Assessing the research use and needs of organizations promoting healthy living for adults with disabilities

Abstract

The uptake of research in community-based organizations (CBOs) is low and still unknown in CBOs that promote active and healthy living in adults with a disability. Using the knowledge to action framework, the objectives of this study were to determine if a gap exists regarding the use of research in CBOs, to learn about the preferred method to receive/read research evidence and to identify the barriers and facilitators of research use. Sixty-two employees of CBOs answered an online questionnaire. A research use gap was found as only 53 % of employees indicated they often or always use research. Conferences, emails and short research summaries were the favoured method of receiving/reading research information. Education, time and financial resources were important barriers to research use, while attitudes, intentions and self-efficacy were facilitators. More efforts are needed to develop tools to help CBOs use research. KeywordsKnowledge translation, Theory of planned behaviour, Community-based organizations, Research use Health promotion is imperative for adults with a disability as these individuals are at an increased risk of being obese and developing chronic diseases [1]. Currently, the average body mass index (BMI) of adults with a physical disability [mean=28.2 kg/m 2 , 95 % confidence interval (CI)=27.8-28.6) is significantly higher than the average BMI of able-bodied samples (mean=26.0 kg/m 2 , 95 % CI=25.8-26.2) [1]. In addition, adults with a disability have a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and asthma, higher levels of blood pressure and cholesterol [1] and are more likely to be inactive than adults without a disability (25.6 vs 12.8 %) [2]. Despite evidence of successful interventions improving the health of these populations [3][4][5], health discrepancies between adults with and without a disability still exist. Turning to community-based organizations (CBOs) may be the next step for health promotion. CBOs have the potential to play a pivotal role in helping to address these health disparities.CBOs are defined as not-for-profit organizations that have a structured organization (e.g. board of governors) and are guided by a strategic plan. These organizations habitually deliver programs and services to their community members who are often marginalized members of society (e.g. adults with a disability) [6]. As a result, CBOs are in direct, regular contact with adults with a disability [7] and are well positioned to implement and deliver evidence-based health promotion programs. However, virtually no structures or tools are in place to translate health promotion research into practice in CBOs [6,7]. Using research evidence to inform program development is important because it can improve the effectiveness of the programs currently delivered by CBOs [6]. Determining if CBOs use research and the factors associated with its use will provide a foundation for developing strategies to increase the uptake and application of research within these CBOs.The rate of research use is ...

Drawing on Related Knowledge to Advance Multiple Sclerosis Falls-Prevention Research

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