Date of Submission

Fall 10-24-2023

Document Type

Manuscript

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Department

Nursing

First Advisor

Joshua Cleary

Second Advisor

Alexa Curtis

Third Advisor

Jo Loomis

Abstract

Abstract

Background: Childhood obesity, asthma, and untreated mental health conditions, are three examples of chronic non-communicable diseases (CNDs) that pose a host of negative consequences later in life. Community health workers (CHWs) are in a unique position to address these negative health externalities by leveraging linguistic, cultural, and socioemotional connectedness within their communities.

Local Problem: Minority children in the Central Valley of California, face additional risk factors for the development of CNDs. CHWs working in this area require enhanced training on CNDs to improve their practice.

Methods: In partnership with Save the Children (STC), the University of San Francisco (USF) Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) student conducted five synchronous, one-hour, educational modules on pediatric CNDs, for CHWs, over a 3-month period. The goal was to achieve a 30% increase in CHW knowledge and self-efficacy from baseline to post-assessment. Pre- and post-test assessments were administered via Canvas™ online learning platform, and results were analyzed.

Results: Results on pre- and post-intervention assessments for the pediatric CND modules, demonstrated average improvements ranging from 35% to 53%. This surpassed the initial goal of a 30% improvement.

Conclusions: The educational modules led by the DNP student yielded significantly improved knowledge and self-efficacy among the CHWs. CHWs verbalized being able to apply this knowledge to concrete interventions with the families they serve. This intervention can improve CHW competence in conducting effective interventions to help community members appropriately manage pediatric CNDs.

Keywords: community health workers, low-income, asthma, obesity, mental health, health outcomes

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