scholarly journals Evaluating the feasibility and acceptability of the Healthy Together program for immigrant and refugee families in Canada

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Huisken ◽  
Joan L. Bottorff ◽  
Catherine Nesmith
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Community Services ◽  
Social Connections ◽  
Healthy Lifestyles ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Community Based Organizations ◽  
Refugee Families ◽  
Immigrant And Refugee

Purpose Healthy Together (HT) is an innovative family education program focused on bringing families together to promote physical activity and healthy eating. The HT program was implemented in 10 community-based organizations across Canada offering services to immigrant and refugee families. The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility and acceptability of HT when offered to these families. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional, non-comparative design was used. Caregiver participants were invited to complete a survey at the end of 15, 30 or 24 HT sessions. Trained program facilitators and directors of community-based organizations also provided feedback on the program. Findings Among the 203 caregiver participants, 135 (64%) were born outside of Canada. These caregivers were more likely to attend 50% or more of the HT sessions than Canadian-born caregivers. Survey responses show that the HT program was acceptable to immigrant and refugee caregivers and held important benefits for families including positive changes in healthy eating and physical activity, strengthening social connections and learning about community services and resources. Areas for enhancing the HT program for immigrant and refugee families were identified by participant caregivers and community organizations delivering the program. Practical implications The HT program demonstrates the value of family-centered program models in supporting immigrant and refugee families in establishing healthy lifestyles and building social connections in ways that hold promise for long-term impact. Originality/value The HT program model demonstrates strong potential to fill gaps in community programming for immigrant and refugee families. Although focused on promoting healthy lifestyles, the program extends additional benefits that can positively influence resettlement trajectories. The findings contribute to the growing field of implementation studies that are focused on expanding the reach and impact of community health interventions in a real-world setting while reaching multiple target populations.

scholarly journals Experiences of men with psychosis participating in a community-based football programme

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 100-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Moloney ◽  
Daniela Rohde
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Occupational Therapy ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Health Service Provision ◽  
Content Type

Purpose Physical activity is associated with both physical and mental health benefits for people with psychosis. However, mental health services have been criticised for failing to adequately promote physical activities. Occupational Therapy, with its focus on meaningful everyday occupations, is well placed to incorporate physical activity interventions. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of men with psychosis participating in an Irish community-based football programme. Design/methodology/approach Six men with psychosis participated in qualitative interviews. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Interview data were analysed thematically. Findings Participants identified many benefits of engaging in the programme. Football became a valued part of weekly routines and fostered re-engagement with previously valued roles. Participants identified improvements in social confidence and motor and process skills, as well as a positive impact on their mental and physical health. Originality/value This study highlights the value and meaning of participation in football for men with psychosis, as well as demonstrating the longer-term feasibility of football as a therapeutic medium in Occupational Therapy mental health service provision. Findings could help to promote the routine use of sports interventions to mental health services.

Is awareness of credit sources prerequisite for their use? A study of rural Assam

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-146
Author(s):  
Tiken Das
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Econometric Model ◽  
Social Indicators ◽  
Critical Question ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Informal Credit ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Community Based Organizations

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the determinants of awareness and use of credit sources. The paper attempts to answer the critical question: is awareness of credit sources prerequisite for their use? Design/methodology/approach This study is conducted in Assam, India, and uses a two-stage econometric model to reduce possible selection bias. Findings This study argues that awareness of credit sources may be a necessary but not sufficient prerequisite for use. It is found that, in general, formal, semiformal and informal sources attract different classes of the population with respect to economic and social indicators. Research limitations/implications The study recommends expanding the scope of semiformal and informal credit sources in rural areas of Assam only for income generating activities with proper market linkages. The possible limitation of the study can be due to exclusion of the role of traditional community-based organizations in rural Assam while analyzing the awareness and use of credit sources. Originality/value The study contributes to the literature by assessing the probable differences among formal, semiformal and informal credit sources with respect to their determinants of awareness and use.

scholarly journals An Evaluation of the University of Illinois Extension Get Up & Move! Program

2009 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 126-131
Author(s):  
Mary Ann Halpin ◽  
Susan M. Farner ◽  
Stephen J. Notaro ◽  
Sheri Seibold ◽  
Pat McGlaughlin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Childhood Obesity ◽  
Physical Fitness ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Healthy Lifestyles ◽  
University Of Illinois ◽  
Youth Leaders ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact

Get Up & Move! is a program created by University of Illinois Extension to address childhood obesity. It provides ready-to-use materials for youth leaders to promote healthy lifestyles through physical fitness and healthy eating. The impact of the program on participants’ physical activity was evaluated to see whether involvement produces an increase in physical activity to the USDA recommended 60 minutes per day. It was found that a significant increase in minutes of physical activity occurred in participants from an average of 51.88 minutes per day to an average of 58.84 minutes per day.

