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Title: COMMUNITY-BASED PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH: BENEFITS AND CHALLENGES IN THE HOLLANDALE FIT FOR LIFE STEPS PROGRAM

Author
item ZOELLNER, JAMIE - UNIV SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
item CONNELL, CAROL - UNIV SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
item SANTELL, ROSS - ALCORN STATE
item FUNGWE, THOMAS - ALCORN STATE
item STRICKLAND, EARLINE - USDA CONSULTANT
item YADRICK, KATHLEEN - UNIV SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
item AVIS, AMANDA - UNIV SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
item LOFTON, KRISTI - UNIV SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
item ROWSER, MARJUYUA - UNIV SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
item POWERS, ALICIA - UNIV SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
item Bogle, Margaret

Submitted to: Journal of Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/20/2006
Publication Date: 3/6/2006
Citation: Zoellner, J.M., Connell, C., Santell, R., Fungwe, T., Strickland, E., Yadrick, K., Avis, A., Lofton, K., Rowser, M., Powers, A., Bogle, M.L. 2006. Community-based participatory research: benefits and challenges in the Hollandale Fit for Life Steps Program [abstract]. Journal of Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology. 20(4):130.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Hollandale Fit for Life Steps, a 6-month community intervention involving volunteer “coaches” leading fellow community members in walking groups, utilizes the community-based participatory research model (CBPR). CBPR may improve community interventions by empowering community members to be active partners in the research process. Community members have been involved in every research component of the program from study design development to participant recruitment and data collection. Community members were trained, attained competencies, and performed anthropometric, biological and interview-administered assessments on study participants. Data collection is occurring at enrollment, 3 months, 6 months, and at 6 months post-intervention. Challenges encountered utilizing CBPR include extensive time in developing working relationships and training community members in the research process juxtaposed with community members’ desires to see action and results quickly. Benefits of CBPR are evident in the 3 months data collection retention rates. Community members trained to be walking coaches had a 100% (8 of 8) retention rate from enrollment to 3 month data collection. Walking group participant retention rate was 95% (79 of 83) and retention of community data collectors was 60% (6 of 10). Use of CBPR has directed the university partners to focus on research questions of greatest relevance to the community. In turn, outreach beyond the short duration of the planned intervention is being realized through community members actively planning events related to the current intervention.