Evaluation of a cardiovascular health promotion programme offered to low-income XXXX in Korea.

@entity1 @entity308 @entity101 @entity167 @entity412 @entity65 @entity204 @entity413 @entity165
AIMS: The study aimed to evaluate a cardiovascular health promotion programme, using an empowerment model, provided to low-income midlife @entity1 in South Korea. BACKGROUND: @entity65 is the leading cause of @entity204 among Korean @entity1 , constituting 29% of all @entity204 among @entity1 in South Korea. DESIGN: A pre- and post-test experimental study design was used. The programme, which included two hours of lecture-based health education and one hour of small group discussion, was provided each week for six weeks. Telephone counselling was also provided. The topic of education included @entity101 and @entity65 , smoking and alcohol consumption, diet, exercise, stress management and compliance with medication instructions. METHODS: Forty midlife @entity1 who had at least two @entity65 risk factors participated in the study. Biological (blood pressure, blood @entity413 , total @entity165 , @entity412 , high-density lipoprotein @entity165 and low-density lipoprotein @entity165 ) and health behaviour risk factors (smoking, exercise, @entity167 consumption and diet) and psychosocial variables (knowledge, self-efficacy, @entity308 and health-related quality of life) were measured for programme evaluation. RESULTS: Most of the risk factors were reduced, including blood pressure, total @entity165 , blood @entity413 and total @entity165 /high-density lipoprotein @entity165 ratio (p < 0.05), while knowledge, self-efficacy and health-related quality of life were improved (p < 0.05). Changes related to smoking and exercise behaviour were not significant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The programme was effective in decreasing biological risks and improving health-related quality of life, whereas it was ineffective in modifying unhealthy behaviour. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Low-income @entity1 are a disenfranchised group and have relatively higher rates of health problems and unhealthy lifestyles. Provision of empowerment programmes targeting these @entity1 may increase their sense of control and reduce powerlessness.
