Designing viable, durable physical activity programs for cancer survivors: reflections from program participants and organizational leaders.

PURPOSE: Despite recommendations for cancer survivors to participate in routine physical activity (PA), offering programs that fit both survivors' needs and sponsoring organizations' resources remains a challenge. The purpose of this study is to explore the perspectives of cancer survivors and organizational stakeholders with the intent of developing PA peer-led programs that organizations can implement into their programming. METHODS: This study explored cancer survivors' (n = 11) and cancer care organizational stakeholders' (n = 27) perspectives on the design and feasibility of PA programs targeted for cancer survivors. Semi-structured interview guides were developed for survivors and stakeholders; interviews lasted approximately 30 min. Two analysts used a thematic analysis approach and independently conducted a line-by-line coding of each transcript. With guidance from a senior analyst, the codes were collapsed into themes and subthemes. RESULTS: The qualitative analysis of the interview data resulted in seven major themes relating to PA program development and success. Survivor-related themes included the following: (1) developing PA programs based on cancer survivors' characteristics and experiences; (2) perceived value and importance of accessible, face-to-face instruction; (3) ensuring success based on physical abilities and limitations of the survivor; and (4) the value of physician recommendation for PA participation. Organization-related themes included the following: (1) incorporating participant and community input into program offerings; (2) program feasibility and sustainability; (3) incorporating organizational experience when adopting new program initiatives. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the challenges of developing viable PA programs for cancer survivors and may guide organizations in future program development and implementation.

Male Participation in Reproductive Health Interventions in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Scoping Review.

CONTEXT: Despite improvements in reproductive health indicators among women living in Sub-Saharan Africa, the persistence of poor outcomes underscores the need to examine recent interventions to inform future research, programming and policy. Because men in this context have an outsize role in reproductive decision making, assessing their involvement in reproductive health programs is an important step in meeting men's needs, supporting women's health and improving family health. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted to identify relevant literature and assess evidence of the impact of male involvement in reproductive health interventions. Seven databases were searched using terms related to male involvement and reproductive health; searches were limited to research conducted in Sub-Saharan Africa and published in English between 2007 and 2018. Remaining studies were assessed by participant characteristics, settings, research design, theoretical frameworks, outcome measures and findings. RESULTS: Searches identified 18 studies conducted in eight countries. Interventions engaged participants by using such strategies as community health workers, written invitation, peers, community or religious leaders and media campaigns. Results show that men are willing to participate in reproductive health programs and that their involvement is associated with increased uptake of family planning services, and HIV counseling and testing; reduction in risk behaviors; and improved maternal health and spousal communication. CONCLUSIONS: Given the findings that male involvement is positively associated with improved reproductive health outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa, health providers and program planners should consider including men in reproductive health interventions, when feasible.

RESUMEN Contexto: A pesar de las mejoras observadas en los indicadores de salud reproductiva en las mujeres que viven en África subsahariana, la persistencia de malos resultados subraya la necesidad de examinar intervenciones recientes para sustentar futuras investigaciones, programas y políticas. Debido a que los hombres en este contexto tienen un papel enorme en la toma de decisiones reproductivas, evaluar su participación en los programas de salud reproductiva es un paso importante para responder a las necesidades de los hombres, apoyar la salud de las mujeres y mejorar la salud familiar. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión de alcance para identificar bibliografía relevante y evaluar la evidencia del impacto de la participación masculina en las intervenciones de salud reproductiva. Se realizaron búsquedas en siete bases de datos utilizando términos relacionados con la participación masculina y la salud reproductiva; las búsquedas se limitaron a investigaciones realizadas en África subsahariana y que fueron publicadas en inglés entre 2007 y 2018. Los estudios restantes se evaluaron según las características de los participantes, los entornos, el diseño de la investigación, los marcos teóricos, las medidas de resultado y los hallazgos. Resultados: Las búsquedas identificaron 18 estudios conducidos en ocho países. Las intervenciones involucraron a los participantes mediante estrategias tales como la labor de trabajadores de salud comunitarios, invitaciones por escrito, interacción con pares, líderes comunitarios o religiosos y campañas en los medios. Los resultados muestran que los hombres están dispuestos a participar en programas de salud reproductiva y que su participación está asociada con una mayor aceptación de los servicios de planificación familiar, así como de consejería y pruebas de VIH, reducción de comportamientos de riesgo, y mejor salud materna y comunicación conyugal. Conclusiones: Con base en los hallazgos que indican que la participación masculina se asocia positivamente con mejores resultados de salud reproductiva en el África subsahariana, los proveedores de servicios de salud y los planificadores de programas deberían considerar incluir a los hombres en las intervenciones de salud reproductiva cuando sea posible.

