The value of process evaluation in a community-based cancer control program
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- 作者：Cunningham ; Louise E. ; Michielutte ; Robert ; Dignan ; Mark ; Sharp ; Penny ; Boxley ; Jeanne
- 关键词：Process evaluation ; Cancer screening ; Community education ; Public health department
- 刊名：Evaluation and Program Planning
- 出版年：2000
- 出版时间：February, 2000
- 年：2000
- 卷：23
- 期：1
- 页码：13-25
- 全文大小：153 K
文摘
The Cancer Awareness Program was a four-year community health education project conducted in six rural North Carolina counties. The educational program was designed to increase breast, cervical, and skin cancer screening behaviors in low income women. Female clients of the health department in each county, aged 20 and older, were eligible for the program. Program intervention activities were targeted both to the health departments and to the individual women, in addition to the community. Intervention activities included media messages, telephone counseling of participants, community presentations, printed materials, bulletin boards, and direct education. Process evaluation allowed for regular monitoring of all program components, identifying any areas in need of modification, and was developed for the long distance supervision of the project as well. Measures consisted of videotaping of presentations, meetings with key individuals and staff, participant evaluations and feedback, focus groups, and weekly activity reports from staff. The results of the process evaluation enabled investigators to pinpoint effective intervention components that led to desired results. In addition, it allowed investigators to define areas in need of modification, and adjust specific components. Final evaluation of the project indicated that the intervention significantly increased participation in screening for skin cancer and breast cancer. Included in the paper are the purposes of each process method, problems identified, and their resolution. Suggestions are made for use of process evaluation in community health education programs.