|
The following projects have been highlighted because they are innovative, collaborative, and have had impact.
Addressing Familial Hypercholesterolemia : A Model Program for States. (1998-99)
Principal Investigator: Dr. William Neal (wneal@hsc.wvu.edu)
This project examined how effective universal blood cholesterol screening of pre-pubertal children is in identifying children and their parents at risk for developing premature coronary heart disease. Three rural Appalachian counties were randomly selected to participate in the pilot phase of a study. Students at the West Virginia University Health Sciences Center interviewed subjects to obtain family history of coronary artery disease, physical activity, dietary and anxiety profiles; and performed a series of screening tests on 349 5th graders (mean age 10.9 years). Follow-up tests were performed on children with positive test results and their parents.
This study, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), evolved into the nationally acclaimed Coronary Artery Risk Detection in Appalachian Communities (CARDIAC) Project. For more information about the CARDIAC Project, visit http://www.cardiacwv.org/
WV Health Education Assessment Project (HEAP) (2003)
Principal Investigator: Dr. Nancy O’Hara Tompkins
The WV Health Education Assessment was administered to 17,000 students in 242 schools in the Spring of 2003. Questions on the assessment covered alcohol and other drugs, injury prevention, nutrition, physical activity, tobacco, and growth and development. In collaboration with the WV Department of Education, Dr. O’Hara Tompkins analyzed the HEAP data in a series of reports, and linked these data with the Youth Risk Behavior Survey and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey.
Results of the study suggest significant variations among students in the different grade levels. High school students failed to meet the standard on all the health education content areas. The results also displayed gender variations; females scored significantly higher than males suggesting that health education should be conducted in a way to meet the needs of males and females.
The assessments of this study presented the need for more teacher training, support, and practice in implementing the WV health education Content Standards and Objectives (CSOs), which adopt a skills-based approach to health education that enable the students to practice the skills they need to avoid risky and unhealthy situations and adopt healthier lifestyles. These changes not only encourage teachers to increase their commitment to providing quality school health education, but also illustrate how a state education agency can implement assessment strategies and monitoring recommended by the CDC.
O’Hara Tompkins, N. Kamal, K, Chapman, D. The West Virginia Health Education Assessment Project. Journal of School Health, 75(6): 193-198, 2005.
Use of a Community Trail Among New and Habitual Exercisers: A Preliminary Assessment (2001)
Principal Investigator: Paul M. Gordon, West Virginia University, School of Medicine, Department of Human Performance and Exercise Science
The Trails Project evaluated physical activity patterns and trail use among new and habitually active exercisers. Using a cross-sectional study design, 414 adults who accessed two new trails were interviewed onsite. Recent trail activity patterns were obtained, including the following: frequency of use, mode of activity, duration, distance traveled on trail, access points, time of day used, use of exercise companions, and distance traveled to get to trail. Perceived enablers and barriers related to trail use were also obtained. Data were compared between newly adopted exercisers (new exercisers) and individuals active prior to development of the trails (habitually active exercisers).
Both safety and terrain issues emerged as enablers for trail use, and unsafe conditions emerged as a concern among new exercisers. A community trail may be an important vehicle for promoting physically active lifestyles. However, new exercisers must overcome issues of proximal and safe access from residential areas in addition to other safety concerns to achieve regular physical activity.
Gordon PM, Zizzi SJ, Pauline J. Use of a community trail among new and habitual exercises: a preliminary assessment. Preventing Chronic Disease, Oct;1(4), 2004.
School-based Tobacco Policy Study (1996)
Principal Investigator: Dr. Nancy O’Hara Tompkins
In the mid-1990's, the WV Department of Education (WVDE), Office of Healthy Schools made a commitment to developing and sustaining a research-based "state-of the art" school tobacco policy. We formed an academic-community partnership representing the WVDE, WV Bureau for Public Health, and the PRC. Under the direction of the PRC's Dr. Nancy O'Hara Tompkins, the team conducted a content analysis on county tobacco policies to determine their consistency with CDC guidelines. Additionally, a state-wide survey of school principals was conducted.
This research project resulted in:
- a CDC-compliant revision of the state's and all 55 county tobacco policies within 1 year;
- web-based distribution of evidence-based policy implementation guidelines;
- increase in efforts to promote an educational, rather than a punitive approach to tobacco control and to focus on teen smoking cessation;
- resources for the development of the evidenced-based, federally-recognized Not On Tobacco program (now available in almost every WV high school and in 49 states);
- publications co-authored by researchers and practitioners;
- an ongoing, state-wide, research-policy-practice partnership for school-based tobacco control; and
- a spring-board for additional partnerships beyond tobacco control.
