Measurement and assessment processes are of great significance in the health promotion processes in various organizations and projects. The assessment allows us to examine whether the actions we have chosen are carried out according to plan, and to what extent we have succeeded in achieving our goals and objectives. The goals and objectives serve as a navigation map for the work plan, so it is important to aim for achievable objectives tailored to the goal and to the action strategy that we have chosen. "Efsharibari in the City” guide includes extensive information about the methods for setting goals, objectives and indices of success (HE). In addition, we can use a dedicated tool that has been developed to assist in mapping action strategies and defining measurable goals (HE).
A good assessment will help us to devise our plans more efficiently, by mapping the needs and/or documenting the existing situation before carrying out the plan and measuring whether and what we have been able to achieve by the completion of the plan in respect of improving the selected indices. The following are some tools for measurement and assessment of the different issues and the diverse processes.
Mapping or measuring tools at local authorities and workplaces
Efsharibari in the City index questionnaire is intended to evaluate the current situation in relation to the municipal vision and as a basis for developing a plan suited to the needs of all the residents of a local authority. The mapping questionnaire includes a set of indices that help each authority to perform the essential initial mapping and later also to measure/assess the progress in the various selected areas. The Indices Questionnaire for Authorities (HE) includes questions about policies, environmental changes and sustainability programs in the areas of nutrition, physical activity, a smoking-free environment and health promotion. It is recommended that the questionnaire be prepared by the municipal health coordinator, consulting with the officials in various divisions and departments of the local authority and reviewing various databases.
A city profile is another document for mapping indices in the local authority that is intended to serve as a basis for strategic planning for the development of health and sustainability. It was developed within the Healthy Cities Network project. A city profile includes a survey of residents (aged 22 and over) conducted with assistance of the professional staff of the network and in collaboration with the Central Bureau of Statistics. It is important to note that producing the entire profile requires preparation, resources and coordination with various professionals and professional organizations.
At workplaces, the Organizational Policy Assessment and Planning (OHA - Organizational Health Assessment) Questionnaire is designed to help managers and those in charge of promoting health of the employees assess whether the health promotion procedures and programs are integrated in their organization and whether they are in accordance with those recommended in the scientific literature. The Organizational Policy Assessment and Planning Questionnaire (HE) can be used for collecting and analyzing policy documents and formulating recommendations for policy changes as needed.
The Employee Risk and Health Assessment (HRA - Health Risk Assessment) Questionnaire is designed to assess the risks and health needs of the employee population. The Employee Risk and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HE) includes many topics. It is possible to focus on one health topic, for example, physical activity, or to cover several topics such as: nutrition, physical activity, a smoking-free environment, etc.
A Checklist for Assessment of the Extent of Health-Promoting Infrastructure in the workplace has been developed for mapping purposes. Infrastructure that supports the promotion of health at work is essential for the success of interventions in the workplace. The checklist (HE) is intended to be filled out by an observer who inspects the organization and its facilities, for the purpose of gathering information about the various infrastructures in the organization. It should be noted that some of the questions are appropriate for selected workplaces, the tool may need to be adapted to the measured environment.
Tools for evaluating interventions
These questionnaires are intended for examining the changes in the knowledge, attitudes and behavior of participants in workshops or ongoing activities at local authorities, examining the degree of participants’ satisfaction and finding out to what extent they are familiar with the national “Efsharibari” program. It is recommended to offer these questionnaires several times, in the first session before the start of the activity, in the last session of the activity and three to six (3-6) months after the end of the activity, for examining the long-term impact on participants' attitudes and behavior. The tools include process mapping questions for the activity organizers and a questionnaire for the participants. The tools are intended for use by the local authority health coordinator and/or various entities that accompany the health promotion programs. Questionnaires for evaluating activities and programs for health promotion (HE) include:
- Assessment tools for workshops and ongoing activities in the field of nutrition
- Assessment tools for workshops and ongoing activities in the field of physical activity
- Observation tools on the use of stairs in workplaces and public places
- Mapping tools: Selling of healthy food and drinks in cafeterias / buffets / kiosks
In addition, it is possible to include the questions for checking satisfaction from the activity of the participants. Examining the participants’ satisfaction, as part of the process indices, is carried out in order to consider updating the program or its content.
Tools for health issues and health behaviors
There are questionnaires on a variety of topics for examining knowledge, attitudes and behavior in various areas of health. These questionnaires have been developed for long-term monitoring of population health and lifestyle and health-related behaviors, some of them are carried out as part of the ICDC - Israel Center for Disease Control activity.
KAP (Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices) survey (HE) has been carried out to examine the trends in knowledge, attitudes and health-related behaviors prevalent in the population. As of 2010 the sample is based on those aged 21 and over. The questionnaire covers a variety of topics including exercise, nutrition, and smoking habits. The KAP questionnaire can serve as a basis for getting familiar with the various areas of behavior and measurement relevant to the health promotion. Other questionnaires in the field of active and healthy lifestyle for the general population include: Social Survey “Health and Way of Life” (HE) of the Central Bureau of Statistics. It is intended for examining the various health-related aspects among the population in Israel. Survey of Physical Activity Habits (HE) among Israeli residents aged 21+ of the ICDC - Israel Center for Disease Control and the Ministry of Culture and Sports is designed to gather information on physical activity in various areas of life.
Questionnaire on Food Consumption According to the Principles of the Mediterranean Diet which is characterized by, among other things, large consumption of plant foods such as vegetables, fruits, legumes and nuts, and the use of olive oil as the main source of fat. A Mediterranean diet has been proven to reduce the risk of mortality. It is also associated with a lower incidence of heart diseases, stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and certain types of cancer. The Ministry of Health has adopted the principles of the Mediterranean diet as part of the official recommendations. The I-MEDAS questionnaire (HE) is a validated questionnaire, adapted to Israel, for food consumption according to the principles of the Mediterranean diet. The questionnaire consists of 14 items with a score for each question. The higher the score, the better is the adherence to food consumption according to the principles of the Mediterranean diet.
The International Study Program on the Welfare and Health of Adolescents HBSC (Health Behavior in School-Aged Children) is a survey that examines healthy behaviors and risk behaviors among the adolescents. The HBSC study (HE) was conducted among a sample of sixth, eighth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grade students in the state, state-religious and the Arab sector education systems. The study was conducted with the support of the Ministries of Health, Education, Culture and Sport.
A Functional Assessment Questionnaire for Senior Citizens has been developed within the ActiveNet, Information System for Maintaining Functionality and Rehabilitation in the Community, which has been developed by JDC-ESHEL and the Ministry of Health. The questionnaire is intended for self-completion (or completion with the help of a close person) by adults aged 60 and over for the purpose of self-assessment of functioning. Filling out the questionnaire serves as an opportunity to make recommendations for medical and community services intended for preserving and promoting optimal aging in the local authority.
Further reading
Efsharibari Guide for Local Authorities (HE)
Efsharibari at Work Guide (HE)