Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading of cause of death for women. WISEWOMAN (Well-Integrated Screening and Evaluation for Women Across the Nation) is a public health CVD risk reduction program in 12 states. Low-income women (aged 40-64 years) are screened for CVD risk factors, referred, and offered four healthy eating and physical activity interventions, which are derived from the Transtheoretical Model and selected cognitive constructs. The purpose of this process evaluation research was to examine: (a) satisfaction with the South Dakota WISEWOMAN program, (b) perception of the interventions, (c) the process of health behavior change, and (d) the pros and cons to behavior change. A four-page survey was pilot-tested, revised, then mailed and delivered to 1904 enrollees. Follow-up mailing occurred after 12 weeks. There were 789 surveys returned with usable data (41.4% response). Age ranged from 27-65 years (mean 47.27±5.01), 88.2% were Caucasian and 8.1% were American Indian. Of respondents, 599 received at least one counseling session (range 1-7). The mean score for satisfaction with counseling was 21.34±2.43 (high ceiling score=24.0). The mean score for program satisfaction was 10.69±1.21 (high ceiling score=12.0). There was 94% agreement that the program resources were satisfactory. Respondents were not eating recommended daily fruit and vegetable servings but were meeting daily dairy servings. Physical activity increased from baseline. There were more counseling respondents than no counseling respondents in the action and maintenance stages of healthy eating and activity. Social support for eating healthy and activity was similar for respondents who received some or no counseling. Self-efficacy, knowledge and perceived benefits of healthy eating and activity were higher for respondents who received counseling. Feeling good, health, weight control and family were major pros to behavior change. Time was the major con. Follow-up with WISEWOMAN participants is needed to examine maintenance of health behavior change.
Session #1188 - Cardiovascular Risk Assessment
The 29th Annual MNRS Research Conference (April 1-4, 2005)