Childhood obesity prevention in schools and municipalities – the digital planning tool WEPI

Abstract Background The development of theory-based prevention efforts is complex and often not feasible in the daily work of project planners. Planning tools such as the Intervention Mapping Approach (IMA), which is a gold standard for project planning, cannot be used in practice without preconditions. How can prevention planning be evidence-based but also practical? Against this background, the research project WEPI was developed, funded by the Federal Ministry of Health, Germany. WEPI is a digital planning tool based on the IMA, that guides municipalities and schools in planning childhood obesity prevention efforts. Methods From April 2019 to October 2020, the planning tool was developed. In October 2020 and February 2021, WEPI was tested for the first time by selected municipalities (n = 4) in Bavaria and schools (n = 4) in Lower Saxony. Based on this, the modified planning tool was tested for a second time throughout Germany (05-11/2021). Handling and acceptance were evaluated in a questionnaire survey. Results The first test showed that content and technical aspects needed to be optimised in order to bring scientific demands and practical feasibility together. Six municipalities and eight educational institutions participated in the second test phase. The respondents (n = 14) indicated that WEPI facilitates structured project planning (86%) and supports collaboration with colleagues (64%). 93% would use the planning tool again. WEPI offers evidence-based methods for practical implementation as well as a download area, including a template for a project application or a project summary. This service was also evaluated as very helpful (64%). Conclusions Through step-by-step guidance, WEPI facilitates evidence-based project planning and ensures planning quality. Effort and benefit are in good proportion. Further optimisations are needed to improve the user-friendliness. Key messages • WEPI provides a comprehensive roadmap, helping practitioners to approach a structured project planning. • Practitioners’ participation promotes acceptance and provides a user-friendly development.


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R Berner
Department of New Public Health
Osnabru ¨ck University
Osnabru ¨ckGermany

Birth Forward
Non-Govertmental Organization
NicosiaCyprus

B Babitsch 
Department of New Public Health
Osnabru ¨ck University
Osnabru ¨ckGermany

Birth Forward
Non-Govertmental Organization
NicosiaCyprus

Nicos Middleton nicos.middleton@cut.ac.cy 
Institute for Applied Health Sciences
Coburg University of Applied Sciences and Art
CoburgGermany

Department of New Public Health
Osnabru ¨ck University
Osnabru ¨ckGermany

School of Health Sciences
Department of Nursing
Cyprus University of Technology
LimassolCyprus

Birth Forward

n-Govertm
ntal Organization
NicosiaCyprus

Institute for Applied Health Sciences
Coburg University of Applied Sciences and Art
CoburgGermany

Department of New Public Health
Osnabru ¨ck University
Osnabru ¨ckGermany

School of Health Sciences
Department of Nursing
Cyprus University of Technology
LimassolCyprus

Birth Forward
Non-Govertmental Organization
NicosiaCyprus

I Koliandri 
Institute for

plied Hea
th Sciences
Coburg University of Applied Sciences and Art
CoburgGermany

School of Health Sciences
Department of Nursing
Cyprus University of Technology
LimassolCyprus

O Kolokotroni 
Institute for Applied Health Sciences
Coburg University of Applied Sciences and Art
CoburgGermany

Department of New Public Health
Osnabru ¨ck University
Osnabru ¨ckGermany

School of Health Sciences
Department of Nursing
Cyprus University of Technology
LimassolCyprus

Birth Forward
Non-Govertmental Organization
NicosiaCyprus

E Hadjigeorgiou 
Institute for Applied Health Sciences
Coburg University of Applied Sciences and Art
CoburgGermany

School of Hea

h Sciences
De
artment of Nursing
Cyprus University of Technology
LimassolCyprus

V Christodoulides 
Department of New Public Health
Osnabru ¨ck University
Osnabru ¨ckGermany

Birth Forward
Non-Govertmental Organization
NicosiaCyprus

C Nicolaou 
I stitute for Applied Health Sciences
Coburg University of Applied Sciences and Art
CoburgGermany

School of Health Sciences
Department of Nursing
Cyprus University of Technology
LimassolCyprus

