Community survey highlights strengths, health concerns

By James BrooksFebruary 22, 2018

Quality of life survey
The Information Exchange, in its new format, took place at the Arena Feb. 14. The event was redesigned as a one-on-one exchange between garrison and tenant command providers and the customer. Garrison Commander Erik M. Berdy also spoke at the event, ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

VICENZA, Italy -- Results of U.S. Army Garrison Italy's first quality of life survey were tabulated earlier this month and are being examined more closely by the Community Health Promotions Council (CPHC) to determine how best to address the issues raised by the survey.

"We had a great response from the community," said Amy Cates, community readiness and resiliency integrator, USAG Italy. "We had 685 people complete the survey. The information we received is critical to help our working groups focus their efforts. We only have so many resources, and through this process, we can prioritize and begin to address the biggest concerns raised to make the USAG Italy community a better place to live."

Demographics and Strengths

This part of the survey provided CPHC a snapshot of community members who completed the survey. The survey not only looked at Vicenza Military Community but also quality of life issues at Camp Darby and Gehdi.

• 62.68% married with children, 11.37% single

• 60.93% female/39.07% male

• 49.56% 26-39 years old/24.49% E5-E6

• 38.48% family member of an active service member/34.40% service member on active duty

• 57.43% Ederle/22.59% Del Din/8.89% Longare/9.62% Darby

Top Strengths

Understanding strengths of the garrison was as important as determining areas of improvement. As survey results will guide recommendations for improvement, Cates said it is important that resources aren't redirected in a way that will negatively impact what garrison is doing best.

Respondents were asked to select up to five areas from a list of 22. The percentages reflect how many people selected the area as one of their top strengths.

• Access to sports and recreational activities (39.21%)

• Availability of child and youth services (34.26%)

• Diverse community (32.07%)

• Arts and cultural events (29.30%)

• Good schools/good academics (21.28%)

Physical Health Concerns

Identifying the community's physical health concerns was examined in the first series of questions. Respondents were asked to select up to five areas of most concern from a list of 18. Percentages reflect what percentage of people selected the same area of concern.

• Tobacco use (42.71%)

• Poor diet (40.67%)

• Lack of access to healthcare (37.61%)

• Injuries (36.44%)

• Dental problems (28.57%)

Spiritual Health

Respondents were asked to select three areas of concern to spiritual health from a list of five. The percentages reflect how many people selected the same concern. Cates said given the number of write-in suggestions under an "other" option, this is an area where more consideration will be made in addressing specific concerns.

• Lack of morals (37.61%)

• Lack of adherence to Army Values (27.84%)

• Other (26.97%)

• Lack of spiritual services (23.18%)

• Lack of spiritual diversity (22.01%)

Emotional Health

Respondents were asked to select up to five areas of emotional health concern from a list of 16. Percentages reflect how many people selected the same concern.

• Depression (61.52%)

• Alcohol use (56.71%)

• Stress (56.41%)

• Anxiety (36.59%)

• Toxic leadership (29.45%)

Family Health

Respondents were asked to select five areas of family health concerns from a list of 16. Percentages reflect how many people selected the same area of concern.

• Lack of employment opportunities (58.60%)

• Deployments/military separations for training/temporary duty (52.77%)

• Financial issues (37.17%)

• Lack of family time together (35.13%)

• Infidelity/cheating (33.53%)

Social Health

Respondents were asked to select up to five social health concerns from a list of 18. Percentages reflect how many people selected a concern as their most pressing.

• Lack of career opportunities/unemployment (66.62%)

• Work-life imbalance (49.13%)

• Financial Issues (47.96%)

• Lack of community connectedness (43.29%)

• Deployments (43.29%)

"It's great to hear feedback from community members, and we will be reviewing the results and comments closely to look at how we can shape resources and practices to improve the quality of life in the community," said Chief of the Vicenza Health Clinic Department of Behavioral Health Maj. Rebekah Broady.

Working to Address Concerns

With the results of the survey, the CHPC will go to work to address the concerns identified in the survey.

"The CHPC consists of four working groups that will focus on the top identified issues," said Cates. "They are the Physical working group, which will focus on physical health-related concerns; the Psychological working group, which will focus on behavioral/emotional health-related concerns; the Community working group, which will focus on social and family health-related concerns; and the Spiritual working group, which will focus on spiritual health-related concerns."

According to Cates, it's likely that there will be a need for focus groups to get more information about the issue.

"On the surface, some of these issues appear to be out of our control. But the working groups will put together recommendations that they feel could influence one way or the other and present those recommendations to senior leadership at the next quarterly meeting." (Public Affairs Office)

Related Links:

USAG Italy Facebook page

USAG Italy website