Mapping health promotion practices across key sectors and its intersectoral approach at the local level: study protocol

Abstract

Aims: This study outlines a protocol aimed at identifying and mapping health promotion practices in need of development from the perspectives of key sectors responsible for it at the local level and from an intersectoral perspective across four Spanish regions. Design: A complementary multi-method study combining survey methods and qualitative interviews will be adopted. Methods: Purposive snowball sampling will be employed to select potentially rich informants from city councils, primary care centres, primary and secondary schools, and public health and civil society organizations in 12 municipalities sensitive to local health. Data on the degree of execution of health promotion activities, the level of intersectorality in their implementation, and their origins will be collected using PromoACTIVA questionnaires, an intersectoral typology model and an interview protocol. A parallel mixed analysis encompassing descriptive statistics and a ‘framework analysis’ will be performed. Discussion: This study is expected to yield thorough and reliable insights into health promotion practices and omissions at the local level by focusing on key stakeholders, both individually and collaboratively. This information can enhance health promotion planning and improve its effectiveness, efficiency and contextual relevance. The development and testing of a methodology for the integration and interpretation of these data will ensure sustainable capacity building. Impact: Managers and practitioners interested in health promotion planning in the researched settings can benefit from a comprehensive map of the current state of their practices and insights into the starting points of collaboration. In addition, planners from other local settings will gain access to tools and methodologies to replicate and expand these maps to their own contexts. Stakeholder Engagement: Engaging key stakeholders with experience working in or with primary care centres, public health organizations, primary and secondary schools, civil society organizations, and city councils was vital to ensure the study's relevance and feasibility.