The perceived quality of health promotion partnerships

Abstract

Background: The delivery of health promotion interventions through community coalitions or partnerships’ has long been advocated in order to ensure the prerequisites for health (WHO, 1985) and has become a widespread feature of community-based health promotion approaches. A debated empirical question is how to assess the quality of partnerships working and the processes through which they sustain effective interventions (Aveling & Jovchelovitch, 2013). The aim of the present study was to develop a measure to assess the perceived quality of partnerships in the context of community based health promotion projects aimed to enhance healthy lifestyles in a Region in the North of Italy. Methods: Participants included members of six partnerships created to implement community-based health promotion projects supported by the Region Emilia Romagna (North Italy) (2014-2016) and lead by the six major Local Health Services (LHS). The final sample included 198 participants, belonging to Local Administrations, School/educational institutions, community groups and associations, citizens involved in specific interventions. Participants filled an online questionnaire. Findings: Results showed that the measure of perceived quality of the partnership is significantly associated with perceived quality of participation experience, sense of community, sense of community responsibility, perceived empowerment and satisfaction for the partnership. Discussion: In conclusion, the measure developed in this study appears promising and can offer useful insights into the quality of the processes of participation of citizens involved in health promotion interventions.