Health Risk Practices Research Articles

“I Do Not Have the Time of Being sick”: Para-Occupational Exposure and Women’s Health Risk Perception in an Agricultural Community

ABSTRACT Introduction Few studies have explored the relationship between para-occupational exposure and risk perception in farmers’ families. Women are indirectly involved in agricultural activities, even though their roles most of the time are hidden. Women’s para-occupational exposure and risk perceptions are important to describe, since women have a key gender role in the family’s health care and possibly in the impact of acting regarding pesticide safety education. Furthermore, in farmer families, the impact of para-occupational pesticide exposure on women’s health has been neglected. Aim Analyze pesticide para-occupational exposure scenario, knowledge, and health risk perception among women living in a farmer community. Methods A mixed methodology was used. Two groups of women were identified to screen the exposure scenario: Women living in a farming family and women not living in a farming family. Data on para-occupational pesticide exposure and intradomicile practices were collected by questionnaire and semi-structured interviews to identify health risk perception and risk practices. Results We observed a complex pesticide exposure scenario. All women were potentially exposed to pesticides through several pathways. One-third of the participants lived near a farming family or in proximity to neighbors that used pesticides at home, and one of every three women referred to spending time in a farmer’s home. Among the group of women in a farming family (n = 18) stored pesticides inside the home was common; having the “safety practice” of storing pesticides in high places to avoid children being exposed. Women not living in farmimg families (n = 11) felt overexposed due to living in an agricultural community and agricultural drift exposure. Women from this group also mentioned feeling fear of developing cancerous diseases as well as fertility problems. Conclusions Knowledge and risk perception of pesticide exposure are similar between groups; however, women living in farming families were less willing to attend preventive health check-ups or educational programs than women not living in a farming family.

The point of view of children in residential and foster care on their health: A comparative study

Although it is a major issue, the health of children and adolescents in care is still mainly explored on the basis of information provided by adults in French studies. This study therefore aims to make up for the lack of studies integrating the young people’s own point of view and to explore certain aspects of health, as reported by the children and adolescents themselves, by comparing the health of children in care with that of children in the general population. The sample consists of 477 children in care (versus 23,672 who are not). The data were collected through a cross-sectional survey conducted by UNICEF France between October 2020 and March 2022 among 25,300 children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 who responded to a paper or online self-administered questionnaire. The main results of this study confirm the existing findings concerning the much greater health care needs of children and adolescents placed outside their homes (foster families, children’s homes) compared to their peers. In particular, they underline greater psychological suffering linked to their life histories, health risk practices, sexual violence, and suicidal risk. The discussion addresses the complexity of the issues associated with their health and underlines the importance of taking into account the child’s own point of view.

Overweight and Obesity Prevalence in Young Students

"Introduction. Globally, there is a growing prevalence of overweight and obesity in both developing and developed countries. Until recently, it was perceived that obesity mainly affects middle-aged adults. However, there is a growing trend towards obesity among young adults, especially university students. Objective. This study aims to assess the overweight and obesity prevalence and its related factors in a random sample of students selected from 10 faculties of ”Babeș-Bolyai” University. Methods. This transverse study included a self-administered questionnaire and gathered anthropometric measurements. The population subject of study consisted in 1430 students, of which 694 (48,5%) men and 736 (51,5%) women, aged between 20 and 25 years, (69,4%) from urban environment and (30,6%) from rural environment. The body mass index (BMI) has been used for assessing the weight. Results. Amongst women, 64,4% had normal weight, 18,9% were overweight and 5,8% were obese, while amongst men 62,1% had normal weight, 14,1% were overweight and 5,2% were obese. Generally speaking 22% of participants were overweight or obese (24,7% women and 19,3% men). In multivariate regression in younger men coming from a region with higher incomes, conscientiously avoiding fats, alcohol and tobacco consumption, physical inactivity and in older women coming from a region with higher incomes, avoiding fats consumption, cholesterol and post-traumatic stress symptoms have been associated to overweight or obesity. Concluzions. The study found a high prevalence of overweight / obesity among university students. Several gender-specific health risk practices that can be used in health promotion programs have been identified. Key words: obesity, overweight, physical inactivity "

The health risk practices of women sex workers

Objective: to discuss, based on a reflection, about the risk practices of women sex workers, and their health conditions. Methodology: descriptive, qualitative and reflective study, based on the critical reading of scientific materials about the impact of risky practices on the health of women sex workers. Results: risky practices for women sex workers directly affect their physical, psychological, emotional health, and strategies are needed to ensure their full exercise of work without any circumstances that make it impossible. Conclusion: it is necessary that educational activities, such as lectures, workshops, conversation circles be intensified in order to guarantee satisfactory health, and inhibiting the health risk practices of women sex workers.

