Development and feasibility of a community‐partnered nutrition intervention targeting rural migrant communities in the Dominican Republic

Abstract

Research on health initiatives for rural batey communities in the Dominican Republic is needed. This study utilized a pretest-posttest design to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a nutritional intervention targeting rural migrant sugarcane families. Participants (N=310) were primarily female (61%) and ranged in age from 13 to 64years (M=25.9; SD=10.4). A convenience sample was recruited from six rural bateyes in the southern region of the Dominican Republic. The intervention was developed for the target population in partnership with a grass-roots organization. The intervention consisted of a short video in the participant's preferred language (Spanish or Creole) describing the importance of consuming a diverse diet. Participants then completed an interactive meal-planning activity to enhance skills learned in the video. The main outcome variable was knowledge and a secondary outcome was participants' performance on the interactive activity. Results showed that the intervention was well received by the target population and participants demonstrated a significant increase in nutrition knowledge (p<.001). Higher postintervention knowledge scores were positively correlated with higher activity skills scores. This novel intervention may have promise as a practical program to enhance the nutritional status of a vulnerable population of migrant sugarcane workers.