Author
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POWERS, ALICIA - UNIV OF SO MISSISSIPPI |
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Submitted to: University of Southern Mississippi Thesis
Publication Type: Other Publication Acceptance Date: 8/3/2007 Publication Date: 8/15/2007 Citation: Powers, A. 2007. A comprehensive evaluation of a community based participatory research intervention-Fit for Life Steps [thesis]. University of Southern Mississippi. 350 p. Interpretive Summary: In order to replicate effective health and nutrition promotion programs for high risk populations experiencing health disparity, it is critical to understand how well various program components worked. This understanding can be achieved through process evaluation following established models. This work describes a detailed process evaluation of a physical activity intervention that took place in a small rural community in the Mississippi Delta. Fit for Life Steps achieved a moderate level of fidelity and reach. Specifically, 73% of activities or procedures were implemented as planned. In addition, a total of 37 individuals were nominated to serve as a coach, of which 12 committed to serve as a coach. About 61% of the desired 120 walking group members were recruited or participated without being recruited by a coach in Fit for Life Steps. Furthermore, the majority (73%) of walking group members were contacted by their coaches for at least 18 weeks of the intervention. About half (51%) of participants attended three or more of the five monthly education sessions. In addition, each intervention component was implemented to a moderate degree. Sixty-nine percent of walking group members and coaches participated in the walking portion of the intervention for at least 18 weeks of the intervention. In addition, the majority (81%) of participants participated in all three impact/outcome data collection opportunities. Compared to younger participants, older participants were frequently contacted by their coaches, and participated more in the walking portion of the intervention and in the data collection opportunities. Those with less education were more likely to participate in the monthly nutrition and physical activity education sessions. There was an overwhelmingly positive reaction to the intervention as a whole and to most intervention components. Technical Abstract: This study describes the process evaluation of Fit for Life Steps, a community-based participatory research-influenced intervention focused on improving physical activity and health. Process evaluation data were collected from participants, including volunteer coaches who led walking group members, and implementers involved in Fit for Life Steps, which utilized a convenience sample to identify participants and implementers. Commitment to serve forms, walking group member recruitment lists, demographic questionnaires, contact forms, intervention activity tracking forms, attendance sheets, contact logs, walking logs, records of walking logs being turned in to coach, coach training satisfaction questionnaire, walking group member evaluations of coaches, checklists for coaches who received monthly incentive, and impact/outcome data collection checklists were completed by various participants and implementers. Also, focus groups and structured interviews were conducted with participants and implementers. Multiple data analysis techniques were utilized: content analysis, descriptive statistical analysis, focus group and structured interview theme identification methods and triangulation. There was a moderate level of fidelity, reach, implementation, and exposure for the intervention as a whole and for a majority of the intervention components. In addition, there was an overwhelmingly positive reaction to the intervention as a whole and to most intervention components. Recruitment in Fit for Life Steps limited diversity of individuals participating. However, those recruited maintained participation to a high degree. There were some barriers and contextual issues present during the intervention that may have negatively influenced implementation and results. However, contamination issues occurring during the intervention positively influenced participation and maintenance of participation in Fit for Life Steps. |
