Exercise

Home Visit Intervention Promotes Lifestyle Changes: Results of an RCT in Mexican Americans

Am J Prev Med. 2019 Sep 27. pii: S0749-3797(19)30307-1. [Pubmed Abstract]

Vidoni ML, Lee M, Mitchell-Bennett L, Reininger BM

Introduction
Hispanic populations are less likely that other ethnicities to meet physical activity guidelines. Community health worker (CHW) outreach is an effective delivery method for behavior change messages owing to shared culture, language, and life experience. This study examined the efficacy of a CHW-delivered intervention, Tu Salud ¡Si Cuenta! (Your Health Matters!) at Home Intervention, to promote physical activity among Mexican Americans.

Study Design
RCT.

Setting and Participants
Mexican Americans living along the Texas-Mexico border from June 2010 to April 2013.

Intervention
Eligible adults were randomized into intervention (n=250) or standard care (n=250). Intervention participants received 6 monthly CHW visits that included education, motivation, and support for lifestyle changes. Standard care was potentially exposed to a…

The Effectiveness of CHWs in CVD Prevention in LMIC

Glob Heart. 2016 Dec 16. [Pubmed Abstract]

Khetan AK, Purushothaman R, Chami T, Hejjaji V, Madan Mohan SK, Josephson RA, Webel AR

Abstract
Community health workers (CHW) may be effective in tackling the burden of cardiovascular diseases in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). This review examines whether CHWs can improve the identification and control of cardiovascular risk factors in LMIC. We searched for studies that used CHW as a basis for cardiovascular risk factor management. Our search yielded 11 articles that targeted cardiovascular risk factor assessment, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, diet and physical activity. There were 4 randomized controlled trials, 3 quasi-experimental studies, 3 cross-sectional studies, and 1 retrospective analysis. Eight studies reported positive results with CHW being able to effectively screen for cardiovascular risk factors, decrease systolic blood pressure, decrease fasting blood glucose, increase quit rates of smoking, decrease…

Community-Based Peer Support Significantly Improves Metabolic Control of Type 2 Diabetes in Cameroon

Diabet Med. 2015 Feb 7. [Pubmed Abstract]

Community-based peer support significantly improves metabolic control in people with Type 2 diabetes in Yaoundé, Cameroon
Assah FK, Atanga EN, Enoru S, Sobngwi E, Mbanya JC

Aims:
To examine the effectiveness of a community-based multilevel peer support intervention in addition to usual diabetes care on improving glycaemic levels, blood pressure and lipids in patients with Type 2 diabetes in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Methods:
A total of 96 subjects with poorly controlled Type 2 diabetes (intervention group) and 96 age- and sex-matched controls were recruited and followed up over 6 months. The intervention subjects underwent a peer support intervention through peer-led group meetings, personal encounters and telephone calls. Both intervention subjects and controls continued their usual clinical care. HbA1c , blood pressure, blood lipids and self-care behaviours were measured at 0 and 6 months.

Results:
There was significant…