This study aimed to explore a model of a replicable physical activity education program and its relationship to health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and empowerment of women and PAFAB experiencing sheltered homelessness.
Participants were 27 women and PAFAB residing in shelters in Pennsylvania, United States. Once a week, for four weeks, the participants engaged in a 60-minute session where researchers educated participants on physical activity and led a short exercise routine. Participants completed an Empowerment in Exercises (EES) Scale after each session and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Healthy Days questionnaire before and after the 4-week intervention.
There was a statistically significant difference in the CDC Healthy Days question 1 (HD1) from the pre to post-test [t(16)= -4.8, 0.0002], which asked participants to rank their overall health. Empowerment scores improved from Week 1 (mean 4.38, SD 0.78) to Week 4 (mean 4.83, SD 0.47) with a Cohen d effect size of 0.70, indicating a moderate effect.
The results suggest that a 4-week educational program may influence participants’ perceptions of their overall health. Providing education and opportunities for physical activity may empower women and PAFA experiencing homelessness to be more active and positively affect their overall health. Future work should explore ways to sustain community delivery of empowerment programs.
EMPOWER findings indicate that a 4-week educational program holds promise in enhancing overall health perception and empowerment among women and individuals (AFAB) experiencing homelessness in shelters. However, the enduring impact on activity levels requires further exploration through comprehensive and longitudinal research initiatives. This study underscores the potential of educational interventions to instigate positive health changes, contributing to the well-being of this vulnerable population.
homelessness
health equity
