Participant-centered strategies used in a physical activity program for African American women

Background: Researchers report difficulty with recruitment and retention of African American (AA) women to physical activity interventions. Community-based participatory research contributes to successful interventions. Purpose: To present the impact of participant-centered strategies on intervention development, recruitment, retention, implementation and community adoption of a 48-week physical activity program for AA women. Methods: Participants as “experts” engaged in focus groups to identify physical activity barriers and offer recommendations for intervention development. Participant-centered strategies included 1) recruitment facilitated by community partners; 2) cultural competency training of research team; 3) educating participants/ community stakeholders to dispel misconceptions regarding research; 4) flexible operational procedures; and 5) health screening and group visits held in the community. One of six sites will be used as an exemplar of community adoption. Results: A 48-week women's physical activity intervention was developed based on input from focus groups. Established relationships with community stakeholders facilitated study implementation. Formal cultural competency training occurred before and during implementation. An ongoing multi-faceted approach was used to address participants' concerns regarding research including a clarified and expanded consent process. Operational procedures included flexible schedule, e-mail and text messaging. Health assessments and interventions were conducted in the community. Of the 193 women recruited, 171 (88.6%) completed the 48-week program. At the exemplar site, community adoption involved substitution of walking breaks for smoking breaks. Conclusion: The participant-centered strategies are effective methods applied to intervention community research with AA women. Participant-centered strategies facilitate achieving individual physical activity goals by minimizing recruitment and retention barriers.