Promoting community readiness for physical activity among older adults in Germany – protocol of the ready to change intervention trial

BMC Public Health

Study Protocol

Dirk Gansefort¹  Tilman Brand¹  Hajo Zeeb²  Sabine Röseler³  Jochen Meyer⁴  Heinz Rothgang⁵ 

[1] Department Prevention and Evaluation, Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology – BIPS, Achterstr. 30, 28359, Bremen, Germany;Department Prevention and Evaluation, Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology – BIPS, Achterstr. 30, 28359, Bremen, Germany;Health Sciences Bremen, University of Bremen, Bibliothekstraße 1, 28359, Bremen, Germany;Gesundheitswirtschaft Nordwest e.V., Hinter dem Schütting 8, 28195, Bremen, Germany;OFFIS Institute for Information Technology, R&D Division Health, Escherweg 2, 26121, Oldenburg, Germany;University of Bremen, Centre for Social Policy Research (ZeS), Mary-Somerville-Straße 3, 28359, Bremen, Germany;

关键词: Physical activity;    Older adults;    Elderly;    Primary prevention;    Health equity;    Social determinants;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12889-016-2761-2

 received in 2016-01-14, accepted in 2016-01-20,  发布年份 2016

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundHealthy ageing is an important concern for many societies facing the challenge of an ageing population. Physical activity (PA) is a major contributor to healthy ageing; however insufficient PA levels are prevalent in old age in Germany. Community capacity building and community involvement are often recommended as key strategies to improve equitable access to prevention and health promotion. However, evidence for the effectiveness of these strategies is scarce. This study aims to assess the community readiness for PA promotion in local environments and to analyse the utility of strategies to increase community readiness for reaching vulnerable groups.Methods/DesignWe designed a mixed method intervention trial comprising three study modules. The first module includes an assessment of community readiness for PA interventions in older adults. The assessment is carried out in a sample of 24 municipalities in the Northwest of Germany using structured key informant interviews. In the second module, eight municipalities with the low community readiness are selected from the sample and randomly assigned to one of two study groups: active enhancement of community readiness (intervention) versus no enhancement (control). After enhancing community readiness in the active enhancement group, older adults in both study groups will be recruited for participation in a PA intervention. Participation rates are compared between the study groups to evaluate the effects of the intervention. In addition, a cost-effectiveness analysis is carried out calculating recruitment costs per person reached in the two study groups. In the third module, qualitative interviews are conducted with participants and non-participants of the PA intervention exploring reasons for participation or non-participation.DiscussionThis study offers the potential to contribute to the evidence base of reaching vulnerable older adults for PA interventions and provide ideas on how to reduce participation barriers. Its findings will inform governmental authorities, professionals, academics, and NGOs with an estimate of resources necessary to achieve equitable access to physical activity programs for vulnerable older adults.Trial registrationGerman Clinical Trials Register DRKS00009564 (Date of registration 03-11-2015)

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Brand et al. 2016