Cardiovascular health promotion in a Mexican population

Abstract

Health Cardiovascular promotion allows the formation of a community's own resources. The aim of the study was to adapt, validate and develop “Salud para su Corazón” program. The program took place in Alvaro Obregon district in Mexico City. 22 promoters were trained for providing cardiovascular health education and conduct follow‐up sessions of 2 hours per week over a period of 6 months to 225 people of low socioeconomic status. Knowledge and behavior (validated instrument α> 0.6) of the participants were evaluated pre and post, also anthropometric measurements, blood pressure and blood glucose levels.• ResultsObesity decreases at the end of the workshops (of 48.9% to 43.4%, respectively), increases the overweight (34.0% to 38.6%). Change is observed (p <0.01) in the habits and food consumption and increased physical activity time and frequency. Participants felt that “to be taking action” with regard to their health doubled after the workshops (31.3% to 63.0%) and participants who felt that “fail to take the first step” decreased to a third party after workshops (25% to 6.8%).ConclusionsPromontion on cardiovascular health is an effective strategy to increase self‐care in this mexican study population