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Published on: March 7, 2019
Assessing the Acceptability of a Preschool-Based Multi-Component Physical Activity Intervention Entitled "I'm an
Mosfer A Al-Walah1,2, Shayek S Alotaibi3, Adel A Alhusaini4
1Centre for Public Health, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT12 6BA, UK.
Insights
The IAAH intervention was highly acceptable to preschool staff and parents, with high reported rates. Addressing barriers like time and space is key for future trials evaluating this physical activity program.
Area of Science:
- Child Health
- Public Health Interventions
- Early Childhood Education
Background:
- Preschool-based interventions are crucial for increasing physical activity (PA) in early childhood.
- A 10-week intervention was developed using the UK Medical Research Council's framework for complex interventions.
- A cluster feasibility randomised controlled trial (RCT) was conducted to test the intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the acceptability of the 10-week IAAH intervention.
- Assess feasibility among preschool staff and parents within a cluster feasibility RCT.
Main Methods:
- Mixed-methods process evaluation embedded within a cluster feasibility RCT.
- Post-intervention questionnaires for preschool staff (n=4) and parents (n=9).
- Focus groups with preschool staff (n=3) and parents (n=7); quantitative and qualitative data analysis.
Main Results:
- High acceptability reported: 94.5% by staff (10.4/11) and 86% by parents (5.2/6).
- Facilitators included user-friendly materials and curriculum alignment.
- Barriers identified: time constraints, space limitations, policy conflicts, and parental engagement challenges.
Conclusions:
- The IAAH program demonstrated acceptability among preschool staff and parents.
- Identified barriers require addressing for future efficacy trials.
- Further research should focus on optimizing intervention delivery and engagement.
Background:
Interventions within preschool settings have gained prominence due to the need to increase physical activity (PA) in early childhood. We first developed a 10-week preschool-based behaviour change intervention, guided by the UK Medical Research Council's framework for complex interventions. We then conducted a cluster feasibility randomised controlled trial (RCT) among young children.
Aim:
This process evaluation was embedded within the cluster feasibility RCT and aimed to assess the acceptability of the 10-week IAAH intervention among both preschool staff and parents.
Methods:
The study utilised a mixed method, involving post-intervention questionnaires completed by preschool staff (n = 4) and children's parents/caregivers (n = 9) and focus groups with preschool staff (n = 3) and parents/caregivers (n = 7). Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS to calculate acceptability scores, while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis using NVivo 12.
Results:
The intervention was well-received, with preschool staff reporting a 94.5% acceptability rate (mean score of 10.4 out of 11) and parents/caregivers indicating an 86% acceptance rate (mean score of 5.2 out of 6). Thematic analysis of focus group discussions revealed facilitators to intervention delivery, such as user-friendly materials and alignment with preschool curricula, and identified barriers, including time constraints, spatial limitations, and policy conflicts. Parental engagement was hindered by time restrictions, although the intervention materials were praised for their clarity and visual appeal.
Conclusions:
The findings suggest that the IAAH programme was acceptable to both preschool staff and parents. However, the identified barriers to intervention delivery and engagement should be addressed in the planning of a future cluster RCT to evaluate the efficacy of the intervention.
