High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2025

Evaluating the Cultural Sensitivity and Effectiveness of Nutrition Education Materials for Spanish-Speaking Mothers in Osceola County

Evaluating the Cultural Sensitivity and Effectiveness of Nutrition Education Materials for Spanish-Speaking Mothers in Osceola County

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Download SLS Presentation (777 KB)

Course Code

HSC

Course Number

4943

Faculty/Instructor

Dr. Erin Rolle

About the Author

My name is Kate Cruz, and I am pleased to present our service-learning research proposal alongside my peers Sharon Carillo and Princess Benjamin. This project represents a joint effort to address health disparities by improving prenatal nutrition education for Spanish-speaking mothers in our community. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to our community partners, including the Healthy Start Coalition of Osceola County and Second Harvest Food Bank. Their ongoing support, resources, and commitment to maternal and infant health have been instrumental in shaping the direction and purpose of this research.

This proposal was developed under the guidance of Dr. Jeune, whose mentorship and expertise have been invaluable throughout the service-learning process. This experience has provided a meaningful opportunity to apply academic knowledge to real-world public health needs and contribute to lasting community impact.

Abstract, Summary, or Creative Statement

Our service-learning project aims to address maternal health disparities in Osceola County by evaluating and improving prenatal nutrition education materials for Spanish-speaking mothers. In partnership with the Healthy Start Coalition of Osceola County, we identified a need for more culturally relevant educational tools through insights from the Fetal and Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) program.

To meet this need, we proposed the development of culturally adapted materials that reflect the dietary habits, values, and language of Hispanic mothers. Our key activities include designing a mixed-methods study involving surveys and focus groups with 50 Spanish-speaking mothers enrolled in Healthy Start programs. Through this process, we aim to evaluate the effectiveness of existing materials and generate feedback to inform the creation of new, more accessible resources.

One key lesson we learned is the importance of cultural relevance in health education. This is to say, simply translating information is not enough. Materials must resonate with the community’s lived experiences to truly be effective. We also learned the value of community collaboration in public health initiatives; our work would not be possible without the insight and support of our partners. This project allowed us to apply academic knowledge in a real-world setting, with the goal of creating lasting, positive change in maternal and infant health outcomes.

Additional Resources

  1. Fetal and Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) – National Center for Fatality Review and Prevention https://www.ncfrp.org/programs/fetal-infant-mortality-review-fimr/ Provides an overview of the FIMR program, which identifies factors contributing to fetal and infant deaths and guides community-based solutions.

  2. Florida Health CHARTS – Community Health Assessment Resource Tool Set https://www.flhealthcharts.gov/ Offers comprehensive public health data for Florida, including maternal and infant health indicators specific to Osceola County.

  3. Healthy Start Coalition of Osceola County https://www.healthystartosceola.org/ A local organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of pregnant women, infants, and families in Osceola County.

  4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – Pregnancy and Nutrition https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/pregnancy/index.html Offers guidelines and information on healthy nutrition practices during pregnancy.

  5. National Institutes of Health (NIH) – Cultural Respect in Health Care https://www.nih.gov/institutes-nih/nih-office-director/office-communications-public-liaison/clear-communication/cultural-respect Highlights the importance of cultural respect and effective communication in delivering quality health care.

Keywords

prenatal nutrition; maternal health; Spanish-speaking mothers; cultural health education; health disparities; Osceola County; Healthy Start Coalition; service-learning; public health; nutrition education; fetal and infant mortality; FIMR; SNAP-Ed; community health; health equity; culturally adapted materials; health literacy; Florida health data; pregnancy education; mixed-methods research

Evaluating the Cultural Sensitivity and Effectiveness of Nutrition Education Materials for Spanish-Speaking Mothers in Osceola County


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