Aromatase deficiency in an Ontario Old Order Mennonite family

Objectives Aromatase deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive disease that results in the absence of aromatase. In females it presents with ambiguous genitalia and lack of secondary sexual characteristics during puberty. Aromatase deficiency is not attributed to any specific population, but it is more commonly seen in consanguineous parents. Herein, we report the first Old Order Mennonite family with that diagnosis. Case presentation Our proband is an Old Order Mennonite female born with ambiguous genitalia who was identified to carry novel homozygous variant in the CYP19A1 gene c.1304G>A (p. Arg435His). Her older brother was later confirmed with the same genetic diagnosis. Conclusions Recognizing the cultural sensitivity, unrecognized affected cases, and late presentation of males affected with aromatase deficiency, this condition may be more prevalent than believed in that population.

A Content Analysis of Health Promotion Topics Selected by an Old Order Mennonite Community

In the United States, population growth in the Anabaptists has increased in the past 60 years, and Kentucky is one of the few southern states with a significant Plain Anabaptist population. One Old Order Mennonite community in south central Kentucky has hosted monthly health promotion days for over 18 years in partnership with a university. Using a community-based participatory model, community members identify the health promotion topic (HPT) of interest each month and the academic partners seek an appropriate speaker to lead a discussion on the selected topic. Using a qualitative design with content analysis, four researchers examined each HPT for frequency and categorization. The health promotion topic categories included communicable disease, health lifestyle practices, mental health conditions, navigating the health care system, self-care for illness or injury, and quest for medical knowledge.

Friendship with Old Order Mennonite Teachers Develops Cultural Responsiveness in Preservice Special Education Teachers

Developing preservice teachers with a strong understanding of culturally relevant pedagogy should be a priority for all teacher education programs. Although much focus is placed on diversity in urban areas, diverse classrooms are found in all education settings. This paper demonstrates how a rural opportunity expanded the cultural awareness and culturally responsive teaching of four preservice special education teachers. Knowledge shared between teachers in an Old Order Mennonite community and these preservice teachers resulted in growth for all participants. Through immersion with the Mennonite community, four key themes emerged: (a) culturally relevant communication, (b) goal setting, (c) culturally sensitive curriculum materials, and (d) creation of a classroom to match the students' needs.