Perceptions of community nutrition and health needs in the lower Mississippi Delta: A key informant approach

Objective: Key informants' perceptions of nutrition and health needs in the ir southern rural communities were assessed prior to nutrition intervention planning. Design: This cross-sectional survey used in-person interviews. Subjects/Settings: A sample of 490 individuals from 12 professional and lay roles in 8 community sectors in 36 counties in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mi ssissippi was chosen. Statistical Analyses Performed: Factor analysis was carried out on reported food, nutrition, and health problems and contributing factors. The General Linear Models procedure identified within- and between-subject effects for factors. Tukey's post hoc tests identified differences between sectors and states. Frequencies and weighted rankings were computed for health problem s. Results: Key informants rated individual-level factors (food choices, educa tion, willingness to change, health behavior) as more important than commun ity-level factors (food and health care access, resources) with regard to n utrition and health problems and contributors to problems. The number one h ealth problem was hypertension. Implications: Key informants are knowledgeable about nutrition and health p roblems, contributing factors, and available resources. Individual factors were perceived as more important contributors to nutrition and health probl ems providing valuable information for planning nutrition interventions.