Developing a Needs Assessment

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Developing a Needs Assessment

• Marline Vignier, MPH
• Intern

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1. Abstract

• HIV/AIDS continues to be a growing epidemic
  infecting many communities all across the globe.
  Within New York State, HIV/AIDS rates are
  disproportionately affecting African Americans.
  According to the New York State Department of
  Health, as of June 2003, 46 of HIV cases and 45
  of AIDS cases were comprised of African
  Americans. The Capital District serves as the
  epicenter for AIDS cases in the Northeastern
  Region for the Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga,
  Schenectady, and Troy areas. African Americans
  make up 20 of the urban population within the
  Capital District but represent 35 of the AIDS
  cases and 42 of the HIV cases.
• Organizations such as CDAACA play an
  instrumental role with dispelling the myths and
  misleading information that surrounds HIV/AIDS,
  its transmission and impact on ones life. The
  purpose of conducting a needs assessment will
  help determine if services and programs meet the
  needs of CDAACAs service area, the Capital
  District, while identifying and building on
  current programming and community assets. The
  need assessment will also help identify risk
  factors and barriers to tailor interventions
  specific to the needs of the community.

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2. Introduction

• Needs assessment analyzes
• Physiological, behavioral and environmental risks
  to the communitys health
• Factors (determinants) that are found
• to be associated with at-risk behaviors
• and environmental contributors to the
• health impact within the community
• Tables and figures illustrate the impact of
  HIV/AIDS within the Capital District community

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3. Internship Methods and Materials

• Literature Review
• Articles
• PubMed, Ebsco
• Text
• Intervention Mapping, An Intro. to Community
  Health, and Evaluation A Systematic Approach
• Data Collection
• Data Request (Letter)
• DOH, AIDS Institutes, Albany County DOH
• DOH Epidemiological Center
• Data Analysis of the regional data
• Interviews (Peers and Staff)
• Evaluation Tools
• Survey
• Questionnaire

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4. National Statistics (African American
community)

• African Americans make up 13 of US population,
  however comprise 49 of AIDS diagnosed cases
  (According to Kaiser Foundation HIV/AIDS fact
  sheet, 2004)
• In 2002, HIV was the 3rd leading cause of death
  for African Americans compared to the 6th leading
  cause of death for Whites and Latinos (According
  to Kaiser Foundation HIV/AIDS fact sheet, 2004)
• AIDS case rate per 100,000 population for
  adults/adolescents within the African American
  community is 72.1 compared to the U.S. rate of
  17.1 (According to Kaiser Foundation HIV/AIDS
  fact sheet, 2004)

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5. New York State and Capital District
Statistics

• New York is among the top ten states with the
  highest cumulative AIDS reported cases within the
  United States in 2002 (According to Kaiser
  Foundation HIV/AIDS fact sheet, 2004)
• Ranks 1 highest state with estimated prevalence
  of African Americans living with AIDS in 2004
• The Capital District (Albany, Rensselaer,
  Saratoga, Schenectady/Troy areas) serves as the
  epicenter for AIDS cases within the Northeast
  Region (17 counties) (According to NYSDOH
  Regional Epidemiological Profile Report 2004)
• Capital District comprise of 70 - 75 of HIV and
  AIDS reported cases
• Within the Northeast Region, Albany County makes
  up the highest AIDS death rate (According to
  NYSDOH Regional Epidemiological Profile Report
  2004)
• Approximately 41 HIV cases and 42 AIDS cases

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6. Objective of the Need Assessment

• Illustrates why the need(s) should be addressed
  how funding should be allocated in response to
  these needs
• Help establish restructure programs
• Provide information on how to best deliver
  services meet community needs
• Assessment of established programs
• Are they responsive to needs of target pop.
• Provide guidance for improvement of programming
• Evaluation tool Precede Model

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7. PRECEDE Model
Educational/Ecological Diagnosis Predisposing
- Perceived Benefits Barriers
- Perceived Susceptibility -
Self-efficacy Reinforcing - Social
Norms/Beliefs (dispelling myths
denial factor) - Coping Mechanisms
(support groups) - Incentives (free
meals, money, movie tickets,
discounts at beauty salons and
barbershops) Enabling - Cost/funding
Behavioral Assessment Risk-reduction (changes
in behavior) - Practice safe sex
(increase contraceptive distribution) -
Decrease number of sexual partners -
SOS/STEPS programs Improved Lifestyle/Living (Hea
lthy Living Program Series) - Changes in
diet and behaviors - Mental relaxation
(Meditation) - Upkeep of medication and
health condition - Exercise
Quality of Life and Health Status Health
Outcome HIV/AIDS in the Community -
Incidence/Prevalence - Mortality/Morbidity
- Community Outreach - Impact
within African American
Community Quality of Life - Increase
mortality morbidity -
Psychological/social impact -
Lack of support - Impact on individual
healthy living - Cost of
living (medications)
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8. Table/Figures
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9.Table/Figures
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10.Table/Figures
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11.Table/Figures
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12. Table/Figures
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13. Findings

• The HIV/AIDS Stigma
• Causes isolation/segregation (personal/social)
• Barrier for seeking help (health services or
  treatment)
• HIV/AIDS testing can cause fear and denial
• Programs/services that cater to PLWA are
  stigmatized as well
• Program Evaluation
• Incomplete paperwork
• Inadequate training of curriculum
• Curriculum is difficult to comprehend by peers
  and participants

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14. Outcomes

• Reduction in paperwork
• Revisions in curriculum and trainings
• Diverse group activities/personal stories
• Publications
• Book Courage My Child
• Article Tales of Womens Triumphs
• Illustrate CDAACA as a vital community
  information/referral site
• Demonstrate need for more funding
• i.e. A Light on a Hill (free HIV testing site)
• Stipends to support more staff/peers

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15. Conclusions

• Needs Assessment specifically identified
• Barriers and contributing factors to community
  health
• HIV/AIDS impact on a targeted population
• Implementation of programs tailored to decrease
  the severity of HIV/AIDS within the community
• Community outreach to build social networks and
  support

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16. Capital District African American Coalition
on AIDS (CDAACA)

• Mission To eliminate HIV infection and other
  health disparities among people of color
  particularly African Americans while promoting
  community empowerment with an emphasis on
  individuals self-determination and self-worth
  through
• Programming to increase awareness dispel stigma
• STEPS (Group Intervention)
• Saving Our Selves (Individual Intervention)
• Promotion of health education community
  outreach
• Community mapping help engage community members
  to utilize resources services
• CDAACA Directory
• Local health services and agencies
• Employment opportunities
• Housing agencies
• Support groups
• Referrals for additional health services