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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Barbara Speck, PhD¹, Vicki Hines-Martin, PhD, RN¹, Barbara Stetson, PhD², and Stephen Looney, PhD³. (1) School of Nursing, University of Louisville, 555 S. Floyd Street, Louisville, KY 40202, 502-852-8513, bjspec01@louisville.edu, (2) Department of Psychology, University of Louisville, Belknap Campus, Louisville, KY 40292, (3) School of Public Health, Louisiana State University, 11888 Longridge Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70816

Purpose: To describe the advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP) facilitated intervention in a six-month study with physically inactive low-income women. Design: The theoretical basis of the intervention was the Health Promotion Model and one interpersonal influence variable was conceptualized as a health professional, an ARNP. Setting: Church sponsored community center with nurse-managed clinic located in a low-income neighborhood. Sample: 104 women were enrolled (Intervention group, N=51). Subjects mean age was 41.2, primarily African American (80%), and majority had annual incomes less than $10,000 (>60%). This presentation focuses on the intervention group. Methods: Intervention: Multiple physical activity opportunities were provided at community center and in neighborhoods, although subjects were not required to attend. The ARNP spent four hours per week facilitating intervention group activities. ARNP made personal phones calls to encourage attendance, led one community walk each week, and provided group sessions to discuss physical activity and general health. Findings: There was a significant difference in positive change in perception of exercise between groups (as measured by the Total Barriers and Benefits Scale, p = .033). There were statistically significant differences from Time 1 to Time 2 in the intervention group for ARNP influence (p = <0.001) and for attendance from first month to sixth month (trend toward increasing rates from 5% to 11%). Discussion: This minimal intervention showed some positive changes (more positive perception of physical activity, positive ARNP influence, and increased attendance) for the intervention group. Further analyses may indicate other model variables may also contribute to results.

Learning Objectives: