Oral Presentation Australian and New Zealand Obesity Society Annual Scientific Conference 2024

Dissemination of healthy eating and physical activity policies and practices information among Early Childhood Education and Care services: a qualitative study. (#36)

Ana Renda 1 2 , Kathryn Reilly 3 , Alice Grady 1 2 3 , Rebecca Hodder 1 2 3 , Amy Anderson 1 , Serene Yoong 4
  1. University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW , Australia
  2. National Centre of Implementation Science, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
  3. Population health, Hunter New England Local Health District, Newcastle, NSW , Australia
  4. Deakin University, Burwood, VIC, Australia

Introduction

Implementation of some evidence-based obesity prevention policies and practices in the ECEC setting in Australia remains low. Poor dissemination might affect research use and implementation of these practices. Identifying factors affecting the dissemination of policies and practices is needed to improve their implementation in the ECEC setting. However, this remains underexplored. We aim to identify the perceived factors (barriers and/or facilitators) that influence dissemination of evidence-based healthy eating and physical activity policies and practices in ECECs, from the perspective of ECEC staff.

Methods

A qualitative study including a convenience sample of preschools and long day care services across Australia was conducted. In-depth one-to-one semi-structured interviews were conducted and recorded using MS Teams platform or telephone. An interview guide was developed based on key dissemination determinants described by Baumann et al (2020). Adapted descriptive thematic analysis was used which led to various themes describing factors affecting dissemination.

Results

We conducted 21interviews of services located in 5 different State/Territories in Australia. 48% of services were from regional/remote areas, 86% were long daycare, 48% were in New South Wales and 43% were private for-profit services. 76% were directors with 22 years of experience in the industry.

Preliminary results show several barriers related to the channel of communication and the content of the information received. Emails are the most common channel used; however, they can be perceived as a barrier as participants get overwhelmed by the amount and complexity of information in them. Facilitators perceived were related to the channel such as face-to-face contact; the content such as simple, short and with images; and the source such as endorsement from regulatory agencies.

Conclusions

Dissemination of obesity prevention practices in ECEC would be facilitated when appropriate channels and adapted content is used. Disseminators should consider end-users preferences when planning for dissemination.