Fe en Accion/Faith in Action: Design and implementation of a church-based randomized trial to promote physical activity and cancer screening among churchgoing Latinas

Abstract

Objectives To describe both conditions of a two-group randomized trial, one that promotes physical activity and one that promotes cancer screening, among churchgoing Latinas. The trial involves promotoras (community health workers) targeting multiple levels of the Ecological Model. This trial builds on formative and pilot research findings. Design Sixteen churches were randomly assigned to either the physical activity intervention or cancer screening comparison condition (approximately 27 women per church). In both conditions, promotoras from each church intervened at the individual- (e.g., beliefs), interpersonal- (e.g., social support), and environmental- (e.g., park features and access to health care) levels to affect change on target behaviors. Measurements The study’s primary outcome is min/wk of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) at baseline and 12 and 24 months following implementation of intervention activities. We enrolled 436 Latinas (aged 18–65 years) who engaged in less than 250 min/wk of MVPA at baseline as assessed by accelerometer, attended church at least four times per month, lived near their church, and did not have a health condition that could prevent them from participating in physical activity. Participants were asked to complete measures assessing physical activity and cancer screening as well as their correlates at 12- and 24-months. Summary Findings from the current study will address gaps in research by showing the long term effectiveness of multi-level faith-based interventions promoting physical activity and cancer screening among Latino communities.

Associations of Acculturation With Self-Report and Objective Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors Among Latinas

“…The full methodology for this study has been published elsewhere (Arredondo et al, 2015). Briefly, Fe en Acción recruited churchgoing Latinas from 16 Catholic churches in San Diego County.…”

Spirituality and Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior among Latino Men and Women in Massachusetts

“…[36][37][38][39] Successful faith-based physical activity interventions have included group-based programs with spiritual messages from church leaders in order to establish a deep connection with participants' culture and values to improve retention and behavior change. 36,[40][41][42][43][44][45] However, to our knowledge, there are no faithbased interventions that focus on reducing sedentary behavior among Latinos.…”

Determinants of Implementation Effectiveness in a Physical Activity Program for Church-Going Latinas

“…29 To examine church-specific factors affecting implementation, a multiple case study design was used 30 , with churches as the unit of analysis. Case studies are well-suited for studying non-linear, context-sensitive processes such as implementation 31 , and permit in-depth analysis of individual cases as well as systematic cross-case comparison.…”