ABSTRACT
Introduction: Process evaluation of community
based projects is integral to understanding the
success or failure of health promotion interventions.
Process evaluation was used to assess
the intervention strategies and resources in a
playgroup setting aimed at mothers of young
children. Methods: Process evaluation data were
collected from participants (n = 249) and staff (n
= 25) involved in the intervention. Data included
staff perspectives on use of the playgroup as a
setting, participants’ views on the feasibility and
acceptability of the program strategies and resources,
and program reach. Results: Responding
participants reported that the intervention
was useful (98%) and relevant for their age group
(92%), encouraged them to think about making
changes to their physical activity (95%) and dietary
(98%) behaviors, and helped them to make
changes to their physical activity (66%) and dietary
(79%) behaviors. Participants reported that
the most useful intervention strategies included
the program booklet (85%), workshops (86%),
newsletters (73%) and SMS (57%). Conclusion:
This research provides valuable information on
participants’ perspectives of the program strategies,
content and overall implementation. It
provides insight into the feasibility and acceptability
of the intervention and identifies areas
for improvement when conducting programs in
playgroup settings. The process evaluation indicated
that playgroups are a suitable setting for
health promotion targeting mothers of young
children.