Keywords

barriers, benefits, health departments, stages of change

 

Authors

  1. Yingling, Faith PhD, CHES
  2. Price, James H. PhD, MPH, FAAHB
  3. Telljohann, Susan K. HSD, CHES, FASHA
  4. Schmalzried, Hans PhD

Abstract

The Stages of Change Model and perceived benefits and barriers to providing injury prevention activities for nonmotorized small-wheel forms of recreation by local health departments were used to determine the status of injury prevention activity. A questionnaire mailed to a national random sample of 600 health departments resulted in a response rate of 67%. Approximately 10% of health departments were in the action and maintenance stages of the Stages of Change Model in relation to nonmotorized small-wheel forms of recreation, while the majority (70%) was in the precontemplation stage. More than 98% of health departments agreed that there were benefits to providing nonmotorized small-wheel forms of recreation injury prevention activities, including "decrease injury," "increase likelihood of wearing recommended safety equipment," and "increase awareness of injury." The vast majority (96%) of health departments believed there were barriers to providing injury prevention activities, including lack of financial resources, not enough expertise, and not enough time.