Affiliation:
1. Department of Public Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
Abstract
Purpose This study evaluates the impact of interventions in the Omaha System and HeartScore®-based program to reduce impaired-risk perception. Design and setting: This study utilized a one-group pre-test–post-test design. Subjects The program was conducted among participants aged over 50 years from different social settings. Intervention The program had three parts: a briefing on HeartScore® recommendations, Omaha System interventions, and referral to a doctor. Measures HeartScore® determined cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, body mass index (BMI) was calculated from height and weight, and the International PA Questionnaire evaluated physical activity (PA) levels. Self-assessment was used to perceived CVD risk, BMI, and PA. Analysis We used the Wilcoxon signed-rank test to compare the pre-test and post-test scores of the Omaha System, the problem rating scale (PRS) subscales and McNemar test to measure changes in CVD risk perception, BMI, and PA level. Results 310 high-risk individuals out of 522 had impaired perception of their CVD risk. Only 201 responded to follow-up phone calls. Interventions based on HeartScore® and Omaha System improved CVD risk and PA perceptions ( P < .001) but not BMI. The program significantly increased knowledge, status, and behavior scores ( P < .001). After participating, 39% saw a cardiologist, and 57.2% saw a family physician within six months to reduce impaired risk perception. CVD risk perception increased to the actual level after the intervention, mostly in the group with low education level. Conclusions The program using the Omaha System and HeartScore® can help middle-aged individuals better understand their risk of cardiovascular disease.