community? Do people earn their living in the community? Do people get their health care in the community? Do people have recreation opportunities in the community? Are their shops/restaurants?

Scripps Ranch

a bedroom community Most people leave the community to get to work Only 2 main shopping areas No public transportation

Data Generation

You may want to know some information about your community that hasnt been documented

Illegal behaviors (drug use, prostitution) Folk health practices How people in the community view immunizations

Methods for Generating Data

Key Informant interviews Windshield surveyswalking the beat Local news- bulletin boards, local papers Talk with a realtor Interview political representative Focus Groups Talking with merchants, cops, librarians

Quantitative Data Needs to have meaning

Compare quantitative data for your community with another community. Trend data within your community over time Data can be deceptive

Design an Intervention

Upstream intervention - prevention Primary prevention Secondary prevention Tertiary prevention Keep it feasible realistic, plant seeds (patience) Consider cultural sensitivity Identify resources and barriers to offering the intervention Sustainability! over a longer duration