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Volume 1:
No. 2, April 2004
SPECIAL TOPICS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
ORIGINAL RESEARCH: FEATURED
ABSTRACT FROM THE 18TH NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CHRONIC DISEASE
PREVENTION AND CONTROL
Identifying Walking and
Trail Use Supports and Barriers Through Focus-Group Research
EL Burroughs, RM Fields, ML Granner, PA Sharpe
Suggested citation for this article: Burroughs
EL, Fields RM, Granner ML, Sharpe PA. Identifying walking and trail use
supports and barriers through focus-group research [abstract]. Prev Chronic
Dis [serial online] 2004 Apr [date cited]. Available from: URL: http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2004/
apr/03_0034c.htm.
PEER REVIEWED
Walking and trail use supports and barriers in a South Carolina county
were identified. As part of a community-based participatory research project, focus groups were
conducted to develop social marketing activities.
Twelve focus groups were conducted to identify themes related to physical
activity, walking, and trail use. Questions covered preferred walking
location, social support for physical activity, preferred incentives, and
characteristics of trails. Discussions were recorded,
transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using NVivo software.
Results from the focus groups revealed that, while concern for safety was
the primary walking barrier cited by women and older adults, walking groups
were a potential support for them. There were differences in
preferences between active and inactive groups and male and female
participants. The secluded nature of some trails had positive and negative
aspects. Furthermore, awareness of existing trails was low.
This focus-group research indicated that the social marketing
intervention in this community should address safety concerns and emphasize
walking groups for women and older adults. The lack of awareness of
available walking trails indicated a need to publicize trails as part of the
intervention.
Corresponding Author: Ericka Burroughs, MA, MPH, Program
Coordinator, University of South Carolina, Arnold School of Public Health,
Prevention Research Center, 730 Devine St, Columbia, SC 29208. Telephone:
803-436-2182. E-mail: burrouge@gwm.sc.edu.
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