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McDonald MD, Hunt K, Moullin J, Kerr D, Ntoumanis N, Quested E. 'A Different Ball Game': Adaptation of a men's health program for implementation in rural Australia. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:1387. [PMID: 37468854 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-16247-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Men residing in rural areas are less likely to participate in weight management interventions than women, and few men-specific programs target rural areas. Aussie-Fans in Training (Aussie-FIT) is an evidence-based weight management intervention that uses professional Australian Football club affiliations and settings as a 'hook' to engage urban-residing men. The aim of this study is to report on how findings from rural stakeholder focus groups were used to inform the adaptation of Aussie-FIT for implementation in rural areas. METHODS Seven focus groups with stakeholders (n = 24) in three rural towns explored existing weight management and physical activity provisions, barriers and facilitators to engaging men, and considerations for adapting Aussie-FIT for implementation in rural contexts. Qualitative data were analysed using the framework approach. Adaptations made to the Aussie-FIT program and strategies to implement the program in rural contexts were reported using a structured framework. RESULTS Themes generated from our analysis include limited appealing services for men, Australian Football as a 'common language', the influence of the 'smaller fishpond'(population), considerations for program inclusivity, and the importance of local partner organisations for sustainability. We adapted the recruitment and marketing strategies, delivery settings, football program theme and partnerships for rural implementation. Stakeholders advised that an Australian Football program theme without specific local club affiliations would be important to avoid alienating men with differing club allegiances or non-sporting backgrounds. A multi-component recruitment strategy utilising local trusted sources, and program marketing that aligns with masculine ideals were considered important by stakeholders in small communities where 'people talk'. CONCLUSIONS Rural areas were described as 'a different ball game' due to limited local services and resources in comparison to metropolitan areas. Study findings have synergies with previous studies undertaken in rural contexts including in relation to the power of word of mouth, the importance of trust, and local partner organisations. Findings have implications for engaging rural men in health interventions in rural contexts where professional sporting contexts are not available. Assessing the extent to which the adapted Aussie-FIT program can reach and engage men in rural Australia, and exploring the barriers and facilitators to delivering the program in rural contexts is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D McDonald
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
- Physical Activity and Well-Being Research Group, enAble Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Australia.
| | - Kate Hunt
- Institute for Social Marketing and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
| | - Joanna Moullin
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Deborah Kerr
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
- Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Nikos Ntoumanis
- Danish Centre for Motivation and Behaviour Change, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
- School of Health and Welfare, Halmstad University, Halmstad, Sweden
| | - Eleanor Quested
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
- Physical Activity and Well-Being Research Group, enAble Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
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Kurz D, McCrea-Robertson S, Nelson-Brantley H, Befort C. Rural engagement in primary care for optimizing weight reduction (REPOWER): A mixed methods study of patient perceptions. PATIENT EDUCATION AND COUNSELING 2022; 105:2371-2381. [PMID: 34865892 DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2021.11.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To report on patients' satisfaction and experience of care across three different modes of weight loss counseling. METHODS 1407 patients with obesity in the rural Midwest were enrolled to a 2-year weight management trial through their primary care practice and assigned to one of three treatment conditions: in-clinic individual, in-clinic group, phone group counseling. Patients completed surveys assessing seven domains of satisfaction and experience of care at 6 and 24-months. Post-treatment interviews were conducted to add context to survey responses. RESULTS 1295 (92.0%) and 1230 (87.4%) completed surveys at 6 and 24-months, respectively. Patients in phone group counseling reported lower satisfaction than patients who received in-clinic group or in-clinic individual counseling across all domains at 6-months and five out of seven domains at 24-months. Interviews revealed that patients were more satisfied when they received face-to-face counseling and had meaningful interactions with their primary care provider (PCP) about their weight. CONCLUSION Rural patients with obesity have higher satisfaction and experience of care when weight loss counseling is delivered in a face-to-face environment and when their PCP is involved with their treatment. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Primary care practices looking to offer weight loss treatment should consider incorporating some level of face-to-face treatment plans that involves meaningful interaction with the PCP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Kurz
- University of Kansas School of Medicine, Department of Population Health, Kansas City, KS USA.
