Encuesta aplicada a directivos

4.1.1 Description

The data for this dissertation study came from the Men as Navigators (MAN) for Health Study, which was conducted from 2004-2007. The study design and measures of MAN for Health Study suited this study’s research aims well. Specifically, MAN for Health’s

multiple data collection waves, African American & Latino cohorts, extensive LHA predictor measures as well as Confidant outcome measures, and linked LHA and Confidant samples are necessary features to examine this proposal’s aims.The goal of MAN for Health Study

was to understand and improve, in three different communities, prostate health behaviors among rural African-American men; cardiovascular health behaviors among urban African- American men; and sexual health behaviors among rural Latino men in NC. It is important to note that although the health focus in each community was different, one common goal across all health/disease topics is to improve participants’ knowledge about the benefits of preventive healthcare visits and to increase their access and utilization of available healthcare services.

The MAN for Health Study was a quasi-experimental pre-post no control group design

study of a male natural helper LHA intervention model to modify the effects of male gender socialization and institutional racism on various health outcomes. LHAs were trained to

conduct MAN learning circles, a facilitated group discussion technique developed by Toms

in order to help promote preventive health behaviors and improve chronic disease and sexual health outcomes among Confidants (Toms & Hobbs, 1997). The learning circles used scenarios to encourage discussion and practice of healthy behaviors within social groups that help men understand and cope better with society’s expectations of masculinity. Learning circles also can help men develop skills to become advocates for their communities. Examples of learning circle activities included exercise clubs, men’s day activities that

incorporate health information and activities (sporting events, fishing trips, father-son day, cookouts, block parties, food tasting/preparation), support groups, health screenings, and stress reduction (coping strategies, support groups, life skills training).

Baseline surveys began February 2005 and continued on a rolling basis as LHAs and Confidants were being recruited. Follow-up interviews were conducted six and twelve months after baseline surveys were completed. The study ended in March 2007. The

interviews for both LHAs and Confidants assessed the behavioral and psychosocial measures used in this dissertation study: use of preventive and early detection services, diet activity, condom use, and Confidant-LHA relationship structural properties. The Public Health Institutional Review Board at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill approved the

MAN for Health study protocol. 4.1.2 Sampling Strategy

ages 18 years and older who must volunteer to participate in the project. A non-probability purposive sampling strategy was used to recruit both LHAs and Confidants. Recruitment of LHAs occurred through Project Coordinators from each of the three communities, where the target health condition varied in each community. Community A comprised rural Latino men focusing on sexual health and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. Community B comprised rural African-American men focusing on informed decision-making regarding prostate health and screening. Community C comprised African-American men focusing on improving cardiovascular health. Recruitment of Confidants occurred through the LHAs. Each LHA was encouraged to recruit at least 10-12 local men as Confidants with whom they have a relationship as a trusted coworker, neighbor, friend, family member, or associate. This relationship was necessary in order for men to entrust the LHA with information on their use of health services, risk behaviors and attitudes, and perceptions about institutions. Hence, it was necessary for each LHA to recruit his own Confidants directly. Also, within this evaluation design, the communities and individuals served as their own controls (Campbell & Stanley, 1966).

4.1.3 Study Sample

To be eligible as either a LHA or Confidant in this dissertation study, participants had to be either African-American males ages 18 and over residing in Orange and Chatham counties or Latino males ages 18 and over residing in Chatham County. They also were required to complete both a baseline and six month follow-up survey to be included in this dissertation study. In the end, a total of 203 Confidants and 24 LHAs comprised the sample of this dissertation study.

4.1.4 Data Collection

The primary data source for this study came from the MAN for Health Study

questionnaires at two time points: baseline and 6-month follow-up interviews conducted with LHAs and Confidants. Trained Project Coordinators in Chatham, Orange, and Wake

counties conducted the LHA interviews as a group, with a minimum of two LHAs each in order to conduct the group interview. LHAs filled in their own answers, placed their

completed questionnaires in a sealed envelope and returned to Project Coordinators. In terms of Confidant data, each trained LHA surveyed his group of Confidants whom he recruited. The same data collection protocol used with LHA surveys was followed with Confidant survey administration. Similar methods were used for the six-month follow-up interviews of both LHAs and their Confidants. Participants were considered ‘lost’ if they were unable to be contacted for follow up.