Perspectives on Latino lay health promoter programs: Maryland, 2009.
OBJECTIVE
We examined common barriers and best practices in the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of Latino lay health promoter programs.


METHODS
Ten lay health promoter program coordinators serving Maryland Latinos were recruited in 2009 through snowball sampling for in-depth semistructured interviews with a bilingual and bicultural researcher. Program coordinators were asked about recruitment, selection, training, and supervision; key program elements; and evaluation. Analyses were conducted to identify common themes.


RESULTS
Respondents had worked up to 13 years in programs focused on such areas as awareness of healthy lifestyles and reducing risk of illness. Coordinators looked for Latino leaders with team-building skills and a desire to help the community. Six programs compensated promoters with stipends; 4 paid an hourly wage. Promoters were usually trained in monthly meetings that actively engaged them. Most programs conducted site visits, practice sessions, and performance evaluations.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings indicate that successful health promoter programs require needs assessments, formation of a target population advisory board, identification of appropriate promoters, and a significant amount of training. These findings can be used to guide future programs in the identification, recruitment, and training of health promoters as well as in program monitoring.
University of Maryland College Park School of Public Health, College Park, MD 20742, USA. opokras@umd.edu
Olivia D
OD
Carter-Pokras
Graciela
G
Jaschek
Iveris L
IL
Martinez
Pamela B
PB
Brown
Sonia E
SE
Mora
Nancy
N
Newton
Ileana
I
Luciani
D003150:Community Health Workers / Q000193:education; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D008396:Maryland; D010560:Personnel Selection; D011203:Poverty; D015397:Program Evaluation