P197 Cultural Sensitivity in Cooperative Extension Nutrition Education Programming in Kentucky

• Published in: Journal of nutrition education and behavior 2019-07, Vol.51 (7), p.S121-S121
• Main Authors: Durr, Anna Caroline, Norman-Burgdolf, Heather, Mullins, Janet Tietyen, Plasencia, Julie
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1499-4046; 1878-2620
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jneb.2019.05.573

Community nutrition education is a strategy to educate and empower individuals to maintain a healthy diet and reduce the risk of chronic disease. Information regarding Hispanic and Latino participants’ perceptions of the cultural sensitivity of existing nutrition education programs is lacking. To examine the perceptions of cultural sensitivity of a nutrition education program targeting Hispanic and Latino communities. Five qualitative focus groups were conducted with 39 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligible Hispanic and Latino nutrition education program participants in five counties throughout the state of Kentucky. The focus groups were conducted in Spanish at County Extension Offices or the programming site of a community partner. The focus groups used a guided questionnaire that each lasted between 45-90 minutes. The focus groups were audio recorded, translated, transcribed and coded using thematic analysis. Codes were reviewed and categorized into cultural sensitivity framework by Resnicow, et al. 1998. Among the focus group themes identified, eight themes were defined. An emphasis was placed on culture in four areas that fall under the deep-structure category of the cultural sensitivity framework; incorporating traditional cultural values in nutrition education, an interest in learning about American culture, traditions and diets, factors related to adjustment to the American dietary culture and the value of cross-cultural exchange in building social capital in nutrition education. Under the surface-structure category, the importance of the language, both in oral and written, was reported in addition to the need for desire for having more Spanish written materials, and knowledge on chronic disease diet-related nutrition education. This study presents new information related to the culturally specific nutrition education needs of Hispanic and Latino individuals living in Kentucky and provides direction for culturally sensitive nutrition education efforts with this community. University of Kentucky, School of Human Environmental Sciences, Department of Dietetics and Human Nutrition.