Pattern of BMI and associated factors in residents of Hussainabad aged 15 years and above.

Objectives: To study the pattern of BMI and associated factors in residents of Hussainabad aged 15 years and above. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: Hussainabad, Faisalabad. Period: 15th April to 23th August 2017. Material & Methods: A sample of 410 was obtained. Participants were selected by convenience sampling. Data was collected by self-administered questionnaire. Results: Out of total 410 study participants, 250 (61%) were males and 160 (39%) were females. 258 (62.9%) participants were found having BMI in the range of overweight and obesity, 6 (1.4%) participants were underweight and the remaining 146 (36%) participants were having normal BMI range. Amongst 258 overweight/obese people, 83 (20.2%) people were overweight, 112 (27.3%) moderate obese, 30 (7.3%) severe obese and 33 (8.1%) very severe obese. Overall 175 (42.7%) people were suffering from obesity. 249 (60.7%) people were in habit of eating in between meals and 161 (39.3%) were not used to eating in between meals. 95 (23.1%) people eat four times a day and 55 (13.4%) people eat more than four times a day. Likeness and increased frequency of rice and meat [136 (33.2%) and (130 (31.7%)] was more than vegetables and pulses [(91 (22.2%) and (53 (12.9%)] respectively. 157 (38.3%) people were having nocturnal eating habits. 194 (47.3%) admitted of liking the sweets and sweet foods and 170 (41.5%) people admitted of eating more under stressful conditions. 130 (31.7%) participants don’t do any kind of physical activity. Conclusion: This study describes a high frequency of obesity among population of Hussainabad. Numerous health risk practices were identified including unhealthy dietary habits, eating sweet foods, increased meal frequency, snacking behavior and lack of physical activity.

Intersectional analysis of life stress, incarceration and sexual health risk practices among cisgender Black gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in the Deep South of the US: the MARI Study.

Using data from a sample of 355 cisgender Black MSM in Mississippi and Georgia, multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine associations between life stress and sexual risk practices. In addition, we assessed whether stress may interact with experiences of incarceration to influence sexual health risk practices. After controlling for sociodemographic characteristics, stress was associated with some sexual risk practices (e.g. alcohol and drug use during sex and group sex). Further, when an interaction with incarceration was assessed, among participants who had been incarcerated, high compared with low levels of stress were associated with alcohol use during sex (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 4.59, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.11-9.99, P < 0.001), drug use during sex (aOR 3.92, 95% CI 1.79-8.60, P < 0.001), condomless sex with casual partners (aOR 2.83, 95% CI 1.31-6.12, P < 0.001), having six or more casual partners (aOR 2.77, 95% CI 1.09-7.06, P = 0.02) and participating in group sex (aOR 5.67, 95% CI 2.07-15.51, P < 0.001). Stress and incarceration produced a dose-response effect for each association; similar associations with stress were not observed among men who had not been incarcerated. Among people with experiences of incarceration, there are several possible ways our findings could be applied practically, including through safer sex and stress management interventions designed specifically for Black MSM following their release.

Intersectional analysis of life stress, incarceration and sexual health risk practices among cisgender Black gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in the Deep South of the US: The MARI Study

Intersectional analysis of life stress, incarceration and sexual health risk practices among cisgender Black gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in the Deep South of the US: The MARI Study

