Understanding follow up non-attendance to a community-based physical activity motivational inteview session amongst at-risk individuals

: A physically active lifestyle can help manage and prevent over 20 chronic conditions. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence recommend the delivery of brief interventions for physical activity (PA) in primary care as both clinically and cost-effective in the long term. Ensuring that at-risk groups are sufficiently active is a major public health challenge. Motivational Interviewing (MI) is a client centred method used to enhance intrinsic motivation to change. Let’s Get Moving (LGM) is a programme provided from general medical practitioner (GP) surgeries offering MI to increase PA. This study focuses on first year results of the UK-based LGM programme delivered in Essex. The aim is to determine those least likely to attend a follow up, informing delivery and retention strategies. Methods Participants (n=616, M±SD age=55.8±12.4), identified by their local GP surgeries as being 18-74 years of age and a BMI between 28-35 attended a MI session with a local community exercise professional based at the surgery. The MI session encouraged participants to OP-PM36 Physical activity and health promotion ncrease their PA and attend local community exercise sessions. Measures at baseline were self-reported PA (days and time) using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire short-form (IPAQ). IPAQ data was analysed in line with the IPAQ data processing guidelines. Quantitative findings were analysed using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics. Results A total of 277 participants did not attend the 12 week follow up. 22.9% aged between 41-50, 28.0% between 51-60, and 20.7% between 61-70 years, 63.0% were female, and 79.5% White British. 45.5% were classified as inactive, 36.1% minimally active, and 18.4% achieving health-enhancing physical activity (HEPA). Ongoing regression analysis will be used to determine if demographic and PA groups are significant indicators of non-attendance at a 12 week follow up MI session, full results will be available by the congress date. Discussion Initial data analysis indicates distinct demographic groups that did not attend a 12 week follow up appointment. Further, those most in need of support – individuals classified as inactive accounted for just under half of non-attendees. However, those classified as HEPA indicate potential positive non-attendance, as the services encouraged continued PA. Further analysis will provide indications as to the significance these groups have on attendance, informing retention strategies and refining delivery supporting an increase in PA.