5012.0: Wednesday, November 15, 2000 - Board 6

Abstract #10758

Measuring effects of health promotion interventions on lifestyle choices in the faith community: Impact of congregational nurse ministry on health behavior

Nanette Sulik, MSN, Department of Nursing, Camden Campus, Rutgers University, 311 N. Fifth Street, Camden, NJ 08102, 856-225-6250, nsulik@yahoo.com and Susan Metzger, BSN, Community Services Department, Jefferson Health System-Main Line Division, Bryn Mawr, PA.

Phase one of a five-year study of 21 congregations serviced by 13 congregational nurses. Demographics of participating congregations are diverse in culture and ethnic origin, socioeconomic status, and age composition. Data collection includes a survey of health behavior, knowledge, and attitude to be completed and returned each year as part of Sabbath services; monthly report of programs and services offered; summary outcome reports of case management activities; and morbidity and mortality data. Major areas addressed in data collection include: general health, health behavior (history of behavior, current lifestyle, recent or anticipated changes and motivating factors for adopting healthy behaviors) and influence of health ministry on behavior and attitudes. First year data will serve as baseline. Major data collection will occur in year two and again in year five. Preventive activities are derived from assessment of individual congregations and based on Health People 2010 goals and objectives. Interventions are reported on a monthly basis and can be correlated to significant behavior change. Outcomes are not predicted to reach a significance level until year five, however, it is hoped that changes in attitude, and intention to adopt healthy lifestyles will be evident by year two. Significant results may enable comparison or further study of the churches to determine effects of ethnicity, SES, and age on health behavior and on factors which best promote lifestyle change.

Learning Objectives: 1. Learner will: Recognize barriers to measurement of health promotion outcomes at the community level. 2. Learner will: Identify two approaches to measuring effectiveness of health promotion interventions over time which can be adapted to similar programs. 3. Learner will: Discuss possible ways that results might generate information about population differences in health, health behavior and motivating factors for lifestyle change

Keywords: Community-Based Health Promotion, Outcomes Research

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: none
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.

The 128th Annual Meeting of APHA