224659 Process Evaluation of a Church-based Lay Health Advisor Training on Cardiovascular Disease

Monday, November 8, 2010 : 3:25 PM - 3:40 PM

Mohamed Jalloh, MPH , New Connections: Increasing Diversity of RWJF Programming, OMG Center for Collaborative Learning, Philadelphia, PA
Eddie Eubanks, BS , United Voices of Efland-Cheeks, Mebane, NC
Kevin Wu, MPH , School of Medicine, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Amma Agyemang, MPH , School of Public Health, Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
Sarah Lieff, MPH Candidate , Health Behavior and Health Education, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC
Erin Shigekawa, BSPH , Health Policy and Management, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC
Alison Mendoza, MPH Candidate , Health Behavior and Health Education, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC
Shola Dada , UNC Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, University of North Carolina, Gillings School of Global School of Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC
Eugenia Eng, MPH, DrPH , Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
Daniel L. Howard, PhD , Institute for Health, Social and Community Research, Shaw University, Raleigh, NC
Paul Godley, MD, PhD, MPP , Cecil G. Sheps Center for Health Services Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
     
Background: African American men share a disproportionate burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to their White counterparts. The “Are We Our Brother's Keeper” project (BK) is based in rural African American churches employing a lay health advisor (LHA) model to understand the expression and exchange of social support between LHAs and men, focused on improving behaviors to manage and control CVD within African American rural churches.

Methods: The BK project trained 20 African American men from four churches to serve as Navigators (i.e., LHAs). A process evaluation was conducted to assess the extent with which the training was implemented as planned, and to measure the quality of its delivery. Data collection methods included 40 participant observations, quantitative pre- and post-test knowledge questionnaire, trainer debriefs, and in-depth interviews with all Navigators.

Results: Evaluation results showed that the training was delivered with over a 90% adherence rate, and was subsequently effective in preparing the Navigators to serve as LHAs in faith-based rural communities. The qualitative findings also revealed that the use of biblical scriptures and theological principles added value in helping Navigators understand training materials. In addition, visual aides helped Navigators conceptualize health disparities, nutritional guidelines, and public health ethics.

Conclusions: Key recommendations have been made for necessary revisions that will further enhance the quality of lay health advisor training in faith-based, rural communities. Results also suggest that the LHA model is an effective strategy to engage other men in health promotion activities by integrating culturally-tailored concepts of mind, body and spirit.

Learning Objectives:
1. Discuss the importance of incorporating biblical scriptures and principles in a lay health advisor training targeting rural African American men. 2. Identify teaching methods and tools that enhance learning for lay populations. 3. Discuss the training as an effective tool to empower African American men to share personal health information with one another, and identify strategies for health promotion within their social networks.

Keywords: Lay Health Workers, Faith Community

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present because I have been overseeing the process evaluation component of the project's lay health training. In addition, I was involved in the development of the training curriculum.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

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.

Back to: 3298.0: Partnering with rural black churches to promote men's cardiovascular health: Are we our brother's keeper?