Use of Implementation Mapping to Develop a Promotora Empowerment Training for a Faith-Based Physical Activity Program...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Behavior
• Community Health

Background:

• Physical activity (PA) interventions in faith-based organizations (FBOs) delivered by community health workers (promotoras) show promise for increasing PA.
• Promotoras face implementation challenges within FBOs, including limited support, resources, and organizational procedure navigation.
• Existing promotora training often lacks essential professional skills development to address these barriers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a promotora empowerment training program to enhance PA intervention implementation within FBOs.
• To increase physical activity levels among Latina parishioners through improved promotora capacity.
• To utilize Implementation Mapping to guide the systematic development of the training curriculum.

Main Methods:

• A needs assessment was conducted via focus groups with promotoras to identify training gaps.
• Implementation outcomes, performance objectives, and determinants were identified and mapped to change objectives.
• Empowerment Theory and Dialectical Behavior Therapy principles informed the training content, focusing on communication, problem-solving, and resource advocacy.

Main Results:

• Focus groups revealed promotoras need enhanced skills in resource advocacy and barrier problem-solving with FBO staff.
• Key implementation outcomes, performance objectives, and determinants were identified and structured using matrices.
• The training curriculum was developed focusing on practical skills such as communication, conflict resolution, and social media utilization.

Conclusions:

• The developed empowerment training addresses critical skill gaps for promotoras implementing PA interventions in FBOs.
• This study provides a roadmap for developing future promotora trainings and evaluating their impact on implementation outcomes.
• The findings demonstrate the utility of Implementation Mapping for improving intervention implementation in real-world settings for high-priority populations.