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Biomedical subjects

Martha Castrillo

Publications and source records attributed to Martha Castrillo.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

Diffusing a research-based physical activity promotion program for seniors into diverse communities: CHAMPS III.

INTRODUCTION: Increasing the physical activity levels of older adults through diffusion of successful research-based programs into community settings is challenging because of differences between research and real-world settings. This project diffused the Community Healthy Activities Model Program for Seniors (CHAMPS) II, an individual-level research-based physical activity promotion program, through three community organizations to reach lower-income and minority (primarily Hispanic or Latino and African American) seniors. METHODS: Through an academic-community partnership, university staff worked with each organization to adapt the program to be appealing and effective, enable their staff and volunteers to provide the program, increase participants' physical activity, and leave sustainable programs in place. Evaluation was based on methods recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. RESULTS: The adapted programs, referred to as CHAMPS III, differed from the original program and among organizations. Group-based components and resource guides were included and new features were added; however, individualized components were not offered because of limited resources. A total of 321 people enrolled among three organizations; there was a trend toward increased physical activity at two organizations (an estimated increase of 481 kcal/week [P = .08] and 437 kcal/week [P = .06] expended in physical activity). Evaluation revealed challenges and unexpected community-level benefits. All organizations are continuing efforts to promote physical activity for older adults. CONCLUSION: This project enabled community organizations to implement physical activity promotion programs. The overarching challenge was to retain original program features within each organization's resources yet be sustainable. Although the programs differed from the original research program, they were a catalyst for numerous community-level changes. Our findings can guide similar projects to reach underserved older adults.

Aged↗

Infertility among low-income Latinos.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the experience of infertility among low-income Latinos. DESIGN: Ethnographic qualitative interview study. SETTING: Academic research environment. PATIENT(S): One hundred eighteen Latinos who sought medical care for infertility. INTERVENTION(S): Tape-recorded interviews with 88 women and 30 men were transcribed and analyzed for emergent themes. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Cultural beliefs regarding fertility and infertility, the value placed on having children, access to and use of health care resources, and non-biomedical approaches to having children. RESULT(S): Latino women and men believed that children were the basis of the marital relationship and that childless marriages were considered a failure. No couples had the economic resources to pursue medical treatment beyond a basic level. A difference was found in approaches to infertility treatment between women raised in the United States and those raised elsewhere, with those raised in the United States being more assertive in seeking care. Women frequently saw practitioners of Western biomedicine and humoral medicine. Women reported that they would continue trying to conceive until they reached menopause. CONCLUSION(S): Infertility is a devastating experience for Latinos that has far-reaching effects, both on women and men individually and on the couple relationship.

Adolescent↗

Multilevel perspectives on diffusing a physical activity promotion program to reach diverse older adults.

Diffusing research-based physical activity programs in underserved communities could improve the health of ethnically diverse populations. We utilized a multilevel, community-based approach to determine attitudes, resources, needs, and barriers to physical activity and the potential diffusion of a physical activity promotion program to reach minority and lower-income older adults. Formative research using focus groups and individual interviews elicited feedback from multiple community sectors: community members, task force and coalition members, administrators, service implementers, health care providers, and physical activity instructors. Using qualitative data analysis, 47 transcripts (N = 197) were analyzed. Most sectors identified needs for culturally diverse resources, promotion of existing resources, demonstration of future cost savings, and culturally tailored, proactive outreach. The program was viewed favorably, especially if integrated into existing resources. Linking sectors to connect resources and expertise was considered essential. Complexities of such large-scale collaborations were identified. These results may guide communities interested in diffusing health promotion interventions.

Age Factors↗