Culturally Relevant Health Education: A Foundation for Building Cultural Competence of Health Professionals

  • Frank G
  • Centinaje E
  • Gatdula N
  • et al.
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Abstract

Background: Professionals educating ethnic minority populations should employ a cultural focus during development, training, refinement and implementation stages of an intervention. Purpose: This manuscript posits that the skill of developing a culturally relevant curriculum supports the increase of cultural competence proficiency of professionals, while promoting health equity. Methods: A community-based participatory research-trained staff, recruited 378 families with 2 to 8-year-old children. Eight intergenerational focus groups were conducted at neighborhood facilities. Graduate fellows conducted reviews of literature and health directives to conceptualize the curriculum. Spanish-speaking students and promotoras (community health workers) having participants’ confidence, presented healthy lifestyle information and taught practical skills to each group of 12-16 low-income Latino families from Long Beach, CA. With attention to participants’ preferred language, educational level, cultural beliefs, practices and food preferences, the intervention demonstrates a culturally relevant curriculum. Hands-on activities and motivational interviewing questions enriched the 4-hour intervention delivered in Spanish. Results: Graduate fellows’ cultural competence increased. More than 97% of participants reported sessions beneficial to their families’ health with 84% attending all sessions/assessments. Participants found the content easy to understand and helpful to eat healthier and be more active. Conclusion: Sanos y Fuertes is a model for developing a culturally relevant, family-based healthy lifestyle educational curriculum and building culturally competent health professionals.

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APA

Frank, G. C., Centinaje, E., Gatdula, N., Garcia, M., Nguyen-Rodriguez, S. T., Bird, M., & Rios-Ellis, R. B. (2021). Culturally Relevant Health Education: A Foundation for Building Cultural Competence of Health Professionals. Californian Journal of Health Promotion, 19(1), 13–21. https://doi.org/10.32398/cjhp.v19i1.2643

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