Attitudes and Access to Mental Health Services in the Worcester Community

Title:  Attitudes and access to mental health services in the Worcester community: Findings from the Worcester Community Mental Health Assessment

Author: Smith, Colleen

Date: 2016

Description: Clark University Academic Spree Day Fall Fest 2016 Poster Presentation

https://commons.clarku.edu/asdff/ASD2016/Posters/24

Keywords: mental health, community health,  mental health access, stigma, barriers to health access

Promoting Cross-Cultural Acceptance: The African Artist Initiative

Title: Promoting cross- cultural acceptance: The African artist initiative

Author: Baker-Flynn, Dylan, Xavier Hines-Coombs, Thomas Koker, and Nicholas Smoth

Date: 2018

Description: An Interactive Qualifying Project, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)

Crocodile River Music: Promoting Cross-Cultural Acceptance

Keywords: African music, cultural awareness, cultural acceptance, African culture, interviews

A Garden for All: Refugee Participation in Community Gardens

Title: A Garden for All: Refugee Participation in Community Gardens

Author: Amelia Angevine, Samuel Morrison, Caitlin Raph, Andrea Siemaszko

Description: Presentation of research for Clark University course ID 132. This research explores the participation of refugees in community gardens in Worcester, successes, challenges and opportunities for improvement.

https://commons.clarku.edu/localknowledge/40

Keywords: Community Gardens, Urban Agriculture

Cataloged by: Patrick Barnosky/ B. J. Perkins

The Role of English Language Proficiency in the Process of Refugee Integration in Worcester

Title: The Role of English Language Proficiency in the Process of Refugee Integration in Worcester

Author: Marianne Sarkis, Abubakar Gusau, Moudwe Diggs, Prayas Pun

Date: 2013

Description: This research was designed by students of Clark University to explore the importance of English language proficiency to refugees in their processes of resettlement in Worcester. The researchers found, through interviews with refugee participants of the African Community Education (ACE) organization, that limited English proficiency poses a challenge to refugees, but that English learning opportunities greatly facilitate their resettlement.

https://commons.clarku.edu/localknowledge/22

Keywords: English Proficiency, Refugee Resettlement

Cataloged by: Patrick Barnosky/ B. J. Perkins

Factors Influencing Management of Type 2 Diabetes Among Vietnamese Seniors in Worcester, MA

Title: Factors Influencing Management of Type 2 Diabetes Among Vietnamese Seniors in Worcester, MA

Author: Marianne Sarkis, Amelia Angevine, Chantal Begley, Kristina Nguyen, Thuha Le

Date: 2013

Description: This is a research project conducted by students as part of a Clark University course that examines the social and environmental factors contributing to type 2 diabetes in elderly people of Vietnamese in Worcester, MA.  The researchers focused on how diabetes management is affected by factors related to physical environment and community, such as accessibility of healthy lifestyle choices. This research was conducted through eleven individual interviews and seven focus groups.

https://commons.clarku.edu/localknowledge/17

Keywords: Type 2 Diabetes, Elderly, Vietnamese

Cataloged by: Patrick Barnosky/ B. J. Perkins

Ghanaian Women’s Reproductive Health Worcester

Title: Ghanaian Women’s Reproductive Health Worcester

Author: Marianne Sarkis, Brian Arsenault, Veronica Llanes, Allegra Marra and Surya Ry

Date: 2013

Description: This research was conducted by students as part of a semester-long course at Clark University, under the supervision of Professor Marianne Sarkis. The students interviewed six female residents of Worcester, who are from Ghana or of Ghanaian descent, and who had experienced pregnancy/birthing through the U.S. healthcare system. The researchers found that these women had a positive perspective on their experiences with the prenatal/natal healthcare system in the U.S.

https://commons.clarku.edu/localknowledge/23

Keywords: Reproductive Health, Prenatal Health Care, Ghanaian

Cataloged by: Patrick Barnosky/ B. J. Perkins

Ability and Willingness to Change Among African Immigrant Patients at Akwaaba

Title: Ability and Willingness to Change Among African Immigrant Patients at Akwaaba

Author: Marianne Sarkis, Temitayo Akinbola, Charise Canales, Hana Chamoun, Jacqueline Leaf

Date: 2013

Description: This research study was designed to investigate the relationship between understanding of high blood pressure, and willingness to modify lifestyle risk factors among African patients of Akwaaba, a free health clinic in Worcester. The study did not prove or disprove the hypothesis that lack of behavior change is due to lack of understanding of blood pressure management. However, additional findings were that language barriers, cultural differences and approach to health care inhibited adherence to dietary and medication regimens.

https://commons.clarku.edu/localknowledge/19

Keywords: Behavior Change, Health Care, Africans

Cataloged by: Patrick Barnosky/ B. J. Perkins

African-Born Women’s Birth Experiences in Worcester, MA

Title: African-Born Women’s Birth Experiences in Worcester, MA

Author: Marianne Sarkis, Anneke Kat, Maya Baum, Bernadine Mayhungu

Date: 2014

Description: This research paper was conducted as part of a class at Clark University. The researchers conducted a focus group with immigrant women and interviews with health care practitioners who serve the African population in Worcester. The findings were that community and social networks are important factors in a women’s experience during pregnancy and that there are differences in the way healthcare providers and patients understand interactions with each other.

https://commons.clarku.edu/localknowledge/29

Keywords: Pregnancy, Birth, African Women

Cataloged by: Patrick Barnosky/ B. J. Perkins