Emma R Lawlor1,2, Margaret E Cupples1,3, Michael Donnelly1, Mark A Tully1,4. 1. UKCRC Centre of Excellence for Public Health, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT12 6BA, UK. 2. MRC Epidemiology Unit, School of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Metabolic Science, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0SL, UK. 3. Department of General Practice and Primary Care, Department of General Practice and Primary Care, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7HR, UK. 4. Institute of Mental Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences, Ulster University, Newtownabbey BT37 0QB, UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There is a gradient relationship between socio-economic status and health. We investigated the views and perceptions of health promotion service providers regarding factors that affect lack of engagement in public health initiatives by residents in socio-economically disadvantaged (SED) communities. METHODS: We conducted semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of key providers (n = 15) of community-based health promotion services to elicit their views about engagement-related factors and their experiences of the provision, delivery and impact of health promotion in SED areas. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Failure to (i) recognise within SED communities, socio-cultural norms of health-related behaviour and (ii) communicate to local residents an understanding of complex lifestyle influences appeared to affect adversely service engagement and contribute to the development of negative attitudes towards health promotion. Engagement is more likely when services are delivered within familiar settings, peer support is available, initiatives are organized within existing groups, external incentives are offered and there are options regarding times and locations. Collaborative working between providers and communities facilitates efficient, context-sensitive service delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of a local community and its socio-environmental context alongside a collaborative, facilitative and tailored approach to delivery are required to ensure successful engagement of SED communities in health promotion.
BACKGROUND: There is a gradient relationship between socio-economic status and health. We investigated the views and perceptions of health promotion service providers regarding factors that affect lack of engagement in public health initiatives by residents in socio-economically disadvantaged (SED) communities. METHODS: We conducted semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of key providers (n = 15) of community-based health promotion services to elicit their views about engagement-related factors and their experiences of the provision, delivery and impact of health promotion in SED areas. Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: Failure to (i) recognise within SED communities, socio-cultural norms of health-related behaviour and (ii) communicate to local residents an understanding of complex lifestyle influences appeared to affect adversely service engagement and contribute to the development of negative attitudes towards health promotion. Engagement is more likely when services are delivered within familiar settings, peer support is available, initiatives are organized within existing groups, external incentives are offered and there are options regarding times and locations. Collaborative working between providers and communities facilitates efficient, context-sensitive service delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge of a local community and its socio-environmental context alongside a collaborative, facilitative and tailored approach to delivery are required to ensure successful engagement of SED communities in health promotion.
Authors: Janine E Janosky; Erin M Armoutliev; Anureet Benipal; Diana Kingsbury; Jennifer L S Teller; Karen L Snyder; Penny Riley Journal: Popul Health Manag Date: 2013-03-28 Impact factor: 2.459
Authors: Jillian D Colbert; Billie-Jean Martin; Mark J Haykowsky; Trina L Hauer; Leslie D Austford; Ross A Arena; Merril L Knudtson; Donald An Meldrum; Sandeep G Aggarwal; James A Stone Journal: Eur J Prev Cardiol Date: 2014-10-02 Impact factor: 7.804
Authors: Mairead Corrrigan; Margaret E Cupples; Susan M Smith; Molly Byrne; Claire S Leathem; Pauline Clerkin; Andrew W Murphy Journal: BMC Health Serv Res Date: 2006-07-18 Impact factor: 2.655
Authors: Claire L Cleland; Ruth F Hunter; Mark A Tully; David Scott; Frank Kee; Michael Donnelly; Lindsay Prior; Margaret E Cupples Journal: Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act Date: 2014-05-23 Impact factor: 6.457
Authors: Andrea J Bukman; Dorit Teuscher; Edith J M Feskens; Marleen A van Baak; Agnes Meershoek; Reint Jan Renes Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2014-10-04 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Houria El Ouazzani; Simon Fortin; Nicolas Venisse; Antoine Dupuis; Steeve Rouillon; Guillaume Cambien; Anne-Sophie Gourgues; Pascale Pierre-Eugène; Sylvie Rabouan; Virginie Migeot; Marion Albouy-Llaty Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-12-22 Impact factor: 3.390