Introduction: It is of central importance we utilize a multicultural approach to health education. Cultural beliefs influence practices and influence how people perceive and practice health. These beliefs can determine if people will seek treatment, when they elect to receive treatment, the type of treatment selected, and how they interact with health care practitioners. Evidence from past and current research shows tailoring health concepts and programs to individuals' attitudes and behaviors will facilitate the accomplishment of health education goals.
Purpose of the study: To determine levels of perceived awareness and preparation in multicultural health education among alumni from a large Mid-western University's Graduate Health Education Program
Methodology: The survey “Appraising Prospective Teachers' Perceptions Regarding Multicultural Health Education” by Acosta-Deprez was administered to 100 randomly selected alumni of a graduate health education program. The survey was available both web-based and paper-based format. It contained demographic data, 12 awareness statements, and 11 health education preparation statements. Each of the statements was based on a 6-point Likert scale.
Results: Fifty-six percent (n=22) either likely agreed, likely disagreed, or disagreed that they were familiar with various health customs and traditions of people from diverse ethnic/cultural backgrounds. Of the respondents, only 13% strongly agreed that they are knowledgeable about various health problems encountered by people from different population groups.
Conclusions: Many of the health educators surveyed are not integrating cultural beliefs in their lesson plans and are not familiar with health customs and traditions of people of diverse cultural backgrounds. Furthermore, 45% of the respondents did not feel their health education preparation program provided a strong background to deal with the health beliefs and values of culturally diverse students. Health educators must develop training and skills in the areas of multicultural health education. It is important to first develop the health educators' own awareness and skills. Health educators will only be able to provide effective programs and educate others once they have developed a cultural awareness and learn to apply this awareness in practice. Therefore, it is essential and critical that undergraduate and graduate programs address multicultural health education perspectives throughout their degree programs.