Citation

Macridis S, García Bengoechea E, McComber AM, Jacobs J, Macaulay AC. Eval. Program Plann. 2016; 56: 99-108.

Affiliation

Participatory Research at McGill, Department of Family Medicine, McGill University, 5858 Chemin de la Côte-des-Neiges, Suite 300, Montreal, QC H3S 1Z1, Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2016.02.003

PMID

27085485

Abstract

BACKGROUND: School-based physical activity (PA) interventions, including school active transportation (AT), provide opportunities to increase daily PA levels, improves fitness, and reduces risk of diseases, such as type 2 diabetes. Based on a community-identified need, the Kahnawake Schools Diabetes Prevention Project, within an Indigenous community, undertook school travel planning to contribute to PA programming for two elementary schools.

METHODS: Using community-based participatory research, the Active & Safe Routes to School's School Travel Planning (STP) process was undertaken in two schools with an STP-Committee comprised of community stakeholders and researchers. STP activities were adapted for local context including: school profile form, family survey, in-class travel survey, pedestrian-traffic observations, walkability checklist, and student mapping.

RESULTS: STP data were jointly collected, analyzed and interpreted by researchers and community. Traffic-pedestrian observations, walkability and parent surveys identified key pedestrian-traffic locations, helped develop safe/direct routes, and traffic calming strategies. In-class travel and mapping surveys identified a need and student desire to increase school AT. The STP-Committee translated findings into STP-action plans for two schools, which were implemented in 2014-2015 school year.

CONCLUSIONS: Combining CBPR with STP merges community and researcher expertise. This project offered evidence-informed practice for active living promotions. Experience and findings could benefit Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.

Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Language: en