title: Chinese women health ambassadors programme: A process evaluation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess a community-women health ambassadors programme and report the areas that were successful and those that required improvement. The objectives were to assess the feasibility, effectiveness, implementation and sustainability of the programme.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Health promotion for the prevention of chronic diseases has always been the top priority in the health sector. To ensure that the relevant health messages are well received in local communities, a health promotion programme must be accessible, acceptable and culturally relevant.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted and evaluated a women health ambassador programme based on the lay health advisor model for health promotion in Hong Kong during November 2014 to February 2015. Health needs and the subsequent focus of the programme were determined by underprivileged Chinese women.
  
  
  METHODS
  University health educators from different disciplines trained the women (N = 80) to be health ambassadors through mini-lectures and training workshops. The trained women raised awareness about the importance of health within their families and social networks. The programme was evaluated through attendance rates, questionnaires and quizzes, changes in knowledge and behaviour, as well as qualitative discussion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  While the majority of participants found the programme valuable and useful, retention rates were unideal. A statistically significant improvement was found in eating habits, but no significant change was identified for other knowledge and behaviour assessments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The programme empowered underprivileged women to reflect on the importance of health, take responsibility for their own health and actively promote health to their families and personal communities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study supports that health promotion programmes based on the lay health advisor model are effective and encourage large-scale programmes of this nature. Our results also support that future health promotion efforts should deliver brief, clear and simple content as opposed to intricate information.
authors.affiliation: Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Janet Yuen Ha
authors.initials: JYH
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Maggie Mee Kie
authors.initials: MMK
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Kris Yuet Wan
authors.initials: KYW
authors.lastname: Lok
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Vivian Fei Wan
authors.initials: VFW
authors.lastname: Ngai
authors.affiliation: Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Michelle Tsz Ha
authors.initials: MTH
authors.lastname: Pang
authors.affiliation: Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Claudia Kor Yee
authors.initials: CKY
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Jessie Ho Yin
authors.initials: JHY
authors.lastname: Yau
authors.affiliation: Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Edmond Pui Hang
authors.initials: EPH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Shirley Siu Ming
authors.initials: SSM
authors.lastname: Fong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011634:Public Health / Q000592:standards*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health
keywords: Chinese; community; health ambassadors; process evaluation; women