SOCIAL PATTERNS OF SMOKING AND ALCOHOL DRINKING AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE IN MOLDOVA

This paper explores the incidence and individual determinants of smoking and alcohol drinking with a high prevalence among young people in Moldova. It goes beyond epidemiological approach and descriptive analysis and provides a sociological explanation for these risk-taking behaviours by linking them to local social context in which young people inhabit. The study is based on secondary data analysis of National Youth Survey of Moldova among 14-29 aged population (1112 respondents) carried out in 2016, commissioned by the EU-OECD Youth nclusion project and Ministry of Education, Culture and Research of the Republic of Moldova. Data were processed in SPSS. Multivariate analysis, adjusting for demographic co-variates was performed using logistic regression. The results of this study show that rates of male smoking and alcohol drinking are high, while rates in women are far lower. According to multivariate data analysis, gender and age are strong individual determinants for both health-risk practices. As well, another important predictor for these behaviors is young people’s educational level – those with lower education level were particularly likely to smoke and drink alcohol. The study revealed also a strong interrelation between these health-risk practices. In paper is argued that high prevalence of smoking and drinking in male may reflect a normative structure for male socializing. Taking into consideration that strongest predictor variable overall is male gender, and strong relationship between heavy drinking and smoking, these behavioral factors might be responsible for the increasing in premature deaths among males in middle ag

SOCIAL PATTERNS OF SMOKING AND ALCOHOL DRINKING AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE IN MOLDOVA

a high prevalence among young people in Moldova. It goes beyond epidemiological approach and descriptive analysis and provides a sociological explanation for these risk-taking behaviours by linking them to local social context in which young people inhabit. The study is based on secondary data analysis of National Youth Survey of Moldova among 14-29 aged population (1112 respondents) carried out in 2016, commissioned by the EU-OECD Youth inclusion project and Ministry of Education, Culture and Research of the Republic of Moldova. Data were processed in SPSS. Multivariate analysis, adjusting for demographic co-variates was performed using logistic regression. The results of this study show that rates of male smoking and alcohol drinking are high, while rates in women are far lower. According to multivariate data analysis, gender and age are strong individual determinants for both health-risk practices. As well, another important predictor for these behaviors is young people’s educational level – those with lower education level were particularly likely to smoke and drink alcohol. The study revealed also a strong interrelation between these health-risk practices. In paper is argued that high prevalence of smoking and drinking in male may reflect a normative structure for male socializing. Taking into consideration that strongest predictor variable overall is male gender, and strong relationship between heavy drinking and smoking, these behavioral factors might be responsible for the increasing in premature deaths among males in middle age.

SOCIAL PATTERNS OF SMOKING AND ALCOHOL DRINKING AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE IN MOLDOVA

This paper explores the incidence and individual determinants of smoking and alcohol drinking with a high prevalence among young people in Moldova. It goes beyond epidemiological approach and descriptive analysis and provides a sociological explanation for these risk-taking behaviours by linking them to local social context in which young people inhabit. The study is based on secondary data analysis of National Youth Survey of Moldova among 14-29 aged population (1112 respondents) carried out in 2016, commissioned by the EU-OECD Youth nclusion project and Ministry of Education, Culture and Research of the Republic of Moldova. Data were processed in SPSS. Multivariate analysis, adjusting for demographic co-variates was performed using logistic regression. The results of this study show that rates of male smoking and alcohol drinking are high, while rates in women are far lower. According to multivariate data analysis, gender and age are strong individual determinants for both health-risk practices. As well, another important predictor for these behaviors is young people’s educational level – those with lower education level were particularly likely to smoke and drink alcohol. The study revealed also a strong interrelation between these health-risk practices. In paper is argued that high prevalence of smoking and drinking in male may reflect a normative structure for male socializing. Taking into consideration that strongest predictor variable overall is male gender, and strong relationship between heavy drinking and smoking, these behavioral factors might be responsible for the increasing in premature deaths among males in middle ag

Substance use characteristics, health risk practices and associated factors among people imprisoned in Catalonia: a cross-sectional study

There are gaps in the available knowledge about substance use and risky practices among prison inmates witch we proposed to clarify in order to improve interventions. We conducted a specifically adapted survey with 178 potential users imprisoned in the Brians 1 Prison of Barcelona. We applied a snowball sampling method, with peers as privileged access interviewers, which is particularly recommended to bring out hidden information. 74.7% of participants admitted to excessive use of addictive substances throughout their life. In the last 6 months in prison, 75.8% accepted that they had used drugs, while 18.5% injected them. 36.4% of the latter group participated in the needle exchange program (NEP) of the facility and 54.5% acknowledged that they shared the needles. Spanish people (adjusted odds ratio (AOR = 4,79), recidivists (AOR = 2.67), penalised individuals (AOR = 2.70) and those involved in serious transgressions of prison regulations (AOR = 3.01) showed greater probability of substance use in prison. A longer sentence (AOR = 1.13), having undergone treatment for drug problems (AOR = 3.84) and being a carrier of blood-borne infections (AOR = 3.95) were linked to intravenous drug use. Injectors in the NEP were predominantly women (66.7%) and were more interested in caring for their health (90.9%). The study reveals use of addictive substances and health risk practices among inmates in Catalonian prisons, despite their exposure to prevention policies mainly focused on abstinence; relates health risk behaviours to marginalization processes within the institution, and then consider the need to extend the scope of harm reduction interventions and to reinforce its appeal by incorporating the users' perspectives on the issue.

