Asbury, Chatham County, NC : a community diagnosis including secondary data analysis and qualitative data collection
Creators: name: McPherson, Cindi
name: Reed, Peter
name: Ballonoff, Ahna
name: Cannon, Molly
name: Wheeler, Ashlee
Publisher: name: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University Libraries
Year: 1998

description: To be able to fully comprehend the health of a community, an analysis of all social, psychological, political and environmental factors which affect the overall well being of both the individuals and the community should be examined. A thorough community assessment involving both qualitative and quantitative research methods was conducted in Asbury, a rural town in southeastern Chatham County, North Carolina. This document compiles all of the information from the primary and secondary sources. Merging published information with the perceptions of the community illustrates a comprehensive picture of the community. The process was carried out by five, first-year master’s students in the Department of Health Behavior and Health Education of the School of Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This project lasted from September 1997 to May 1998. This team of master’s students, Ahna Ballonoff, Molly Cannon, Cindi McPherson, Peter Reed, and Ashlee Wheeler was paired with a preceptor, Chatham County Commissioner Margaret Pollard in a joint effort to assess the community of Asbury. A community diagnosis examines health and quality of life information in order to gain an accurate picture of a community. This assessment is carried out by gathering general and specific information about the resources, strengths, needs, and culture that contribute to the well being of a community. The ultimate goal is to provide community members with information that will be useful to them as a reference or to inform future proposals. This nine-month process included collection and review of information pertinent to the health of Asbury. During the fall, secondary data was collected, consisting primarily of aggregate health and social statistics. Due to a lack of specific secondary data on Asbury, County statistics were used and an image of Asbury was attained through informal interviews. Sources, including Chatham Community Health Improvement Project (CCHIP), Log Into North Carolina (LINC), Geographic Information Service (GIS), web sites, agencies in the area and local service providers furnished secondary data on issues which contribute to the health status of a community. These sections included Geography, History, Economy, Community Profile, Politics/Government and Health. Asbury, a part of the Oakland Township in Chatham County lies nine miles south of the County seat, Pittsboro. The Deep and Rocky Rivers form a natural border around the community. Lydia Perry Road and Rosser Road comprise the remaining borders that connect the two rivers. The land, covered by trees, has some fields with crops as well as chicken farms and cow pastures. A majority of Asbury’s families have lived in the community for several generations, which significantly impacts the community today. Many of these families have grown up in the Asbury United Methodist Church which has historically defined the community. Both the families and the Church have helped to maintain a sense of pride in the traditions and history of Asbury. Asbury has shifted from a farming-based agricultural community, to a community where there are a few home-based businesses that contribute to the economy. Asbury is a relatively small community consisting of 349 people. The majority of the population is white and the largest age bracket is made up of those over 65 years of age. A large percentage of residents in Asbury own their homes implying that the majority of the people are settled in the community. Most residents travel outside of the community to near by towns such as Pittsboro, Sanford or Chapel Hill for work, shopping and leisure activities. Children are bused to either Pittsboro or Goldston for their schooling. Asbury is an unincorporated town and has no formal governmental body at the community level. The formal unit governing Asbury is at the County level. Asbury contributes a significant number of workers to the County government offices, and thus receives a high level of recognition in Pittsboro, the County seat. Some important political topics in Asbury include lack of water and growth and development. Residents of Asbury utilize health services in Chatham, Lee and surrounding counties. Also, the Chatham County Health Department provides a variety of services in primary care and health promotion. A number of social support groups exist in Asbury, providing strong social ties and enhancing mental health. Some of these include the Ruritan Club, Young at Heart Club, Coon Hunter’s Association and several groups within The Asbury United Methodist Church. Environmental problems including poor soil, water quality and water supply dominate health concerns of Asbury and Chatham County. The second phase of data collection in Asbury involved the collection of primary data. Interviews and discussions were conducted with community members and service providers to gain this information. An interview guide was created which consisted of questions about issues and topics to be explored during the course of an interview. Initial interviews, conducted with several prominent community members asked about their perceptions of different aspects of Asbury. The residents recommended others in Asbury who might agree to participate in an interview. Twenty-seven individuals participated in the interview process, which stopped when the ideas and themes remained consistent. Other opportunities for qualitative data collection included attending church services, a Ruritan Club meeting and Young at Heart Club luncheon. There also was a questionnaire based on the interview guide distributed as well as an informal focus group conducted. The data from these was treated the same as that from the interviews. The interviews were coded for themes, which emerged repeatedly during the primary data collection, and subsequently organized into chapters for the document. The issue of growth and development evokes different feelings for residents of Asbury. As new businesses and housing subdivisions spring up, outside people see the resources and are encouraged to move into the area. Everyone agrees that an influx of new people and development of new businesses and subdivisions would affect the community. However, residents have opposing opinions as to whether the effects will be positive or negative. The issue of growth and development is indeed complex and the effects expected to be varied. Another topic that is somewhat two-sided is the lack of formal resources in the community requiring residents to rely on outside resources. This is especially troublesome when it comes to the response of emergency services to the community and transportation needs of residents. Most interviewed residents do not expect to see any significant increase of commercial buildings in the community. This may require that residents continue to rely on outside resources, but it will also preserve Asbury’s small town feel. The concern of water and septic has been a problem vocalized in Asbury since 1995. Asbury is currently not hooked up to waterlines and water is pumped from wells or is purchased. Inadequate water supply or poor quality can potentially affect the health of a community. Asbury residents worry about the cost of water and septic systems. An increased water supply may result in an increase in development in the community. Due to the complexity of this issue, the problem is currently not resolved. Asbury residents worry about the presence of drugs and alcohol, especially the potential effect on the youth of the community. Some residents feel there is a drug problem, which is connected to a lack of activities for youth. Residents suggest a need for support groups, as well as increased youth opportunities and activities, especially activities including parental involvement. Throughout the interviews the theme of Asbury being a tight-knit community resonated. Residents often commented on the security they felt in the fact that they can call on friends and neighbors to help with anything. The bonds that already exist between the individuals and groups make Asbury competent and able to deal with issues. The strength of the ties between the people also makes Asbury a splendid place to live. The Asbury assessment document contains valuable information, however important limitations should be considered. Lack of specific statistics available for Asbury required the use of Chatham County data for socio-demographic and health information. Another limitation in the collection of secondary data is that the 1990 Census may not reflect the current population. Potential limitations in the primary data section include using guides that prompted interviewees to discuss specific issues and the referral method utilized to select interviewees. The community diagnosis of Asbury that identified strengths and concerns of the area culminated in a Community Gathering held February 7, 1998. Information found during the community diagnosis process was presented to Asbury community members through this Gathering. The Gathering also offered residents the opportunity to discuss their concerns and opinions about their community through facilitated discussions. It is hoped that the residents of Asbury will use the information presented to enhance their community.