Elsevier

Evaluation and Program Planning

Volume 65, December 2017, Pages 54-68
Evaluation and Program Planning

Assessing participants’ perceptions on group-based principles for action in community-based health enhancing physical activity programmes: The APEF tool

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2017.07.002Get rights and content
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Highlights

  • Describes the Active Participation, Enjoyment, and Fostering group processes tool.

  • The APEF tool probes group discussions on group-based principles for action.

  • The APEF tool is relevant in CPHEPA programmes.

  • The APEF tool generates quantitative and qualitative data at group level.

  • The APEF tool needs strong facilitating skills to manage group dynamics.

Abstract

In community-based health enhancing physical activity (CBHEPA) programmes, group-based principles for action such as active participation, enjoyment, and fostering group processes are widely advocated. However, not much is known about participants’ perceptions of these principles as there are no assessment tools available. Therefore, this article describes the development of the APEF (Active Participation, Enjoyment, and Fostering group processes) tool and reports on its implementation in a Dutch CBHEPA programme. Indicators for the principles have been identified from literature research, interviews with professionals, and secondary analysis of three group interviews with 11 practitioners. To address the identified indicators, the APEF tool was developed, pretested, and used in 10 focus groups with 76 participants.

The APEF tool consists of eight statements about group-based principles for action, on which CBHEPA participants vote, followed by in-depth discussion. The voting procedure engages participants. Spider diagrams visualise participants’ perceptions of group-based principles.

The APEF tool addresses the challenge of relating group level outcomes to individual outcomes such as physical activity behaviour. The tool facilitates as well as evaluates group-based principles for action, it stimulates dialogue and is culturally sensitive, but it needs strong facilitating skills to manage group dynamics.

Abbreviations

APEF
Active Participation, Enjoyment, and Fostering group processes
CBHEPA
Community-Based Health Enhancing Physical Activity
CoM
Communities on the Move
FG
Focus Group
HEPA
Health Enhancing Physical Activity
SCT
Social Cognitive Theory

Keywords

Health enhancing physical activity
Community health promotion
Principles for action
Measurement instrument
Participatory evaluation
Group dynamics

Cited by (0)

Dr Ir Marion Herens recently finalised her PhD research in which she evaluated the impact of Dutch community-based physical activity programmes targeting socially vulnerable groups. In the domain of health and physical activity promotion, she has held multiple job positions, relating predominantly to the formulation, implementation, and evaluation of lifestyle interventions and health policy at national and municipal level. She has facilitated many interactive planning processes and is a skilled trainer. Presently, she holds the position of food and nutrition security expert at Wageningen University & Research - Centre for Development Innovation (CDI).

Dr Ir Annemarie Wagemakers, Associate Professor, has wide experience with complex public health-promotion projects. Her research focuses on the combined influence of lifestyle and the social and physical environment of health and well-being in real-life settings. The research is usually based on the use of mixed methods including action research methods, strong stakeholder participation including low SES groups, integral health policy, and interdisciplinary approaches. Currently, Annemarie is amongst other things project leader and co-promotor in the projects ‘Connecting Care, Sport and Physical Activity’ and ‘Care-Physical Activity Initiatives’, and she is co-promotor of the project ‘Citizen Science for Public Health’.

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Present address: Wageningen University & Research, Centre for Development Innovation, PO Box 88, 6700 AB Wageningen, The Netherlands.