Lifestyle Patterns and Weight Status in Spanish Adults: The ANIBES Study.

Limited knowledge is available on lifestyle patterns in Spanish adults. We investigated dietary patterns and possible meaningful clustering of physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep time, and smoking in Spanish adults aged 18–64 years and their association with obesity. Analysis was based on a subsample (n = 1617) of the cross-sectional ANIBES study in Spain. We performed exploratory factor analysis and subsequent cluster analysis of dietary patterns, physical activity, sedentary behaviors, sleep time, and smoking. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the association between the cluster solutions and obesity. Factor analysis identified four dietary patterns, “Traditional DP”, “Mediterranean DP”, “Snack DP” and “Dairy-sweet DP”. Dietary patterns, physical activity behaviors, sedentary behaviors, sleep time, and smoking in Spanish adults aggregated into three different clusters of lifestyle patterns: “Mixed diet-physically active-low sedentary lifestyle pattern”, “Not poor diet-low physical activity-low sedentary lifestyle pattern” and “Poor diet-low physical activity-sedentary lifestyle pattern”. A higher proportion of people aged 18–30 years was classified into the “Poor diet-low physical activity-sedentary lifestyle pattern”. The prevalence odds ratio for obesity in men in the “Mixed diet-physically active-low sedentary lifestyle pattern” was significantly lower compared to those in the “Poor diet-low physical activity-sedentary lifestyle pattern”. Those behavior patterns are helpful to identify specific issues in population subgroups and inform intervention strategies. The findings in this study underline the importance of designing and implementing interventions that address multiple health risk practices, considering lifestyle patterns and associated determinants.

Optimistic Bias, Risk Factors, and Development of High Blood Pressure and Obesity among African American Adolescents in Mississippi (USA).

Childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions and is linked to hypertension among African American youth. Optimistic bias influences behavior of youth causing them to underestimate their susceptibility to negative health outcomes. This study explored adolescent behaviors and prevalence of high blood pressure and obesity in a school district. We examined the relationship between individual health risk practices and optimistic bias on health outcomes; 433 African American high school students were administered a survey and had their obesity and blood pressure measured by the school nurse. Canonical correlational analyses were used to examine relationships between health risk practices and descriptive statistics for optimistic bias and health outcomes. Engaging in moderate exercise for at least 30 min in the last 7 days and lower blood pressure was the only statistically significant relationship. Two-thirds of the students did not perceive themselves to be at risk of developing cardiovascular disease with males at greater risk than females, despite the presence of clinical risk factors for hypertension and obesity. Reducing health optimistic bias is an effective way of motivating young people to adopt more positive behaviors using educational institutions to implement intervention programs that promote positive health behavior as a way to reduce health disparities.

Health hazards, risk and safety practices in construction sites – a review study

This review attempts to identify the health hazards, risks and causes of poor safety practices in construction sites. In addition, the differences in safety practices in both developed and developing countries and methods to improve construction site safety are discussed. Effects of some health hazards are chronic while some are acute. Mostly reported acute health hazards are “workers fall from height” and “electric shocks”, while mostly reported chronic health hazard is “exposure to hazardous substances”. Lack of awareness about site safety and dislike to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) were identified as main causes of poor safety practices in construction sites. One of the major needs with regard to the construction industry is to enhance professionals’ interests in active safety management and implementation of awareness programs, which must be developed and implemented among construction workers. Awareness on possible risk factors and knowledge on how to reduce these risk factors among workers and contractors will enhance site safety. ENGINEER, Vol. 48, No.03, pp. 35-44 2015

"Dulling the Edges": Young Men's Use of Alcohol to Deal With Grief Following the Death of a Male Friend.

