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Integrating an ecological approach into an Aboriginal community-based chronic disease prevention program: a longitudinal process evaluation

Cargo, Margaret, Marks, Elisabeth, Brimblecombe, Julie K., Scarlett, Maria S., Maypilama, Elaine, Dhurrkay, Joanne Garnggulkpuy and Daniel, Mark (2011). Integrating an ecological approach into an Aboriginal community-based chronic disease prevention program: a longitudinal process evaluation. BMC Public Health,11(1):299-307.

Document type: Journal Article
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Title Integrating an ecological approach into an Aboriginal community-based chronic disease prevention program: a longitudinal process evaluation
Author Cargo, Margaret
Marks, Elisabeth
Brimblecombe, Julie K.
Scarlett, Maria S.
Maypilama, Elaine
Dhurrkay, Joanne Garnggulkpuy
Daniel, Mark
Journal Name BMC Public Health
Publication Date 2011
Volume Number 11
Issue Number 1
ISSN 14712458   (check CDU catalogue open catalogue search in new window)
Start Page 299
End Page 307
Total Pages 9
Place of Publication United Kingdom
Publisher BioMed Central Ltd.
HERDC Category C1 - Journal Article (DIISR)
Abstract Background: Public health promotes an ecological approach to chronic disease prevention, however, little research has been conducted to assess the integration of an ecological approach in community-based prevention programs. This study sought to contribute to the evidence base by assessing the extent to which an ecological approach was integrated into an Aboriginal community-based cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes prevention program, across three-intervention years.

Methods: Activity implementation forms were completed by interview with implementers and participant observation across three intervention years. A standardised ecological coding procedure was applied to assess participant recruitment settings, intervention targets, intervention strategy types, extent of ecologicalness and organisational partnering. Inter-rater reliability for two coders was assessed at Kappa = 0.76 (p < .0.001), 95% CI (0.58, 0.94).

Results: 215 activities were implemented across three intervention years by the health program (HP) with some activities implemented in multiple years. Participants were recruited most frequently through organisational settings in years 1 and 2, and organisational and community settings in year 3. The most commonly utilised intervention targets were the individual (IND) as a direct target, and interpersonal (INT) and organisational (ORG) environments as indirect targets; policy (POL), and community (COM) were targeted least. Direct (HP→ IND) and indirect intervention strategies (i.e., HP→ INT→ IND, HP→ POL → IND) were used most often; networking strategies, which link at least two targets (i.e., HP→[ORG-ORG]→IND), were used the least. The program did not become more ecological over time.

Conclusions: The quantity of activities with IND, INT and ORG targets and the proportion of participants recruited through informal cultural networking demonstrate community commitment to prevention. Integration of an ecological approach would have been facilitated by greater inter-organisational collaboration and centralised planning. The upfront time required for community stakeholders to develop their capacity to mobilise around chronic disease is at odds with short-term funding cycles that emphasise organisational accountability.
Keywords chronic disease prevention program
Aboriginal community-based cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes prevention program
DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-11-299   (check subscription with CDU E-Gateway service for CDU Staff and Students  check subscription with CDU E-Gateway in new window)


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