scholarly journals “We understand our community”: implementation of the Healthy Eating Healthy Aging program among community-based organizations

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Judy Leong ◽  
Sou Hyun Jang ◽  
Sonia K Bishop ◽  
Emily V R Brown ◽  
Eun Jeong Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cardiovascular Disease ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Semistructured Interview ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Community Based Organizations ◽  
Outer Setting ◽  
Inner Setting

Abstract Cardiovascular disease is the second leading cause of death in the USA among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) over the age of 65. Healthy Eating Healthy Aging (HEHA), an evidence-based heart health program, can provide culturally appropriate nutrition education to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease. Community-based organizations (CBOs) are optimal settings to implement community-based programs. However, there is inadequate research on how evidence-based interventions like HEHA are implemented in CBOs. This study examined processes that facilitated the implementation of HEHA among CBOs serving older AAPIs. Twelve representatives from CBOs that implemented the HEHA program were recruited to participate in a semistructured interview. All the participants were CBO directors or senior managers. A semistructured interview guide was created and informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) to capture how HEHA played into the five domains of CFIR: (a) intervention characteristics, (b) outer setting, (c) inner setting, (d) characteristics of the individuals, and (e) process. Data analysis captured themes under the CFIR domains. All five CFIR domains emerged from the interviews. Under intervention characteristics, three constructs emerged as facilitating the implementation of HEHA: (a) the participant’s beliefs around the quality of the HEHA program and its ability to promote healthy eating, (b) HEHA’s adaptability to different AAPI subgroups, and (c) perceptions of how successfully HEHA was bundled and assembled. Under outer setting, the participants described the community’s need for healthy eating programs and how the HEHA program meets that need. Four constructs emerged under inner setting: (a) the CBO’s structural characteristics and social standing in the community; (b) resources dedicated to the implementation and ongoing operations, including funding, training, education, physical space, and time; (c) the culture of the CBO; and (d) the participant’s commitment and involvement in marketing, promotion, and implementation of HEHA. Under characteristics of individuals, participants’ described their desire to learn the content of HEHA and deliver them successfully. Under process, participants described strategies to engage relevant individuals to facilitate HEHA implementation. The interviews with CBO representatives provided insights into CFIR domain constructs that facilitated the implementation of HEHA. CBOs are key settings for community health education. Understanding processes that lead to the successful implementation of evidence-based interventions among CBOs is critical for accelerating the dissemination and implementation of best practices.

scholarly journals A RE-AIM evaluation of Healthy Together: a family-centred program to support children’s healthy weights

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan L. Bottorff ◽  
Anne Huisken ◽  
Michele Hopkins ◽  
Catherine Nesmith
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Real World ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Community Organizations ◽  
Social Connections ◽  
Refugee Status ◽  
Service Programs ◽  
Core Service

Abstract Background Healthy Together (HT) is family-centered program to support healthy eating and physical activity designed for implementation in community organizations serving families who may be experiencing vulnerabilities (e.g., related to low income, isolation, ethnicity, immigrant/refugee status, and/or Indigenous background). The purpose of this study was to conduct an evaluation of HT in a real-world, scale-up phase using the RE-AIM framework. Methods Using a cross-sectional, non-comparative design, a community-based program evaluation was conducted in 29 organizations implementing HT as part of their core service programs. Data were collected using questionnaires with program participants and facilitators, and interviews with directors of participating organizations. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitative data were content analyzed. Results With regards to Reach, over 3400 caregivers, children and youth attended community programming that offered HT. Among those attending on the scheduled day for the evaluation, 663 completed the questionnaires. The majority of caregiver respondents (n = 431) were female (92%) and attended with children 0–6 years. Respondents also included children 4–6 years (n = 142) and 7–12 years (n = 65), and youth 13–18 years (n = 25). Effectiveness was demonstrated in reported improvements in physical activity, healthy eating, and strengthened social connections. HT was also widely supported by participants and facilitators. Adoption was influenced by the desire to enrich core service programs for families, HT’s fit within existing programs, organizational commitment, and funding support. Implementation experiences indicated that fidelity to the HT program was generally maintained, with some setting specific adaptations. Maintenance of HT was influenced by financial and non-financial resources within community organizations. Most organizations also introduced new initiatives to extend support for healthy eating and physical activity. Conclusion Our findings indicate improvements in healthy eating and physical activity, and social connections among program participants, as well as efforts by community organizations to create environments to support healthy weights. HT was successfully delivered in “real-world” community settings across multiple contexts and with families with diverse backgrounds. This along with strategies to support program implementation and sustainability indicate that HT provides a model for other public health interventions to promote family health and wellbeing. Trial registration ClincialTrials.gov NCT03550248. Registered May 25, 2018

scholarly journals Outcomes of an inner city forensic intellectual disability service

