75 - Cold-Related Illness Management in the Unhoused
Description/Abstract/Artist Statement
The unhoused community faces a number of challenges on a daily basis. The People In Need (PIN) Ministry provides resources such as job search assistance, housing placement, providing meals, showers, laundry services, and more. The research group worked as clinical assistance personnel at this facility taking vital signs, doing intake assessments, and therapeutically communicating with and assisting other nursing professionals in conducting care. Through working with the unhoused individuals (n =40) at this site we determined that cold-related illness prevention and management was a priority issue to address both due to struggle prevalence and knowledge deficit. This study aimed to increase awareness of prevention measures to decrease the risk or negative impact of cold exposure-related health problems in the unhoused community. A pamphlet was created with information and illustrations to guide education conducted by research group members. We evaluated post-intervention knowledge with a post-quiz. Every participant received a kit that included a blanket, single-use hand sanitizer packs, sugar-free cough drops, socks, hand warmers, vaseline, and tissue packs. The items included in this kit were determined by verbally surveying PIN staff and unhoused patients at the PIN clinic. Fifty percent of the participants demonstrated increased knowledge related to cold weather symptoms.
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Dr. Beth Tremblay
Faculty Advisor/Mentor Department
ODU School of Nursing Assistant Professor and Undergraduate Community Health Coordinator
College Affiliation
Ellmer School of Nursing
Presentation Type
Poster
Disciplines
Public Health and Community Nursing
75 - Cold-Related Illness Management in the Unhoused
The unhoused community faces a number of challenges on a daily basis. The People In Need (PIN) Ministry provides resources such as job search assistance, housing placement, providing meals, showers, laundry services, and more. The research group worked as clinical assistance personnel at this facility taking vital signs, doing intake assessments, and therapeutically communicating with and assisting other nursing professionals in conducting care. Through working with the unhoused individuals (n =40) at this site we determined that cold-related illness prevention and management was a priority issue to address both due to struggle prevalence and knowledge deficit. This study aimed to increase awareness of prevention measures to decrease the risk or negative impact of cold exposure-related health problems in the unhoused community. A pamphlet was created with information and illustrations to guide education conducted by research group members. We evaluated post-intervention knowledge with a post-quiz. Every participant received a kit that included a blanket, single-use hand sanitizer packs, sugar-free cough drops, socks, hand warmers, vaseline, and tissue packs. The items included in this kit were determined by verbally surveying PIN staff and unhoused patients at the PIN clinic. Fifty percent of the participants demonstrated increased knowledge related to cold weather symptoms.