Socio-Culturally Sensitive Disease Prevention and Health Promotion: Development of a Theoretical Framework and Results of a Survey of Physical Activity Promotion Projects.

Abstract

To develop a framework for socio-culturally sensitive disease prevention and health promotion and to assess which components of socio-cultural appropriateness are used in physical activity projects targeting migrants. Based on 9 expert interviews and a rapid review in PubMed and PsycInfo, we identified domains and strategies of socio-cultural sensitivity for disease prevention and health promotion. The domains were used as a basis for a survey of physical activity projects targeting migrants as listed in a national project data base ("Gesundheitliche Chancengleichheit"). We identified 5 domains for socio-cultural adaptation of prevention programs (peripheral, evidential, linguistic, constituent-involving and socio-cultural strategies). Using multiple strategies seems to increase the efficacy of the interventions. Of the 48 contacted projects, 29 participated in the survey. Almost all projects used strategies from 4 of the 5 domains. Evidential strategies were used to a lesser extent. The developed framework can be used for both, planning and evaluating prevention programs targeting migrants. The project survey shows how socio-cultural appropriateness can be improved through a variety of strategies.