1. Folic Acid Education for Hispanic Women: The Promotora de Salud Model
- Author
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Leslie deRosset, Lisa Colen, Jennifer Isenburg, Christina L Hillard, Cara T. Mai, Alina L. Flores, and Troy Bush
- Subjects
Adult ,Gerontology ,Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice ,Health Behavior ,Psychological intervention ,Health Promotion ,Preconception Care ,Article ,03 medical and health sciences ,Folic Acid ,0302 clinical medicine ,Pregnancy ,Intervention (counseling) ,Environmental health ,Humans ,Medicine ,Neural Tube Defects ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Health Education ,030505 public health ,business.industry ,Group education ,Hispanic or Latino ,Vitamins ,General Medicine ,medicine.disease ,United States ,Health promotion ,Folic acid ,Dietary Supplements ,Female ,Health education ,0305 other medical science ,business - Abstract
Although rates of neural tube defects (NTDs) have declined in the United States since fortification, disparities still exist with Hispanic women having the highest risk of giving birth to a baby with a NTD. The Promotora de Salud model using community lay health workers has been shown to be an effective tool for reaching Hispanics for a variety of health topics; however, literature on its effectiveness in folic acid interventions is limited.An intervention using the Promotora de Salud model was implemented in four U.S. counties with large populations of Hispanic women. The study comprised the following: (1) a written pretest survey to establish baseline levels of folic acid awareness, knowledge, and consumption; (2) a small group education intervention along with a 90-day supply of multivitamins; and (3) a postintervention (posttest) assessment conducted 4 months following the intervention.Statistically significant differences in pre- and posttests were observed for general awareness about folic acid and vitamins and specific knowledge about the benefits of folic acid. Statistically significant changes were also seen in vitamin consumption and multivitamin consumption. Folic acid supplement consumption increased dramatically by the end of the study.The Promotora de Salud model relies on interpersonal connections forged between promotoras and the communities they serve to help drive positive health behaviors. The findings underscore the positive impact that these interpersonal connections can have on increasing awareness, knowledge, and consumption of folic acid. Utilizing the Promotora de Salud model to reach targeted populations might help organizations successfully implement their programs in a culturally appropriate manner.
- Published
- 2017