Elizabeth Qua Lynch

Submitted: April 10, 2015

2015 Unity Conference Health Needs Assessment Analysis

Location: 40th Annual American Indian Unity Conference, Raleigh, NC
Date: March 19-20, 2015
Purpose of the Health Needs Assessment Questionnaire:
This health needs assessment questionnaire was designed to assist the Maya Angelou
Center for Health Equity in achieving two objectives: 1.) identify the impact cognitive decline
and Alzheimers disease has on the American Indian population of North Carolina (NC), and 2.)
determine if there is a need for more resources within their tribal communities to increase
awareness and caregiver support surrounding those health concerns.
Although the questionnaire was designed to focus on Alzheimers disease, other
terminology was used to broaden the scope of analysis such as memory problem,
dementia, and memory decline. Studies suggest that Alzheimers disease is
underdiagnosed, which means that some individuals may be unaware that they have
Alzheimers when in fact they do. Thus, the terminology was adjusted to be inclusive of those
individuals.
Data Results and Findings:
Data Set #1: Demographic Information
There were a total of 52 questionnaires completed by American Indians living in NC (17 males
and 35 females). The age of participants ranged from 18 92 years old, with the mean age being
47. All of the eight state recognized tribes are represented in the results, in addition to four other
tribes not originating from NC. The tribal distribution is as follows:
State Recognized Tribes
o Coharie Tribe 10 participants (19.2%)
o Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation 2 participants (3.8%)
o Haliwa-Saponi Indian Tribe 11 participants (21.2%)
o Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina 16 participants (30.8%)
o Meherrin Nation 1 participant (1.9%)
o Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation 2 participants (3.8%)
o Sappony Tribe 2 participants (3.8%)
o Waccamaw-Siouan 4 participants (7.7%)
Other Tribes
o Chickahominy Tribe 1 participant (1.9%)
o Choctaw Nation 1 participant (1.9%)
o Osage Nation 1 participant (1.9%)
o Piscataway Indian Nation 1 participant (1.9%)
Data Set #2: Where do you learn about health issues?
Questionnaire participants reported that they learn about health issues from different sources.
The main source utilized by the participants to gain information about health issues was their
doctors (78.8%) and the least utilized source was community clinics (9.6%). The other listed

Elizabeth Qua Lynch

Submitted: April 10, 2015

sources included print materials and local organizations. The distribution of sources utilized are
as follows.
Doctor 78.8% (41 out of 52)
Community Clinic 9.6% (5 out of 52)
Media 53.8% (28 out of 52)
Family and Friends 63.5% (33 out of 52)
Other Sources 15.4% (8 out of 52)
o Print Materials: books, internet, personal research, Google, research studies
o Local Organizations: NC American Indian Health Board, Health Native North
Carolinians, school
o Coworkers
Data Set #3: Have you ever been a caregiver for someone with Alzheimers or dementia?
Approximately, one third of the participants reported having been a caregiver for someone with
Alzheimers or dementia (32.7%). Of those 17 people, 64% reported receiving help from health
professionals, 23.5% from caregiver support groups, 94.1% from family and friends. This data
supports the finding from the workshop wrap-up discussion at the Unity Conference that
American Indians have a tendency to keep their loved ones at home rather than place them in
assisted living facilities.
Data Set #4: Has anyone in your family ever been told he/she has a memory problem,
Alzheimers or dementia?
A large percentage of the population studied have had a family member with a history of
memory problems, dementia, and/or Alzheimers disease. 37 out of the 52 participants (71.2%)
reported having someone in their family who had been told he/she had a memory problem.
Furthermore, 62.7 % of the participants (32 out of 51) indicated that they had a family member
who had been diagnosed with Alzheimers or dementia by a doctor; of which, 40% (12 out of 30)
reported that family member concealing their memory problem from others in the community.
Data Set #5: What other opportunities are needed to earn about memory decline,
Alzheimers disease and dementia in your community?
All of the questionnaire participants indicated that more opportunities are needed to learn more
about memory decline, Alzheimers disease, and dementia in your community. Below is a
breakdown of different sources of educational information that respondents felt were needed and
their corresponding percentage of individuals who felt they were necessary. The data suggest
implementing more workshops similar to the one recently conducted at the Unity Conference
would be well received by the American Indian population.
Educational Presentations 88% (44 out of 50)
Pamphlets and Brochures 76% (38 out of 50)
Visual Aids (documentaries, short videos, theatrical plays, etc.) 68% (35 out of 50)
Contact Numbers 36% (18 out of 50)

Data Set #6: Who in your community needs more educational support about Alzheimers
and dementia?

Elizabeth Qua Lynch

Submitted: April 10, 2015

The data suggest that community members need more educational support about Alzheimers
and dementia. The majority of the population felt that their tribal leaders, family, and friends are
among those needing support. The corresponding percentages for people that the questionnaire
respondents felt needed support are listed below.
Health Professionals 38.5% (20 out of 52)
Tribal Leaders 73.1% (38 out of 52)
Family and Friends 86.5% (45 out of 52)
Other 7.7% (4 out of 52)
o All Age Groups
o Churches
o Citizens
o Local Health Services
Data Set #7: Personal opinion statements
Questionnaire respondents were asked to choose whether they strongly agree, agree, disagree, or
strongly disagree to the following statements.
I have little control over my health.
o 75.5% of the respondents reported that they either disagree or strongly disagree
with this statement. This suggest that the majority of the population feels as
though they are in control of their health, which is positive and could potentially
increase the effectiveness of interventions that aim to improve the health of
American Indians.
I am worried about my health declining in the future.
o 75.1% of the respondents reported that they wither agreed or strongly agreed with
this statement. This suggest that the population is concerned about their health.
I am worried about someone in my family having memory decline in the future.
o 96% of the respondents reported that they agreed or strongly agreed with this
statement. This data strongly supports the need for more learning opportunities
regarding Alzheimers and dementia, while also indicating that this population is
concerned for the cognitive health of their family members.
I feel its important to talk about my wishes if I were to develop a memory problem.
o 95.9% of the respondents reported that they either agree or strongly agree with
this statement. This suggest that this population feels a sense of closeness with
their family and supports the idea of communicating their medical wishes with
them.
I believe that physical exercise can improve my memory.
o 91.9% of the respondents reported that they either agree or strongly agree with
this statement, which indicates that they are aware of the importance physical
exercise can have on their health.
I believe my diet can affect my memory.
o 89.6% of the respondents reported that they either agree or strongly agree with
this statement, which indicates that they are aware of the importance that diet can
have on their health.