A correlational study on health training program participation and influences upon communities volunteers in Taipei City.

Abstract

This is a cross-sectional study that purposely selected healthy community centers (HCC) in Taipei City to explore factors affecting volunteers' health training program participation (HTPP). The major objectives were to: (1) examine volunteer's HTPP; (2) explore relationships among volunteers' HTPP, self-efficacy (SE) in healthy community building, and community activities participation (CAP); and (3) identify key factors affecting volunteers' HTPP. A self-developed instrument with validity (content validity index > .91) and reliability (alpha = .63-.87) was used. A total of 250 participants were recruited. Study results revealed that a majority of the volunteers were middle-aged women who held at least a high school education, worked part-time, held Buddhist religious beliefs, were married and were middle class in terms of income. The average HTPP value was 19, with Xin Yi, Zhong Zhen and Bei Tou HCCs exhibiting higher HTPP values. Those not currently employed and housewives volunteers had lower HTPP values. 66.4% of volunteers participated at community activities after training and contributed 60-120 service hours a year. Volunteers' SE in healthy community building was low (M = 2.01, SD = 1.01), which, however, could explain 21% variance of HTPP. Factors affecting HTPP included HCC site, SE and CAP, which accounted for 57% of variance. Study results indicated that SE and CAP could serve as training evaluation indicators and a well-organized training program could increase volunteers' SE. Standard health training programs should incorporate three programs, including volunteerism perception, health promotion, and middle aged and elderly care to thus further improve volunteers' participation in community health activities.