engleski

A short counselting-an intervention in higlhty risk population for diabetes an cardiovascular diseases

Introduction: We analysed health status of returnees in places of Osijek Region from which residents escaped during the war in Croatia. High prevalence of diabetes was found. We hypothesized that short health education, aimed at changing lifestyles, could be feasible method for use in the population setting. Methods: In order to evaluate the outcomes of such intervention, respondents were checked for health parameters twice, prior the intervention and six month after the intervention. Total of 202 adult persons responded They were also asked about their eating habits, physical activity and dietary patterns. Results: Six months after the intervention respondents generally showed significant weight reduction (values for body mass index are 29.02 and 25.69 kg/cm2 respectively) and improvement in glycemic control (values for serum glucose are 7.01 and 6.46 mmol/L respectively) (t-test). By the selection of respondents in categories according to the starting values of their health parameters, we could recognize that particular subgroups of respondents are less adherent to education intervention than some others. The intervention increased physical activity, mainly as the result of increase in readiness of the previously hesitating subgroup of respondents (Pearson chi-square test). Dietary patterns were partially changed, depending on low finance of returnees. Conclusions: A short counseling about healthy lifestyles is feasible as an intervention method in the population at high risk for diabetes. However, it was brought to our attention that such intervention should be as much as possible individualy oriented, considering many personal and social characteristics of an individual.

short-counselting about healthy lifestyl; risk population; diabetes; cardiovascular diseases

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