Community Health Project Paper: Part II

Planning, Population-based Intervention and Evaluation

NURS 472/3- Community Health

Purpose of Assignment
The purpose of this assignment is to utilize the Health Planning Model to improve
aggregate health and to apply the nursing process to the larger aggregate within a systems
framework. 

Student Approach to Assignment

Our group had been assigned to the Portsmouth Health Department for our community
health outreach projects. One of the goals of Healthy People 2020 is to reduce the proportion of
children aged 6 to eleven years who are considered obese. With a childhood obesity rate of 24%,
southeastern Virginia is far from that target. We discussed a multi-factor approach to tackling
this problem in a socioeconomically and culturally diverse city.

Reason for Inclusion of this Assignment in the Portfolio

This assignment was included because it provided the opportunity to consider the health
impact of the diverse cultures in Hampton Roads. Childhood obesity is associated with negative
health outcomes across the lifespan, and targeting this problem is important in improving
prospects for current and future generations. By establishing a connection with the Up Center,
we ensured that future nursing classes would have the opportunity to continue to enact positive
outcomes in the local community.

 Teaching
 Uses information technologies and other appropriate methods to communicate health
promotion, risk reduction, and disease prevention across the lifespan
 Example: For our health fair, we had multiple stations that targeted various aspects of
health, risk reduction, and disease prevention. We taught children, young adults,
middle-age adults, and older adults how to perform CPR utilizing video and audio
technologies. I utilized educational health technologies while performing the
handwashing education and exercises. We also utilized the internet to obtain
information regarding sugar contents of various foods and then weighed out bags of
sugar so the participants could attempt to match sugar amounts with various popular
drinks and foods.

 Leadership
 Initiates community partnerships to establish health promotion goals and implements
strategies to meet those goals
  Example: This was the first time the Up Center partnered with our university and they
reported an excellent learning experience. They also indicated that they would like to
maintain contact with future nursing classes. This allows for future health fairs that
can educate more individuals on various health-related topics and have a lasting
community impact. The health fair that we held directly promoted Healthy People
2020 goals for reducing for obesity by focusing on exercise and nutrition in addition
to other topics.

 Teaching
 Evaluates the efficacy of health promotion and education modalities for use in a variety
of settings with diverse populations
 Example: Following each station, we assessed our groups for learning outcomes. Our
goal was that all participants would report the intention of utilizing the various
information and techniques that we taught. After attempting to match sugar to popular
foods/beverages, all participants were surprised and reported that they would drink
more water and pay more attention to nutrition labels. After the handwash station, all
participants reported that they didn’t realize how difficult is was to thoroughly wash
their hands and that they would spend more time washing their hands effectively in
the future. After CPR training, participants reported increased confidence if faced
with a scenario that necessitated CPR. Only one participant reported that they learned
nothing new and did not intend to utilize any of the provided education.

 Culture
 Considers the impact of research outcomes and, the effects of health and social policies,
on persons from diverse backgrounds.
 Example: For this project, we utilized research that assessed childhood obesity while
considering the impact socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. Additionally, we
utilized research that assessed school-based interventions that aimed to decrease the
weight of students in a low-income school district. Our group ensured that it selected
research that targeted populations with similarities to our local community. We found
that specific and targeted social policies were effective for decreasing unhealthy weight
in a variety of demographics.

 Leadership
 Organizes, manages, and evaluates the development of strategies to promote healthy
communities
 Example: For this project, our group organized a health fair that saw participants in
the Up Center visit. The Up Center holds programs that are reminiscent of the Big
Brother program where adults mentor children from the community. Following the
health fair, we assessed the participants in order to determine if the training and
education that had been provided was effective. Each member of our group was
responsible for proctoring an educational session aimed at health promotion. I was
responsible for the handwashing exercise which saw children and adults having their
hands “contaminated” with UV light-reactive synthetic germs. They were then
educated with the proper handwashing technique and allowed to wash their hands
before assessing the quality of their washing with UV light. Afterwards, everyone
was educated with steps to ensure they wash the entirety of their hand, focusing on
areas they had missed.