An educational community intervention taught by promotoras de salud was associated with improved nutritional consumption, but not lower CVD risk among at-risk Hispanic adults.
RCT (n=328)
Randomized
Does an educational community intervention taught by promotoras de salud reduce CVD risk in Hispanic adults with at least one CVD risk factor?
An educational community intervention led by promotoras de salud improved nutritional habits but did not reduce calculated CVD risk in at-risk Hispanic adults.
This study assessed effectiveness of an educational community intervention taught by promotoras de salud in reducing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk among Hispanics using a structural equation modeling (SEM) approach. Model development was guided by a social ecological framework proposing CVD risk reduction through improvement of protective health behaviors, health beliefs, contextual and social factors. Participants were 328 Hispanic adults with at least one CVD risk factor. SEM analyses assessed direct and indirect effects of intervention participation on CVD risk (Framingham score) and latent variables nutrition intake and health beliefs. The model fit was adequate (root mean square error of approximation = .056 90% confidence interval = .040, .072, comparative fit index = .967, normed fit index = .938, nonnormed fit index = .947). Intervention participation was associated with improved nutritional consumption, but not lower CVD risk. Stronger health beliefs predicted healthier nutritional habits. This project provided evidence for the adequacy of a conceptual framework that can be used to elicit new pathways toward CVD risk reduction among at-risk Hispanic populations.
Heer et al. (Thu,) conducted a rct in Cardiovascular disease risk (n=328). Educational community intervention taught by promotoras de salud was evaluated on CVD risk (Framingham score), nutrition intake, and health beliefs. An educational community intervention taught by promotoras de salud was associated with improved nutritional consumption, but not lower CVD risk among at-risk Hispanic adults.