During the first nine months of the study, over 25 focus group interviews were conducted with Navajo, Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women and men. Focus group results were combined with previously validated survey instruments and demographic information for the development and pilot testing of a survey questionnaire.

Over a 16-month period, the questionnaire was used in a cross-sectional survey, by personal interview, conducted among 1100 pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women in the three ethnic groups. Analysis of the focus group and survey data informs the development of health education materials for women. We are developing interventions to provide culturally-appropriate educational materials for women and their health care providers.

The educational format to be developed and tested will include print and video materials. We will also explore testing fotonovelas and computer-assisted interactive educational programs with our community participants.

To assure that the health education intervention materials are available and disseminated to Navajo women, we are have opened a mid-life women’s resource center, the Women/Change Exchange, in Gallup, New Mexico. The Women/Change Exchange serves as a place for women, as they age, to learn about their health prior to making important healthcare decisions. This center trains volunteers to educate women about wellness and also provides a place where women can meet and share information through support groups and workshops.

The Women Change/ENDOW Project staff can be contacted in New Mexico at (505) 272-9962.