A Male Promotores Network for Latinos: Process Evaluation From a Community-Based Participatory Project

Abstract

© 2015, © 2015 Society for Public Health Education. Background. Lay health advisor (LHA) interventions with Latino men are rare, especially in emerging Latino communities. We present a process evaluation of a male LHA network aiming at connecting Latino men to various kinds of services and to the Latino community. It assesses the feasibility of (1) maintaining a steering coalition; (2) hiring, training, and retaining male LHA; and (3) recruiting and assisting underserved participants. Methods. Project management data and LHA debriefings were analyzed qualitatively and compared to a logic model and evaluation table prepared before the project started. Results. The community coalition steered the project during its implementation. Eleven men attended the initial LHA training. Two thirds of them reflected the community in educational level. One third did not and required extra mentoring from the other LHA to recruit participants. LHA requested topics for monthly trainings according to their needs in the field, including housing, sexual health, and immigration. LHA enrolled 182 participants. Participants’ needs went beyond health issues. Therefore, LHA needed to forge new collaborations with local social service organizations. Conclusions. Recruiting male LHA is feasible. LHA and the community coalition can suggest adaptations to fit the local context.