P3.080: Children and Caregiver Health and Well-being Experiences with Participation in a Community Dance Group in Rural Colombia: A Qualitative Assessment

Background: Children in rural communities in Colombia lack consistent access to health care, face poorer health outcomes and higher rates of teenage pregnancy. Colombian culture is rooted in dance with government-funded, youth community dance groups across the country. Research suggests that after-school dance programs increase physical activity levels (Jago et al 2013), improve BMI percentiles (Hogg et al 2012), and enhance sense of self-esteem (Williams et al 2023). Alma Llanera is an existing, free, community-led dance group, funded by the Colombian government in the rural town Orocué. Children ages 4 -18 are eligible to participate in programming, occurring four days weekly with three different classes separated by age (4-7, 8-12, 12-18). Children are invited to perform across Colombia. Dance groups present a unique opportunity to promote a sense of health and well-being in children. This study examined children and caregiver experiences with participation in Alma Llanera in rural Colombia.

Methods: Seven focus groups were conducted with children and caregivers involved in Alma Llanera. Focus groups were conducted in Spanish, utilizing structured interview questions developed in partnership with local dance leaders (Figure 1). The youngest group (ages 4-7) also integrated drawing and music to encourage children to share. Focus groups were recorded, transcribed, and translated, then coded by two independent coders, with iterative reconciliation. In-depth thematic analysis was completed using NVivo software. This study was approved by the University IRB.

Results: Forty-four children (mean age 9.8 years, range 4–18, 26 females) and 10 caregivers (mean age 39 years, 9 females, 7 with highest education of graduating secondary school or less) participated. During analysis, eight thematic areas emerged, each with underlying sub-themes (Figure 2), which highlight child and parent perceptions of their community dance group’s impact on the health and well-being of children. Themes include: (1) Discovering connective benefits from dance and relationship building, (2) Strengthening a sense of self agency and empowerment, (3) Developing an interest in continual learning and a growth mindset, (4) Finding a safe and supportive environment for growth, (5) Enhancing a sense of greater purpose, (6) Expanding worldview through exposure to travel and across differences, (7) Strengthening sense of self identity and connection to culture, (8) Finding a sense of fulfillment.

Conclusion: Results suggest children and caregivers perceive that the community dance group has positive effects on children’s health and well-being. The themes identified align with existing literature (Ross et al 2020) describing a five domain framework of well-being including (1) good health and optimum nutrition, 2) connectedness, positive values, and contribution to society, 3) safety and supportive environment, 4) learning, competence, education, skills and employability, and 5) agency and resilience. Future studies should track health and well being outcomes overtime in children participating in these community dance groups in Colombia.