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leah Wooster ◽  
Jane McCarthy ◽  
Eddie Chaplin
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Patient Group ◽  
National Policy ◽  
Community Services ◽  
Retrospective Case ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Discharged Patients ◽  
Male Patients ◽  
Community Based Services

Purpose National policy in England is now directed towards keeping patients with intellectual disability (ID) presenting with forensic problems for time-limited treatment. The result is that secure hospital services are expected to work much more proactively to discharge patients to community-based services. However, there is little evidence in recent years on the outcome of discharged patients with ID from secure hospitals. The purpose of this paper is to describe the outcomes of a patient group discharged from a specialist forensic ID service in London, England. Design/methodology/approach This is a descriptive retrospective case note study of patients with ID admitted to and discharged from a secure service with both low and medium secure wards, over a six-year period from 2009 to 2016. The study examined patient demographic, clinical and outcome variables, including length of stay, pharmacological treatment on admission and discharge, offending history and readmissions to hospital and reoffending following discharge. Findings The study identified 40 male patients, 29 of which were admitted to the medium secure ward. In all, 27 patients (67.5 per cent) were discharged into the community with 14 patients having sole support from the community ID services and 4 from the community forensic services. In total, 20 per cent of patients were readmitted within the study period and 22.2 per cent of patients received further convictions via the Criminal Justice System following discharge. Originality/value This was a complex group of patients with ID discharged into the community with a number at risk of requiring readmission and of reoffending. Community-based services providing for offenders with ID must have sufficient expertise and resourcing to manage the needs of such a patient group including the ongoing management of risks. The national drive is significantly to reduce the availability of specialist inpatient services for this group of patients but this must occur alongside an increase in both resources and expertise within community services.

scholarly journals Using community-based participatory research to identify potential interventions to overcome barriers to adolescents’ healthy eating and physical activity

2009 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 491-502 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying-Ying Goh ◽  
Laura M. Bogart ◽  
Bessie Ko Sipple-Asher ◽  
Kimberly Uyeda ◽  
Jennifer Hawes-Dawson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Participatory Research ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Community Based Participatory Research ◽  
Community Based

scholarly journals Impact of a University-Community Partnership Approach to Improving Health Behaviors and Outcomes Among Overweight/Obese Hispanic Adults

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 479-488 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolyn M. Tucker ◽  
Tasia M. Smith ◽  
Guillermo M. Wippold ◽  
Nicole E. Whitehead ◽  
Tara A. Morrissette ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Hispanic Adults ◽  
Waitlist Control Group ◽  
Health Promotion Interventions

Objective. To examine the impact of a community-informed and community-based Health-Smart Church (HSC) Program on engagement in health promoting behaviors (healthy eating and physical activity) and health outcomes (body mass index, weight, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure). Design. A total of 70 overweight/obese Hispanic adults participated in an intervention group (n = 37) or a waitlist control group (n = 33) in 2 Hispanic churches in Bronx, New York. Results. Post-intervention the intervention group significantly increased in frequency of healthy eating and physical activity compared to the waitlist control group. Although no significant changes in body mass index or systolic blood pressure were found for either group, the intervention group decreased significantly in weight from pre-intervention to post-intervention. Conclusions. The results of the present study add to the growing body of literature evidencing the successful use of community-engaged and community-based participatory health promotion interventions with racial/ethnic minority populations and highlight important practices and considerations for similar health promotion interventions with these communities.

scholarly journals Improving Health Behaviors Through Community Engagement: Challenge for a Healthier Louisiana

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 106-113
Author(s):  
Stephanie T. Broyles ◽  
Elizabeth A. Gollub ◽  
Allison Tohme ◽  
Peter T. Katzmarzyk
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Health Behaviors ◽  
Obesity Prevention ◽  
Healthy Eating ◽  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Eating Behaviors ◽  
Policy Changes ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Infrastructure Policy

There is increasing recognition that community-based approaches may have merit in improving physical activity and healthy eating behaviors. The “Challenge for a Healthier Louisiana” program supported twelve projects that addressed the root causes of obesity through integrated community-level changes. Partnerships provided community-based obesity prevention by promoting healthier eating and/or physical activity through enhanced infrastructure, policy changes, and programming. To evaluate whether the program resulted in changes in healthy eating and/or physical activity among adults, surveys were conducted pre- and postintervention among participants. Participants who were exposed to physical activity programs were more likely to adopt the consumption of fruits (odds ratio = 2.0; 95% confidence interval [1.1, 3.6]), were more likely to eat vegetables once per day ( p = .028), and were more likely to participate in physical activity ( p = .053). Participants who were exposed to healthy eating programs were more likely to eat fruit once per day ( p = .035), were more likely to eat vegetables at least once per day ( p = .008), and were more likely to participate in physical activity ( p = .018). In conclusion, there is some indication that the Challenge for a Healthier Louisiana program produced changes in health behaviors among program participants; however, the sustainability of these changes will require further evaluation.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document