Promoting physical activity among community groups of older women in socio-economically disadvantaged areas: randomised feasibility study

Abstract

Background Insufficient physical activity (PA) is a major public health issue. Whilst PA is an important contributor to disease prevention, engagement in PA decreases with age, particularly among women in socio-economically disadvantaged areas. Research using existing support networks to engage ‘hard to reach’ populations in PA interventions is sparse. We developed and tested the feasibility of a PA-promoting intervention for older women within existing community groups in socio-economically disadvantaged areas. Methods The Medical Research Council guidelines for complex interventions were used to guide the intervention’s development. We recruited participants ( n = 40) from older (aged ≥50 years) women’s groups from four different community centres. A 12-week programme was delivered during existing sessions, informed by Social Practice Theory. The sessions provided education about PA, social support in the form of a PA ‘buddy’, group discussion and follow-up telephone calls, as well as printed information about local opportunities to participate in PA. The main uncertainties tested were rates of participant recruitment, retention, and completion of assessments of PA by accelerometry and of mental health using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Intervention acceptability was assessed by questionnaire, and focus group interviews elicited participants’ views about the intervention. Qualitative data were subjected to framework analysis. Results The recruitment rate was high; 87% ( n = 40/46) of women consented to participate, and 78% ( n = 31) attended all education sessions. Uptake of follow-up telephone calls and PA ‘buddies’ was low. Few participants provided valid accelerometer data, but 63% (n=25) completed the HADS questionnaire at all time points. The printed materials and education sessions were viewed positively; telephone calls and ‘buddy’ support were not valued. Participants believed that organised group activities would lead to increased PA engagement, and whilst participants disliked wearing a waist accelerometer, they thought that regular PA feedback would facilitate necessary goal-setting. Conclusions High recruitment and retention rates suggest that use of existing social support groups is an acceptable and attractive method of delivering a PA intervention to this population. A randomised controlled trial of the intervention appears feasible, but its design requires refinement of the social support component, facilitation of goal-setting and reconsideration of the assessment of PA. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02880449 . Registered on 26 August 2016. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13063-019-3312-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authoriz...

Implementing community-based health promotion in socio-economically disadvantaged areas: a qualitative study

“…14,15 Similar to NICE guidelines, 16 our findings highlight a need to recognise local context, social norms and community needs when designing and implementing health promotion initiatives and the importance of delivering services in familiar, inclusive community venues that match socio-cultural norms. The findings concur with previous evidence 17,18 that residents of certain areas were unlikely to attend some locations due to sociopolitical issues.…”

“…Social familiarity, being with like-minded people and being comfortable in a setting has been found to be conducive to recruitment and intervention effectiveness. 17,38 Further, our findings indicate that health promotion services that involve women from their community in leadership may help overcome the reported low female participation rates in PA programmes. 39,40 This study reveals that whilst delivery of services in convenient locations tended to increase participation, 19,41 some residents prefer the anonymity of 'out of area' services, potentially due to the perceived stigma of attendance.…”

Promoting Social Capital, Self-management and Health Literacy in Older Adults Through a Group-based Intervention Delivered in Low-income Urban Areas: Results of the Randomized Trial AEQUALIS

“…In contrast, other researchers have reported that nancial constraints and low socioeconomic status are barriers to effective self-management [42,43]. The use of existing social support groups has been also underlined as an acceptable and attractive method of delivering a self-management intervention to older people in socio-economically disadvantaged areas [44]. The results obtained in health literacy are in line with those reported from similar group-based interventions [45].…”

Promoting social capital, self-management and health literacy in older adults through a group-based intervention delivered in low-income urban areas: results of the randomized trial AEQUALIS

“…In contrast, other researchers have reported that financial constraints and low socioeconomic status are barriers to effective self-management [ 43 , 44 ]. The use of existing social support groups has been also underlined as an acceptable and attractive method of delivering a self-management intervention to older people in socio-economically disadvantaged areas [ 45 ]. The results obtained in health literacy are in line with those reported from similar group-based interventions [ 14 ].…”