Communicating (Birth Defects) Prevention Information to a Hmong Population in Wisconsin: A Study of Cultural Relevance

Abstract

Compelling research from the early 1990s indicated a strong correlation between the consumption of the B-vitamin folic acid and the prevention of a serious birth defect (neural tube defect) in infants. This article examines numerous challenges the author faced when attempting to produce a culturally relevant folic acid brochure for Hmong women of childbearing age in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, part of a broad folic acid education program. An immediate challenge arose from the traditional Hmong belief that birth defects can be either a curse or a gift, “preassigned” in a former life and therefore not preventable. Other challenges that were addressed included language, acculturation and nutrition, literacy, attitudes toward Western health care practices, and attitudes toward taking medications, including a daily multivitamin. In order for public health communicators to reach increasingly diverse ethnic and cultural identities with important health messages, it is essential that project planning start from the target group's cultural context. It is hoped that the lessons learned through this project can be applied to other communications efforts with other cultural groups.

Keywords:

• acculturation
• animism
• spirits
• cultural context
• culturally relevant
• health disparity
• Hmong
• neural tube defect (NTD)
• protective factors
• risk behavior prevention