Evaluation of a nutrition education resource for refugees and newly arrived migrants to Australia.

Abstract

To assess the impact of a multi-lingual education video on the healthy eating knowledge of individuals in refugee and newly arrived migrant community groups. A mixed methods, pre- and post-test study design was used. Participants completed a verbal questionnaire with pictorial answer sheets prior to and immediately after viewing one chapter of a healthy eating video. Qualitative data was obtained through semi-structured, focus group discussions following the video viewing. Eighty-six participants were recruited via convenience sampling through refugee community organisations in the Illawarra Shoalhaven, South Western Sydney and Northern Sydney Local Health Districts. Study participants self-selected to attend Arabic (n=17), Dari (n=12), Karen (n=32) or Tibetan (n=25) sessions. In 85 participants with pre-post results, there was a significant improvement in healthy eating knowledge after viewing the video (mean score 61% [SD 23.2] vs 75% [SD 24.2]; [P < .05]). Increased mean scores were observed in all language groups except the Karen-speaking group. Focus group responses indicated the video improved food literacy, particularly in the areas of food safety, fruit and vegetable consumption, label reading, writing a shopping list and decreasing intake of sugary drinks. The video improved healthy eating knowledge of individuals in refugee and newly-arrived migrant community groups. SO WHAT?: There is potential for these nutrition education resources to inform and educate newly arrived refugees and migrants to Australia about healthy eating practices, however, future research is required to determine their effect on actual behaviour change.