Windshield Survey In Portsmouth Assignment

Windshield Survey In Portsmouth Assignment

Windshield and walking surveys are useful ways to assess specific aspects of a community or neighborhood and help give you a sense of the community.

Conduct your survey at the time that works best for your schedule, but keep in mind that to truly understand the people who live within the community (or neighborhood), you may wish to do the survey more than once, and at different times of the day or different days of the week. For the purposes of this course, you are not required to do the survey more than once. Windshield Survey In Portsmouth Assignment

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Background

Community Health Survey (CHS) is a vital activity to any specified population, which allows the acquisition of comprehensive information regarding the current community’s health needs, status, and issues. Testa & Jackson (2021) notes this information helps develop a community health improvement plan to address the health needs of the specified community. Based on this understanding, I conducted a windshield survey on Portsmouth; to better understand the community’s health status and needs. This survey aimed to assess the community in several areas; nutrition, physical activity, tobacco use, demographics, care access, and health perceptions. I conducted my survey on the southern parts of Portsmouth by using observation and asking survey questions to several people. I used Internet research to supplement the observation and questions. This significantly assisted in gathering comprehensive information on Portsmouth without the need to conduct the survey again. Windshield Survey In Portsmouth Assignment

Results

            Portsmouth is inhabited by Black, White, Hispanic, and other races of medium income and average education, though African Americans are dominant (Council et al., 2018). English is the primary language used by the residents, most female residents are at home, and personal vehicle is the common mode of transportation.

Based on the questions concerning the doctors’ report on Portsmouth’s health status, many reported cases of high blood pressure, followed by high blood cholesterol, diabetes, and asthma. Most of the residents assured me that they had their diabetes under control. The average of the people I met had information on the Diabetes Prevention Program.

Most people have access to health care; however, some residents cannot access health care due to cost. Also, the residents do not go for medical check-ups frequently.

Few of the residents of Portsmouth had a good knowledge concerning their general health. From observation, most of the population suffers from obesity, and some are overweight. Also, most people had not engaged in physical activity and had personal reasons; for instance, health issues, no time, and no transportation to the gym. Moreover, many preferred walking to be their proper physical exercise. Windshield Survey In Portsmouth Assignment

When I drove past stores, an average of the residents could be seen stopping to shop, while others could shop at their convenience. Also, many people could be seen entering fast-food restaurants. Based on a survey conducted by Portsmouth Health District in 2018 reported that average households in Portsmouth ate fruits and vegetables on a daily basis.

Additionally, I observed that some of the residents in Portsmouth use tobacco. Also, those asked concerning the same, some said they used to smoke, others smoked, and others smelled cigars in neighboring homes.

Some residents indicated stress due to their incapability to have enough resources to meet their basic expenses. The average of my respondents portrayed no or little knowledge of assessing their mental health. Windshield Survey In Portsmouth Assignment

Recommendations

            The results from my windshield survey are helpful in informing public health practitioners and the community concerning the appropriate measures that can be put in place to effectively and efficiently meet the needs of the Portsmouth community. Thus, healthy eating, physical activity, mental health, and tobacco use need considerable attention to make the Portsmouth community a healthy place to live and work. Therefore, focusing on the identified areas will promote an active community, a tobacco-free community,  healthy eating, community awareness regarding mental health, and wellness programs.

References

Council, D., Covi, M., Yusuf, W., Behr, J., Brown, M., & Grant, V. S. (2018). The new normal’of  flooding in Portsmouth, Virginia: Perspectives, experiences, and adaptive responses of            residents and business owners in low to moderate-income communities.

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Portsmouth Health District, (2018). The 2017 Portsmouth Community Health Survey (CHS) using           CASPER Methodology. Final Report. Virginia Department of Health. Accessed on 3rd       November 2022 from: https://www.ghrconnects.org/content/sites/uwshr/Community_Initiative_Pages/Healthy_Portsmouth/Resources/CHS-2017-Report-FINAL.pdf

Testa, A., & Jackson, D. B. (2021). Sexual orientation and food insecurity: findings from the New           York City Community Health Survey. Public health nutrition24(17), 5657-5662. Windshield Survey In Portsmouth Assignment