A web-based community health worker (CHW) training for the implementation of a healthy living intervention for Latinas
Hispanics are 23% more likely to be obese than their White counterparts4, and obesity rates are higher in Hispanic women than Hispanic men(45% vs. 39.7, respectively). Obesity is driven by a variety of social, physical, and economic factors, but is mainly due to poor diet and physical inactivity. Given this, most successful interventions that reduce adiposity indices (e.g. BMI, weight, waist circumference) incorporate both diet and exercise. Successful obesity interventions for Hispanics utilize cultural tailoring and have relied on promotores de salud (also known as community health workers[CHWs]) as key facilitators in delivering these interventions. Promotores are effective in delivering obesity interventions and promoting behavior change through enhanced motivation, social support, social interaction and connectedness, and self-efficacy.
Adequate in-person promotora training is necessary for effective implementation of these interventions, yet, there remains barriers to accessing these trainings. Our goal is to develop an effective, accessible, and scalable web-based CHW training for the implementation of a healthy living intervention for Latinas. Comadres Saludables will combine both theory and evidence-based practices to provide promotores with the self-efficacy, knowledge, and skills required to effectively implement an obesity intervention for Hispanic women. Promotores will build their skillset through interactive quizzes, exercises, and video role-playing scenarios. Additionally, Comadres Saludables will be the first web-based TTT to provide promotores with interactive mHealth tools to enhance implementation with Hispanic women.