The death of a male friend can be challenging for men because expressions of grief can be governed and restrained by dominant ideals of masculinity. It is common for young men to engage in health risk practices, such as alcohol overuse, to deal with feelings of sadness. This qualitative study investigated the ways that young men use alcohol in the process of grieving the accidental death of a male friend. Participants included 35 men 19 to 25 years old and 22 men 26 to 35 years old who participated in individual semistructured interviews between 2010 and 2012. Methodology informed by grounded theory and narrative analysis was used to analyse and interpret the transcribed interviews, focusing on the ways that men used alcohol in the grief process. Through data analysis we inductively derived three themes: (1) Using Alcohol to Dull the Pain, (2) Using Alcohol to Purge Sadness, and (3) Troubled Drinking. This study provides evidence to show that men's binge drinking following tragic loss is a means to express emotion and connect with others. Health interventions for young men who have lost a male peer need to be sensitive to gendered norms that inform grief practices and work with them to discern pathways toward recovery that promote long-term wellness.

Prevalence of health risk behaviors and their associated factors among university students in Kyrgyzstan

With the advancements in knowledge about health promotion, public health professionals have been seeking determinants of personal health behaviors. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of health risk behaviors and its associated factors in a sample of Kyrgyz university students. In a cross-sectional survey, health risk behaviors among a sample of randomly selected university students were assessed. The sample included 837 university students from health sciences undergraduate courses of the State Medical Academy in Kyrgyzstan. The students were 358 (42.8%) males and 479 (57.2%) females in the age range of 18-29 years (Median age=21.3 years, SD=1.5). On average, students engaged in 9.4 (SD=2.3) out of 23 health risk behavior practices (range, 3-18). Generally, there was a high rate of insufficient fruit and vegetable intake (86.4%), eating red meat at least once a day (62%), usually adding salt to meals (78.3%), skipping breakfast (50.5%), current tobacco use (49.7%) and two or more sexual partners in the past 12 months (46.1%) among men, and never using a condom with a primary partner in the past 3 months (90.9%) among women. Furthermore, 60.8% of the women were physically inactive. In bivariate analysis among men, the lack of perceived benefits was associated with health risk behavior. In multivariate analysis among women, poorer family background, being Russian, high personal constraints or stress, and better subjective health were associated with the health risk behavior index. Students had a high proportion of health risk behavior practices. Several high health risk practices were identified, including poor dietary behavior, physical inactivity, sexual risk behavior, and tobacco use. Gender specific predictors identified included sociodemographic characteristics and social and health variables, which can be utilized in health promotion programs.

Prevalence of health behaviors and their associated factors among a sample of university students in India

With advances in knowledge about health promotion, public health professionals are in search for the determinants of personal health behaviors. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of health behaviors and its associated factors in a sample of Indian university students. Using a cross-sectional survey, we assessed health behavior among a sample of randomly selected university students. The sample included 800 university students from non-health (mainly engineering and sciences) undergraduate courses of Gitam University, Visakhapatnam in India. The students were 541 (67.6%) males and 259 (32.4%) females in the age range of 17-20 years (Median age=18.2 years, SD=1.0). On average, students engaged in 15.8 out of 25 health behavior practices. There was a high rate of overweight and obesity (26.8% and 10.7%, respectively), low rate of brushing teeth at least twice a day (28.6%), annual dental check-up (25.8%), habitual seatbelt use (23%), and poor dietary patterns (79% ate less than the recommended fruit and vegetable consumption of five servings a day, and 68.5% did not avoid eating fat and cholesterol). In multivariate analysis among men, personal constraints (Odds Ratio=OR 1.75, Confidence Interval=CI 1.09-2.82), health benefits (OR=2.01, CI=1.27-3.17), and not suffering from depression (OR=0.60, CI=0.22-0.94) were associated with the health behavior index. Among women, those who were living away from their parents or guardians (OR=1.94, CI=1.06-3.55), economically better off (OR=2.16, CI=1.00-4.63), and had higher social support (OR=3.65, CI=1.75-7.63), were associated with the health behavior index. Students had a high proportion of health behavior practices. Several high health risk practices were identified, including overweight, poor dental practices, poor dietary and sleeping habits. It is hoped that the gender-specific predictors identified, including sociodemographics as well as social and mental health variables, can also be utilized in designing health promotion programs.

