Somali prenatal education video use in a United States obstetric clinic: a formative evaluation of acceptability

Abstract

Objective: Because of low health literacy and low priority in seeking prenatal information, health education videos were explored for acceptability by Somali refugee women in a clinical setting.

Methods: Focus groups led to the development of six targeted Somali prenatal education videos. Topics include: preparation for pregnancy, nutrition and exercise, pregnancy myths/facts, the father's role, episiotomies, and caesarean sections. Somali participants were recruited to view programs, and completed an 8-item survey prior to regularly scheduled prenatal appointments. Following the clinical visit, providers completed a 4-item survey indicating the video's helpfulness in facilitating client-provider communication.

Results: All study participants "strongly recommended" and rated the videos as "appropriate for Somali clients", 57% indicated the information was "just the right amount," and 60% found the videos "extremely helpful." The primary language spoken at home was Somali (72.7%) and 54.5% indicated Somali as the preferred language to receive health information. Providers indicated 24% of appointments were "more interactive" with 72% finding videos "somewhat" or "extremely helpful."

Conclusion: Preliminary results from this pilot study suggest that a video format for prenatal education is acceptable to Somali clients with most clients preferring video health education materials presented in the Somali language.

Practice implications: Culturally tailored health education video series for Somali women appear well for use in a clinic setting to facilitate client-provider communication.