Dissertation
From Kitchen to Community: Cooking for Better Blood Pressure in Somali Immigrants
University of Iowa
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), University of Iowa
Spring 2026
Abstract
Background: Racial and ethnic minority populations, including Somali immigrants, experience disproportionately high rates of uncontrolled hypertension due to structural barriers, low health literacy, and limited access to culturally appropriate care. Traditional health interventions often fail to address cultural dietary practices and community-specific needs, contributing to poor adherence and outcomes. Purpose The purpose of this project was to implement and evaluate a culturally tailored cooking and blood pressure self-monitoring program for Somali immigrants in Iowa, delivered through a community-based, mosque-partnered intervention to improve hypertension management. Methods This quality improvement project was guided by a Community-Based Participatory Research approach to provide biweekly hands-on cooking sessions, culturally tailored hypertension education, distribution of a bilingual Somali–English cookbook adapted from DASH principles, and home blood pressure self-monitoring using digital monitors. Findings Of the participants who completed the program, 58.3% achieved a ≥5 mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure. Participants reported increased confidence in managing hypertension (86.1%), improved understanding of the relationship between diet and blood pressure (100%), and increased engagement in home blood pressure monitoring and heart-healthy dietary behaviors. Discussion This culturally tailored, mosque-based intervention demonstrated meaningful improvements in both clinical outcomes and self-management behaviors. Findings support the effectiveness of community-engaged, culturally relevant strategies in addressing hypertension disparities. This model is low-cost, sustainable, and has potential for replication in other underserved and immigrant populations.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- From Kitchen to Community: Cooking for Better Blood Pressure in Somali Immigrants
- Creators
- Fahmo Mohamed - University of Iowa
- Contributors
- Amalia Gedney-Lose (Chair) - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Project Type
- Poster
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), University of Iowa
- Degree in
- Family Nurse Practitioner
- Date degree season
- Spring 2026
- Publisher
- University of Iowa
- Number of pages
- 1 page
- Copyright
- Copyright © 2026 Fahmo Mohamed
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- College of Nursing; Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects
- Record Identifier
- 9985217822502771
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