The PRC-RH assisted Monsoon by training Monsoon staff in conducting focus groups, developing the interview questions, and analyzing the focus group discussions to reduce barriers to care for Asians and Pacific Islanders.
Team members:
- UIowa: Rima Afifi (lead), Heidi Haines (lead)
- PRC-RH Students: Jin Chang, Sarah Diner, Amanda Sursely
- Partners: Mira Yusef (lead), Monsoon Asians & Pacific Islanders in Solidarity
Project dates: 2022
Funding sources: Monsoon Iowa
Project tags: Community assessment, Community engagement, Health equity, Qualitative, Racism
Description
With a goal of reducing barriers for Asians and Pacific Islanders (API) to accessing physical and mental health care in Iowa, the nonprofit organization Monsoon Asians & Pacific Islanders in Solidarity is in the initial stages of establishing a Community Health Center through its Community Healing Space & Garden Program. This program was formed several years ago for victims of gender-based violence and for collaborative community events.
Monsoon held focus groups in the summer of 2022 with Asian and Pacific Islanders (API) in Polk County to understand more broadly what the strengths and needs are. The PRC-RH assisted by providing training for with Monsoon staff in conducting focus groups, by developing the interview questions, and by analyzing the focus groups discussions. Resulted highlighted several issues facing the API community including lack of representations, mental health distress, racism and stigma from the outside community, homophobia and transphobia within the API community, and a need to sexual and reproductive health education. The PRC-RH presented results in a community forum and provided a report.