| | - Stacy McCrea-Robertson
- University of Kansas School of Medicine, Department of Population Health, Kansas City, KS USA
| | | | - Christie Befort
- University of Kansas School of Medicine, Department of Population Health, Kansas City, KS USA
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McDonald MD, Hunt K, Sivaramakrishnan H, Moullin J, Avenell A, Kerr DA, Birch JM, Ntoumanis N, Quested E. A systematic review examining socioeconomic factors in trials of interventions for men that report weight as an outcome. Obes Rev 2022; 23:e13436. [PMID: 35187778 PMCID: PMC9285916 DOI: 10.1111/obr.13436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Weight management interventions designed specifically for men have become more common, but the extent to which socioeconomic factors are considered in trials of these interventions is unclear. We synthesized study characteristics, methods, and reporting of interventions with a behavioral component for men that report weight as an outcome, to establish the extent to which socioeconomic factors are considered during intervention design, conduct, and reporting. A comprehensive search was conducted on Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, and CENTRAL for studies published from January 2000 to July 2021. Thirty-six trials were included. Educational attainment (n = 24) was the most frequently reported socioeconomic characteristic, followed by working status (n = 14) and area level deprivation (n = 12). Seven studies did not report any socioeconomic characteristics. Most studies (n = 20) did not mention the socioeconomic profile of their samples in relation to study strengths or limitations. Few (n = 4) consulted with men from lower socioeconomic groups during intervention design. One study examined potential differential intervention effects across socioeconomic groups, with most not powered to do so. Recent feasibility trials (n = 3) targeting specific socioeconomic groups suggest a potential nascent towards a greater consideration of factors related to equity. To best inform public health policy related to health inequalities, greater consideration of socioeconomic factors is required in trials of men's weight management interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew D McDonald
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Physical Activity and Well-Being Research Group, enAble Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Kate Hunt
- Physical Activity and Well-Being Research Group, enAble Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Institute for Social Marketing and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Stirling, UK
| | - Hamsini Sivaramakrishnan
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Physical Activity and Well-Being Research Group, enAble Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Joanna Moullin
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Alison Avenell
- Health Services Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Deborah A Kerr
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Jack M Birch
- MRC Epidemiology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Nikos Ntoumanis
- Physical Activity and Well-Being Research Group, enAble Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.,School of Health and Welfare, Halmstad University, Halmstad, Sweden
| | - Eleanor Quested
- Curtin School of Population Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.,Physical Activity and Well-Being Research Group, enAble Institute, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
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Effectiveness of Workplace Interventions for Improving Working Conditions on the Health and Wellbeing of Fathers or Parents: A Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19084779. [PMID: 35457646 PMCID: PMC9027029 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19084779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Evidence on the effectiveness of workplace interventions for improving working conditions on the health and wellbeing of fathers is scarce. We reviewed studies on the effectiveness of various workplace interventions designed to improve working conditions for the health and wellbeing of employed fathers and their families. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-randomized controlled trials of workplace interventions applied to employees with the aim of improving working conditions of employed parents, compared with no intervention, other active arms, placebo, wait list, or usual practice were included. Studies involving only women were excluded. An electronic search of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, ERIC and SSCI was done for eligible studies. Studies were screened against predetermined criteria and assessment of risk of bias done using the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions for RCTs and the Risk of Bias Assessment tool for Non-randomized Studies for non-RCTs. Of the 8229 records identified, 19 reports were included in this review: 14 reports from five RCTs and five reports from two quasi-RCT studies. The studies were conducted in four different countries among working populations from various sectors. Studies addressing issues related to improving working conditions of fathers alone were lacking. All included studies assessed intervention effects on various health-related outcomes, the most common being sleep disturbances and mental health outcomes. Interventions administered yielded positive effects on various health outcomes across all seven studies. All included studies had methodological limitations, while study designs and methodologies lacked comparability. Consequently, a narrative synthesis of evidence is provided. Based on our findings, providing workplace interventions for improving working conditions may improve some aspects of the health and wellbeing of employed parents, including fathers.
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Characterizing the Health of Older Rural Australians Attending Rural Events: Implications for Future Health Promotion Opportunities. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19053011. [PMID: 35270704 PMCID: PMC8910001 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19053011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
This paper describes the health of older Australians (>65 years) attending rural events to inform health promotion interventions for rural populations. This cross-sectional study collected survey data and objective health measures between 2017 and 2020 at two events held in rural New South Wales, Australia. Participants included in the analysis were adults > 65 years of age. Data included demographic and health information, anthropometric measures (height, weight, waist circumference), and dietary and physical activity data. A total of 256 people > 65 years participated. Our sample, which was mostly male (59.0%), contained people aged between 66 and 75 years (72.3%). Participants lived in either a large rural (34.0%) or small rural town (22.3%), with low levels of education (60.9% did not complete high school). Dietary quality was rated as below average. All but 17.2% of the participants reported having a health condition. The risk of a health condition was associated with increasing age, lower education, and higher waist circumference, but not remoteness. Rural events may provide an opportunity to access, engage with, and understand the health of older rural Australians, especially males. They may offer ideal contexts for health and nutrition promotion opportunities in rural areas where access to health professionals is limited.
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Kurz D, Befort C. Travel burden in a rural primary care behavioral weight loss randomized trial: Impact on visit attendance and weight loss. J Rural Health 2022; 38:980-985. [DOI: 10.1111/jrh.12652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Kurz
- Department of Population Health University of Kansas School of Medicine Kansas City Kansas USA
| | - Christie Befort
- Department of Population Health University of Kansas School of Medicine Kansas City Kansas USA
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