Process Evaluation
The mission of this program is to improve nutrition to reduce the risk or progression of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and hypertension in the inner city of Baltimore, MD, through the implementation of faith-based interventions. The program goals are to increase nutrition literacy, focusing on the self-efficacy of individuals, to equip them with the knowledge to make healthier choices, and increase food access with the establishment of a Farmer’s Market on Church property or within walking distance of the church.
The guiding construct of this program is the social cognitive theory which emphasizes the belief that health behaviors are largely influenced by an expectation that an action will lead to a desired outcome and the expectation that the individual can perform the action or change the behavior (self-efficacy).
Two of the primary objectives of the Nutrition For A Healthful Life program: conducting monthly nutrition lessons and establishing a new Farmer’s market to improve access; both work toward increasing self-efficacy and improving food access for this inner-city community,
COMPLETE AND ACCEPTABLE DELIVERY OF NUTRITION FOR A HEALTHFUL LIFE
The implementation of the Nutrition for A Healthful Life program will consist of three components: an environmental component focused on the establishment of a new Farmer’s Market to increase food security, a training component to increase nutrition literacy, and a health communication component to provide continued access to information.
The Environmental Component
-
Program Fidelity – Assess the feasibility of a stationary Farmer’s Market (held on Church grounds) or a Mobile Farmer’s Market.
-
Dose delivered – Study to be conducted by the program team at least three months prior to program implementation to establish a timeframe for Farmer’s Market opening.
-
Dose received – Program team to meet monthly with Church leadership to provide status on city approval of required documents.
-
Reach – The initial reach (opening of the Market-potentially 6 months after the program starts) will target Church members participating in the program.
The Training Component
-
Program Fidelity – Nutrition Program team will meet at least 60 days prior to the program start date to compose lesson plans/structure, develop presentation materials, and design infographics for distribution to participants and for display in the vestibule of the complex (with Church leadership approval).
-
Dose delivered – Nutrition educators will provide monthly nutrition education lessons to program participants.
-
Dose received – after 90 days (3 lessons), participants will complete a survey.
-
Reach – In the first 90 days, the participant’s attendance at the training program will be assessed by sign-in sheets at in-person meetings.
The Health Communication Component
-
Program Fidelity – Nutrition education lessons (held monthly) will establish core nutrition principles of a well-balanced nutrition plan and will highlight focused nutrition choices to decrease the risk or progression of type 2 diabetes or hypertension. Also, a website will be designed by the Program team and will be referenced in the first nutrition education lesson.
-
Dose delivered – Content (PowerPoint slides/infographics) will be distributed during the monthly nutrition education lessons.
-
Dose received – A website tracking tool will be implemented to measure the amount of traffic and activity on the webpage. Additionally, the program team will monitor how often the display of infographics is replenished. This could indicate the amount of interest from program participants as well as Church congregants who may or may not be participating in the program.
-
Reach – The response rate will be tracked and will guide future decisions on the best types of outreach.