Test of an intervention to improve knowledge of women with intellectual disabilities about cervical and breast cancer screening.

BACKGROUND: There is a critical need for evidence-based health education interventions for women with intellectual disabilities (IDs) to promote receipt of preventive health screenings. Previous research has established Women Be Healthy, an 8-week classroom-style intervention designed to teach women with IDs about breast and cervical cancer screenings, as a promising practice. However, additional research is needed to determine how to further improve screening-related knowledge gains. This study aimed to test a modified version of Women Be Healthy, Women Be Healthy 2, and compare its effectiveness in increasing knowledge gains to the original intervention. METHOD: Women living in the community across one state in the United States were randomly assigned to a treatment (n = 98), delayed treatment, (n = 35), or no intervention group (n = 65). Women in the treatment group received Women Be Healthy, and women in the delayed treatment group received the modified Women Be Healthy 2. Baseline and post-intervention interviews were conducted to measure knowledge of cervical and breast cancer screening. Knowledge scores were compared across groups. RESULTS: Among the nine knowledge items measured, one breast knowledge measure and one cervical knowledge measure showed statistically significant group differences; marginally significant differences were observed for two other knowledge measures. After adjusting for covariates, women who received Women Be Healthy 2 had increased knowledge overall compared with the women receiving no intervention. CONCLUSION: Women Be Healthy 2 is promising, but additional efforts appear necessary to increase the knowledge women with IDs have about cervical and breast cancer screening.

Recruitment and consent of women with intellectual disabilities in a randomised control trial of a health promotion intervention.

BACKGROUND: The need for evidence-based health promotion interventions for women with intellectual and developmental disabilities is critical. However, significant barriers impede them from participating in research, including those related to recruitment and obtaining informed consent. METHODS: This study describes a procedure for the recruitment and consent of women with intellectual disabilities into a community-based, multi-site randomised controlled trial. RESULTS: Of 269 women who participated in information sessions, 203 (75%) enrolled in the study. While women with and without legal guardians consented at the same approximate rates (83% and 85%, respectively), those with legal guardians enrolled at significantly lower rates (61%) because of lower rates (74%) of guardian consent. CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to recruit community-dwelling women with intellectual disabilities into randomised controlled trials at relatively high participation rates. Recruiting women who have guardians poses additional challenges for researchers.

Peer education and advocacy through recreation and leadership.

Peer Education and Advocacy through Recreation and Leadership (PEARL) is an intervention based on principles of peer helping and psychosocial rehabilitation. Trained peers working as recreation advocates provided support to peers in psychosocial rehabilitation settings. Advocates promoted peer involvement in recreation and community activities as a strategy to enhance social support, independence, community inclusion, and quality of life. Evaluation findings indicate positive impacts on quality of life, empowerment, employment and educational preparedness among advocates. Outcomes of the PEARL project included developing a peer training curriculum, expanded leadership roles for participants, and improved quality of recreation services available within psychosocial rehabilitation programs.

Improving functional outcomes with recreational therapy.

If you suddenly were incapacitated, wouldn't you expect your health care team to use interventions that were cost-effective, relevant to your recovery goals, and conducive to improved functional outcomes? Recreational therapy (RT), also known as therapeutic recreation, is a value-added treatment mode that contributes to improved functioning, independence, and recovery. This article provides information about RT, its accessibility, and its benefits.