Promoting Physical Activity in Multicultural Communities

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Promoting Physical Activity in Multicultural
Communities

• Abebe Engdasaw
• Multicultural Health Coalition
• Ottawa Public Health

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• WHO we are and WHAT we do

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The Multicultural Health Coalition of Ottawa is a
voluntary organization established in January
1998 in response to needs expressed by
ethnocultural communities.
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Our Mission

• To promote health in multicultural communities
  through participation in partnerships,
  leadership, mutual support and advocacy.

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Our Objectives

• To advocate for equity and access to health and
  social services programs.
• To support and assist community members to
  promote healthy living.
• To increase partnerships with agencies/organizatio
  ns that promote health.
• To provide information that enhances optimal
  health.
• To explore funding opportunities for projects
  that meet community needs.
• To act as a resource for Ottawa Public Health.

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B R O C H U R E
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Principles and Key Elements in Coalition Building
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Principles and Key Elements in Coalition Building
(contd)

• VISION
• Common purpose and shared broad perspective
• Consultations and strategic plan

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Principles and Key Elements in Coalition Building
(contd)

• TRUSTShared responsibilities
• for failure
• for success

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Principles and Key Elements in Coalition Building
(contd)

• PARTICIPATIONRecognizing success as groups
  collective participation and efforts.
• Attending meetings
• Organizing community events
• Promoting activities
• Acquisition/Shared resourcesSeed money child
  care, transport, space, rental, promotional
  materials

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Principles and Key Elements in Coalition Building
(contd)

• LEARNING and SKILL BUILDINGTopics of interest on
  each and every monthly meeting agenda
• Summer and Winter Active
• Seniors agenda
• Emergency preparedness Pandemic
• Project proposal writing
• Policing and race relations
• Advocacy and political activism, etc.

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Principles and Key Elements in Coalition Building
(contd)

• COMMUNITY SUPPORTMembership consists of service
  providing agencies
• Community Health Resource Centres
• Settlement agencies
• Ethnic Cultural Associations
• Shared resources
• Supportive environment

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What We Do

• Provide training and skill-building workshops for
  healthy lifestyles.
• Promote and support physical activity and healthy
  eating activities.
• Provide and disseminate multilingual health
  promotion resources.

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What We Do (contd)

• Support community events that involve community
  partners in promoting healthy lifestyles.
• Publish a quarterly Multicultural Health
  Coalition newsletter.
• Advocate for an accessible equitable and
  inclusive Ottawa.

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MHC T-shirt
(Front)
(Back)
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Walk More Live Better T-shirt
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MHC Waterbottle
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Multilingual Cancer Display
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Multilingual Type 2 Diabetes Display
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Multilingual Healthy Lifestyles Display
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Multilingual Stretch Exercise Factsheet
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Monthly Newsletter
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Be Active multilingual physical activity
promotional video 10 languages
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Physical Activity Guide
Multicultural Health Coalition
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Canadas Food Guide
Multicultural Health Coalition
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Tulipfest 2003
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Tulipfest 2003
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Evaluation 2002

• Objectives
• Assess program output of 16 Multicultural Health
  Coalition member organizations receiving funding
  to promote physical activity
• Conduct program outcome at one centre

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Methodology

• Process
• Review of program documents
• Literature review of physical exercise and
  cultural minority groups
• Focus group study with activity coordinators
• Administration of questionnaire
• Meeting with participants of one group and
  administration of questionnaire

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Evaluation Questionnaire

• What is the nature of the physical activity (PA)?
• Program document review
• Focus group
• Output questionnaire
• What is the intensity of the various components?
• Focus group
• Output questionnaire
• Who are reached by the program?
• Focus group
• Output questionnaire
• Interviews with participants

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Evaluation Questionnaire (contd)

• Do participants intend to make physical activity
  part of their routine?
• Program document review
• Focus group
• Output questionnaire
• Have participants taken concrete steps to
  get/stay active?
• Interviews with participants
• Outcome questionnaire
• What is the perception change of participants?
• Interviews with participants
• Outcome questionnaire

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RESULTS Summary

• A total of 36 different exercise
  classes/activities undertaken at the average
  frequency of 1-2 classes per week
• Average of once per month health promotion
  events/activities
• 80 served intended population 20 partially
• Recent immigrants
• Multiple language groups
• Predominantly women and low income

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RESULTS Summary (contd)

• Participants and activity coordinators reported
• Increased participation
• Positive attitude
• Participants satisfied with the physical activity
  promotion program they have received
• 25 very satisfied
• 75 most satisfied

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RESULTS Summary (contd)

• Participants reported to make physical activity
  part of their life
• However few have taken steps to make it happen
• Most rely on the program they attend
• Not having someone to exercise with mentioned not
  too engaged in physical exercise
• 63 said the program fostered social interaction

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Recommendations

• Increased partnerships with other organizations
  and agencies (City, YMCA)
• Policy changes to create positive environment to
  ease access and eliminate barriers e.g. group
  subsidy rate for space, childcare, etc.
• Volunteer training and community capacity
  building to be encouraged
• The modest financial support have shown success
  and expansion of the program need to be supported

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Where to Find Multilingual Resources

• OPHA Website follow links
• Resources by topics Multilingual health
  promotion resources
• Stretching Exercises for Walking 10 languages
• Physical Activity Guide 10 languages
• Walking is Great for Your Heart 10 languages
• Canadas Food Guide to Healthy Eating 10
  languages
• Safety Tips for Fruits and Vegetables 10
  languages
• Frozen and Canned Vegetables 10 languages

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Where to Find Multilingual Resources (contd)

• PARC Physical Activity Resource Centre
• Be Active multilingual physical activity
  promotional video 10 languages