Effectiveness of implementation strategies to improve nutrition education interventions in adults living in rural and/or low-income communities.

Objective: The objective of this project was to promote evidence-based practice and identify how to best implement nutrition education interventions for adults living in rural and/or low-income communities.

Introduction: Adults living in rural and/or low-income communities are at increased risk for poor nutrition and chronic health conditions. Patients are referred to the EversCare Clinic (ECC), an ambulatory clinic at an academic medical center in Mississippi, USA, to receive assistance with social needs. In addition to living in rural and/or low-income communities, over 90% of the patients seen at the ECC are food-insecure, yet nutrition education is inconsistently provided.

Methods: The JBI Practical Application of Clinical Evidence System (PACES) and the Getting Research into Practice (GRiP) audit and feedback tools were used. The ECC team conducted a baseline audit of 30 patient electronic health records, designed and implemented best-practice nutrition education strategies, and completed a follow-up audit of 30 patient electronic health records. Four evidence-based criteria for nutrition education in adults living in rural and/or low-income communities were audited, and various interventions were used to address multiple levels.

Results: The baseline audit revealed patients were not receiving recommended nutrition education interventions. Following the implementation, there was a 64.2% improvement in compliance with all four best practice criteria. Involving nursing students proved to be an effective method of improving compliance.

Conclusion: Adherence to best practices regarding implementing nutrition education interventions was satisfactory, with 80% of patients receiving interventions at individual, interpersonal, community, and societal levels. Future audits are planned to ensure sustainability.