Outreach: Community Health Intervention Programme (CHIPs)

The Community Health Intervention Programmes was introduced to communities in August 1997 in response to the growing prevalence and burden of chronic, non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. A chronic lack of facilities for physical activity in disadvantaged communities coupled with the gap in knowledge, attitudes and beliefs in terms of personal responsibility for health, further motivated the design of this model.

The CHIPs project exists to promote health through the medium of regular physical activity. Five programmes were designed to respond to the needs of individuals through all phases of the "life-cycle". The programmes are Healthnutz for children, Optifit Outreach for adults, "Fit for Work", a workplace based exercise intervention, "Live it Up" for older adults and Wakey Wakey, which is a group based health awareness programme. Each of these programmes enfold a two-fold strategy: education to increase awareness regarding the risk for developing chronic diseases of lifestyle and regular physical activity to encourage adherence and self-efficacy in making healthier lifestyle choices.

Since its inception the project has opened over 40 branches, trained more than 300 leaders and impacted on 8685 individuals' lives.

The next phase of growth is to expand the project nationally and to develop a "train the trainer" model. Furthermore, we are seeking accreditation from SAQA for our resource manuals and the training offered to our leaders.

The project designed five programmes each of which combines education and participation in physical activity as an intervention strategy. These programmes were designed around the needs and physical capabilities of the respective target groups. These are:

Healthnutz

• Healthnutz is offered at schools for learners in the foundation phase.
• Learners participate in fun, non- competitive physical activity as part of the life orientation focus area.
• Teachers who volunteered to be trained by the CHIPs project conduct the physical activity.
• The education component focuses on health awareness, social skills and life skills.
• Impact: 56 trained teachers at 12 schools.

Optifit Outreach

• OptiFit Outreach is offerd twice a week to individuals between the age of 18 and 55 at a venue central to the community.
• Optifit Outreach members participate in walking, running, aerobics and indoor circuit training.
• Community leaders who volunteer to be trained by the CHIPs project conducts the exercise and manage the programme in line with the needs of the community.
• The education component focuses on disease prevention, lifestyle management and diet.
• Impact: 30 trained leaders and 600 participants exercising twice per week in 12 communities.

Live It Up

• "Live It Up" is offered twice a week to individuals 55 years and older at community centres, seniors clubs or places of worship.
• "Live It Up" members participates in predominantly seated activity to improve their muscle strength and balance.
• The education component focuses on aspects related to disease management as well as coping with the challenges associated with ageing.
• Impact: The effectiveness of Live it Up was evaluated in 1999, The programme resulted in: Improved dynamic balance; decrease in systolic blood pressure and improved sense of self - worth.

Fit For Work

• Fit for work is at the work site twice per week.
• The programme aims to encourage regular physical activity to reduce the incidence of musculo-skeletal pain.
• The programme was developed in 2001 and piloted in 2002.
• The exericise is conducted by workers who are willing to be trained by the CHIPs project.
• The education component focuses on back care and lifestyle management.
• Impact: 20 Trained leaders and 5 exercise groups equalling approximately 100 participants.

Wakey-Wakey

• Wakey-Wakey is a health screening programme which is offered to members of the public to increase awareness about their state of health.
• A range of tests including blood pressure, cholesterol and certain girth measurements are offered at no cost.
• Impact: Approximately 4700 people have been made aware of their health status since August 1997.

Conclusion

The CHIPS programme has shown sustainability over time, changing lives of children, adults and senior citizens. It achieves this through the use of exercise and lifestyle modification - teaching and empowering communities and individuals to a healthier lifestyle.

The programme teaches that all individuals can benefit from a healthier lifestyle, regardless of financial circumstances. It also shows a benefit to community spirit, by uniting communities through participation.