Research Reports

MIHV identified these strategies and recommendations through a series of 45 key informant interviews. The report outlines suggestions and tips to more effectively conduct sexuality and reproductive health education with Somali adolescents.

This focus group report was conducted with women in Minneapolis and St. Paul to understand their knowledge and perceptions of breast cancer.  This research was conducted through the Somali Women's Breast Cancer Project.

This focus group report is a follow up to the Somali Health Survey and examines the breastfeeding practices and preferences of Somali women in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

A follow up to the Somali Health Survey, this series of focus groups examines the knowledge and awareness of Somali men and women about nutrition and physical activity.  Focus group participants also identified key barriers to being physically active and healthy eating. 

This report released in October 2004, summarizes the results of the Somali Health Survey, conducted by MIHV in the fall of 2003 in the Twin Cities and Great Minnesota. The survey was the first of its kind ever to be implemented with an immigrant and refugee community.  The survey was conducted in partnership with Confederation of Somali Community in Minnesota (CSCM), and Leadership, Empowerment and Development Group (LEAD).  Funded by the Minnesota Department of Health, Eliminating Health Disparities Initiative, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota Foundation, the survey reveals that there are many health assets, such a low smoking rates among Somali women and high rates of breastfeeding, but also important work to be done, on nutrition, exercise, and improving service delivery.

This qualitative study on HIV/AIDS summarizes the results of focus groups, highlighting the knowledge level, cultural understanding and awareness of HIV/AIDS among the Somali community in Minneapolis/St. Paul.  This research provides a basic foundation for education and outreach within the Somali community for HIV/AIDS prevention.  The report was funded by Minnesota Department of Health and was done in collaboration with Distinctive Leader Options, Inc.

This research highlights womens’ experiences with and expectations of Minnesota’s health care system.  Recommendations are given on how to improve providers’ cultural competence when working with Somali patients.  Three focus groups with Somali women were conducted to provide qualitative information on issues relating to the women’s health beliefs and their perceptions of care they have received in Minnesota. The study revealed a general satisfaction with the health care system in Minnesota and insights into Somali cultural beliefs about health and health behaviors, but also found perceptions of poor treatment and stereotyping by health center staff.

To better understand the environmental factors that influence dietary behaviors of the Somali community, MIHV partnered with local Somali community-based agencies and conducted a community food assessment to determine the availability of nutritious culturally-appropriate foods in the Twin Cities.

In Uganda, only 15% of married women use a contraceptive method, and only 8% use modern methods (as low as 5% in rural areas), even though there is a demand for family planning services. With support from the CORE Group, MIHV was able to document its success in partnering with district health teams and communities to: 1. expand service delivery, 2. education and mobilize communities, 3. build the capacity of health units staff, 4. collaborate with other stakeholders to leverage resources and, 5. develop innovative information, education, and communication methods.  As a result, mothers’ knowledge of modern family planning methods increased significantly.

This case study focuses on malaria case management activities implemented in Ssembabule District, Uganda, by Minnesota International Health Volunteers (MIHV) during the second phase of a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded Child Survival project (1996-2000). MIHV’s approach was grounded in the principles of Community Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (C-IMCI). The project used a multifaceted behavior change communication strategy, including: (1) training volunteer community members (such as traditional healers and drug vendors) in malaria prevention, symptom recognition, treatment, and referral; (2) organizing Malaria Awareness Days, to provide communitywide education about malaria; and (3) creating Malaria Calendars, a tool to explain age-appropriate treatment.

This article, published December 2010 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, highlights findings from a survey WellShare conducted related to tobacco use, prevention, initiation, cessation, and prevalence among Minnesota Somali youth in grades 9 through 12.