Abstract
Promotoras (community health workers) play an important health promotion role and must be continuously trained, but little is known
about how much of their learning they actually put into practice. This non-randomized, longitudinal study examined knowledge
and home environmental outcomes of an asthma and healthy homes training offered to promotoras using a train-the-trainer model. Eighty-five promotoras received the training and pre- and post-test surveys were used to measure training outcomes. Results showed a statistically
significant increase in asthma and healthy home-related knowledge (P < .001). At 12-months post-intervention, a majority of the promotoras (69%) reported they made household changes to improve their indoor environment as a result of the training. This study suggests
that effective trainings can improve promotoras knowledge and behaviors for the promotion of healthy homes in the community. Further evaluation is needed to investigate
whether these trainings allow promotoras to serve as role models within their communities “by educating through example” and thereby enhance their credibility as
health educators.
about how much of their learning they actually put into practice. This non-randomized, longitudinal study examined knowledge
and home environmental outcomes of an asthma and healthy homes training offered to promotoras using a train-the-trainer model. Eighty-five promotoras received the training and pre- and post-test surveys were used to measure training outcomes. Results showed a statistically
significant increase in asthma and healthy home-related knowledge (P < .001). At 12-months post-intervention, a majority of the promotoras (69%) reported they made household changes to improve their indoor environment as a result of the training. This study suggests
that effective trainings can improve promotoras knowledge and behaviors for the promotion of healthy homes in the community. Further evaluation is needed to investigate
whether these trainings allow promotoras to serve as role models within their communities “by educating through example” and thereby enhance their credibility as
health educators.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-6
- DOI 10.1007/s10900-011-9526-8
- Authors
- Rose L. Lucio, School of Rural Public Health, Texas A&M Health Science Center, 2101 South McColl Road, McAllen, TX 78503, USA
- Genny Carrillo Zuniga, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Rural Public Health, Texas A&M Health Science Center, 2101 South McColl Road, McAllen, TX 78503, USA
- Yoon-Ho Seol, Department of Health Informatics at the Medical College of Georgia, Georgia’s Health Sciences University, Augusta, Georgia Building EB, Augusta, GA 30912-0400, USA
- Norma Garza, School of Rural Public Health, Texas A&M Health Science Center, 2101 South McColl Road, McAllen, TX 78503, USA
- Nelda Mier, Department of Social and Behavioral Health, School of Rural Public Health, Texas A&M Health Science Center, 2101 South McColl Road, McAllen, TX, USA
- Laura Trevino, Center for Housing and Urban Development, Colonias Program, Texas A&M University, College of Architecture, 3516 E. Exp 83, Weslaco, TX 78596, USA
- Journal Journal of Community Health
- Online ISSN 1573-3610
- Print ISSN 0094-5145