Workshop contents and implementation for community-based health promotion volunteers

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to clarify the content and practicality of workshop for community organizations of health promotion volunteers, classify the organizations based on the frequencies of workshop contents provided, and identify the factors influencing the workshop programs.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using mailed questionnaires of public health nurses in 1718 municipalities nationwide from October to November 2017. The survey items asked to community organizations, workshop program and contents, and the autonomy in volunteer activities. The degree of frequencies of the 35 workshop contents was assessed on a 5-point scale.

Results: Of 489 responses returned, 444 organizations were subjected to the analyses, and 126 organizations (29.2%) had the workshop programs. Factor analysis using the rating for frequencies of 35 workshop contents extracted five factors: “dialogue and sharing of health issues and activity goals,” “provision of learning resources,” “methods and evaluation of activity development,” “explanation of activity objectives and roles,” and “explanation of practical activities.” The cluster analysis based on these factors classified the organizations into six subgroups. Individual workshop contents were more often provided and the autonomy in volunteer activities were higher when the workshop programs were available. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the city (town/village=0) and the frequencies of workshop regarding “methods and evaluation of activity development” were significantly related to the autonomy in volunteer activities.

Conclusion: The workshop contents for health promotion volunteers were classified into five categories. The benefits of having a workshop program for community organizations of health promotion volunteers were apparent.