Working toward Equity in Emergencies (WE) through Stop the Bleed: A pilot collaborative health program with the Somali community in Seattle

We developed a culturally-adapted program (WE Stop the Bleed) to increase bleeding control knowledge and self-efficacy among Somali individuals, and to build trust between Somali individuals and first responders. WE Stop the Bleed was piloted in the Seattle Somali community with first responders as skills coaches. The program included: 1) adapted ACS Stop the Bleed program; 2) cultural exchange. We evaluated knowledge, self-efficacy, and trust between Somali participants and first responders using a pre/post survey. Attendance exceeded a priori goals (27 community participants, 13 first responders). 96% of participants would recommend the training. Knowledge and self-efficacy improved pre/post (62%–72%, 65%–93% respectively). First responders indicated increased comfort with Somali individuals, and participants reported positive changes in perceptions of first responders. WE Stop the Bleed is a feasible and acceptable program to increase bleeding control knowledge and self-efficacy among participants and build trust between participants and first responders. •We culturally adapted Stop the Bleed for Somali persons and first responders.•Partnership, preliminary data gathering, and iterative adaptations were instrumental.•Covered Stop the Bleed course, the roles of first responders, and personal liability.•Small group cultural exchange between participants and first responders was valuable.•The program is feasible and acceptable to improve knowledge, self-efficacy, and trust.