C K

ta 
Institut
for Applied Health Sciences
Coburg University of Applied Sciences and Art
CoburgGermany

School of Health Sciences
Department of Nursing
Cyprus University of Technology
Limass

Cyprus

M
Karanikola 
Institute for Applied Health Sciences
Coburg University of Applied Sciences and Art
CoburgGermany

School of Health Sciences
Department of Nursing
Cyprus University of Technology
LimassolCyprus

Baby Buddy Forward 
Despite the closure of many obstetric departments, regional accessibility to o

tetric ca
e remains good for most areas in Germany. Further regionalization may ensure high-quality care and efficiency but will have an impact on accessibility. Abstract citation ID: ckac131.425 Childhood obesity prevention in schools and municipalities -the digital planning tool WEPI
EA7B943C9D0EEA018DEB93F441BD00BA
The development of theory-based prevention efforts is complex and often not feasible in the daily work of project planners.Planning tools such as the Intervention Mapping Approach (IMA), which is a gold standard for project planning, cannot be used in practice without preconditions.How can prevention planning be evidence-based but also practical?Against this background, the research project WEPI was developed, funded by the Federal Ministry of Health, Germany.WEPI is a digital planning tool based on the IMA, that guides municipalities and schools in planning childhood obesity prevention efforts.Methods:From April 2019 to October 2020, the planning tool was developed.In October 2020 and February 2021, WEPI was tested for the first time by selected municipalities (n = 4) in B

aria and scho
ls (n = 4) in Lower Saxony.Based on this, the modified planning tool was tested for a second time throughout Germany (05-11/2021).Handling and acceptance were evaluated in a questionnaire survey.Results:The first test showed that content and technical aspects needed to be optimised in order to bring scientific demands and practical feasibility together.Six municipalities and eight educational institutions participated in the second test phase.The respondents (n = 14) indicated that WEPI facilitates structured project planning (86%) and supports collaboration with colleagues (64%).93% would use the pl nning tool again.WEPI offers evidence-based methods for practical implementation as well as a download area, including a template for a project application or a project summary.This service was also e

Background:
Internet use in pregnancy is very prevalent.However, there are issues with information quality as well as acceptance by healthcare providers which can add to the frustration.Methods: An online anonymous survey, shared via Baby Buddy Cyprus, addressed women who are pregnant or recently gave birth in Cyprus.Adapting previously used questionnaires, the survey covered reasons and patterns of internet use, perceptions of trustworthiness, appraisal means and usefulness in decisionmaking.Results: Among 357 responses so far in this ongoing survey (38% pregnant, 62% new mums, 66% primiparas, 42% C/S, 78% private sector), searching online seems very frequent, even though 70% report coming across wrong or misleading information often.Checking for consistency across sites and/ or with information by healthcare provider (HP) is the most common technique for assessing trustworthiness.While the majority discuss information with HP, only half characterize their reception as positive and welcoming.As many as 89% believe that HP should recommend sites, but only 6.5% report their HP made recommendations.The role of the internet in assisting decision-making is rated as moderate (M = 3.0, SD = 1.0 on 5-point scale averaged across 11 items); yet more than half search online to be prepared and have control over decisions.Among reasons cited for using the internet is insufficient time with HP and/or is unclear or unsatisfactory information.While only 11.6% prepare material for the next appointment, 54.5 % use the internet to verify information given by HP or for a second opinion.

Conclusions:
While a prevalent source of information, the flow is problematic as it appears that women are more likely to search online to verify information rather than discuss this information with their providers.Insights about characteristics and attributes of internet use in pregnancy suggest that health services need to engage with, rather than ignore, this reality and offer appropriate guidance.

Key messages:
Pregnant women in Cyprus search for information online, due to insufficient time or information by healthcare providers, even though they recognize there are issues with quality and expect guidance.
In a landscape of unguided information-seeking, searching for consistency and verification, a shift in current practices is needed whereby healthcare providers and services engage with this reality.
Abstract citation ID: ckac131.427Parental Knowledge on Prevention of SUID