Community assessment: A church community and the parish nurse

In central Massachusetts a large urban parish asked the University of Massa chusetts, Amherst School of Nursing to conduct a community assessment for t he church and newly employed pariah nurse. The aims of the assessment were: to determine the health status of parishioners. identify their perceived h ealth needs and perceived barriers in meeting those needs, and to assist th e church and parish nurse in developing a health program for their faith co mmunity. Findings of the assessment are based on questionnaire and focus group data. Four hundred and twenty-one questionnaires were completed, and six focus g roups were held to validate the data. Results showed most parishioners felt they were in good health (93%). believed faith and spiritual beliefs were important in maintaining: health and well-being (91%), and thought that the church should play a role in helping parishioners meet their health needs (70%). In addition, focus group discussions revealed a need for respite car e for primary caretakers of the ill and elderly. and health education progr ams for their teen and elderly populations. In conclusion, parishioners wer e positive and articulated support of the parish nurse and activities desig ned to address the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of their commun ity.