ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The La Salle Neighborhood Nursing Center provided the Health Intervention Program (HIP) for vulnerable children with special needs, and families in Philadelphia challenged by chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, and emotional conditions and low incomes. AIMS: We evaluated the effectiveness of HIP for a 5-year period and the consistency of quarterly and annual reports as a quality improvement initiative. METHODS: Using program evaluation, secondary analysis design, the effect of a city-wide, family support home visiting program was assessed. Consistency of documentation of program outcomes on annual reports was described. Data were obtained from reports, framed by program objectives submitted via the ETO® database to the Department of Public Health. Components of the HIP consisted of case management, supportive services, information, and referrals provided by a multidisciplinary healthcare team. RESULTS: Family services, program outcomes, referrals, community meetings, and themes demonstrated program complexity and effectiveness. Reports showed inconsistent documentation on 19 outcomes for program objectives. CONCLUSIONS: Children with special needs and their families shared challenges and barriers to their health. The institution staff should create a table to report outcomes on program objectives to evaluate trends across funding years and establish interrater reliability on quarterly and annual reports.
Subject(s)
Health Promotion/standards , Outcome Assessment, Health Care/statistics & numerical data , Practice Patterns, Nurses'/standards , Program Evaluation/methods , Counseling/methods , Counseling/standards , Health Promotion/methods , Humans , Outcome Assessment, Health Care/standards , PhiladelphiaABSTRACT
PROBLEM: Middle school and adolescent populations demonstrate high rates of unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, with young people in inner cities in the United States especially vulnerable. Teen births remain high, and youth are affected physically, mentally, socially, and economically. METHODS: The Sex After Marriage primary prevention program, a federally funded, community-based abstinence education (CBAE) initiative, was implemented for 3 years in Philadelphia neighborhoods with vulnerable youth 12 to 18 years of age, supporting adults, healthcare professionals, and the general public. The three-tiered program offered a middle school curriculum, Sex Can Wait, at 16 different sites. The CBAE program delivered by the university's nursing center attempted to support vulnerable youths' decisions to postpone sexual activity by matching the interests of young people through an established curriculum, by holding workshops for supporting adults, and by creating a multimedia approach to supplement abstinence education initiatives including public service announcements and a website. Youth and college ambassadors and community colleagues were trained in the curriculum with a focus on healthy lifestyles. Youth and parents in experimental and control groups completed self-report surveys before and after program implementation. FINDINGS: The project achieved most of its objectives on program evaluation. Youth (n = 1,428) 12 to 18 years of age received services, with most completing ≥75% of the program. Parents (n = 338) and other participating adults (n = 486) also received education or services. CONCLUSIONS: The need for risk reduction programs persists for youth in light of pregnancy, birth, and sexually transmitted disease statistics. Bailey Wolf.
Subject(s)
Health Behavior , Health Education , Pregnancy in Adolescence/prevention & control , Sexual Abstinence/statistics & numerical data , Social Welfare/statistics & numerical data , Adolescent , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Philadelphia , Pregnancy , Risk-Taking , Young AdultABSTRACT
PROBLEM: Migrant workers working at the back stretch of Philadelphia Park Racetrack are faced with healthcare challenges. This vulnerable population experiences health disparities as a result of lack of resources and increased exposure to risk. METHOD: A needs assessment of backstretch workers was conducted to identify the healthcare needs of this unique population. FINDINGS: The analysis revealed several areas of need for this vulnerable population primarily, effective bilingual communication, increasing access to healthcare services, implementing measures to address women's health issues, and improving nutritional status of workers. CONCLUSION: Through multi-agency collaboration, continued development, and revision of strategies, health enhancement and disease prevention are accessible to vulnerable migrant workers. Faculty, students, and staff work with clients to provide quality health education programs, screenings, and referrals to improve their health.