O’Hara Tompkins, N., Dino, G., Zedosky, L., Harman, M., and Shaler, G. A collaborative partnership to enhance school-based tobacco control policies in West Virginia. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 16(13s): 29-34, 1999.
Kaleidoscope Community Learning Center (2002-2004)
Principal Investigator: Dr. Kimberly Horn
The Evaluation Oversight and Coordinating Unit of the Prevention Research Center was evaluated an Elementary after school program supported by a three-year grant from the 21st Century Community Learning Center (U.S. Department of Education) The Kaleidoscope Program, which served over 1000 students from 12 schools in Monongalia County, operates in both the academic year and the summer months.
Kaleidoscope’s mission is “To develop the capacity in all school-aged children to become healthy, caring, capable adults through relationships formed and the enrichment programs offered at the Kaleidoscope Learning Centers.” These enrichment programs include academic and physical activities, arts & crafts, healthy lifestyle instruction, and special programs for English Language Learners. Kaleidoscope children and their parents also have access to counseling services. Parents have access to counseling and printed materials related to parenting.
As an outside evaluator, the PRC’s role was to ensure that the Kaleidoscope program achieved it’s goals by recommending program modifications and adjustments based on the results of direct observation, parent and child surveys and interviews, and focus groups.
Health Promotion for WV Preschoolers and Their Parents (2002-2003)
Principal Investigator: Dr. Carole Harris
This multi-year project used the Theory of Planned Behavior (TOPB) to investigate the obesity-related health beliefs and practices of the parents of preschool children in WV. The information obtained was used to develop a tailored Health Promotion Program (HPP). Originally planned as a three county program (Barbour, Preston, Taylor), the project was expanded to include one additional county (Randolph).
A 12-member Community Advisory Board was formed to provide guidance to the investigators. The research was conducted both qualitatively and quantitatively. Eight focus groups (three with parents, four with Community Leaders, one with teachers) were conducted; 213 parents completed Health Beliefs Questionnaires (HBQs). Although data analysis is not quite complete, there was sufficient data to enable the investigators to develop the culturally-tailored Health Promotion Program. It is designed to improve the nutrition and physical activity patterns of preschoolers and their parents. A pilot test will be underway soon, after which they plan to deliver the program to 500 pre-school children and their families.
Health Sciences and Technology Academy (HSTA) Education and Outreach on Healthy Weight and Physical Activity (2003)
Principal Investigator: Dr. James Rye
This CDC-supported project was intended to increase physical activity opportunities/levels in West Virginia communities, while also providing learning experiences for Health Science Technology Academy teachers and students. The project had several components. First, the team developed and pilot tested a sequence of three graduate education courses and related workshops on nutrition and obesity for HSTA teachers. These were held in the spring and summer of 2003. The investigators then developed and piloted a campus-based summer institute curriculum on obesity for HSTA teachers and students that integrated nutrition, behavioral science, exercise physiology and educational technology. Approximately 128 students (facilitated by 15 teachers) completed the student experience. Finally, six HSTA clubs were funded to develop plans and research projects to increase opportunities for physical activity in six WV communities. Further details about this project are available at: http://www.wv-hsta.org/cdc_chc.
The publications involving HSTA that emerged from this project are also listed at the NIH-SEPA component of the HSTA web site http://www.wv-hsta.org/nih-sepa/Publications/publications.htm:
Zizzi, S., Vitullo, E., Rye, J., & O'Hara Tompkins, N. (2006). Impact of a Four-Week Pedometer Intervention on High School Students’ Daily Step Counts and Perceptions of Physical Activity. American Journal of Health Education, 37, 35-40.
Rye, J., Zizzi, S., Vitullo, E., & O'Hara Tompkins, N. (2005). The Pedometer as a Tool to Enrich Science Learning in the Context of Public Health. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 14, 521-531.
O'Hara Tompkins, N., Rye, J., Zizzi, S., & Vitullo, E. (2005). Engaging underserved, rural youth in physical activity promotion research in an after school setting. Preventing Chronic Disease, 2 (Special Issue), A15.
Available on-line: http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2005/nov/05_0075.htm.
Rye, J., & Smolski, S. (In press). Pedometer and Human Energy Balance Applications for Science Instruction. Science Activities.
PREPs Research Project: Message Testing on Potentially Reduced Exposure Products (PREPs) (Office of Smoking and Health (OSH) Supplement to PRC)
Principle Investigator: Robert H Anderson (randerson@hsc.wvu.edu)
Start Date: May 2005
End Date: September 2006
Funding Source: CDC-Office on Smoking and Health (CDC-OSH)
Yearly Amount: $140,000
Determine perceptions of PREPs by smokers, former smokers, and young potential smokers in terms of message concepts and themes developed with the intention of counteracting what may be positive consumer opinions of PREPs; and, to relate consumer perceptions to their own smoking behavior.
|
