Document Type

Plan B - Open Access

Award Date

2019

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Health and Nutritional Sciences

First Advisor

Kendra Kattelmann

Keywords

readiness for change, community readiness, measure development, readiness survey, Delphi technique

Abstract

Introduction: Recruiting community involvement in public health interventions is often met with varying degrees of success. Attitudes, resources, and leadership all impact a community’s ability to effect change. Being able to assess community readiness for change is vital to the successful adoption of any health or wellness initiative. Past efforts in measuring community readiness have been largely limited. This study reports on the development and validation of a survey measuring community readiness to change for health and wellness in the college campus community.
Objective:
To develop an instrument capable of measuring the attitudes and ability of a college campus community towards adopting changes in the realm of health and wellness.
Methodology:
The Readiness for Community Wellness Survey was adapted from the Minnesota Institute of Public Health’s Community Readiness Survey and Children’s Healthy Living Program’s Readiness to Collaborate Survey. The Delphi Technique was used to adapt measured domains to fit the needs of a college campus community, specifically for health and wellness interventions. Individual survey items underwent review by an expert panel to ensure fit and purpose within framework of community readiness.
Results:
Initial survey development and expert validation of survey items have been completed.
Conclusions:
Other attempts to measure community readiness for change have been explored, but no quantitative research methods for assessing a community’s readiness for health and wellness change have been developed. This survey may demonstrate such potential in measuring college campus community readiness, with regards to health and wellness interventions

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

13

Publisher

South Dakota State University

Rights

Copyright © 2019 Drew Hicks

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