Development of a Wellness Committee Implementation Index for Workplace Health Promotion Programs in Small Businesses.

PURPOSE

To construct a wellness committee (WC) implementation index and determine whether this index was associated with evidence-based intervention implementation in a workplace health promotion program.

DESIGN

Secondary data analysis of the randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

Small businesses assigned to the plus WC study arm.

SAMPLE

Small businesses (20-200 employees, n = 23) from 6 low-wage industries in King County, Washington.

MEASURES

Wellness committee implementation index (0%-100%) and evidence-based intervention implementation (0%-100%).

ANALYSIS

We used descriptive and bivariate statistics to describe worksites' organizational characteristics. For the primary analyses, we used generalized estimating equations with robust standard errors to assess the association between WC implementation index and evidence-based intervention implementation over time.

RESULTS

Average WC implementation index scores were 60% at 15 months and 38% at 24 months. Evidence-based intervention scores among worksites with WCs were 27% points higher at 15 months (64% vs 37%, < .001) and 36% points higher at 24 months (55% vs 18%, < .001). Higher WC implementation index scores were positively associated with evidence-based intervention implementation scores over time ( < .001).

CONCLUSION

Wellness committees may play an essential role in supporting evidence-based intervention implementation among small businesses. Furthermore, the degree to which these WCs are engaged and have leadership support, a set plan or goals, and multilevel participation may influence evidence-based intervention implementation and maintenance over time.