Walk & Talk: The Results of the St. Petersburg, Florida

Outreach Women’s Health Questionnaire

Angela Horvath, Ph.D.Evaluator

St. Petersburg Federal Healthy Start ProjectPinellas County Health Department

Background St. Petersburg Healthy Start Federal Project

Goal: to reduce disparities in infant mortality and perinatal and interconceptional health experienced by African-American women living in an intervention area comprised of 4 contiguous zip codes of South St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida.

Core services include Outreach and Recruitment, Case Management, Health Education, Interconceptional Care, and Depression Screening/Referral

Survey Purpose

Administer an anonymous survey to capture significant health indicators of hard to reach African-American women of child-bearing age residing in the Project Area

Survey Instrument Demographics

Zip code, age, race Access to Health Care

Have a doctor, comfort level communicating with health care professionals

Nutrition & Physical Activity Fruits & vegetable consumption, exercise, height,

weight

Survey Instrument Chronic Health

High blood pressure, diabetes, low iron, asthma, dental problems

Women’s Health Annual exam, breast exams, birth control, folic

acid, STIs Social & Emotional Health

Stress, depression, housing concerns, discrimination, domestic violence

Survey Administration Administered by: team of outreach workers

affiliated with local church When: After-hours, weekends Locations such as: housing projects, bus

stops, beauty parlors, convenience stores, motels, parks, street corners

Strategies: everyday presence, multiple contacts, build rapport

Sample size = 488, average age = 26.5 (SD=9.2)

Results – Sample of Key Findings Women’s report of currently having a doctor:

94.2%(459/487)

5.8%(28/487)

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

yes

no

Sample size = 488, average age = 26.5 (SD=9.2)

Results – Sample of Key Findings Women’s report of having a Pap test within past two years:

78.9%(385/488)

11.5%(56/488)

1.6%(8/488)

8.0%(39/488)

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

yes

no

never

not sure

Sample size = 488, average age = 26.5 (SD=9.2)

Results – Sample of Key Findings Birth control use among those not wanting to get pregnant:

68.6%(236/344)

31.4%(108/344)

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

use

don't use

Sample size = 488, average age = 26.5 (SD=9.2)

Results – Sample of Key Findings Folic acid use among those wanting to get pregnant:

97.1%(66/68)

2.9%(2/68)

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

use

don't use

Sample size = 488, average age = 26.5 (SD=9.2)

Results – Sample of Key Findings Current condom use among those with a history of STI:

29.6%(59/199)

68.3%(136/199)

2.1%(4/199)

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

always

sometimes

never

Sample size = 488, average age = 26.5 (SD=9.2)

Results – Sample of Key Findings Women reporting experience of stress or depression:

11.6%(56/484)

74.0%(358/484)

14.4%(70/484)

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

always

sometimes

never

Results – Sample of Key Findings Reports of current and past chronic health conditions

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

smoking

severe headaches

alcohol abuse

high BP

drug abuse

anemia

asthma

high cholesterol

seizures

diabetes

In the past

Currently

Walk & Talk: Lessons Learned

Consistent presence in the community Knowledge of local hang-outs and timing are key Multiple contacts are needed to build rapport Trust/credibility with a faith-based institution Access to care may not be primary need Opportunity during outreach for health education-

folic acid, STIs, birth control, and mental health

Questions