Process evaluation of health fairs promoting cancer screenings

Abstract

Background: Low income and uninsured individuals often have lower adherence to cancer screening for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer. Health fairs are a common community outreach strategy used to provide cancerrelated health education and services. Methods: This study was a process evaluation of seven health fairs focused on cancer screening across the U.S. We conducted key-informant interviews with the fair coordinator and conducted baseline and follow-up surveys with fair participants to describe characteristics of participants as well as their experiences. We collected baseline data with participants at the health fairs and telephone follow-up surveys 6 months following the fair. Results: Attendance across the seven health fairs ranged from 41 to 212 participants. Most fairs provided group or individual education, print materials and cancer screening during the event. Overall, participants rated health fairs as very good and participants reported that the staff was knowledgeable and that they liked the materials distributed. After the fairs, about 60% of participants, who were reached at follow-up, had read the materials provided and had conversations with others about cancer screening, and 41% talked to their doctors about screening. Based on findings from evaluation including participant data and coordinator interviews, we describe 6 areas in planning for health fairs that may increase their effectiveness. These include: 1) use of a theoretical framework for health promotion to guide educational content and activities provided, 2) considering the community characteristics, 3) choosing a relevant setting, 4) promotion of the event, 5) considerations of the types of services to deliver, and 6) evaluation of the health fair. Conclusions: The events reported varied in reach and the participants represented diverse races and lower income populations overall. Most health fairs offered education, print materials and onsite cancer screening. Participants reported general satisfaction with these events and were motivated through their participation to read educational materials or discuss screening with providers. Public health professionals can benefit from this process evaluation and recommendations for designing and evaluating health fairs.

More Than a Health Fair: Preventive Health Care During COVID-19 Vaccine Events

“…A prior study showed only 23% to 63% of participants at a health fair reported having a recommended follow-up discussion with doctors, but the study reported no outcome of completed cancer screenings. 25…”

Community Health Benefits Through a Student-Run Nonprofit Pediatric Wellness Clinic

“…The use of community health screening events conducted by student health professionals has been shown in other studies to both increase community engagement and have a positive benefit for medical education [ 13 ]. There is evidence that community engagement can decrease the risk of developing chronic disease, particularly for minority groups [ 14 ]. Studies have further shown that communities lacking resources have poorer health outcomes [ 15 ].…”

“…Therefore, health screening fairs provided to the community at no cost serve as key mediators to improve health outcomes, especially for poorly resourced communities. The benefit of utilizing health fairs has been found to be appreciated by participants, as noted by one study that followed up with individuals who participated in a cancer screening event [ 14 ]. The researchers found that most participants in these health fairs believed they benefited from the event and were motivated to take action, further highlighting how health fairs can effectively educate the community they engage [ 14 ].…”

“…The benefit of utilizing health fairs has been found to be appreciated by participants, as noted by one study that followed up with individuals who participated in a cancer screening event [ 14 ]. The researchers found that most participants in these health fairs believed they benefited from the event and were motivated to take action, further highlighting how health fairs can effectively educate the community they engage [ 14 ]. This study sought to demonstrate the efficacy and need for a student-run monthly pediatric health screening program in an underserved pediatric demographic.…”