Essay Instructions: COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT GUIDELINE
A. Community Assessment ? Greek population of Astoria, Queens, N.Y.
1. Introduction: Define the community as your field of study including history and type.
B. Discuss the major dimensions of the community
1. Identify the boundaries of the community under analysis.
2. Discuss the reason for these boundaries, i.e., geographic or physical location.
3. Identify and describe actual health care and other social institution services available in the community.
4. Identify and describe potential or non-traditional health care services available in the community.
C. Use sources of data listed below to identify the major sources of information about the community's health; i.e., physical and psychosocial characterstics, health status.
1. Census Tract
2. Vital Statistics (Demographics)
3. National Center for Health Statistics
4. Local and state health departments and agencies
5. Citizens' Advise Bureau
6. Public Library
D. Use epidermiological data to describe the state of health of your community or aggregate, i.e., example: birth, mortality, morbidity. Identify vulnerable groups and major causes of death rates.
E. Identify an epidemiological study design for researching the community health problem(s).
1. Cross-sectional (prevalence or correlational)
2. Retrospective (case control study)
3. Prospective (longitudinal cohort)
4. Experimental
F. Formulate the aggregate diagnosis to include the four components:
1. An identified health risk;
a) an identified health risk;
b) an aggregate or community that is affected;
c) an etiological or causal statement; and
d) evidence or support for the diagnosis
2. Example of aggregate diagnosis:
P Increased risk of sexually transmitted disease among students at Johnson High School
E related to limited understanding of STD transmission and prevention and high rates of sexually activity
S as demonstrated by an increase in the number of Johnson students reporting indiscrete sexual activities and deficit in sex health education to the school nurse.
Increased risk of sexually transmitted disease among students at Johnson High School related to Limited understanding of STD transmission and prevention and high rates of sexually activity as demonstrated by an increase in the number of students reporting indiscrete sexual activities and deficit in sex education to the school nurse
3. Briefly state how the community nursing diagnoses are validated within the community.
G. Existing Resources
1. Assess and describe existing resources, programs, and policies that might have an impact on any program planned to address the above aggregate diagnosis.
2. Assess the influence the aggregate might have on a planned program. It is important to consider the needs perceived by the aggregate when identifying and prioritizing health needs.
3. Assess agency/organizational efforts devoted to dealing with the problem and their effectiveness.
4. Assess additional resources within the agency/organization that could be devoted to the problem and an estimate of future resources availability.
H. Identification of one major health problem encountered
1. Discussion of the problem encountered
2. Discussion of the resolution of problem encountered.
I. Summary
1. Organization, clarity, and conciseness will be considered when grading.
2. APA style with recent references
WINDSHEILD SURVEY
This survey is intended to assist in objectively assessing the neighborhood/community. It is recommended that you use the internet to gather further information about your community (demographics, crime statistics, etc.), and include these at the end of this survey.
This tool is designed to assist the nurse traveling around the community in identifying objective data which will help define the community, the trends, stability and changes that will affect the health of the population.
Boundaries
To what extent do the identified boundaries of the catchment reflect the boundaries (e.g., a river, a different terrain), man-made (e.g., a highway, railroad), or economic (e.g., difference in real estate presence, of industrial or commercial units along with residential)? Does the neighborhood have an identity, a name? Is it displayed? Are there unofficial names? Are there sub-communities within the area?
Housing and Zoning
How old are the houses, what style, of what materials are they constructed? Are all the neighborhood houses similar? If not, how would you characterize the differences? Are there single or multi-family homes? What size are the lots are there signs of disrepair(e.g., broken doors, steps, windows)? Are there vacant houses? Are stores open or boarded up? Type of housing: Are new houses being built or older houses renovated? Age, construction, condition, attached or non-attached? Presence of trees and flowers? Do the houses have driveways? Is there graffiti on the walls or fences? Broken windows? Overgrown weeds?
Signs of Decay
Is the neighborhood on the way up or down? Is it alive? How would you decide? Is there trash, abandoned cars, boarded up buildings, ruble, dilapidated sheds, rubble-filled vacant lots, poor drainage, disease vector harborage, etc.? Are the streets clean? Are trash baskets on street corners overflowing? Is there available parking? Are the sidewalks and streets in good repair?
Parks and Recreational Areas
Are there parks and recreational areas in the neighborhood? Is the open space public or private? Who uses it?
?Commons?
What are the neighborhood hangouts? For what groups, at what hours (e.g., school year, candy store, bar, restaurant, park)? Do the ?Commons? have a sense of territoriality or is it open to strangers?
Stores
What supermarkets or neighborhood stores are available? How do residents travel to the store? Are there drug stores, laundries, dry cleaners? Any signs of wellness issues that you can observe (e.g. cultural, healthy food ads, etc.). Are there any gyms in the area? Who can you observe entering or leaving the area? Types of local stores. Where is the nearest larger shopping center? Where is the grocery store? Laundromat? Barbers, etc.? Local restaurant and types? Are these places utilized or empty?
Transportation
How do people get in and out of the neighborhood? What is the condition of the streets? Is there a major highway near the neighborhood? Whom does it serve? Is public transportation available? Is there a ?main street?? Condition of streets, construction?
Service Centers
Are there social agencies, clinics, recreation centers, schools? Are there doctors, dentist, or other health care providers? Is there a hospital in the area? How many churches, houses of worship are in the community (names)? Where is the health department? Name the rehabilitation centers or nursing homes in the community. Are there group homes in the community? AA groups? WIC stations, soup kitchens, shelters? Assisted living or retirement living areas? Libraries and museums, tutoring services, dancing/music schools? How accessible are these services? Are there any active community groups (theater, music, clubs)? Is there a community newspaper or newsletter? Is there a community board (identify)? Where is it located? Where do neighborhood meetings take place?
Street People
If you are traveling during the day, who is on the streets (e.g, women, children, teenagers, community health nurses, collection agents, salesmen)? How are they dressed? Do they gather in groups or walk alone? Do they talk with each other? In your opinion, is the community young and growing, aging, or maintaining? What animals do you see (e.g., strays, pets, watchdogs, and livestock)? What is the local perception of safety in the community? (Ask at least 3-5 persons).
Protective Services
Is there evidence of police and fire protection in the area? Are they nearby? Where is the nearest Post Office?
Race
Are the residents Black, White, Asian, Hispanic, etc.? How are the different racial groups residentially located? Are there culture specific stores?
Ethnicity/Religion
What churches and church operated schools are in the neighborhood? How many are there? Is there evidence of cultural influence in the community? Do you hear more than language? Are there signs in language other than English? Concerts, free events (i.e. park fairs, etc.)? Is the community an active one? Are there events posted? (for example: Senior citizens? lunch, etc.)
Class
How would you categorize the residents: (a) upper, (b) upper middle, (c) middle, (d) working, (e) lower class? On what do you base this judgment?
Health and Morbidity
Are there evidences of acute or chronic diseases or conditions, of accidents, communicable diseases, alcoholism, drug abuse, mental illness? On what do you base this judgment? Are there any wellness programs sponsored by community support systems?
Politics
Do you see any political campaign posters? Is there a party headquarters? Is there any evidence of a predominant party affiliation? Who are the local state and city representative (assembyman, senator, councilman? Name them.)
What are your recommendations for your community?
Modified from Madison TM: School of Social Work, Richmond, VA, Virginia Commonwealth University, September 1982.
