Assessment data was gathered by interviewing a nurse practitioner working at Hope House. The data already gathered is enough to support our work throughout the semester, though it may be important to analyze documented data from the local and state health departments to develop an adequate understanding of the health issues affecting vulnerable populations such as the homeless and women who live in shelters.
Findings from our population-focused assessment indicated that residents of the shelter home suffer from several health issues such as smoking, wounds, COPD, Hepatitis C, diabetes, STDs, HIV/AIDs, and eye problems. Mental health problems and substance abuse were also cited as major health concerns for the residents, who totaled 90 in number (45 men and 45 women with children). Other health issues that arose from the assessment include lack of health insurance, low health literacy levels due to lack of health resources, lack of primary care providers, and lack of nutritional food. Furthermore, the assessment revealed that around 70% of women in the shelter do not know much about the health of their children and lack adequate parenting skills. Yeast and skin infections, toy safety, lack of baby diapers, and lack of a balanced diet formed major health concerns for the children in the shelter. Lastly, several needs of the population residing in the shelter (e.g., toiletries, clothes, backpacks and school supplies) were not being adequately met.
Population-Focused Nursing Diagnosis
The priority nursing diagnoses developed from the assessment findings include (1) knowledge deficit related to little access to women and infant health information and (2) inadequate parenting skills noted in most of the mothers residing in Hope House.
Planning and Evaluating a Population-Focused Intervention
Intervention Plan
- Community Focus Area: Maternal and child health literacy for women residing in the shelter
- Collaborating Organization(s) Group(s): Local health centers, local NGOs, church, public health department, schools, Hope House, child health experts, and nutrition officials
Overall Objective
“Increasing the knowledge on maternal and child health in the shelter with the view to assisting women to make superior health choices and take better care of their children”