Community Needs Assessment Worksheet (Assignment 1)
Community Needs Assessment Worksheet (Assignment 1)
Community Needs Assessment Worksheet
Instructions:
This worksheet is based on McKenzie & Pinger’s six-step model described in An Introduction to Community & Public Health. The six steps are described in the following list. The tasks in the “Community Needs Assessment Worksheet” accomplish the first four steps.
Step 1: Determine purpose and focus of needs assessment
Task: Describe the problem prompting this assessment.
Step 2: Gather data
Task: Research data to complete a market segmentation.
Step 3: Analyze data
Task: Analyze market segmentation findings to determine community needs.
Step 4: Identify the factors linked to the health problem
Task: Describe barriers to care evidenced by data analysis.
Step 5: Identify the program focus
This will be accomplished in the “Process Innovation Strategy Worksheet.”
Step 6: Validate the prioritized need
This will be accomplished in the “Stakeholder Communication Worksheet.”
The chart provided will guide your research and analysis process. Begin by examining and using the resource to complete as much of the chart as possible. Research other sources as necessary to complete the assignment. Please note, minor calculations of data will be required to complete the table.
• Perform an internet search for the Chinle Census Reporter. Within the site, use the search field to research health insurance, employment, telephone, vehicles, and additional categories if needed.
1. Determine purpose and focus of needs assessment. One effective way to focus a needs assessment is to base the assessment on specific questions. What questions do you need to answer about Chinle, Arizona, or obesity to address the problem in the community?
2. Gather data. Finding the root causes of the obesity problem in Chinle begins with foundational data about population demographics, health status, healthcare utilization, healthcare resources, and behaviors. Research the available data to complete the following charts:
Part I: Population Demographics
Location:
Total population:
Factor
Category
Distribution %
# of people
Gender
Male
Female
Race
White
Hispanic
Black
Asian
Native American
Other
Age
Up to 9
10–19
20–39
40–59
60 and over
Socioeconomic factors
Uninsured individuals
Individuals below poverty level
Median household income
Unemployment rate
Adults with a high school education or higher
Individuals who speak English less than “very well”
Telephone service available
Vehicles available per household
Part II: Healthcare Resources (Review the information)
Factor
Category
Services
Health literacy and support services
Preventive care
Community nutrition staff work with other outreach workers to promote healthy eating in communities and schools.
Chronic care
Health coaches work in primary care clinics to help diabetic patients with exercises, healthy eating, and controlling glucose.
Patient education
Chinle Health Council formed a task force to work on increasing healthy living information.
Navajo Community Health Representatives work in the Chinle Service Unit (CSU) to promote understanding of the healthcare system.
Navajo Health Education Program organizes community health fairs and similar outreach activities.
Related community services
137 Ways to Just Move It on the Navajo Nation
Just Move It is a national campaign to promote activity and wellness among American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) communities. The chapter in Chinle focuses on organizing noncompetitive running and walking events at least once a year to promote active lifestyles. The CSU staff members assist by distributing materials and helping with scheduling.
Navajo Nation Special Diabetes Project
An organization with a chapter in Chinle that focuses on preventing and managing diabetes in the Navajo Nation by promoting healthy eating and activities that last for an individual’s entire life span
Health Promotion Department and Navajo Nation Department of Health
Part of the Navajo Nation government that schedules and executes running and walking events in addition to other health maintenance and awareness programs
3. Determine purpose and scope. Based on the information collected above, determine which members of the community you could collaborate with to complete each step of the needs assessment process.
4. Analyze the data. Based on your research, identify factors linked to the health problem.
5. Identify the program focus. Based on your research and analysis, determine what the program should focus on.
6. Summarize your needs analysis. Using the market segmentation results in step 2, complete the following chart:
Needs Analysis Summary (McKenzie & Pinger)
Query
Finding
Data Source
Who is the priority population?
Navajo living in the Chinle Service Unit of the NAIHS who are obese or in danger of becoming obese
N/A
What are the needs of the priority population?
Healthy Weight for Life – Indian Health Services
Which subgroups within the priority population have the greatest need?
What is the capacity of the community to deal with the needs?
What are the assets in the community on which a program can be built?
7. Identify the factors linked to the health problem within the Navajo community. Describe barriers to care evidenced by data analysis. Explicit health problems such as obesity may be driven by factors that are not directly related to obesity or that are not even specific to healthcare. Use data from the needs analysis and culture analysis to extrapolate and describe possible or evident barriers to care. Complete the following chart (approx. 100 words each):
Barriers to Care
Barrier type
Indication in Community
Significance for Project
Geographic
Financial
Transportation
Educational
Social
The overwhelming prevalence of Navajo in the community population implies that Navajo perspectives on healthcare will dominate. Native practitioners focus on restoring balance instead of alleviating symptoms. Some native practitioners see conflict between Western medical practices and Navajo practices, ceremonies, and observances. The Chinle CSU has four staff members dedicated to facilitating communication and collaboration with native healers to avoid mismatches in practice or messages between the two groups. The Dine Medicine Man Association also wields significant influence in the broader community, acting as a professional organization and a lobbying group, much like the American Medical Association. In addition to medical practices, the Navajo cultural influence appears in the businesses and diets prevalent in the area as evidenced by the markets and restaurants in the area.
This will be covered in more detail in the “Collaborative Alliance Worksheet.”
A process intervention in this region must take into account the Navajo practices and beliefs with regard to health. In particular, any proposal should be screened for appropriateness to the community by Navajo medicine men or healing practitioners. Failure to engage cultural beliefs could result in limited compliance as well as potential pushback from the community. In addition to honoring native healing practices, the innovation should take into account traditional foods and eating habits of the Navajo. A program focused on a Western version of a healthy diet may engender resistance, and asking people to eat foods not easily found in their local markets will decrease compliance with the program from the outset.
This will be covered in more detail in the “Collaborative Alliance Worksheet.”
References:
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