Intervention Research using Promotoras: Benefits and Helpful Tips

New approaches are needed to provide primary and secondary prevention of childhood obesity. Home visits by public health nurses (PHN) are efficacious in addressing a multitude of maternal and child issues, especially with vulnerable populations. However, the prevalence of childhood obesity makes it prohibitive for all obese children to receive PHN home visits to provide interventions to prevent or reduce child obesity. This project is focused on testing a model of a community health worker (CHW)/promotora delivered intervention with supervision by a PHN. The project was established through community-based participatory research (CBPR) methods between a grassroots organization, the state and local health department public health nurses, and academic public health nurse researchers. The process to develop the project followed CBPR principles and has required much coordination on the part of the community group, the health departments and the academic institutions involved. Training of the promotoras has been very involved as they have had to learn skills of critical thinking as well as research methods. The presentation will provide guidance for other PHNs who wish to expand on CHW avenues to address pressing public health problems.