The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #69460

Laura A Linnan, ScD, CHES¹, Yvonne Owens Ferguson, MPH¹, Yvonne Wasilewski, PhD, MPH¹, Jingzhen (Ginger) Yang, MPH¹, Veronica L Carlisle, MPH², Ann Marie Lee, MPH, CHES¹, and Mira L. Katz, PhD, MPH². (1) Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, UNC Chapel Hill School of Public Health, CB #7440, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7440, 919 843-8044, linnan@email.unc.edu, (2) Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, CB #7440, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7440

The North Carolina BEAUTY and Health Project explored the feasibility of recruiting and training licensed cosmetologists to deliver health promotion messages to their customers using community-based participatory research methods over a two year period. A BEAUTY Advisory Board assisted in the pilot project planning, development and evaluation. Licensed cosmetologists and their customers from two beauty salons participated in the pilot study. Both qualitative (cosmetologist interviews) and quantitative (customer/cosmetologist surveys) methods were used to assess customer satisfaction, readiness to change, and self-reported health behavior changes immediately post-intervention and at 12-months. Participating cosmetologists were trained to deliver healthy eating and physical activity messages to their customers over a seven-week intervention period during routine salon appointments. Salon health education displays reinforced these messages. All trained cosmetologists reported they would continue delivering health messages beyond the pilot intervention; 81% of customers read the health education displays; 86% of customers talked with their cosmetologist about the BEAUTY Project. At a 12-month follow-up, 55% of customers reported making changes in their health because of the conversations they had with their cosmetologist. Customers who spoke more often with their cosmetologists about health also reported a higher percentage of self-reported behavior changes. Results suggest that participatory research methods were helpful in planning and implementing this community-based intervention; and indicate that beauty salons and licensed cosmetologists are willing and able community partners for promoting health.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:
• Describe 3 participatory strategies that were used to plan and implement the North Carolina BEAUTY and Health Project;
• Explain 3 key findings of the pilot intervention conducted in two beauty salons;
• List at least 3 reasons why beauty salons are a promising place for delivering future public health interventions

Keywords: Community Health, Community Participation

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: none
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.