Health Promotion Interventions and Logic Models

Creating Health Promotion Interventions

• Common characteristics of effective health promotion programs:
• Address one or more risk factors.
• Theory-driven: Grounded in established theoretical frameworks.
• Evidence-based: Supported by research and empirical evidence.
• Adhere to professional ethical standards: Must comply with ethical guidelines.
• Culturally appropriate: Tailored to the cultural contexts of the target population.
• Align with professional criteria, guidelines, and codes of practice.
• Utilize resources efficiently: Make optimal use of available resources.
• Include an evaluation component: Plan for assessing program effectiveness.

Intervention Planning

• Options for intervention planning:

1. Adopt an existing intervention:
   • Choose a proven intervention with evidence of success in similar populations and settings.
   • Ensure availability of comparable resources.
2. Adapt an existing intervention:
   • Modify an existing approach to better suit a new context while maintaining core elements.
3. Design a new intervention:
   • Develop a completely new strategy based on identified needs and evidence.

Adopting vs. Adapting

• Adopting an intervention:

• Implementing an existing approach in a new context without significant modifications.

• Assumes universal applicability of the intervention.

• Adapting an intervention:

• Modifying an approach to enhance suitability for a new context.

• Keeps core components but adjusts other factors to address local contextual issues.

Designing Appropriate Interventions

• Key terms:
• Best practices: Interventions validated through extensive research reviews.
• Best experiences: Interventions with promising outcomes but lacking full validation.
• Best processes: Original theories-based interventions.
  • Examples in tobacco cessation:
  • Best practices: Nicotine replacement therapy, counseling, combined therapies.
  • Best experiences: Delay tactics, support networks.
  • Best processes: Develop quit plans, quit-lines, apply the 5 A's framework.

Targeting and Tailoring

• Segmenting: Dividing a larger population into smaller, more manageable groups for focused interventions.
• Targeting: Delivering standardized information to the segmented groups.
• Tailoring: Creating interventions based on specific needs, interests, and circumstances of individuals.
• Intervention should speak directly to the target's context.

Logic Models

• Definition:

• A systematic and visual presentation of the relationships among program resources, planned activities, and intended changes or results.

• Importance of Logic Models:

• Communicate program purpose and expected results.

• Describe actions leading to desired results.

• Serve as a reference for all participants in the program.

• Enhance staff capabilities in planning, implementing, and evaluating.

• Involve stakeholders to strengthen resource commitment.

Basic Components of Logic Models

1. Inputs: Resources needed for implementation (manpower, materials, space, etc.).
2. Activities: Specific tasks or interventions carried out in the program (curricula, trainings, screenings).
3. Outputs: Expected results of activities, often measured by volume of work done (e.g., number of sessions completed).
4. Outcomes: Intended results categorized into short-term, medium-term, and long-term:

• Short-term: Changes in awareness, attitudes, knowledge, skills.
• Medium-term: Behavioral or environmental changes.
• Long-term: Risk reduction, health status improvement, quality of life enhancement.

Assumptions and External Factors in Logic Models

• Assumptions: Theoretical basis for expected program outcomes.
• External Factors: Barriers and facilitators affecting implementation; it's critical to clarify how these factors impact program success.

Example Logic Model

• Inputs:
• Dental hygienist, dental equipment, educational materials, community center, funding (grant).
• Activities:
• Provide free dental checkups and conduct educational sessions; establish partnerships with dental clinics.
• Outputs:
• Participants receive 1 dental checkup and attend 1 educational session; partnerships created.
• Outcomes:
• Improve dental awareness scores, increased dental visits, enhanced behavioral practices, maintained partnerships.