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Yao N, Kowalczyk M, Gregory L, Cheatham J, DeClemente T, Fox K, Ignoffo S, Volerman A. Community health workers' perspectives on integrating into school settings to support student health. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1187855. [PMID: 37415701 PMCID: PMC10320159 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1187855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction While schools represent key venues for supporting health, they continue to experience gaps in health resources. The integration of community health workers (CHWs) into schools has the potential to supplement these resources but has been underexplored. This study is the first to examine perspectives of experienced CHWs about how CHWs can be applied in school settings to support student health. Methods This qualitative study involved conducting semi-structured interviews focused on implementation of CHWs in schools with individuals who held positions aligned with the CHW scope of work. De-identified transcripts were analyzed, and codes were organized into domains and themes. Results Among 14 participants, seven domains emerged about the implementation of CHWs in schools: roles and responsibilities, collaborations, steps for integration, characteristics of successful CHWs, training, assessment, and potential challenges. Participants shared various potential responsibilities of school-based CHWs, including educating on health topics, addressing social determinants of health, and supporting chronic disease management. Participants emphasized the importance of CHWs building trusting relationships with the school community and identified internal and external collaborations integral to the success of CHWs. Specifically, participants indicated CHWs and schools should together determine CHWs' responsibilities, familiarize CHWs with the school population, introduce CHWs to the school community, and establish support systems for CHWs. Participants identified key characteristics of school-based CHWs, including having familiarity with the broader community, relevant work experience, essential professional skills, and specific personal qualities. Participants highlighted trainings relevant to school-based CHWs, including CHW core skills and health topics. To assess CHWs' impact, participants proposed utilizing evaluation tools, documenting interactions with students, and observing indicators of success within schools. Participants also identified challenges for school-based CHWs to overcome, including pushback from the school community and difficulties related to the scope of work. Discussion This study identified how CHWs can have a valuable role in supporting student health and the findings can help inform models to integrate CHWs to ensure healthy school environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Yao
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Monica Kowalczyk
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - LaToya Gregory
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Jeannine Cheatham
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Tarrah DeClemente
- Office of Student Health and Wellness, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Kenneth Fox
- Office of Student Health and Wellness, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Stacy Ignoffo
- Sinai Urban Health Institute, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Anna Volerman
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, United States
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Bocquier A, Jacquemot AF, Dubois C, Tréhard H, Cogordan C, Maradan G, Cortaredona S, Fressard L, Davin-Casalena B, Vinet A, Verger P, Darmon N, Arquier V, Briclot G, Chamla R, Cousson-Gélie F, Danthony S, Delrieu K, Dessirier J, Féart C, Fusinati C, Gazan R, Gibert M, Lamiraud V, Maillot M, Nadal D, Trotta C, Verger EO, Viriot V. Study protocol for a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial to improve dietary diversity and physical fitness among older people who live at home (the "ALAPAGE study"). BMC Geriatr 2022; 22:643. [PMID: 35927684 PMCID: PMC9351201 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-022-03260-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diet and physical activity are key components of healthy aging. Current interventions that promote healthy eating and physical activity among the elderly have limitations and evidence of French interventions' effectiveness is lacking. We aim to assess (i) the effectiveness of a combined diet/physical activity intervention (the "ALAPAGE" program) on older peoples' eating behaviors, physical activity and fitness levels, quality of life, and feelings of loneliness; (ii) the intervention's process and (iii) its cost effectiveness. METHODS We performed a pragmatic cluster randomized controlled trial with two parallel arms (2:1 ratio) among people ≥60 years old who live at home in southeastern France. A cluster consists of 10 people participating in a "workshop" (i.e., a collective intervention conducted at a local organization). We aim to include 45 workshops randomized into two groups: the intervention group (including 30 workshops) in the ALAPAGE program; and the waiting-list control group (including 15 workshops). Participants (expected total sample size: 450) will be recruited through both local organizations' usual practices and an innovative active recruitment strategy that targets hard-to-reach people. We developed the ALAPAGE program based on existing workshops, combining a participatory and a theory-based approach. It includes a 7-week period with weekly collective sessions supported by a dietician and/or an adapted physical activity professional, followed by a 12-week period of post-session activities without professional supervision. Primary outcomes are dietary diversity (calculated using two 24-hour diet recalls and one Food Frequency Questionnaire) and lower-limb muscle strength (assessed by the 30-second chair stand test from the Senior Fitness Test battery). Secondary outcomes include consumption frequencies of main food groups and water/hot drinks, other physical fitness measures, overall level of physical activity, quality of life, and feelings of loneliness. Outcomes are assessed before the intervention, at 6 weeks and 3 months later. The process evaluation assesses the fidelity, dose, and reach of the intervention as its causal mechanisms (quantitative and qualitative data). DISCUSSION This study aims to improve healthy aging while limiting social inequalities. We developed and evaluated the ALAPAGE program in partnership with major healthy aging organizations, providing a unique opportunity to expand its reach. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05140330 , December 1, 2021. PROTOCOL VERSION Version 3.0 (November 5, 2021).
