Abstracts Division 1
22. Improving the cooperation between childcare organizations in Southern Limburg: A social network analysis
Sid Penders1, Mandy M.N. Leurs-Stijnen2,3, Stef P.J. Kremers1 and Jessica S. Gubbels1
1 Department of Health Promotion, School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
2 Department of Health Services Research, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands
3 Living Lab Public Health Limburg, Public Health Service South Limburg (GGD Zuid Limburg), P.O. Box 33, 6400 AA Heerlen, The Netherlands
Background
The environment wherein a child grows up determines many health and life outcomes of the child. Southern Limburg is characterized by persistent health inequalities, including among children. Childcare is an important place for children, and can have an important influence on health. Therefore, a learning network including childcare organizations, Public Health Service South Limburg and the Maastricht University is established, with as main objective to share ‘best practices’ related to health promotion. This study examined the network structure of the learning network and childcare locations, to improve cooperation between relevant stakeholders and ultimately improving the health status of children going to childcare.
Design and methods
A mixed-methods design was adopted. An online-questionnaire was used to examine the relationships of the learning network (N=6) and childcare locations (N=59) between these organizations and with organizations related to the health topics of the national program “Healthy Childcare” (e.g. nutrition, exercise). This data was analyzed and visualized using social network analysis (SNA) in software program UCINET. Thereafter, semi-structured interviews were held with the members of the learning network (N=9), to discuss the network structure and possible improvements. Interviews were analyzed using Nvivo. Follow-up measurement will take place to monitor and evaluate changes in collaborations.
Results
The SNA showed a weak network structure for the learning network and childcare locations. Connections were mostly related to organizations in the field of nutrition and physical activity. In addition, the childcare organizations had a small mutual network with only a few organizations in common. The interviews provided insight into the underlying reasons for (the lack off) certain connections.
Conclusions
The SNA and interviews indicated that the collaboration between childcare organizations and organizations related to other health topics like green environment or sun protection could be improved. Implications from this study will be applied in the childcare practice.
NUTRIM | School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism
NUTRIM aims to contribute to health maintenance and personalised medicine by unraveling lifestyle and disease-induced derangements in metabolism and by developing targeted nutritional, exercise and drug interventions. This is facilitated by a state of the art research infrastructure and close interaction between scientists, clinicians, master and PhD students.
www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/nutrim