South Asian Women Together in a Health Initiative (SATHI): A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Background. Canadian South Asian women have high rates of cardiovascular disease and low rates of physical activity. The primary objective of this study was to assess feasibility (recruitment, retention, engagement, acceptability) of the South Asian women Together in a Health Initiative (SATHI) using the Medical Research Council’s guidance framework. The secondary objectives were to determine potential effects of SATHI on physical activity, anthropometric risk, and self efficacy. Exploratory analysis of the relationship of self-efficacy and step count was also undertaken. Methods. SATHI was a 12-week pilot randomized controlled trial of South Asian women, ages 24-39, in the Greater Toronto Area, with no previous medical history. The control group received a pedometer, the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Adults 18-64, and a physical activity logbook. The intervention group received a pedometer, a physical activity logbook, and the SATHI intervention consisting of a culturally tailored physical activity education with peer support program based on Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy. Physical activity and anthropometric data were collected pre- and post-intervention. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and linear mixed models for repeated measures. Results. Of the 467 South Asian women screened, 67.7% (n=316) were deemed eligible but only 15.2% consented to participate in the study. No participants were lost to follow up. All predefined engagement criteria were met (reading/watching education materials, peer interactions, submitting step counts, documenting physical activity). However, fewer participants completed the recommended physical activity for South Asians than anticipated. Acceptability of the SATHI intervention was 100%. Compared to the control group, the intervention group had significantly increased their self efficacy (SE, 106.9; 95% CI, 62.6-487.5) and step count (SE, 1151.7; 95% CI, 760.1-5340.0). However, there were no significant between group differences in anthropometric measures. Self-efficacy was also positively related to step count, r(46)=0.56, p<0.001, indicating a large effect size. Conclusions. It is feasible to conduct the SATHI trial in a South Asian community. It has the potential to improve physical activity among this at-risk population. A larger trial should be undertaken to further investigate the effectiveness of SATHI on anthropometric and cardiovascular disease risk reduction. The trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03667976).

Department dc:contributor.department

Nursing Science

Year dc:date.issued

2022

Author dc:creator

• Dhukai, Abida Ramzan

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Parry, Monica

• Cardiovascular Disease
• Peer Support
• Physical Activity
• Self Efficacy
• South Asian
• Women

Statement dc:rights

• Attribution 4.0 International

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1807/124887

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:utoronto.scholaris.ca:1807/124887