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélie Bocquier
- ORS PACA, Observatoire Régional de la Santé Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Marseille, France. .,Université de Lorraine, APEMAC, F-54000, Nancy, France.
| | - Anne-Fleur Jacquemot
- ORS PACA, Observatoire Régional de la Santé Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Marseille, France.,Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, University of Bordeaux, Inserm, UMR 1219, F-33000, Bordeaux, France
| | | | - Hélène Tréhard
- ORS PACA, Observatoire Régional de la Santé Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Marseille, France.,Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, INSERM, SESSTIM, Aix Marseille Institute of Public Health, ISSPAM, Marseille, France
| | - Chloé Cogordan
- ORS PACA, Observatoire Régional de la Santé Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Marseille, France
| | - Gwenaëlle Maradan
- ORS PACA, Observatoire Régional de la Santé Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Marseille, France
| | - Sébastien Cortaredona
- ORS PACA, Observatoire Régional de la Santé Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Marseille, France.,Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France.,IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Lisa Fressard
- ORS PACA, Observatoire Régional de la Santé Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Marseille, France.,Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France.,IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | | | - Agnès Vinet
- Avignon Université, UPR EA4278, F-84000, Avignon, France
| | - Pierre Verger
- ORS PACA, Observatoire Régional de la Santé Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Marseille, France.,Aix Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, VITROME, Marseille, France.,IHU-Méditerranée Infection, Marseille, France
| | - Nicole Darmon
- MoISA, Université de Montpellier, CIHEAM-IAMM, CIRAD, INRAE, Institut Agro, IRD, Montpellier, France
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Teggart K, Ganann R, Sihota D, Moore C, Keller H, Senson C, Phillips SM, Neil-Sztramko SE. Group-based nutrition interventions to promote healthy eating and mobility in community-dwelling older adults: a systematic review. Public Health Nutr 2022; 25:1-32. [PMID: 35570675 PMCID: PMC9991860 DOI: 10.1017/s136898002200115x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify the efficacy of group-based nutrition interventions to increase healthy eating, reduce nutrition risk, improve nutritional status and improve physical mobility among community-dwelling older adults. DESIGN Systematic review. Electronic databases MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO and Sociological Abstracts were searched on July 15, 2020 for studies published in English since January 2010. Study selection, critical appraisal (using the Joanna Briggs Institute's tools) and data extraction were performed in duplicate by two independent reviewers. SETTING Nutrition interventions delivered to groups in community-based settings were eligible. Studies delivered in acute or long-term care settings were excluded. PARTICIPANTS Community-dwelling older adults aged 55+ years. Studies targeting specific disease populations or promoting weight loss were excluded. RESULTS Thirty-one experimental and quasi-experimental studies with generally unclear to high risk of bias were included. Interventions included nutrition education with behaviour change techniques (BCT) (e.g. goal setting, interactive cooking demonstrations) (n 21), didactic nutrition education (n 4), interactive nutrition education (n 2), food access (n 2) and nutrition education with BCT and food access (n 2). Group-based nutrition education with BCT demonstrated the most promise in improving food and fluid intake, nutritional status and healthy eating knowledge compared with baseline or control. The impact on mobility outcomes was unclear. CONCLUSIONS Group-based nutrition education with BCT demonstrated the most promise for improving healthy eating among community-dwelling older adults. Our findings should be interpreted with caution related to generally low certainty, unclear to high risk of bias and high heterogeneity across interventions and outcomes. Higher quality research in group-based nutrition education for older adults is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kylie Teggart
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Rebecca Ganann
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Davneet Sihota
- Global Health Graduate Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Caroline Moore
- School of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Heather Keller
- Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging, Waterloo, ON, Canada
- Department of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, Faculty of Health, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
| | - Christine Senson
- Healthy and Safe Communities Department, City of Hamilton Public Health Services, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Stuart M Phillips
- Department of Kinesiology, Faculty of Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Sarah E Neil-Sztramko
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, ONL8S 4L8, Canada
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Dolenc E, Kolšek M, Slabe D, Eržen I. Tailoring First Aid Courses to Older Adults Participants. HEALTH EDUCATION & BEHAVIOR 2021; 49:697-707. [PMID: 34350809 PMCID: PMC9350451 DOI: 10.1177/10901981211026531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Relevant organizations emphasize the importance of first aid (FA) for older
adults due to the increased risk of injuries and sudden illnesses in old age.
Even though FA training guidelines have been developed, no program for an FA
course adapted for the older adults has been formally adopted in Europe. This
study’s objective is to identify older adults’ needs, beliefs, desires,
advantages, and possible limitations in connection with FA. This qualitative
study used semistructured interviews with 22 laypersons and retired health
professionals older than 60 years old. The qualitative content analysis
indicated that the major themes elicited by the older adults are motivation to
participate in the FA training, older adults’ specific features as a resource or
obstacle for participating in FA training, general suggestions, and content
suggestions for FA training. Older adults are very differently motivated to
participate in FA training due to the heterogeneity of their psychophysical
abilities. They need and want to obtain additional knowledge from the field of
FA and health protection for which any psychophysical limitations are not as
relevant as when learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation. They want to learn how
to recognize emergency situations and more about calling emergency services with
the use of modern technology. In addition to cardiopulmonary resuscitation
without rescue breaths, they also want to learn about topics related to the
treatment of injuries. Those who had practiced FA in their work–life think that
they can be a good source to transfer their knowledge to persons from their
generation. While planning an FA training course, it has to be taken into
consideration that older adults want a short course, adjusted to their varied
psychophysical abilities. Due to the wide array of contents they want to learn,
it would be reasonable to prepare a selection of different programs for short
training courses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Dolenc
- University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | | | - Ivan Eržen
- University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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