Evaluating the implementation of peer counseling in a church-based dietary intervention for African Americans

Allicock, Marlyn; Campbell, Marci K.; Valle, Carmina G.; Barlow, Jameta; Carr, Carol; Meier, Andrea; Gizlice, Ziya

doi:10.1016/j.pec.2009.11.018

Cited by 23 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…While we originally thought that giving the churches freedom to choose and implement their own events would improve sustainability and boost involvement, we found that without the necessary support, this approach was unsuccessful. This finding mirrors previous research indicating that a high level of training and support is needed to effectively implement church-based health promotion programs (Allicock et al, 2010). …”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Cluster Randomized Trial of a Church-Based Peer Counselor and Tailored Newsletter Intervention to Promote Colorectal Cancer Screening and Physical Activity Among Older African Americans

Leone

Allicock²,

Pignone

et al. 2016

Health Educ Behav

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The ACTS of Wellness was a cluster-randomized controlled trial developed to promote colorectal cancer screening and physical activity (PA) within urban African-American churches. Churches were recruited from North Carolina (n=12) and Michigan (n=7) and were randomized to intervention (n=10) or comparison (n=9). Church members age 50 and older completed self-administered baseline and post-intervention surveys. Intervention participants received 3 mailed tailored newsletters addressing colorectal cancer screening and PA behaviors over approximately 6 months. Individuals who were not up-to-date for screening at baseline could also receive motivational calls from a peer counselor. Comparison churches received Body & Soul, a fruit and vegetable promotion program. The main outcomes were up-to-date colorectal cancer screening and Metabolic Equivalency Task (MET)-hours/week of moderate-vigorous PA. MET-hours/week of PA was calculated using frequency, duration and intensity of reported activities with a MET score>3 (i.e. moderate intensity or greater). Multivariate analyses examined changes in the main outcomes controlling for church cluster, gender, marital status, weight and baseline values. Baseline screening was high in both intervention (75.9%, n=374) and comparison groups (73.7%, n=338). Screening increased at follow-up: +6.4 and +4.7 percentage points for intervention and comparison respectively (p=0.25). Baseline MET-hours/week of PA was 7.8 (95%CL 6.8–8.7) for intervention and 8.7 (95%CL 7.6–9.8) for the comparison group. There were no significant changes (p=0.15) in PA for intervention (−0.30 MET-hours/week) compared to the comparison (−0.05 MET-hours/week). Among intervention participants, PA increased more for those who participated in church exercise programs and screening improved more for those who spoke with a peer counselor or recalled the newsletters. Overall, the intervention did not improve PA or screening in an urban church population. These findings support previous research indicating that structured PA opportunities are necessary to promote change in PA and churches need more support to initiate effective peer counselor programs.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 88%

Cluster Randomized Trial of a Church-Based Peer Counselor and Tailored Newsletter Intervention to Promote Colorectal Cancer Screening and Physical Activity Among Older African Americans

Leone

Allicock²,

Pignone

et al. 2016

Health Educ Behav

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“…Other research with nonveteran peers using MI reported this skill as challenging for first-time learners (28). As with all learning, additional time and training led to increased skill.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Training Veterans to Provide Peer Support in a Weight-Management Program: MOVE!

Allicock¹,

Haynes-Maslow²,

Carr³

et al. 2013

Prev. Chronic Dis.

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IntroductionThe Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has implemented MOVE!, a weight-management program for veterans designed to address the increasing proportion of overweight and obese veterans. The objective of our study was to determine whether peer support employing motivational interviewing (MI) could positively influence lifestyle changes, thus expanding the reach of the MOVE! program. We describe the initial evaluation of the peer training program.MethodsWe developed an MI peer counselor training program for volunteer veterans, the “Buddies” program, to provide one-on-one telephone support for veterans enrolled in MOVE!. Buddies were recruited at 5 VHA sites and trained to provide peer support for the 6-month MOVE! intervention. We used a DVD to teach MI skills and followed with 2 to 3 booster sessions. We observed training, conducted pre- and posttraining surveys, and debriefed focus groups to assess training feasibility.ResultsFifty-six Buddies were trained. Results indicate positive receipt of the program (89% reported learning about peer counseling and 87% reported learning communication skills). Buddies showed a small improvement in MI self-efficacy on posttraining surveys. We also identified key challenges to learning MI and training implementation.ConclusionsMI training is feasible to implement and acceptable to volunteer Buddies. Trainers must assess how effectively volunteers learn MI skills in order to enhance its effective use in health promotion.

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“…In MI interventions, the counselor’s role is to explore coping resources in a safe, nonconfrontational, and supportive way using communication skills like reflective listening as opposed to persuasion or advice-giving. Although the majority of MI applications have been implemented by healthcare professionals, MI-based communication also has been used in peer counseling interventions focusing on healthy eating [17], smoking cessation [18], and HIV-related behavior change [19]. Few studies have applied MI techniques to cancer care health behaviors and cancer survivors.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Implementing a One-on-One Peer Support Program for Cancer Survivors Using a Motivational Interviewing Approach: Results and Lessons Learned

Allicock¹,

Carr

Johnson

et al. 2013

J Canc Educ

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Peer Connect matches cancer survivors and caregivers (guides) with those currently experiencing cancer-related issues seeking support (partners). Motivational interviewing (MI)-based communication skills are taught to provide patient-centered support. There is little guidance about MI-based applications with cancer survivors who may have multiple coping needs. This paper addresses the results and lessons learned from implementing Peer Connect. Thirteen cancer survivors and two caregivers received a 2-dayMI, DVD-based training along with six supplemental sessions. Nineteen partners were matched with guides and received telephone support. Evaluation included guide skill assessment (Motivational Interviewing Treatment Integrity Code) and 6-month follow-up surveys with guides and partners. Guides demonstrated MI proficiency and perceived their training as effective. Guides provided on average of five calls to each partner. Conversation topics included cancer fears, family support needs, coping and care issues, and cancer-related decisions. Partners reported that guides provided a listening ear, were supportive, and nonjudgmental. Limited time availability of some guides was a challenge. MI can provide support for cancer survivors and caregivers without specific behavioral concerns (e.g., weight and smoking). An MI support model was both feasible and effective and can provide additional support outside of the medical system.

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Evaluating the implementation of peer counseling in a church-based dietary intervention for African Americans

Cited by 23 publications

References 12 publications

Cluster Randomized Trial of a Church-Based Peer Counselor and Tailored Newsletter Intervention to Promote Colorectal Cancer Screening and Physical Activity Among Older African Americans

Cluster Randomized Trial of a Church-Based Peer Counselor and Tailored Newsletter Intervention to Promote Colorectal Cancer Screening and Physical Activity Among Older African Americans

Training Veterans to Provide Peer Support in a Weight-Management Program: MOVE!

Implementing a One-on-One Peer Support Program for Cancer Survivors Using a Motivational Interviewing Approach: Results and Lessons Learned

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