Body@Work

 

TITLE
BRAVO: The –process-evaluation of the implementation and continuation of a multicomponent lifestyle strategy in two worksite settings.

 

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BRAVO is a lifestyle intervention focusing on five lifestyle factors. The letters BRAVO are a Dutch abbreviation which stand for the lifestyle related intervention components; more physical activity (i.e. Bewegen), no smoking (i.e. Roken), less Alcohol, healthy Nutrition (i.e. Voeding) and relaxation (i.e. Ontspanning). BRAVO is build around a 7-step strategy that facilitates successful implementation and continuation of tailored interventions which fit the specifics of a worksite; (1) Creating a solid support at the worksite, (2) formation of basic structures, (3) needs assessment, (4) development of the intervention, (5) implementation, (6) evaluation, and (7) maintenance. BRAVO is a general strategy, but it allows for a tailored, worksite-specific approach within its framework. Furthermore, the BRAVO intervention has been tested in 2007 in a large company with promising results. However the lack of a control condition and the lack of thorough process evaluation hamper implementation on larger scale. This project will focus on implementation issues, and result in an evidence-based strategy which can be used by companies in different branches to develop, implement and maintain lifestyle intervention and incorporate and anchor them into the general health management policy of the company. This project primarily aims to study the process of implementation of BRAVO in two contrasting worksite settings (i.e. healthcare and education). In addition, thorough process- and effect evaluations will be carried out.

 

PERIOD: August 2010- December 2013

 

FUNDING
ZonMw   

 

INVESTIGATORS
Drs. D. Wierenga ^{1, 2, 3}
Dr. L.H. Engbers ¹
Dr. V.H. Hildebrandt ^{1, 2}
Prof. W. van Mechelen ^2,3

 

1 TNO Quality of Life, Department Health Promotion, Leiden, The Netherlands
2 Body@Work, Research Center on Physical Activity, Work and Health, TNO-VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
3 Institute for Research in Extramural Medicine, Department of Social Medicine, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

 

OBJECTIVES
BRAVO seems a promising best practice in worksite health promotion, but the question remains whether BRAVO will work in other companies with differing cultures, organization structures and work tasks. This project primarily aims to study the process of implementation of BRAVO in two contrasting worksite settings (i.e. healthcare and education). In addition, as an indicator for implementation success the lifestyle- work- related effects of BRAVO will be studied, since positive results will enhance the willingness of companies to implement BRAVO. The specific research questions are:
1. What are determinants of failure and success for implementation and continuation of BRAVO in two different and contrasting worksite settings?
2. To what extend do managers and employees know, adopt and adhere to the individual components of BRAVO?
3. What are the effects of BRAVO on lifestyle behavior and sickness absence of employees as indicators of successful implementation?

 

METHODS
All 7 steps of the implementation strategy of BRAVO will be extensively monitored in this project. Part 1 of the project will address the tailoring of BRAVO to the participating worksites and the assessment of the necessary preconditions for successful implementation/continuation by means of focus group interviews and throughout the whole project, project meetings will be attended and monitored. In addition a needs-assessment among employees will be carried out. Part 2 is an (process) evaluation of BRAVO in a quasi-experiment; within the two organizations (University Medical Center Utrecht and an educational institute Hogeschool Utrecht). In each organization, one location or department will serve as the intervention condition (i.e. department of women and child and the health faculty) and another location as control condition (i.e. department of heart and lungs and faculty of community and rights). All measurements will be conducted at three times: before the implementation of BRAVO (T0) at 6 months (T1) and at 12 months (T2) in both the intervention and control conditions. The process of implementation and the intention on continuation and its determinants among management and employees will be measured by semi-structured interviews and by structurally monitoring the execution of the written and mandatory project plan to assess whether the plan was implemented as planned. The effectiveness of the intervention among employees as an indicator for the success of the implementation will be measured with a web-based health survey, health checks and the analysis of registered sick leave data.

 

RESULTS 
No results are available yet.

 

Debbie Wierenga
More information:
e-mail: debbie.wierenga@tno.nl
tel: +31 888663472