3220.0: Monday, November 13, 2000 - Board 6

Abstract #8076

Recruitment of religious organizations into a community based dietary change program

Kitty Christensen, Deborah Bowen, Kelly Colombo, and Emily Bourcier. Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Avenue N, MP 900, Seattle, WA 98109, 206-667-7314, kchristensen@fhcrc.org

Population-based health promotion frequently relies on community organizations to deliver health behavior change interventions. We will present the results of our initial recruitment of religious organizations (ROs) into a randomized trial of dietary change. We mailed to the membership list of a local multidenominational religious umbrella organization. We recruited organizations in two waves: 16 ROs during the first wave and 26 ROs during the second wave. Recruitment consisted of a short telephone screening survey, followed by an informational meeting. Twenty-three percent of ROs initially contacted by telephone were ineligible due to size (<100 or >2000 English-speaking active members). Ten percent of eligible ROs contacted were not interested, and reasons included lack of time (26%), other priorities besides health (9%), already having a health program (17%). No survey was received from 46% of organizations, either due to lack of working telephone number (1%), no contact after extensive attempts (26%), or refusal to complete survey (19%). In addition, 7% of organizations on the list provided by the umbrella organization had disbanded at the time we tried to initiate contact. The only difference found in member age proportions, ethnic make-up or educational levels between the enrolled and non-enrolled organizations was a tendency towards fewer children under the age of 12 and fewer Hispanics in the enrolled ROs. Of the 42 enrolled ROs, 81% supported some type of pre-existing health-related program. These data will be helpful in trying to recruit and work with community organizations to implement

Learning Objectives: 1. Identify important factors in recruitment and collaboration with religious organizations. 2. Discuss the steps involved in recruiting religious organizations into a dietary change program. 3. Recruit religious organizations into a community-based health promotion program

Keywords: Faith Community, Community-Based Health Promotion

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