Providing Evidence-Based Research to Training Participants for Program Planning

1. Providing Evidence-Based Research to Training Participants for Program Planning Nadia Thind, MPH. Geraldine Oliva, MD, MPH. Brianna Gass, MPH. Judith Belfiori, MA, MPH.

2. Background Family Health Outcomes Project (FHOP) provides ongoing training and technical assistance to the 61 local health jurisdictions (LHJs) in California through a cooperative agreement with the state Maternal, Child, Adolescent Health (MCAH) Branch. In 2004 FHOP assisted the LHJs in doing a Title V required community needs assessment.

3. Objectives • Describe the benefits of the use of evidence-based research in trainings on developing an effective public health planning process • Understand the importance of providing training and technical assistance for program planning and implementation

4. Methods Between July 2004 and February 2005, FHOP developed curriculum focused on six priority problems identified in the LHJs’ Community Needs Assessment Reports

5. Overweight and obesity Low rates of breastfeeding Poor neonatal outcomes Perinatal substance abuse High risk behaviors in adolescents Childhood asthma Priority Problems FHOP developed curriculum focused on six priority problems identified in the LHJs’ Community Needs Assessment Reports

6. Training Methodology • Each training curricula was designed by FHOP staff to incorporate background information on the subject and an exercise on intervention strategy development, using a problem analysis diagram • In addition guest speakers, with expertise in one of the priority areas, were invited to speak at the trainings

7. Training Methodology • Speakers summarized peer-reviewed research on causal/ risk factors and proven or promising interventions • Guest speakers were encouraged to bring materials, annotated literature reviews and existing bibliographies to share with the participants

8. Training Methodology • Using existing knowledge, and new learned information, participants were divided into small groups that engaged in a exercise in developing a problem analysis diagram • Participants first identified precursors (individual, institutional and societal) and consequences of public health issues identified in their local assessments • They then identified potential causal pathways and intervention points and developed measurable outcome objectives

9. Societal/ Policy Level/ Tertiary Precursors Family/ Institutional Level/ Secondary Precursors Individual Level/ Primary Precursors PROBLEM ANALYSIS DIAGRAM Targeted Indicator: Consequences:

10. Limits and Challenges • Recruiting guest speakers with expertise in evidence-based research proved to be challenging - Time and financial constraints - Lack of experts in the specific topic areas - Lack of experts with familiarity with the LHJ context (resources, expertise and potential) • Evidence-based research on interventions for some problems were sparse and hard to find

11. Evaluation • Participants’ comments on evaluation forms included: • “Very good presenter. Great resources and explanations” • “Was very beneficial in planning strategies/ changes” • “Got some very good direction in going forward with our group process” • “It was extremely helpful to hear about potential interventions” • “Well-organized and full of very high caliber research

12. Conclusions • Overall, 88 participants from 30 LHJs and state agencies attended the 6 trainings • 10 guest speakers presented materials on specific problem areas addressed in the 2004 Community Needs Assessment Reports

13. Conclusions • Participants received literature reviews, data and other materials to take back to their LHJ, to share with members of their local planning process • All participants completed a problem analysis for a specific health topic that they could use to organize a rational planning process when they return to their LHJ