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This section of the
proposal addresses the causes of the problem or states the needs of the
community. These include:
1.
Educational factors such as:
a.
Lack of skills, knowledge, awareness
b.
Beliefs, attitudes, or values not in line with health
promotion.
2.
Limited resources
3.
Institutional and systemic barriers.
4.
Policies, practices, or laws that have negative consequences.
Types of Data used to support Section
2:
•Your assessment data
from interviews, focus groups, and surveys.
•Census data to back up
limited resources.
•Literature review of
educational factors in similar populations.
•Citing written
documentation of institutional barriers and actual policies.
Example
This is an example of
section 2 for the same Animal-Assistance Program which focuses on the outlying factors contributing to
the problem or condition. (important
components in colored italics)
The increased incidence of
depression in the elderly has been attributed to the combined
effects of chronic medical conditions and functional limitations
(listing two broad factors)
(Roberts, Kaplan, Shema, & Strawbridge, 1997). The majority of
older Americans are afflicted with at least 1 chronic condition,
and these conditions may impose limitations on activities
(National Academy on an Aging Society, 1999). The percentage of
civilian, non-institutionalized persons 60 years of age and over
with mobility and/or self-care limitations increases with age,
and the greatest increases generally occur in the 85 and older
age group. In 2000, 41.9% of civilian, non-institutionalized
Americans 65 years of age and older reported a disability
(Administration on Aging, 2004), with Tennessee and Northeast
Tennessee reporting an incidence of 44.0% and 46.0% respectively
(Tennessee Department of Health, 2003)
(showed extent of factors acting in
specific population on the national, state and regional level).
The vulnerability of the elderly
to stress contributes to their increased incidence of depression
(the factor of stress introduced). The elderly are often
exposed to major stressors, such as loss of independence, loss
of family and friends, and financial difficulties (American
Federation for Aging Research, 2003; Roberts et al., 1997;
Health and Age, 2003)
(describes types of stressors). As a result of these
negative life events, senior citizens find themselves isolated
and lacking a strong support system, which leads to depressive
symptoms (another factor introduced
> social support)
. In addition, by exerting effects on the sympathetic nervous
system, immune system, and neuropeptide system, altering
behavior patterns, and interacting with preexisting medical
conditions, stress can produce physiological and psychological
changes conducive to the development of disease which in turn,
may trigger symptoms of depression
(describes stress and disease
connection) (Taylor,
1995).
Use the following questions to
outline your section 2:
1.
What factors have you uncovered that are related to
condition or behavior you are focused on? Are these found at the
national, state or regional level? Why are these factors
important?
2.
How can you show that these factors are at work in
your population? What data can you find or have you collected
that provides evidence of the factor at work in your specific
population?
……Take some time to determine what kind of sources of data you
have collected and what might be good to research more to
develop this section of your needs statement…
Literature review may be the missing
link…
From your assessment information you may need to move
backwards and look for studies verifying that theses issues are
important for your specific issue and population.
You can search for
Peer-Review Professional Journals at
ETSU Libraries.
Medical Library
-- search engines provided below:
Sherrod Library
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