Prevalence of overweight/obesity and central obesity and its associated factors among a sample of university students in India

Obesity and the lifestyle characteristic of Indian society lead young people to conditions of potential cardiovascular risk. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of overweight/obesity and central obesity and its associated factors in a sample of Indian university students. In a cross-sectional survey assessed anthropometric measurements and a self-administered questionnaire among a sample of randomly selected university students. The sample included 800 university students from non health (mainly sciences) courses Gitam University in India. The students were 541 (67.6%) males and 259 (32.4%) females in the age range of 17-20 years (M age 18.2 years, SD=1.0). 37.5% were overweight or obese, 26.8% overweight (≥23-27.4 BMI) and 10.7% obese (≥27.5 kg/m(2)), 11.7% underweight (<18.5 kg/m(2)) and 16.4% central obesity (WC ≥90 cm for men and ≥80 cm for women). In multivariate analysis among men lack of non-organised religious activity (odds ratio=OR 0.85, confidence interval=CI 0.77-0.95), lower dietary risk knowledge (OR=0.64, CI=0.41-0.99), tobacco use (OR=2.23, CI=1.14-4.38), and suffering from depression (OR=1.59, CI=1.00-2.47) were associated with overweight/obesity, and younger age (OR=0.32, CI=0.12-0.90), lives away from parents or guardians (OR=1.79, CI=1.04-3.07), healthy dietary practices (OR=1.95, CI=1.02-3.72) and 9 or more hours sleep duration (OR=0.28, CI=0.09-0.96) were associated with central obesity. In bivariate analysis among women, lack of social support, lower dietary risk knowledge, tobacco use, and 9 or more hours sleep duration were associated with overweight/obesity and lives away from parents or guardians and abstinence from alcohol associated with central obesity. The study found a high prevalence of overweight/obesity and central obesity. Several gender specific health risk practices were identified including lack of dietary risk knowledge, shorter sleep duration, living away from parents or guardians, tobacco use and lack of social support and religiousness that can be utilised in health promotion programmes.

Supervised consumption rooms: The French Paradox

Although injecting drug use was identified as a political problem n France after the student revolt of May 1968, the implementation f two related public health measures – the liberalization of syringe ales in 1987 followed by access to opioid substitution treatment n 1996 – only occurred with the advent of AIDS (Jauffret-Roustide, 009). In 2006, when risk reduction was formally recognized in rance in public health law, both these measures were included in fficial policy. In France, where legislation is still repressive (drug se is punishable by law), this harm reduction policy is frequently ontested by parliamentarians who perceive it as a form of pro-drug se proselytism. Currently, the number of people injecting drugs in rance is estimated to be 80,000. This group is characterized by a igh level of financial and social instability, a situation which often eaves them with no choice but to inject in public places. In terms f public health, the prevalence of Hepatitis C among drug users is igh (60% of users according to available data) as is the prevalence f health risk practices associated with injection (Jauffret-Roustide t al., 2009). In recent years the health problems associated with injectng drugs in public places have led professionals and scientists o call for a change in French risk reduction policy. They believe hat policy should no longer be based on issues of morality nd ideology but on international scientific evidence. This is in eeping with the Vienna Declaration which urges that risk reducion policies be based on evidence-based medicine (Wood et al., 010). In this context, the Ministry of Health commissioned a group f scientific experts in 2010 to examine the feasibility of experienting with supervised consumption rooms in France. Following nitial investigations, focusing particularly on experiences of other ountries (approximately 100 consumption rooms have been stablished worldwide since the 1980s), this group determined that uch experimentation was appropriate and relevant (Bello et al., 010). This scientific announcement was followed by a great deal f media coverage, taking the debate into the public arena for the

The impact of organized community capacity building on health risk practices in an African American community

The Jackson Heart Study (JHS) Community Partnership Office (CPO) initiated the Community Health Advisory Network (CHAN) that included members of the African American community from within the JHS study area (Hinds, Madison, and Rankin Counties located in the Jackson, Mississippi metropolitan area.This study measured the impact of the health promotion activities on the participants for the period 2004-2008. Analysis was computed in 2010 using 40 Community Health Advisors (CHAs) who provided both pre and post data to determine changes in health risk behaviors after their involvement in the health promotion activities.