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Recorded Annual Meeting Presentations (RAMP) are now available for purchase.
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Online Program

336310
Strategies for Effective Pedometer Use in Hispanic Adults


Sunday, November 1, 2015

Karen Amirehsani, PhD, FNP-BC, School of Nursing, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC
Jie Hu, PhD, RN, FAAN, School of Nursing, The University of North Carolina @ Greensboro, Greensboro, NC
Debra Wallace, PhD, RN, FAAN, School of Nursing, University of North Carolina - Greensboro, Greensboro, NC
Zulema Silva, MA, School of Nursing, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC
Christina Hussami, MSW, LCSWA, School of Nursing, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC
Thomas McCoy, PhD, PStat, School of Nursing, University of North Carolina Greensboro, Greensboro
  
Background: Physical activity is an important element in diabetes self-management and prevention of type 2 diabetes. Pedometer has been found as a low literacy tool that improves step-account, self-reported walking and moderate-vigorous physical activity in adults with diabetes.  The purpose of this presentation is to describe methods to promote the use of pedometers and identify strategies to overcome barriers to pedometer use in Hispanic adults.

Description: A total of 182 Hispanic adults participated in the intervention study, with 61% having type 2 diabetes. Sixty-three percent were female and the average participant age was 45 years old. Participants wore pedometers 7 days/week for 8 weeks.

Lessons learned: Multiple modalities were utilized to promote the use of pedometers including hands-on demonstration, visual aids, weekly phone call reminders, and reassurance.  Explaining the meaning of “steps” was necessary to improve understanding of participant’s level of physical activity.  Many participants reviewed their number of steps weekly to track progress as well as to motivate for improvement.  Barriers affecting use included functionality issues such as battery problems and pedometers being lost or forgotten.  Some participants reported wearing a pedometer to be embarrassing and inconvenient, especially at work. Other participants did not like wearing a pedometer.

Implications/Recommendations: Pedometers can be used to assist and motivate Hispanic immigrants to be more physically active. Multiple modes of education are helpful including reminders and providing reassurance.  Researchers, nurses, and public health officials do need to plan for functionality issues.

Learning Areas:

Chronic disease management and prevention
Public health or related nursing
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Describe methods to promote the use of pedometers to measure physical activity. Identify strategies to avoid barriers to pedometer use, especially functionality concerns.

Keyword(s): Latinos, Physical Activity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a co-investigator on a NIH funded grant focusing on improving the health of Latinos/Hispanics with type 2 diabetes. Additionally, I work as a nurse practitioner in a community-based clinic with the uninsured and immigrant population. My scientific interests include developing strategies to promote healthy self-management strategies to control and prevent type 2 diabetes.
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.

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