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Abstract #157450

Stacey C. Bright, MPH, CHES, Prevention, Brain Injury Association of Florida, Inc., 4848 Kerle Street, Jacksonville, FL 32205, 904-566-6043, sbright@biaf.org and Tina Dillahunt, PhD, CRC, CVE, Project Coordinator, Brain Injury Association of Florida, Inc., 1853 Sea Oats Drive, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233.

Description of Development: “Walking Buddies” (WB) is an exercise-based fall prevention and health promotion intervention pilot project. The aim of this project is to develop, implement and examine a generalizable, community-integrated educational exercise program. The purpose of this program is to promote unintentional fall-related injury prevention through community outreach, physical activity, education and social support. The framework of this study is based upon Social Cognitive Theory. Self-efficacy was examined among seniors who participated in the WB project. The presence of a walking buddy, confidence in their physical ability to walk, and provision of information about fall prevention and unintentional injury including traumatic brain injury (TBI) were also considered. Implementation: B.S. in Public Health students at the University of North Florida were selected to participate in the WB project and were required to complete TBI and fall prevention training. Seniors were selected thorough convenience sampling to participate in the WB pilot project. Students distributed fall prevention information to their senior walking buddies and walked with them once a week for a period of eight weeks. Evaluation: Qualitative and quantitative data was collected weekly using pre and post tests, walking logs, duration of walks, number of steps taken per walking session, and self- reported questionnaires. Results of the analysis indicate that seniors who participated in the WB pilot project increased their number of steps, duration, and knowledge about fall risk, prevention, and TBI. Results of the analysis also indicate intergenerational relationships were fostered during the eight week program.

Learning Objectives:

• List 5 ways to measure the impact of health promotion community interventions.
• Describe the process for recruiting students and seniors in order to conduct an intergenerational community intervention.
• Analyze the community intervention presented and apply its goals and objectives to their own community intervention programming.

Keywords: Elderly, Injury Prevention

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.