The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #58002

Donna L. Richter, EdD¹, Delesha L. Miller, BS², Louis A. Clary, BS², Jacquie Fraser, PhD³, W.H. Oglesby, MSPH⁴, and Ivory Kimbrough⁵. (1) Norman J. Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Health Sciences Building, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, (2) Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior, University of South Carolina Norman J. Arnold School of Public Health, Health Sciences Building, Room 221A, Columbia, SC 29208, (803) 777-5887, respire_profundo@hotmail.com, (3) Department of Health Science, Armstrong Atlantic State University, 11935 Abercorn Street, Savannah, GA 31419-1997, (4) Department of Health Promotion, Education, & Behavior, University of South Carolina, Norman J. Arnold School of Public Health, Columbia, SC 29208, (5) CDC, 1600 Clifton Road, M/S #40, Atlanta, GA 30329

This presentation documents evaluation findings from a qualitative cluster site study of community-based organizations (CBOs) that had an employee (scholar) attend the CDC/ASPH Institute for HIV Prevention Leadership. The study’s purpose was to determine how knowledge and skills diffused from the scholar to other CBO employees. The Institute is dedicated to enhancing the capacity of participants and their CBOs by providing academic and practice-based experiences.

For the purposes of this study, a cluster was defined as three or more scholar CBOs located within a finite geographic area. Four geographic cluster sites were visited. The visit sites were selected based on epidemiological factors, capacity issues and regional considerations. Thirty-eight individual interviews and five focus group discussions (totaling 16 participants) were conducted at eight CBOs. Transcripts were coded and analyzed using the QSR NUD*IST® NVivo 2 Program.

Results indicated that scholars employed different diffusion mechanisms to share Institute information and skills depending on the status of the receiving individual: subordinate, peer, or supervisor. Most diffusion occurred through informal mechanisms such as discussions, meetings, practical demonstrations, vicarious learning, etc. as opposed to structured training sessions. The size, capabilities, scholar attributes, and community environments impacted on diffusion. Respondent quotes provided examples of how various diffusion mechanisms were used.

Diffusion mechanisms have not been formally studied via qualitative data methods in the field of public health. These results are important for anyone who wants to understand why training programs are often ineffective at increasing individual and organizational capacity, specifically in the field of HIV/AIDS.

Learning Objectives:

• Define diffusion mechanisms.
• Discuss the importance of diffusion mechanisms for training/capacity-building programs.
• Create a plan to evaluate how diffusion mechanisms are utilized within an organization that had an employee attend a training/capacity-building program.

Keywords: Training, Community-Based Public Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.