Elsevier

Contemporary Clinical Trials

Volume 45, Part B, November 2015, Pages 404-415
Contemporary Clinical Trials

Fe en Accion/Faith in Action: Design and implementation of a church-based randomized trial to promote physical activity and cancer screening among churchgoing Latinas

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cct.2015.09.008Get rights and content

Abstract

Objectives

To describe both conditions of a two-group randomized trial, one that promotes physical activity and one that promotes cancer screening, among churchgoing Latinas. The trial involves promotoras (community health workers) targeting multiple levels of the Ecological Model. This trial builds on formative and pilot research findings.

Design

Sixteen churches were randomly assigned to either the physical activity intervention or cancer screening comparison condition (approximately 27 women per church). In both conditions, promotoras from each church intervened at the individual- (e.g., beliefs), interpersonal- (e.g., social support), and environmental- (e.g., park features and access to health care) levels to affect change on target behaviors.

Measurements

The study’s primary outcome is min/wk of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) at baseline and 12 and 24 months following implementation of intervention activities. We enrolled 436 Latinas (aged 18–65 years) who engaged in less than 250 min/wk of MVPA at baseline as assessed by accelerometer, attended church at least four times per month, lived near their church, and did not have a health condition that could prevent them from participating in physical activity. Participants were asked to complete measures assessing physical activity and cancer screening as well as their correlates at 12- and 24-months.

Summary

Findings from the current study will address gaps in research by showing the long term effectiveness of multi-level faith-based interventions promoting physical activity and cancer screening among Latino communities.

Section snippets

Overview of study design and research aims

This two-group randomized controlled trial combines innovative and traditional methods for promoting MVPA and cancer screening (breast, cervical, colorectal, and skin) among Latinas, and is tested simultaneously in a two-group design. Both interventions lasted two years. The study’s primary outcome was min/week of accelerometer-assessed MVPA at baseline (M1) and 12 months (M2) and 24 months (M3) following the start of the intervention. We selected cancer screening as a comparison condition given

Discussion

To our knowledge, this is the first two-group randomized controlled trial evaluating the impact of multi-level interventions promoting physical activity and cancer screening among low-active Latinas. The group activities as well as the Motivational Interviewing were designed to deliver physical activity and cancer screening educational information, facilitate physical activity and cancer screening social support, identify and address environmental barriers, and provide positive reinforcement

Acknowledgements

Preparation of this paper was supported by funding from the National Cancer Institute (R01CA138894; R01CA138894-04S1).The authors report no competing interests.

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