A Study on Health Education Needs of the Multicultural Family as Perceived by Visiting Nurses

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify health education needs of the multicultural family as perceived by visiting nurses. Methods: Mixed method was applied. A questionnaire was distributed to 184 visiting nurses. Three focus group interviews were subsequently conducted in order to obtain a greater understanding of nurses' experience of health education. Results: Visiting nurses were mainly providing education about pregnancy, delivery and baby care. Health education needs of the multicultural family as perceived by visiting nurses were classified according to four categories : diet, hygiene, contraception and family planning, and communication. Barriers to health education of visiting nurses were a lack of adequate health education materials and communication problems. Conclusion: To achieve effective health care of the multicultural family by visiting nurses, customized multi-language health education material focusing on five subjects, pregnancy and delivery, diet, hygiene, contraception and family planning, and communication, with easy terms and simple paragraphs is required.