How can the Community Health Outreach by Health Promotion Volunteers be encouraged? A Study in Japan

Purpose: Japan has one of the most rapidly aging populations in the world; this has resulted in various health-related issues in local communities. Activities of health promotion volunteers (HPVs) are similar to those of community health workers, and they strive to promote the health of local communities. However, it is unclear how to encourage community outreach activities by HPVs. The purpose of this study was to explore factors associated with vigorous community health outreach by HPVs to promote healthy lifestyles of local residents. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in December 2009 using a mailed-in self-administered questionnaire in one urban and one rural area in Japan. The 822 participants were 247 urban and 575 rural area HPVs. Questions encompassed demographic data, variables related to HPV activity and feelings about the HPV organization and the community. Regarding community health outreach, we asked HPVs if they typically advised local residents about healthy lifestyle habits (e.g., avoid smoking, limit drinking, and exercise regularly). Results: Of 822 questionnaires distributed, 610 were returned and analyzed. Half of the responding HPVs were considered to provide vigorous outreach to local residents. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that higher motivation for the activity at the beginning of HPV activity, stronger neighborhood networks and stronger sense of belonging to the community where HPVs worked were related to HPVs' vigorous outreaching. Conclusions: These results have implications for challenges, and recommendations regarding the way HPVs are trained to encourage conducting community health outreach.