Maria Eve Main

Anabaptist Community Members' Perceptions and Preferences Related to Healthcare

The plain Anabaptists are thought to differ from mainstream U.S. health care beliefs and practices. Many non-Anabaptist health care providers have limited knowledge of the specific health beliefs and preferences of Anabaptists, which can lead to misunderstandings. The purpose of this descriptive qualitative study was to collect information from Anabaptist community members related to health care beliefs and preferences in their communities. Participants, who were members of various plain Anabaptist communities, completed a questionnaire containing openended questions about health issues. Seven themes emerged in results: (1) health viewed as a gift from God that provides the ability to work; (2) concern about exposure to chemicals and food additives as health risks; (3) the use of a variety of resources from lay members in the community in addition to seeking information from professionals; (4) the desire to use natural remedies first with outside care being sought when deemed necessary; (5) barriers to seeking professional healthcare as mainly related to cost, time, and provider attitudes; (6) maintaining a good diet, being active, and having good dental care as important preventative activities; and (7) expectation of respect, engagement, and care from providers.

Child Weight and Feeding Patterns in an Old Order Mennonite Community

Purpose: Feeding practices in some religious communities may decrease childhood obesity. However, there is limited research in these communities to assess maternal perceptions of their children’s weight and feeding patterns. The purpose of this study was to ascertain Old Order Mennonite mothers’ perceptions of their children’s body weight and to examine feeding patterns for their children. Sample: Participants for this descriptive, correlational study were recruited from an Old Order Mennonite community in south central Kentucky. Sampling was achieved using a snowball sampling strategy and the use of a community insider. Methods: Body Mass Index was measured for mothers and child participants, and mothers completed four questionnaires. Fourteen families with 65 children participated. Findings: Fifteen children (23.1%) had BMIs > 85%, and weight was underestimated in 24.6% of children. Breastfeeding was common (98.5%), with a mean age for cessation of 17.3 months. Mean age for introduction of solid foods was eight months. Results from the CFQ demonstrated mothers were neutral about obesity risk in their child (X=3.05). Mothers reported concerns about high sugar foods, limiting access to unhealthy foods, and children eating all food served at meals. Maternal health literacy scores (X=33.98) were comparable to scores found in other studies. A lower PSOC score (X= 23.36) was found. Conclusions: Further study needs to be conducted in this community to ascertain specific feeding habits that may account for increased BMIs.

Linking community partners to increase tetanus immunizations among farmers.

Increasing the number of individuals adequately immunized to prevent illness is a goal of community health nursing, but achieving this goal among occupational groups such as farmers remains a challenge. This article shares the process and outcome of a community-based participatory research project designed to provide tetanus immunizations to farmers. Key agricultural partners were identified in south central Kentucky and these individuals coordinated the site selection, advertisement, and recruitment for a tetanus immunization program. A total of 280 farmers or individuals associated with farming were surveyed over a 7-month period. The participants had limited knowledge of tetanus etiology and 84% of the participants either reported no tetanus booster in the past 10 years or did not know their tetanus immunization status. Positive outcomes included increasing the tetanus immunization rate among participating farmers and facilitating partnerships with community agencies and organizations.

Participants’ Perceptions of Worksite Health-Promotion Educational Activities

ABSTRACT Adults spend a significant amount of time at work making the worksite a convenient venue for participation in health-promotion activities. This research project examined participants’ perceptions of gaining knowledge and changing health behavior practices as a result of knowledge gained through participation in health-promotion activities provided at the worksite. The worksite health-promotion activities were offered as a result of an innovative collaboration effort between nursing faculty in an academic setting and a community partner in the private sector. The findings demonstrate that participation in health-promotion activities at the worksite can result in increased knowledge and changes in health behavior practices as a result of knowledge gained.