Description of the countrywide physical activity network coordinated by the Brazilian Ministry of Health: 2005-2008.
BACKGROUND
Based on the Brazilian National Health Promotion Policy (PNPS), the Ministry of Health (MoH) started stimulating and funding physical activity interventions in 2005, leading to the establishment of a countrywide network. The aim of the present article is to geographically describe this network (2005-2008) and to present structure and process evaluation indicators of interventions funded in 2006 and 2007.


METHODS
In 2005, the 27 state capitals received funding for carrying out physical activity-related interventions. From 2006 onwards, public calls for proposals were announced, and cities were selected through a competitive basis. Coordinators of interventions in cities who got funding in 2006 and 2007 answered to survey questions on structure and process aspects of the interventions.


RESULTS
The network currently comprises 469 projects, out of which over 60% are carried out in small cities (<30,000 inhabitants). The most frequently used public spaces for the interventions are squares and indoor sports courts. The main physical activity-related topic of the PNPS prioritized in the projects is healthy diet. The main partnerships developed are between City's Health and Education Secretariats.


CONCLUSIONS
Expanding the network to 1000 cities by 2010 and continuing the evaluation efforts are the next goals of the Brazilian MoH.
Knuth
Alan G
AG
Post-graduate Program in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Brazil.
Malta
Deborah C
DC
Cruz
Danielle K
DK
Castro
Adriana M
AM
Fagundes
Janaina
J
Sardinha
Luciana M
LM
Gosch
Cristiane Scolari
CS
Simões
Eduardo J
EJ
Hallal
Pedro C
PC
D001938:Brazil; D019058:Community Networks / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004779:Environment Design; D005380:Financing, Government; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D009043:Motor Activity; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods