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

Abstract #71771

Judy A. Salkeld, MS, Tamara Dubowitz, MSc, SM, Meridith Eastman, BA, Cara Ebbeling, PhD, and Karen E Peterson, ScD, RD. Department of Maternal and Child Health, Harvard School of Public Health, 677 Huntington Avenue 7th floor, Boston, MA 02115, 617 432-1080, jsalkeld@hsph.harvard.edu

Background The postpartum period provides an opportunity to reduce risk of obesity and chronic disease, yet multiple influences may constrain the capacity of low-income mothers to adopt healthy lifestyles.

Methods We used qualitative methods to develop scripts for delivery through motivational interview and non-formal education techniques, which included 5 home visits and monthly phone-calls to address influences on nutrition and activity behaviors of low-income, multi-ethnic mothers in the first year postpartum. An Intervention Tracking Form (ITF) documented dose and fidelity of intervention delivery by EFNEP paraprofessionals and project staff.

Results Among a sub-sample of 105 women who participated in the intervention, home visit frequency among women enrolled for 2-6 months (n=56) °Ý50% of dose delivery (°Ý 1 home visit every 8 weeks) was 73% (n=41). Phone call frequency among this group °Ý50% of dose delivery (°Ý1 phone-call every 8 weeks) was 80% (n=45). Women enrolled between 6 and 12 months (n=49) saw similar differences with 25% (n=12) having received home visits °Ý50% dose delivery and 30% (n=14) of women having received phone calls °Ý 1 call every 8 weeks. These preliminary data demonstrate some of the challenges of intervention implementation and exhibit that in each of the cohorts (n=56 at 2-6 months participation; n=49 at 6-12 months participation), the phone call dosage was higher than the received home visit frequencies.

These preliminary findings on intervention implementation suggest that phone calls were more feasible for delivering nutrition and activity education to low-income, multi-ethnic mothers than home visits and may have wider applicability for low-literacy audiences.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to:
• Understand the obstacles in community-based nutrition intervention delivery among low-income, multi-ethnic postpartum women
• Appreciate and discuss the roles of researchers and community partners in intervention design and delivery
• Identify different methodologies in the development and implementation of community-based nutrition intervention research that seeks to inform community-based nutrition education

Keywords: Intervention, Community Research

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.