Evaluation of a Mobile App-Based Methodology Used to Boost Volunteer Participation in Walking School Buses

Abstract

Background In the last decades, there has been a decrease in the number of children walking to school. This trend has contributed to increased health problems among children, especially regarding obesity. Some governments and institutions are trying to reverse the situation by promoting the walking school buses (WSB) in elementary schools. However, in most cases, there are initial barriers to starting one, and when it works, there are no tools to easily assess its impact over time. Methods A methodology for the implementation of WSB with the support of professional monitors has been tried at Tirso de Molina primary school in Cordoba (Spain). It has been based on the use of a mobile application to help volunteer families to organize the WSB and to record attendances automatically. An initial survey was carried out, which are allowed to know the students transport mode, to locate the interested families and to design the routes. During the first few weeks, a monitor guided the groups twice a week, and the volunteer parents did it the rest of days. The monitor trained volunteers in the use of the application and helped them to reduce the initial barriers. Once this support finished, the volunteer organization remained. Participation data has been automatically collected during thirteen weeks. These data have been analyzed together with those of a final satisfaction survey for participating families. Results About 20% of the students of the school have participated in the WSB. Of the participants, 38% have totally or partially shifted from motorized transport modes to walk. Participating families have valued the WSB very positively. The main benefits reported by them have been the increase of available time and the reduction of difficulties in the family organization. Also, 62% have reported that their child is more active after participating in the WSB. Conclusions It has been verified that this low cost and easily replicable methodology can be effective to increase the number of children who walk daily to school, and therefore to increase their physical activity. Thanks to the use of support monitors in the first few weeks, typical barriers in the implementation of these initiatives have been overcome, such as the difficulty of recruiting volunteers. The mobile application has contributed to reduce the fear of the families to the autonomous displacement of the child. To be successful in these implementations, more focus on family organization difficulties is needed.