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Community health promotion activities are a useful tool for a proactive approach to healthy lifestyles. However, the implementation of these types of activities at health centers is not standardized. The aim of this review was to analyse the characteristics of community activities undertaken in the primary care setting and substantiate available evidence on their health impact. We conducted a bibliographic review until November 15th, 2023 in the TRIPDATABASE, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and DIALNET databases. We included original papers on interventions, community activities, and actions and/or social prescriptions which had been implemented in a Primary Care setting, included a group approach in at least one session, and described some type of evaluation of the intervention applied. Studies targeted at professionals and those without involvement of the primary care team were excluded. The search identified 1912 potential studies. We included a total of 30 studies, comprising 11 randomized clinical trials, 14 quasi-experimental studies, 1 cohort study, and 4 qualitative studies. The issues most frequently addressed in community activities were healthy habits, physical activity, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Community activities can improve the physical and psychological environment of their participants, as well as their level of knowledge about the issues addressed. That said, however, implementation of these types of interventions is not uniform. The existence of a professional community-activity liaison officer at health centers, who would help integrate the health system with the community sector, could serve to standardize implementation and maximize the health impact of these types of interventions.

Resumen: Objetivo: Analizar la implantación e identificar y describir las actividades comunitarias (AC) desarrolladas durante 2018-2022, en Atención Primaria (AP) del área sanitaria de Santiago de Compostela y Barbanza. Adicionalmente, se determinarán las barreras y facilitadores para su desarrollo. Diseño: Estudio observacional, transversal. Emplazamiento: El estudio se realizó en Galicia, una comunidad autónoma situada al noroeste de España, abarcando los 74 centros de salud del área sanitaria, que forman parte de la red pública del sistema sanitario español. Participantes: Se invitó a participar a todos los coordinadores de enfermería, así como a jefes de servicio y aquellos profesionales de AP con mayor conocimiento sobre las AC desarrolladas. Mediciones principales: Mediante entrevista telefónica, se cumplimentó un cuestionario heteroadministrado sobre las características, barreras y facilitadores de las AC. Resultados: Se identificaron un total de 95 AC. La mayoría fueron de carácter puntual (72,6%), de una única sesión (67,4%), con participación pasiva de los asistentes (100%) y escasa colaboración intersectorial (9,5%). El 76,8% de las AC no fueron evaluadas y surgieron por iniciativa de los profesionales de AP. Se identificó la flexibilización de las agendas de los profesionales de AP como factor clave para lograr la implantación de las AC en AP. Conclusiones: Para lograr una implementación efectiva de las AC es crucial una mayor implicación institucional que facilite la flexibilización de las agendas de AP, la evaluación de las AC, la incorporación de profesionales con formación específica en atención comunitaria, así como una mayor colaboración con los agentes de la comunidad. Abstract: Objective: To analyse the implementation and identify and describe the community activities (CA) developed during 2018–2022, in the Primary Health Care (PHC) of the health area of Santiago de Compostela y Barbanza. In addition, the barriers and facilitators for its development will be determined. Design: Observational, cross-sectional study. Setting: The study was conducted in Galicia, an autonomous community located in northwestern Spain, covering the 74 health centres in the health area, which are part of the public network of the Spanish health system. Participants: All nursing coordinators were invited to participate, as well as heads of service and those PHC professionals with greater knowledge of the CA developed. Main measurements: A hetero-administered questionnaire on the characteristics, barriers and facilitators of CA was completed by means of a telephone interview. Results: A total of 95 CA were identified. Most were one-time activities (72.6%), single-session (67.4%), with passive participation of the attendees (100%) and little cross-sectoral collaboration (9.5%). 76.8% of the CA were not evaluated and arose on the initiative of PHC professionals. The flexibility of PHC professionals’ agendas was identified as a key factor in achieving the implementation of CA in PHC. Conclusions: In order to achieve an effective implementation of CA, greater institutional involvement is crucial to facilitate the flexibility of PHC agendas, the evaluation of CA, the incorporation of professionals with specific training in community care, as well as greater collaboration with community agents.