RÉSUMÉ Contexte: Malgré l'amélioration des indicateurs de santé reproductive chez les femmes d'Afrique subsaharienne, la persistance de résultats défavorables souligne la nécessité d'examiner les interventions récentes en vue d'éclairer la recherche, la programmation et les politiques futures. Étant donné, dans ce contexte, l'immense rôle des hommes dans les décisions ayant trait à la reproduction, l'évaluation de leur participation aux programmes de santé reproductive représente une étape importante en termes de réponse aux besoins des hommes, de soutien de la santé des femmes et d'amélioration de la santé des familles. Méthodes: Un examen de portée a été effectué pour identifier la littérature pertinente et évaluer les signes de l'impact de la participation masculine aux interventions de santé reproductive. La recherche a été menée dans sept bases de données au moyen de termes associés à la participation masculine et à la santé reproductive; elle s'est limitée aux études effectuées en Afrique subsaharienne et publiées en anglais entre 2007 et 2018. Les études restantes ont été évaluées d'après les caractéristiques des participants, les contextes, le plan de recherche, les cadres théoriques, les mesures de résultat et les observations. Résultats: La recherche a identifé 18 études menées dans huit pays. Les interventions engageaient les participants au moyen de stratégies recourant, notamment, aux agents de santé communautaire, aux invitations écrites, aux pairs, aux dirigeants communautaires ou religieux et aux campagnes médiatiques. Les résultats montrent que les hommes sont disposés à participer aux programmes de santé reproductive et que leur participation est associée à une adoption accrue des services de planification familiale et du conseil et dépistage du VIH, à la réduction des comportements à risques et à l'amélioration de la santé maternelle et de la communication au sein du couple. Conclusions: Face au constat de l'association positive entre la participation masculine et l'amélioration des résultats de santé reproductive en Afrique subsaharienne, il convient que les prestataires de santé et les planificateurs de programmes incluent si possible les hommes dans les interventions de santé reproductive.

Preparing promotoras to deliver health programs for Hispanic communities: training processes and curricula.

Training is an essential component of health programs that incorporate promotoras de salud (the Spanish term for community health workers) in the delivery of health education and behavioral interventions to Hispanics. During training sessions, promotoras are exposed to information and skill-building activities they need to implement the health programs. This analysis was one component of a broader study which explored program planners' approaches to recruiting and training promotoras to deliver and sustain health promotion programs for Hispanic women. The purpose of this study was to examine promotora-curriculum and training processes used to prepare promotoras to deliver health programs. The authors examined transcripts of 12 in-depth interviews with program planners and conducted a content analysis of seven different training materials used in their respective promotora programs. Interview themes and narratives included program planners' varying conceptualizations of promotora-training, including their personal definitions of "training the trainer," the practice of training a cadre of promotoras before selecting those best fit for the program, and the importance of providing goal-directed, in-depth training and supervision for promotoras. The content analysis revealed a variety of strategies used to make the training materials interactive and culturally competent. Study implications describe the importance of planners' provision of ongoing, goal-directed, and supervised training using both appropriate language and interactive methods to engage and teach promotoras.

The health of women and girls determines the health and well-being of our modern world: A white paper from the International Council on Women's Health Issues.

The International Council on Women's Health Issues (ICOWHI) is an international nonprofit association dedicated to the goal of promoting health, health care, and well-being of women and girls throughout the world through participation, empowerment, advocacy, education, and research. We are a multidisciplinary network of women's health providers, planners, and advocates from all over the globe. We constitute an international professional and lay network of those committed to improving women and girl's health and quality of life. This document provides a description of our organization mission, vision, and commitment to improving the health and well-being of women and girls globally.