Step Three & four

Step 3: identify risk factors and set the goal for the project

Step 4: determine contributing factors and state objectives for the project

There is overlap between Steps 3 and 4, so they are considered together. Both depend on an analysis of the problem addressed by the project.

Analyse the problem to determine risk factors and contributing factors

Addressing a problem successfully will require the project to focus on the underlying causes or issues that led to the problem in the first place. In other words, the goal and objectives of a project need to relate to the underlying causes or issues. Developing a clear and organised goal and objectives that relate to each other requires some critical analysis of the problem.

Some terms defined

'Risk factors' are any aspect of behaviour, society or the environment that are directly linked to the health problem. Risk factors lead to or directly cause the problem. Note that some risk factors can be changed, while others are not able to be modified, for example, family history of a condition.

Hawe et al 1990:213

Examples of risk factors:

eating high fat food (behavioural) and having a family history of heart disease (biological) are both risk factors for heart disease. People can change their food choices (modifiable) but not their genetics (non-modifiable)
direct exposure to bacteria and germs (environmental) may be a risk factor for diarrhoea. Exposure can be changed

'Contributing factors' are any aspect of behaviour, society or the environment that leads to the risk factors developing. Contributing factors enable or reinforce the risk factors. They can relate to individual, financial, political, educational, environmental, or other issues.

Hawe et al 1990:204

Examples of contributing factors:

lack of knowledge about low fat diets (educational) and high cost of low-fat foods in the store (financial) are both contributing factors to the risk factor 'eating a high fat diet'
poor housing conditions (environmental) and lack of home hygiene (behavioural) are both contributing factors to the risk factor 'exposure to bacteria and germs'

Problem analysis

The way to analyse the problem is to first state what it is, and then ask questions like 'why' and 'how' to identify the causes of the problem. At this point, you may need to search through research reports, articles and books to see what others have discovered about the problem.

See 'Literature search' at the beginning of this chapter

The following diagram shows the relationship of risk factors and contributing factors to the project goal and objectives.

Steps 3 and 4

The issue or problem targeted by the health promotion project will probably have more than one risk factor. The project will aim to make a change in one of these risk factors (as stated in the project goal). Analysis of the health problem helps the project team to see what complementary projects are needed (either planned by the team or others) to change the other risk factors.

Developing the project goal and objectives

The goal and objectives:

make the plan clear and focus the energies of the project team
let people know what they can expect to happen as a result of the project
are the basis for planning the evaluation of the project

Goal		The goal is about making changes to the risk factor addressed by the project. The goal indicates what the planned, longer term outcome of the project is. It is also intended to inspire, motivate and focus people and encourage team cooperation.

Objectives		Objectives state what changes the project will make to the contributing factors. The objectives indicate what the impact will be on the contributing factors during the timeframe of the project. The objectives are about what has to change in the short term to get closer to achieving the project goal.

A well written 'goal and objectives' states who will achieve how much of what by when. Developing a clear, achievable goal and objectives requires good baseline data.

Example: problem analysis and development of goal and objectives

Table

While there may be many contributing factors, it is advisable to focus on three or four in order to keep the project manageable and achievable. Perhaps there are other people in the community willing to tackle the other contributing factors.

Before proceeding

Are the risk factors directly linked to the priority health issue/problem?
Does the goal address one of the risk factors?
Do the contributing factors relate to the risk factor chosen?
Do the objectives address the contributing factors?
Do the risk factors and contributing factors relate to the situation of the target group?
Are the goal and objectives specific and measurable (who will achieve how much of what by when)?
At the end of this chapter, there is a worksheet that can be used for problem analysis. It is part of the documentation of a full project plan

See section 'Documenting the Project' in this chapter

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