Evaluation in Health Education

What is evaluation

evaluation is essential for assessing the value of health education and health promotion programs/ interventions

what is the importance of evaluation

uses systematic, science-based methods to help improve a program, comparing it against ideal standards, and is related to behavior change

implementation (evaluation questions)

were program activities implemented as intended

effectiveness

is the program achieving the goals/ objectives

efficiency

are activities created with appropriate use of resources

cost-effectiveness

does the value/ benefit of achieving the program exceed the cost of the program

attribution

is progress towards goals/ objectives related to your progress

Evaluation

• aims to improve practice

• seeks to improve

• conducted in “real-world” settings

• stakeholder controlled

• propriety

• measures value

Research

• aims to test a hypothesis

• seeks to prove

• conducted in controlled environments

• investigator controlled

• generalizability

• measures facts

CDC’s Framework for Evaluation in Public Health

utility, feasibility, propriety, accuracy

utility

who needs the results?

feasibility

are the planned evaluation activities realistic given time, resources and expertise

propriety

does the evaluation protect the rights of individuals and protect the welfare of those involved? Does it engage those most directly affected

accuracy

will the evaluation produce findings that are valid and reliable

Precede-proceed planning model

evaluation during PROCEED aligns with the baseline data and objectives in PRECEDE

process evaluation

determines if the intervention was implemented as planned/ reached intended recipients

• time frame: during implementation and immediately post-implementation

impact evaluation (short/intermediate term)

assess changes in cognitive, behavioral, environmental indicators

• time frame: 6 months to 2-3 years

outcome evaluation (long term)

assessing changes in health indicators (mortality, morbidity, QOL)

• time frame: 5-10 years post-intervention

process objective

the low back pain prevention program will be taught 6 times during the intervention

impact objective

• environmental: by the end of the program 60% of state universities will enact smoke- free campus policies

• Behavioral- after 6 months, 80% of participants will engage in moderate intensity physical activity 5 days per week for a least 20 minutes per session

• Learning: after completing the program, 85% of viewers will believe that seat belts save lives

outcome objectives

after the program has been in effect for five years, there will be a 3% reduction in obesity rates among residents in Tuscaloosa County