Working toward Equity in Emergencies (WE) through Stop the Bleed: A pilot collaborative health program with the Somali community in Seattle

Kathryn M Stadeli; Dirir Abdullahi; Abdifatah Ali; Kelsey M Conrick; Maria Paulsen; Eileen M Bulger; Monica S Vavilala; Farah Bille Mohamed; Ahmed Ali; Anisa Ibrahim

doi:10.1016/j.amjsurg.2020.03.004

Working toward Equity in Emergencies (WE) through Stop the Bleed: A pilot collaborative health program with the Somali community in Seattle

Am J Surg. 2020 May;219(5):756-763. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2020.03.004. Epub 2020 Mar 10.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Surgery, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA. Electronic address: stadeli@uw.edu.
² School of Medicine, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA; Somali Health Board, 625 Strander Blvd Building B, Tukwila, Washington, 98188, USA. Electronic address: dirira@uw.edu.
³ Somali Health Board, 625 Strander Blvd Building B, Tukwila, Washington, 98188, USA. Electronic address: dahiyenur@gmail.com.
⁴ School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. Electronic address: kmc621@uw.edu.
⁵ Department of Surgery, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA. Electronic address: mruoff@uw.edu.
⁶ Department of Surgery, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA. Electronic address: ebulger@uw.edu.
⁷ Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific St, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA. Electronic address: vavilala@uw.edu.
⁸ Somali Health Board, 625 Strander Blvd Building B, Tukwila, Washington, 98188, USA; Seattle and King County Public Health, 401 5th Ave, Seattle, WA, 98104, USA; Department of Medicine, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA. Electronic address: mohamf2@uw.edu.
⁹ Somali Health Board, 625 Strander Blvd Building B, Tukwila, Washington, 98188, USA; Department of Global Health, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA. Electronic address: ahmed.abdille@gmail.com.
¹⁰ Somali Health Board, 625 Strander Blvd Building B, Tukwila, Washington, 98188, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific St, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA. Electronic address: anisai@uw.edu.

Abstract

Background: We developed a culturally-adapted program (WE Stop the Bleed) to increase bleeding control knowledge and self-efficacy among Somali individuals, and to build trust between Somali individuals and first responders.

Methods: WE Stop the Bleed was piloted in the Seattle Somali community with first responders as skills coaches. The program included: 1) adapted ACS Stop the Bleed program; 2) cultural exchange. We evaluated knowledge, self-efficacy, and trust between Somali participants and first responders using a pre/post survey.

Results: Attendance exceeded a priori goals (27 community participants, 13 first responders). 96% of participants would recommend the training. Knowledge and self-efficacy improved pre/post (62%-72%, 65%-93% respectively). First responders indicated increased comfort with Somali individuals, and participants reported positive changes in perceptions of first responders.

Conclusions: WE Stop the Bleed is a feasible and acceptable program to increase bleeding control knowledge and self-efficacy among participants and build trust between participants and first responders.

Keywords: Bleeding control; Cultural adaptation; Emergency medical services; Pre-hospital care; Somali.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Cultural Characteristics
Emergency Treatment / standards*
Female
Health Education*
Health Promotion
Hemorrhage / ethnology*
Hemorrhage / prevention & control*
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Pilot Projects
Program Evaluation
Self Efficacy
Somalia / ethnology
Trust
Washington

Grants and funding

T32 DK070555/DK/NIDDK NIH HHS/United States