Promotoras de Salud in a Father-Focused Nutrition and Physical Activity Program for Border Communities: Approaches and Lessons Learned from Collaboration

Cassandra M. Johnson (), Marlyn A. Allicock, Joseph R. Sharkey, M. Renée Umstattd Meyer, Luis Gómez, Tyler Prochnow, Chelsey Laviolette, Elva Beltrán and Luz M. Garza
Additional contact information
Cassandra M. Johnson: Nutrition and Foods Program, School of Family and Consumer Sciences, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
Marlyn A. Allicock: Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences, School of Public Health-Dallas Regional Campus, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Dallas, TX 75207, USA
Joseph R. Sharkey: Department of Health Behavior, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
M. Renée Umstattd Meyer: Department of Public Health, Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76706, USA
Luis Gómez: Department of Health Behavior, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
Tyler Prochnow: Department of Health Behavior, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
Chelsey Laviolette: Nutrition and Foods Program, School of Family and Consumer Sciences, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
Elva Beltrán: Department of Health Behavior, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
Luz M. Garza: Department of Health Behavior, School of Public Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 18, 1-22

Abstract: Promotoras de salud (promotoras) have been a valuable part of community research for Latino families, such as in the recruitment or delivery of health promotion programs. However, there has been limited discussion of how to integrate a promotora model into a father-focused program to support nutrition and physical activity within Latino families. This manuscript’s purpose is to describe how to engage and collaborate with promotoras in a father-focused, family-centered program for Latino families living in colonias near the U.S.–Mexico border. As part of a longstanding community–academic partnership, the authors outline approaches and lessons learned from collaboration with promotoras during the design (including formative work and training), implementation, and evaluation of a behavioral program—¡Haz Espacio para Papi! (HEPP, Make Room for Daddy!). Promotoras’ contributions supported the entire program, from design through evaluation. The team of all-female promotoras created a balance between the needs and preferences of the community and the goals and requirements of the research. While there is considerable time and human capital required for collaboration, the mutual benefits can make this work meaningful to all involved.

Keywords: colonias; promotoras; Latino fathers; family systems; health promotion; rural; community-engaged research (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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