Background: In health promotion interventions, it is essential to hold on to the participants during the course of the intervention, since completion is considered a prerequisite to achieving the intended effects. The municipality of Aarhus have been experiencing challenges regarding dropouts of the lifestyle intervention Sund Livsstil, with an estimated dropout rate of 48,5 % in the period 2014-2017. Individuals with a low educational level are particularly at risk of dropout, which may lead to an increased social inequality in health.
Purpose of study: The purpose of this study is to prepare suggestions for how the dropout rate can be reduced for participants’ with a low socio-economic status (SEP) in Sund Livsstil.
Methods: The first phase of the MRC-model has been the methodical framework followed in this thesis, where a literature study, a focus group interview, a survey, and relevant theory all have contributed to the development of suggestions. The literature study has contributed with knowledge regarding which components of community interventions have been found effective and suitable for lifestyle interventions. The focus group interview has been used to explore the experiences and attitudes of former participants with low SEP. Knowledge achieved through the focus group interview has been investigated using a survey with the purpose of investigating how the identified suggestions to increase retention generalises. A combination of the mentioned methods has been used for the development of suggestions to increase retention.
Results: Eight suggestions to increase retention in Sund Livsstil were identified. These are: 1) move the physical location of the intervention, 2) offer ongoing telephone consultations, 3) establish a continuing team, 4) attach a former participant to the intervention as a role model, 5) to divide participants in pairs based on their place of residence, 6) establish intervention groups based on the participants' situation, 7) involve local fitness associations in the intervention, and 8) make the intervention more tailored to the individual. More specific suggestions have been produced for the following: 2) telephone consultations, 4) role models, 5) local partners, and 7) involvement of local associations.
The selection of these suggestions is primarily based on their potential to reducing the dropout rate, as well as an assessment of the use of resources associated with each suggestion.
Conclusion: Based on this thesis, suggestions regarding telephonic consultation as well as the involvement of a role model can help reducing early dropout, i.e., the dropout rate during the intervention period itself. On the other hand, the suggestions regarding the involvement of local associations and local partners are ways to reduce late dropouts, i.e., the dropouts occurring in the follow-up period.