Category

Oral - Applied

Description

Community Health Assessments (CHAs) give health professionals necessary information to identify and provide care for community needs. The services provided by CHA’s are integral, especially in underdeveloped and rural communities. This research paper serves to discuss the outcomes and benefits of community health screenings performed in Hierba Buena, Chiquimula, a rural, mountainous community in Guatemala and three, underserved communities in Copan Ruinas, Honduras. The screenings were conducted by a team of faculty and graduate and undergraduate students from Liberty University, public health professionals, Iglesia Vida, a church in south Florida and Iglesia de las Americas. The team worked alongside a church in Zacapa, Guatemala and a mission organization in Honduras. To evaluate the health status of the community, health questionnaires were filled out and health screenings were performed. The detailed questionnaires included questions relating to nutrition, hygiene, housing, income, and employment status. Additionally, the health screenings evaluated height and weight, blood pressure, hemoglobin, and blood sugar levels. Cholesterol and triglycerides were evaluated in certain communities as well. Following the screenings, the participants received a personalized health consultation from one of the doctors, and additional participant health concerns were addressed. The data acquired from the health screenings, was used to determine if there was statistical differences with hemoglobin, blood glucose, and systolic blood pressure comparing Guatemala to the three localities in Honduras and when comparing each Honduran locality to one other. The results section gives a comprehensive view of the statistical significance and breakdown of the data. This study clearly depicts the continual need for care in Central American countries. Limitations of this study include missing male vs. female data from Hierba Buena, Chiquimula, Guatemala and a lack of cholesterol and triglyceride numbers, due to dehydration in specific community member participants. Recommendations include continued training for sustainability and awareness programs.

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Undergraduate

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Apr 16th, 10:00 AM

Community Health Assessments in Guatemala and Honduras

Oral - Applied

Community Health Assessments (CHAs) give health professionals necessary information to identify and provide care for community needs. The services provided by CHA’s are integral, especially in underdeveloped and rural communities. This research paper serves to discuss the outcomes and benefits of community health screenings performed in Hierba Buena, Chiquimula, a rural, mountainous community in Guatemala and three, underserved communities in Copan Ruinas, Honduras. The screenings were conducted by a team of faculty and graduate and undergraduate students from Liberty University, public health professionals, Iglesia Vida, a church in south Florida and Iglesia de las Americas. The team worked alongside a church in Zacapa, Guatemala and a mission organization in Honduras. To evaluate the health status of the community, health questionnaires were filled out and health screenings were performed. The detailed questionnaires included questions relating to nutrition, hygiene, housing, income, and employment status. Additionally, the health screenings evaluated height and weight, blood pressure, hemoglobin, and blood sugar levels. Cholesterol and triglycerides were evaluated in certain communities as well. Following the screenings, the participants received a personalized health consultation from one of the doctors, and additional participant health concerns were addressed. The data acquired from the health screenings, was used to determine if there was statistical differences with hemoglobin, blood glucose, and systolic blood pressure comparing Guatemala to the three localities in Honduras and when comparing each Honduran locality to one other. The results section gives a comprehensive view of the statistical significance and breakdown of the data. This study clearly depicts the continual need for care in Central American countries. Limitations of this study include missing male vs. female data from Hierba Buena, Chiquimula, Guatemala and a lack of cholesterol and triglyceride numbers, due to dehydration in specific community member participants. Recommendations include continued training for sustainability and awareness programs.

 

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