Community Intervention Development Using Comprehensive Participatory Planning and Evaluation

Authors: YADRICK, KATHLEEN - UNIV SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI; AVIS-WILLIAMS, AMANDA - UNIV SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI; CONNELL, CAROL - UNIV SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI; ZOELLNER, JAMIE - UNIV SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI; NDIRANGU, MURUGI - COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY; WARREN, DEMETRIC - DELTA NIRI; PERKINS, HELEN - DELTA NIRI; STRICKLAND, EARLINE - DELTA NIRI; LUCAS, GWENDOLYN - ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY; SANTELL, ROSS - MOUNTAIN EMPIRE COLLEGE; Bogle, Margaret

Submitted to: Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/3/2007
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Nutrition needs assessment and program planning requires involvement of community members in order to yield programs that address local priorities. The Comprehensive Participatory Planning and Evaluation (CPPE) approach emphasizes direct, active participation of community members in assessment, planning and evaluation of community programs. CPPE was used in a rural community in the Mississippi Delta to develop nutrition and physical activity interventions. Facilitators from partnering universities led a workshop in which community representatives identified lack of physical activity as one of the top nutrition-related health problems. By developing a causal model for lack of physical activity, workshop participants identified perceived root causes of the problem which included lack of: exercise facilities, motivation, role models, and athletic programs. In a second workshop, community members selected root causes to target, identified interventions and evaluation criteria, and rated proposed interventions on acceptability to the community, cost- and time-efficiency, and potential for impact, sustainability and feasibility. Interventions implemented included installation of a walking trail, addressing lack of facilities; walking groups led by trained volunteers, addressing lack of motivation and role models; and a soccer/nutrition education program for children, addressing lack of athletic programs. Within this community of ~3000, participation included 76 adults in walking groups and 84 children in the soccer program; walking trail usage was not monitored. Use of the CPPE process facilitated the development of programs that addressed local priorities with relevant approaches, contributing to significant participation in physical activity in ways that were not previously possible.