Management Issues Related to Effectively Implementing a Nutrition Education Program Using Peer Educators

Abstract

Objective To explore the influence of administrative aspects of a nutrition education program with peer educators delivering the program. Design Telephone interviews with peer educators trained to deliver La Cocina Saludable, a nutrition education program for Hispanics. Open- and closed-ended questions. Subjects/Settings Abuelas (grandmothers) recruited and trained as peer educators for the program. The sample included peer educators no longer teaching (22%), currently teaching (30%), and who never taught after training. Main Outcome Measures Motives and incentives for becoming peer educators, challenges for peer educators, and reasons peer educators withdrew from the program. Statistical Analyses Performed Descriptive statistics were used to analyze quantitative data from the closed-ended questions. Qualitative analysis was applied to data from open-ended questions. Results Working with community and learning about nutrition were prime motivators. Recruiting participants and coordination of classes appeared to be major challenges. Personal issues and traveling in a large geographic area were cited as the main reasons for quitting. Implications The effectiveness of using peer educators for La Cocina Saludable may be improved through empowerment, additional training, a structured and equitable reimbursement system, and assistance to carry out administrative tasks.