Date of Graduation

Summer 8-12-2020

Document Access

Project/Capstone - Global access

Degree Name

Master of Science in Behavioral Health (MSBH)

College/School

School of Nursing and Health Professions

First Advisor

Dr. Kelly L'Engle

Abstract

Introduction

The needs assessment report discusses the effects of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic on a low-income Hispanic/Latino population specifically for diabetic patients seeking food pharmacy services at a non-profit clinic in San Mateo County. Nutrition is an essential aspect of diabetes management, which can be challenging to obtain among low-income populations. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused additional challenges among the general population, making it more challenging for the diabetic low-income population. This project was undertaken to identify the effects COVID-19 has on the food pharmacy patients.

Methods

The needs assessment consisted of eleven in-depth interviews done in six week period. A demographic survey was given before the interview to assess the background of the participants.

Results

A total of ten out of eleven participants reported challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All participants addressed diabetes-self management in their interviews. Results showed that eight out of eleven participants addressed financial challenges when asked about the food pharmacy services. Having the necessity was a motivator in seeking food pharmacy services, which nine out of the eleven participants discussed during the interviews.

Discussion

Information about the COVID-19 pandemic is still emerging due to COVID-19 being a new disease (Kumar et al., 2020). According to Kumar et al. (2020), case-control studies have been conducted and have demonstrated that individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 who already have diabetes mellitus have increased mortality. In addition to health concerns, COVID-19 pandemic has brought up other concerns for participants in this needs assessment.

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