THURS-072 - Evaluating a Community-based Preconception Counseling Model Using PRISM: Participant Demographics, Clinical Risk, and Feedback Insights

Brief Abstract Summary: We applied the Practical, Robust Implementation and Sustainability Model (PRISM) to examine the implementation of a community-based preconception counseling program to prevent and control prenatal and postpartum conditions that contribute to high maternal morbidity and mortality in the Southeastern U.S. Over a 6-month period, N= 214 participants engaged in preconception counseling sessions and completed evaluation surveys. Participants were primarily African American women (91.6%) with 56.4% being aged between 25-34. Among intervention participants self-scoring between 0-10, women reported a mean readiness to change diet of 6.62 (SD=1.97) and physical activity of 6.41 (SD= 2.26), while men reported higher readiness scores for both diet (mean = 7.60, SD= 2.23) and physical activity (mean = 8.40, SD=1.93). These results demonstrate how descriptive evaluation findings can inform continuous quality improvement of community-based Preconception Counseling intervention models.

Detailed abstract description: Discover how Project IMPACT applied the Practical, Robust Implementation and Sustainability Model (PRISM) to strengthen and evaluate a community-based preconception (PC) counseling program aimed at improving maternal health outcomes. This presentation will guide attendees through a real-world example of how descriptive and univariate analyses can provide meaningful insights into participant experiences and inform continuous quality improvement.

Over a six-month period, Project IMPACT delivered PC counseling sessions to a diverse group of participants (N = 214) across community settings. Participants completed evaluation surveys at baseline capturing self-reported readiness to change nutrition and physical activity habits (on a scale of 0-10). The participant population was predominantly (83.6%) women, 92.5% Black only (not mixed race), and within the 25-34 age range (55.1%). Additionally, a total of 146 participants were identified and referred for follow-up due to elevated blood pressure. Interim findings at baseline were that women reported moderate readiness to change their diet (mean = 6.62) and physical activity (mean = 6.41), whereas men demonstrated higher readiness levels for both diet (mean = 7.60) and physical activity (mean = 8.40).

Attendees will learn how PRISM provided a structured framework for interpreting these findings and connecting participant-level feedback to broader implementation and sustainability strategies. The presentation will describe how the team used descriptive data to identify barriers, facilitators, and opportunities for program adaptation, ensuring that PC counseling sessions remain culturally responsive and contextually relevant.

This session is ideal for public health educators, program coordinators, and evaluators seeking practical approaches to assess and refine community-based interventions when only descriptive data is available. Attendees will gain concrete strategies for:

Applying implementation science frameworks such as PRISM – RE-AIM to guide real world program evaluation.

Leveraging descriptive and univariate analyses to drive iterative program improvements.

Translating participant feedback into actionable program changes that enhance reach, adoption, and long-term sustainability.

Integrating demographic and clinical data to identify population-specific needs and opportunities for tailoring interventions.

By the end of the session, participants will understand how community-engaged evaluation methods can bridge the gap between evidence-based models and the lived experiences of program participants. Project IMPACT’s evaluation offers a replicable model for using pragmatic, resource-efficient evaluation techniques to inform implementation and sustainability decisions in maternal health and other community-based public health initiatives.