Efficacy of an educative intervention on knowledge related to cardiovascular diseases among men

Abstract

Objective: Compare the knowledge about risk factors for cardiovascular diseases before and after an educative intervention involving male metal workers. Methods: Intervention study involving 135 metal workers between 18 and 70 years of age. The knowledge on cardiovascular diseases was determined by means of the Heart Disease Fact Questionnaire (HDFQ-2). Student's t-test for independent samples was used and Mann-Whitney's test for intergroup comparisons, and Student's t-test for dependent samples and Wilcoxon's test for the paired assessment. Results: In the intervention group as well as in the control group, a statistically significant increase by 1.4 points was found in the mean knowledge between baseline and follow-up. Conclusion: The educative intervention, undertaken in group, at the workplace and at lunchtime, was a possible and effective strategy to increase men's knowledge on risk actors for cardiovascular conditions.