CHAP CCEC Health Project

Cardiovascular Health Awareness Program Community, Coalitions, Engagement and Cardiovascular Health (CHAP CCEC Health) Project.

Researchers :

• Lisa Dolovich, BScPhm, PharmD MSc | Research Director and Professor, Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University Scientist & Associate Director, Centre for Evaluation of Medicines, St Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton.
• Beatrice McDonough, BScN, MScN, MSc, PhD(c) | Public Health Services, Healthy Living Division, Chronic Disease Prevention.
• Larry Chambers, PhD, FACE, HonFFPH(UK) | FCAHS Scientist, Past President (2001-2011) of Bruyère Research Institute.
• Clare Liddy, BSc, MSc, MD | C.T. Lamont Primary Health Care Research Centre.
• Gina Agarwal, MD, PhD | Assistant Professor, Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University.

Background :

Community based CHAP projects are led by a local organization in partnership with other community organizations to become more engaged in hypertension management including accessing local programs and resources. This three year Canadian Institute of Health Research funded project looks at how CHAP is engaging community partners to reduce cardiovascular risk and support the development of healthy communities.

Objective :

To identify the effects of networks and partnership relationships on individual health, population health and system outcomes within communities delivering CHAP related to the primary prevention of high blood pressure.

Methods :

• This is a cross-sectional research study across 9 small to medium sized communities (population 10,000-60,000) in Ontario, Canada;
• Project participants include key organization representatives from CHAP local lead organizations, community partner organizations, and CHAP session participants;
• Butterfoss’s Community Coalition Action Theory was used to determine the partnership measures;
• The Partnership Self-Assessment Tool (PSAT) developed by Lasker et al was used to measure the strength of the partnership;
• The Coalition Effectiveness Inventory (CEI) by Butterfoss et al. was used to determine its stage of coalition development, and Social Network Mapping to determine the structure and strength of the social network;
• Data outcome instruments included participant interviews, CHAP risk profile database, community partner interviews and a document review of cardiovascular programs/practices and policies of CHAP local lead organizations and community partner organizations.

Findings :

Based on the first period of data collection; individual factors, community factors and partnership level factors were predictive of change in CHAP participants’ health behaviours and their community resource utilization.  The results for the second period of data collection are pending.

Implications :

The application of this theory and measurement tools utilized could provide an unique visual approach to help researchers and community leaders better understand and improve their partnerships, their local networks and the overall collaborative process.