Virtual World Training for Community Health Workers (CHW)

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Standard, effective, and scalable training models are needed to help equip community health workers in their community-based diabetes prevention awareness efforts. This study will tailor/adapt, implement, and evaluate an innovative internet-based virtual world model to remotely deliver a diabetes prevention awareness training program to community health workers.

Detailed Description
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Standard, effective, and scalable training models are needed to help equip community health workers in their community-based diabetes prevention awareness efforts. This study will tailor/adapt, implement, and evaluate an innovative internet-based virtual world model to remotely deliver a diabetes prevention awareness training program to community health workers. A sequential mixed-methods design is used to address these specific aims: 1. Use community-based participatory research methods to guide the overall study and inform tailoring and adaptation of our virtual world model to deliver the CHW training program; 2. Conduct a randomized pilot study to compare change in primary outcomes (0, 12 weeks) after the in-person versus virtual world delivery of the program; and 3. Conduct summative focus groups to gather information to refine the program and study methodology.

Official Title
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Reaching Racial/Ethnic Minority Communities to Support Healthy Lifestyle Change: Virtual World Training for Community Health Workers

Conditions
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Diabetes Mellitus Risk

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: Virtual Training
* Behavioral: In Person Training


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: community health worker 18-65 years old Female Of African American/Black/African ancestry not getting 150 minutes of physical activity weekly and/or overweight residing in Chicago/driving distance to Chicago study site regular access to internet and computer Exclusion Criteria: • does not meet inclusion criteria

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Female

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Prevention
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Interventional Model Description: Randomized 2 group repeated measures design (Pre-Pandemic) [Pandemic modification: Only Virtual world group]
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Virtual World Program<br>Participants take part in a group training delivered using a virtual world approach. | Behavioral: Virtual Training<br>* The intervention involves a CHW training focused on raising awareness of diabetes prevention in the community. It is delivered remotely over 10 weeks using an internet based approach.<br>|
| Active Comparator: In Person Program<br>Participants take part in a group training delivered using an in person approach. | Behavioral: In Person Training<br>* The intervention involves a CHW training focused on raising awareness of diabetes prevention in the community. It is delivered in person over 10 weeks.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in content knowledge will be measured using the program Knowledge Questionnaire | Program content knowledge will be assessed using an adapted version of the original training program knowledge questionnaire. Scores represent the number of content questions answered correctly. Higher scores represent greater program knowledge. | Following program completion (10-12 weeks) | 
| Post Training Presentation Delivery Skills | Each CHW will be asked to prepare and deliver a brief presentation, including 3 standardized topic areas. | Following program completion (10-12 weeks) | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in Lifestyle Habits | Eating habits will be assessed using the Visually-Enhanced Food Behavior Checklist. | Following program completion (10-12 weeks) | 
| Change in Physical Activity | Physical activity will be assessed with International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). | Following program completion (10-12 weeks) |