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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Matthew Kehn, BA, National Rehabilitation Hospital, 102 Irving Street, NW, Washington, DC 20024, 202-877-1603, matthew.e.kehn@medstar.net

Objective: To develop and test the usefulness of a Preventive Services Resource Kit (PSRK) aimed at educating and enabling adults with a physical disability to seek and receive necessary preventive services, such as blood pressure and cholesterol checks, immunizations, cancer screenings and weight checks.

Methods: Utilized Participatory Action Research and convened five focus groups consisting of people with disabilities (n=36) to discuss consumer needs and obstacles regarding preventive services. Focus group findings were analyzed using qualitative software NVivo and incorporated, along with input from a Community Steering Committee, into the development of a PSRK which was then beta tested for utility and effectiveness through a 9 month randomized controlled trial (RCT) of individuals with physical disabilities (n=65). Intervention group participants received 3 monthly phone contacts from a local peer educator. Outcomes included pre- and post-intervention measurements of knowledge, beliefs, intentions and behaviors towards preventive health services.

Results: Beta testing indicated a strong interest in a durable and mobile resource guide geared towards preventive services for people with disability. Participants expressed a particular likeness for organized, easy to read, user friendly and portable screening checklists and worksheets, further indicating a desire for a product that can be shared with health care physicians.

Conclusion: Use of the PSRK affected participants' knowledge, beliefs, intentions and behaviors towards preventive services in varying degrees. A consumer-defined and consumer-driven resource can be an effective tool to increase awareness regarding the importance of receipt of preventive services for people with physical disabilities.

Learning Objectives:

• To identify the developmental process of a preventive services resource kit.
• To identify the effectiveness of a consumer derived and driven preventive services resource kit on the receipt of preventive services amongst people with disability.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered