158116 Lessons learned: Developing and implementing a community-based participatory Training of Trainers intervention to promote physical activity among Latinos

Wednesday, November 7, 2007: 12:45 PM

Lisa R. Hoffman, MA , San Diego Prevention Research Center, San Diego, CA
Sandy Cordova , San Ysidro Health Center, San Ysidro, CA
Silvia Mercado , San Ysidro Health Center, San Ysidro, CA
Rocio Diaz , Villanueva Apartments, San Ysidro, CA
Lorena Godinez , Villanueva Apartments, San Ysidro, CA
Berta Torres , Casa Familiar, San Ysidro, CA
Esther Mendoza , Casa Familiar, San Ysidro, CA
Guadalupe Ayala, PhD, MPH , Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
Kevin Patrick, MD, MS , San Diego Prevention Research Center, University of CA, San Diego, La Jolla, CA
John P. Elder, PhD, MPH , Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA
Familias Sanas y Activas is a bilingual, community-based participatory research (CBPR) project designed to promote physical activity among Latinos living in the US-Mexico border town of San Ysidro. Its approach weaves together individual behavioral change, social support mechanisms, and community advocacy aimed at addressing environmental disparities. The project involves: (1) a Community Advisory Board, (2) collaborating agencies: a community health center, a public housing apartment complex, and a social service agency, (3) a Training of Trainers (TOT) on physical activity, program implementation, and community advocacy for 6 community agency Trainers and 18 community Networkers, (4) Trainer and Networker-led exercise programs for 500 community members, (5) toolkits containing such items as pedometers; pictorial exercise charts; a pictorial guide and GIS map of low-cost, community exercise resources; a community-muralist created calendar/resource map, (6) Trainer and Networker-led advocacy efforts, and (7) multiple evaluation levels. Outcome evaluation data are being collected to assess intervention efficacy on self-reported physical activity behaviors and measured fitness levels. Impact evaluation data are being collected using systematic observations to assess changes in neighborhood parks utilization as a result of both exercise programs and advocacy efforts. Process evaluation data have informed TOT curricula refinement to fit community cultural and linguistic needs and future in-depth interviews with community agencies will inform the potential for adoption of program elements. Lessons learned will help inform the sustainability of Familias Sanas y Activas and similar CBPR TOT interventions that combine behavioral change, social support, and environmental justice efforts to promote physical activity among Latinos.

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe the CBPR intervention (and evaluation efforts) and how its approach can be used to promote physical activity among Latinos. 2. Identify the lessons learned in developing and implementing the TOT.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.