Resident Morehouse School of Medicine, United States
Objectives: Stop the Bleed (STB), community-based education in basic hemorrhage control techniques, is offered in only English and Spanish despite 27 million US households who report having limited English proficiency. Cultural linguistic discordance exacerbates challenges faced in accessing emergency and preventive healthcare and may contribute to inequities in health outcomes. Our study aims to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of culturally and linguistically adapting STB training in Arabic, Burmese, Somali and Swahili.
Methods: This study took place in Clarkston, GA, a multi-ethnic refugee resettlement community with over 60 languages spoken. Written STB materials were adapted in four languages with the help of community members to ensure cultural and linguistic responsiveness. In-person 90-minute STB trainings were held using adapted materials; trainings were led by surgeons/ER physician dyads and were assisted by community-based interpreters. In-language pre- and post-surveys were administered in native languages to evaluate change in knowledge and beliefs.
Results: Arabic, Burmese, Somali and Swahili speakers were trained (n=46). Overall knowledge of emergency techniques and behaviors in an emergency improved t(45)= -3.532, p<.001, contributing to change in confidence to use STB. Six STB skills questions; showed significant improvement using McNemar chi-square (p’s range .003-.031). Qualitative analysis showed that In-language training was critical for skills improvement and appreciated by attendees.
Conclusion: Cultural and linguistic adaptation of STB training is a feasible, cost-effective, and effective method for disseminating life-saving information and trauma education to refugees and other vulnerable populations who have limited English proficiency. Expansion of community training and partnerships to support the needs of diverse communities is both necessary and urgent.
