P157 Determining E-Learning Preferences to Inform Beverage Policy Training for Georgia Child Care Providers

Abstract

Background Limiting sugar-sweetened beverages served to children can help decrease childhood obesity risk. Early Care and Education (ECE) providers are key to promoting these beverage policies because they play a role in establishing healthy habits among young children. As a majority of Americans have Internet access, eLearning would be an appropriate format for a beverage policy training platform for ECE providers. Objective The specific aim of this study was to determine the preferred eLearning format of ECE providers in Georgia to inform the development of an eLearning beverage policy training. Study Design, Settings, Participants The target population for study included licensed and license exempt ECE providers in GA serving children ages 0-5. A randomized, stratified sample of facilities was selected. ECE providers completed an electronic or paper survey evaluating the degree in which their program implemented beverage policy recommendations and their eLearning preferences. Mock prototypes for preferred eLearning formats were developed. A convenience sample participated in semi-structured interviews to yield preferences for the development of the eLearning training. Measurable Outcome/Analysis Descriptive statistics were calculated to determine eLearning preferences. Qualitative data analysis was conducted to reveal themes from interviews. Results A total of 646 respondents completed the eLearning survey. Sixty eight percent of ECE providers reported participation in the Child and Adult Food Care Program. Participants had access to the internet (98.5%) and 44% would use the internet for a 15-minute educational session. Eighty five percent of participants reported having no beverage policy training. The preferred eLearning formats identified online were interactive video (46.8%), podcast (37.5%) and video-based learning (31.7%). A subset of ECE providers participated (N = 20) participated in interviews. Most participants chose interactive videos as the most effective training format. Findings showed that effective trainings should be engaging, concise, and hold trainees accountable. Conclusion Study results revealed that most participants have not received a beverage policy training. eLearning trainings is a promising method to educate ECE providers and improve the quality of beverages served to young children. Funding None.