ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to determine the attributes of a community physical activity (PA) program that Kansas State Research & Extension System agents considered in the adoption decision-making process (DMP) and their understanding of evidence-based program principles. Ninety-nine percent of the eligible agents completed a survey that included quantitative and qualitative assessments of program attributes, delivery, and adaptations. The community PA program's effectiveness, compatibility within the system, high reach, and ease of delivery most influenced the DMP. Success in other counties was also indicated as influential in the DMP by those who decided to deliver the program after its initial year. Concepts of group dynamics were accurately identified and adaptations were consistent with these principles. The results indicate that agents consider multiple factors during the adoption DMP for a PA program and are able to articulate and propose adaptations that align with the evidence-based principles.
Subject(s)
Community Health Services/organization & administration , Community Networks/organization & administration , Health Plan Implementation , Health Promotion/organization & administration , Physical Fitness , Adult , Community-Based Participatory Research , Female , Humans , Kansas , Male , Middle Aged , Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care , Practice Patterns, Physicians'/statistics & numerical data , Program Evaluation , Public-Private Sector Partnerships , Walking , Young AdultABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Determine if recruitment methods are differentially related to the reach of a physical activity program in metro/urban vs. rural settings. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Kansas counties. SUBJECTS: Ninety-four Cooperative Extension agents responsible for 102 counties. MEASURES: Promotional score, task force activity, and years of program delivery were assessed using a self-report survey. Reach was assessed for each county by dividing the number of participants by intended population using census data. ANALYSIS: Rural/urban comparisons on reach were completed using a Mann-Whitney test. Multiple linear regression models were used to determine the relationship between independent variables and participation rate by setting type. RESULTS: Metro/urban counties had lower mean participation rates than rural counties (z = -4.5; p < .001). In metro/urban counties, the regression on participation rate was significant (R(2) = .19; F = 4.09; p = .011), but only promotional score significantly contributed to the model (p = .003). In rural counties, the regression was also significant (R(2) = .34; F = 6.64; p = .001), with task force activity and years of delivery making significant contributions (p = .001 and p = .017, respectively). CONCLUSION: Interpersonal methods may be more effective in recruiting physical activity program participants in rural settings, whereas using a greater variety of promotional methods may be more effective in metro/urban settings.
