Evaluating Digital Program Support for the Physical Activity 4 Everyone (PA4E1) School Program: Mixed Methods Study

Background Effectively scaled-up physical activity interventions are urgently needed to address the high prevalence of inactivity. To facilitate scale-up an efficacious school-based program (Physical Activity 4 Everyone [PA4E1]), provision implementation support education (PE) teachers was adapted from face-to-face and paper-based delivery modes partial via a website. A lack engagement (usage subjective experience) with digital modes, including websites, may in part explain typical reduction effectiveness that use modes. process evaluation focused on PA4E1 website undertaken. Objective The 2 objectives were (1) describe usage by in-school champions (PE leading within their schools) PE using quantitative methods; (2) examine usage, experience, usability perspective mixed methods. Methods first objective used data collected across all users (n=273) throughout 9 school terms support. measures sessions, page views, average session duration, downloads. Descriptive statistics calculated explored duration 26-month program. second methods, triangulating think-aloud survey test completed (n=13) at 12 months. Qualitative analyzed thematically alongside descriptive triangulation matrix, generating cross-cutting themes “following thread” approach. Results For objective, averaged 48.0 sessions per user, 5.8 sessions. teacher longer (10.5 vs 7.6 minutes) included more views (5.4 3.4). results methods analysis for found meta-themes. meta-theme indicated acceptable appropriate mode, high. content appropriate, identified specific suggestions improvement. Conclusions Digital health targeting often experience issues user engagement. By contrast, findings both analyses indicate overall acceptability appropriateness teachers. value multidelivery mode intervention schools implement promoting practices. suggested refinements, which be adopted future iterations further Trial Registration Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12617000681358; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=372870