The Process Evaluation of a Dutch Community Health Project

Abstract

This article reports on the design and results of the process evaluation of the Dutch community project “Healthy Bergeyk.” The major goal of this project was a reduction in cancer-related risk behavior prevalence, especially smoking and high fat consumption. The project was designed to integrate health education theory and methods with community organization principles. An intersectoral local project group was formed for project implementation. The main objectives of the process evaluation were to assess what was done and how this was evaluated by participants and leaders of activities, project group members and the community in general. Data were gathered throughout the implementation period using minutes of meetings, registration forms, pre-structured telephone interviews, written questionnaires, and semi-structured interviews. Community members were involved in the data collection. The results indicate that the project group organized many health activities in their community in a short time period. Positive elements of the project concern the intersectoral co-operation and the workbook supplied to the project group. Time pressure and limited possibilities for community initiatives were the main negative aspects of the project. The implications of the findings for both the community health project and the process evaluation are discussed.