TITLE:
Physical activity and nutrition intervention for mothers of young children: Process evaluation
AUTHORS:
Sarojini M. D. R. Monteiro, Jonine Jancey, Peter Howat
KEYWORDS:
Diet; Physical Activity; Process Evaluation
JOURNAL NAME:
Health,
Vol.6 No.3,
February
13,
2014
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Process
evaluation of community based projects is integral to understanding the success or failure of health promotion interventions. Process
evaluation was used to assess the intervention strategies and resources in a
playgroup setting aimed at mothers of young children. Methods: Process evaluation data
were collected from participants (n = 249) and staff (n = 25) involved
in the intervention. Data included staff perspectives on use of the playgroup
as a setting, participants’ views on the feasibility and acceptability of the
program strategies and resources, and program reach. Results: Responding participants reported that the intervention was useful (98%) and relevant for their age group (92%), encouraged them to think about making changes to their physical activity
(95%) and dietary (98%) behaviors, and helped them to make changes to their
physical activity (66%) and dietary (79%) behaviors. Participants reported that
the most useful intervention strategies included the program booklet (85%),
workshops (86%), newsletters (73%) and SMS (57%). Conclusion: This research provides valuable information on
participants’ perspectives of the program strategies, content and overall implementation.
It provides insight into the feasibility and acceptability of the intervention
and identifies areas for improvement when conducting programs in playgroup
settings. The process evaluation indicated that playgroups are a suitable
setting for health promotion targeting mothers of young children.