Dietitians’ Attitudes and Beliefs Regarding Peer Education in Nutrition
Publication: Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
19 July 2016
Abstract
Purpose: Peer education (PE) has been used effectively in nutrition; however, research examining dietitians’ attitudes regarding PE is lacking.
Methods: An online survey was sent to a random sample of 1198 Dietitians of Canada members to assess attitudes regarding PE by practice area.
Results: A representative sample of dietitians by practice area and location was obtained (n = 229; 19%). Their total attitude score (TAS) was 226 ± 26 (mean ± SD) out of 295 (maximum). Community/public health dietitians had significantly higher TASs compared with clinical dietitians (234 ± 23 vs. 221 ± 27, respectively; P = 0.03). Dietitians believed PE to be most useful in community settings (P < 0.001), with cultural groups or adolescents (P < 0.001), and for healthy eating program goals (P < 0.001). The barrier most agreed with was limited financial resources, whereas the highest perceived benefits were social support and experience/employment for participants and peer educators, respectively. Overall, 63% agreed PE is an effective model, and 59% agreed that PE should be used more often in nutrition.
Conclusions: Dietitians have a positive attitude towards PE, with community/public health dietitians having the most positive attitudes. Dietitians believe PE is useful with specific target populations and particular program goals/strategies; however, they could be challenged to consider PE in a greater variety of programs.
Résumé
Objectif. L’éducation par les pairs (EP) est utilisée de manière efficace en nutrition. Cependant, la recherche portant sur l’attitude des diététistes à l’égard de l’EP est insuffisante.
Méthodes. Un sondage en ligne a été envoyé à un échantillon aléatoire de 1198 membres des Diététistes du Canada pour évaluer leur attitude à l’égard de l’EP selon leur domaine de pratique.
Résultats. Un échantillon représentatif de diététistes divisés selon leur domaine de pratique et leur emplacement a été obtenu (n = 229; 19 %). Le score total relatif à l’attitude (STA) était de 226 ± 26 (moyenne ± écart-type) sur 295 (maximum). Les diététistes qui pratiquent en santé publique et en milieu communautaire ont obtenu un STA significativement plus élevé comparativement aux diététistes cliniques (234 ± 23 vs 221 ± 27, respectivement; p = 0,03). Les diététistes croient que l’EP est plus utile dans les milieux communautaires (p < 0,001), avec les groupes culturels ou les adolescents (p < 0,001) et pour atteindre les objectifs des programmes de saine alimentation (p < 0,001). L’obstacle le plus fréquemment mentionné correspond aux ressources financières limitées; alors que les avantages perçus les plus importants sont le soutien social et l’expérience/l’emploi pour les participants et les pairs éducateurs, respectivement. Globalement, 63 % des répondants conviennent que l’EP est un modèle efficace, et 59 % conviennent que l’EP devrait être utilisée plus souvent en nutrition.
Conclusions. Les diététistes ont une attitude positive à l’égard de l’EP. Ce sont les diététistes qui pratiquent en santé publique et en milieu communautaire qui ont l’attitude la plus positive. Les diététistes croient que l’EP est utile auprès de certaines populations cibles et dans le cadre d’objectifs ou de stratégies de programmes particuliers. Cependant, ils pourraient envisager l’EP dans une plus grande variété de programmes.
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Published In
Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research
Volume 77 • Number 4 • December 2016
Pages: 170 - 176
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Version of record online: 19 July 2016
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Paula D. N. Dworatzek RD, PhD and Joanne Stier MScFN. 2016. Dietitians’ Attitudes and Beliefs Regarding Peer Education in Nutrition. Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research.
77(4): 170-176. https://doi.org/10.3148/cjdpr-2016-009
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