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Uphold CR, Bober J, Freytes IM, Wing KL. Community Reintegration and Puerto Rican OEF/OIF Veterans and Families. Poster session presented at: VA QUERI National Meeting; 2008 Dec 11; Phoenix, AZ.
BACKGROUND: Community reintegration is an important issue for Puerto Rican OEF/OIF veterans and their families. OBJECTIVES: The objectives were to: (1) determine the informational needs of Puerto Rican (PR) OEF/OIF veterans and families, (2) create culturally-relevant family health information, and (3) develop a plan for disseminating Spanish-language health information to improve community reintegration. METHODS: Following the tenets of community-based participatory research (CBPR), we engaged veterans, family members, and health care providers. First, individual, face-to-face qualitative interviews were conducted with 9 PR OEF/OIF veterans and 8 family members to identify their informational needs related to community reintegration. Based on findings from these interviews and by using established methods from authoritative guidelines (National Cancer Institute, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), we developed Spanish-language consumer guides. We evaluated our educational products by conducting focus groups in Spanish with 10 healthcare providers and 19 OEF/OIF veterans living in PR. Data were transcribed, translated, and back-translated. We coded and analyzed the data using traditional qualitative methods. We then partnered with providers in the VA Caribbean Healthcare System, Vet Centers, and National Guard and Reserve Family Programs to develop a multi-faceted dissemination plan. STATUS: We are completing data analysis. FINDINGS: We developed 12 consumer guides based on the veterans’ and family members’ identified barriers to community reintegration. We included topics such as communication problems; stress; reconnection problems with spouse, children, and extended family members; work-related issues; aggression; and depression. We used social marketing strategies, such as eye-catching graphics; positive statements; bulleted main points; consistent culturally-relevant branding (i.e., PR colors, PR symbols of flag and coqui); and a brief, consistent, memorable theme. We used findings from our focus group evaluations to improve the consumer guides. Our community partners collaborated in developing a dissemination plan that included circulating the consumer guides on My HealteVet website; a kiosk at the “Welcome Home” celebration for 500 veterans at San Juan Medical Center; promotional campaigns at Vet Centers, VA clinics, and veteran service organizations; and through notification and a link on CPRS. IMPACT: This implementation science project highlights how CBPR and social marketing can be used to develop health information that is culturally relevant, sustainable, and can be used to translate research findings on community reintegration into practice.
