Implementation of a school-based physical activity intervention for Brazilian adolescents: a mixed-methods evaluation.

The effectiveness of physical activity interventions can be improved through examining the aspects related to their implementation. However, little such evidence has been collected, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to evaluate the implementation of a school-based ph...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Health Promotion International Vol. 37; no. 2; pp. 1 - 14
Main Authors: Bandeira, Alexsandra da Silva, Pizani, Juliana, Sousa, Ana Caroline Ferreira Campos de, Silva, Jaqueline Aragoni da, Minatto, Giseli, Filho, Valter Cordeiro Barbosa, Silva, Kelly Samara
Format: research tables/charts Journal Article
Published: Oxford University Press / USA Apr2022
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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Summary:The effectiveness of physical activity interventions can be improved through examining the aspects related to their implementation. However, little such evidence has been collected, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This study aimed to evaluate the implementation of a school-based physical activity intervention with qualitative and quantitative data from different actors (students, teachers and parents) involved in developing the program. The program was conducted in 2017 with three main components: (i) teacher training, (ii) environmental changes and (iii) educational actions. Mixed-method evaluation was performed by an independent evaluation team using a validated indicator matrix for the implementation process, including the self-reported information of students, teachers and parents, as well as interviews with teachers. In the 3 eligible schools, 350 adolescents (51% girls) answered the implementation questionnaire, as did 45 parents (84% mothers), and 47 teachers (70% female). In the qualitative analysis, 18 teachers participated. Categorical analysis found that the intervention was considered feasible by teachers. In general, teachers had a more positive perception of the implementation than did students. The lack of engagement from the school community and parents and the busy schedule of teachers were indicated to be the main difficulties. In conclusion, despite the teachers' motivation, some barriers prevented the successful implementation of the program.