| 1. |
- Brännström, Inger, 1945-, et al.
(författare)
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Gender and social patterning of health : the Norsjö cardiovascular preventive programme in northern Sweden 1985-1990
- 1994
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care. - : Informa Plc.. - 0281-3432 .- 1502-7724. ; 12:3, s. 155-161
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: To assess the extent to which the impact of social stratification on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors was different among men and women.DESIGN: Pooled data from six (1985-90) cross-sectional health surveys.SETTING: The intervention area is an inland municipality, Norsjö, in northern Sweden with a population of 5,300 inhabitants.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Smoking, high blood pressure, hypercholesterolaemia, and perceived health status.RESULTS: Almost half of the study population had hypercholesterolaemia (> or = 6.5 mmol/l), 19% of men and 25% of women were smokers, and 30% and 29%, respectively, had hypertension. Age had a strong impact on all outcome measures. Social factors were associated with smoking in women and with hypercholesterolaemia in men. There were no sex differences in perceived good health. The likelihood of self-assessed good health decreased with increasing risk factor load, with the exception of hypercholesterolaemia, in all social strata.CONCLUSION: The present study implies the importance of considering age, gender, and social differences in intervention and evaluation of CVD preventive programmes. The study also demonstrate that self-defined health contains important information on cardiovascular risk profile.
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| 2. |
- Brännström, Inger, 1945-, et al.
(författare)
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Towards a framework for outcome assessment of health intervention : Conceptual and methodological considerations
- 1994
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Ingår i: European Journal of Public Health. - : Oxford University Press. - 1101-1262 .- 1464-360X. ; 4:2, s. 125-130
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We provide a framework for assessing the outcome of community-based intervention programmes for the promotion of cardiovascular health at local level. Particular attention is therefore given to conceptual components connected with community participation in health programmes and to methodological approaches in the evaluation of cardiovascular disease (CVD)-prevention programmes. In a search of the literature covering more than 20 years (1966–1988) in 2 databases (MEDLINE and SOCA), we found that the concepts of ‘community participation’ and ‘community involvement’ have mainly been used during the latter half of the study period. The concepts were often used interchangeably and with no statement as to their precise meanings. The methodological examination of 2 well-known community-based CVO-preventive programmes revealed that most of the scientific papers from these programmes dealt with health behavioural and/or medical effects. The suggested framework presented in this study is designed as a longitudinal process analysis focusing on critical key steps along the path from input to output. The suggested research strategy is problem-orientated, inter-disciplinary and based on a multi-method approach.
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| 3. |
- Brännström, Inger, 1945-, et al.
(författare)
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Changing social patterns of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in a Swedish community intervention programme
- 1993
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Ingår i: International Journal of Epidemiology. - : Oxford University Press. - 0300-5771 .- 1464-3685. ; 22:6, s. 1026-1037
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Since 1985 a small-scale community-based cardiovascular disease (CVD) preventive programme has been in operation in an inland municipality, Norsjö, in Northern Sweden. The aim of this study was to assess the development of the relationship between social position and CVD risk factors in repeated cross-sectional surveys (1985-1990) among all men and women aged 30, 40, 50 and 60 years in the study area, using an age-stratified random sample from the Northern Sweden MONICA Study of 1986 and 1990 as reference population. These multiple cross-sectional surveys comprised a self-administered questionnaire and a health examination. Of the study population 95% (n = 1499) and 80% of those in the reference area (n = 3208) participated. Subjects were classified with regard to demographic, structural and social characteristics in relation to CVD risk factors and self-reported health status. Time trends in classical risk factor occurrence were assessed in terms of age- and sex- adjusted odds ratios using Mantel-Haenszel procedures. When simultaneously adjusting for several potential confounders we used a logistic regression analysis. Initially, more than half of the study population, both males and females, had and elevated (> or = 6.5 mmol/l) serum cholesterol level. After adjustments had been made for age and social factors it was found that the relative risk of hypercholesterolaemia dropped substantially and significantly among both sexes during the 6 years of CVD intervention in the study area. However, the probability of being a smoker was significantly reduced only in highly educated groups. Among other risk factors no single statistically significant change over time could be found. In the reference area there were no changes over time for the selected CVD risk factors. People in the study area had a less favourable perception of their health than those in the reference area. Social differences were found when perceived good health was measured, especially in variables indicating emotional and social support. When sex, age and social factors had been accounted for there was not clear change over the years in perceived good health.
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| 4. |
- Brännström, Inger, 1945-
(författare)
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Community participation and social patterning in cardiovascular disease intervention
- 1993
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This study addresses health policy and public health in the field of cardiovascular disease (CVD) on the local level in Sweden. The overall aim is to contribute to the assessment of structural and social conditions within public health by analysing participation processes and outcome patterns in a local health programme. The northern Swedish MONICA study served as a reference area. The research strategy has been to integrate quantitative and qualitative methodologies and, thereby, focus on different aspects of the health programme under study.The mortality rate was excessive in the study area of Norsjö relative to both provincial and national figures over a period of more than 10 years. This finding formed the basis for a tenyear comprehensive and community-based health programme towards the prevention of CVD and diabetes.Even in this seemingly homogeneous area it was found that socio-economic circumstances were associated with the public health. Almost half of the study population had hypercholesterolaemia (;>6.5 mmol/1), 19% of men and 25% of women were smokers and 30% and 29%, respectively, had high blood pressure. Age had a strong impact on all outcome measures. After adjustments for age and social factors it was found that the relative risk of having hypercholesterolaemia dropped significantly in both sexes during the six years of intervention. The probability of being a smoker was significantly reduced only in highly educated groups. No statistically significant change over time could be found for the risk of suffering high blood pressure. In the reference area of northern Sweden there were no changes over time for any of the selected risk factors. The likelihood of self-assessed good health decreased with increasing risk factor load, with the exception of hypercholesterolaemia , in all social strata.The authorities, including the health and medical staff, were the main actors on the mediastage. Men in manual occupations were least affected by the media coverage. The actors and the public as well as the media viewed the health programme as orientated towards individual lifestyles. Community participation was mainly defined by the actors based on the medical and health planning approach. Differences in interpretations, social interests, personal conflicts and ideological constraints among the actors at local level were observed. Some critical attitudes towards the organization and management of the health programme were also noted among the citizens. However, a majority of the public wanted the health programme to continue. The present study underlines the importance of considering age, gender and social differences in the planning and evaluation of CVD preventive programmes.
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| 5. |
- Aden, A S, et al.
(författare)
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The growth chart - a road to health chart? : Maternal comprehension of the growth chart in two Somali villages
- 1990
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Ingår i: Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology. - : Wiley. - 0269-5022 .- 1365-3016. ; 4:3, s. 340-350
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Growth monitoring is so far not implemented on a large scale in the Somali health services. Available reports indicate that growth faltering is common. However, the use of growth charts as a tool for health education has been questioned. This study examines the ability of 199, predominantly illiterate, rural Somali mothers to understand the growth chart message after an intensive period of growth chart use and education. During a home-based interview the mothers were asked to combine a set of four growth curves with a set of four pictures, showing the corresponding developments of four children. The mothers managed significantly better to interpret the charts than could be expected by chance alone. Maternal age, number of children and literacy did not differ much between those who correctly and incorrectly combined pictures and charts. Almost all mothers recognised the value of the growth chart as being good for the control and promotion of their children's health and/or growth. We conclude that the growth chart may be an applicable and appropriate tool even with illiterate mothers, provided that other prerequisites for successful growth monitoring, e.g. appropriate health services, are available.
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