This study was planned to evaluate the effect of a health education program based on the health belief model and text messages on the level of knowledge, awareness and quality of life regarding cardiovascular disease risk factors in firefighters. A total of 160 firefighters, 84 in the intervention group and 76 in the control group, constituted the sample of the study. Hypotheses of the Study H1 The mean CDRAAS posttest scores of the firefighters in the intervention group after health education will be higher than the mean posttest scores of the control group. H2 The mean CDRAAS post-test scores of the firefighters in the intervention group after the health education will be higher than the mean pre-test scores. H3 The mean CARRIF-KL posttest scores of the firefighters in the intervention group after health education will be higher than the mean posttest scores of the control group. H4 The mean CARRIF-KL posttest scores of the firefighters in the intervention group after the health education will be higher than the mean pretest scores. H5 The mean EQ-5D posttest scores of the firefighters in the intervention group after health education will be higher than the mean posttest scores of the control group. H6 The mean EQ-5D posttest scores of the firefighters in the intervention group after health education will be higher than the mean pretest scores.
In this study, a randomized control group pretest-posttest design was used to evaluate the effect of a health education program based on the health belief model and text messages on the level of knowledge, awareness and quality of life regarding cardiovascular disease risk factors in firefighters. The power analysis was applied based on a 5% significance level (or 95% confidence interval), two-way, 80% power requirement. As a result of the analysis, the minimum sample size required for each group (intervention and control) in the study was calculated as 67 people. The intervention group received health education on prevention of cardiovascular disease risk factors based on the Health Belief Model consisting of 3 sessions. Following the health education, a total of 39 reminder text messages were sent via WhatsApp three or four times a week for 12 weeks to increase self-efficacy and health motivation. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews and by using the Cardiovascular Disease Risk Awareness Rating Scale, the Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factor Knowledge Level Scale and the EQ-5D Quality of Life Scale. In data analysis, dependent samples t test (paired samples t test) was used for intra-group mean comparisons and independent samples t test (independent samples t test) was used for inter-group mean comparisons.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
160
In line with the literature review, "Health Belief Model-Based Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factor Prevention Training" was created in order to increase the level of knowledge of firefighters regarding cardiovascular disease risk factors, improve their awareness and positively affect their quality of life. This training was given in 3 different sessions by meeting face-to-face with firefighters in the training hall of the fire stations. Each session lasted 40 minutes. Answers were given to the questions asked at the end of the session. The training was organized under the following main headings: Perceived Sensitivity, Perceived Seriousness, Perceived Barriers, Perceived Self-Efficacy, Health Motivation/Activators
After the Health Belief Model-Based health education, 39 text messages were sent via WhatsApp application 3-4 times a week for 3 months to increase the effectiveness of the education and the motivation of firefighters in CVD prevention.
Aljazari International School of Science and Technology
Istanbul, Atakent, Turkey (Türkiye)
Cardiovascular Disease Risk Awareness Assessment Scale (CDRAAS)
The scale consists of three sub-dimensions: perceived heart attack/stroke risk, perceived benefits and intentions to change, and healthy eating intentions. The scale, which consists of 22 items in total, is a 4-point Likert scale and is scored between 1 (strongly disagree) and 4 (strongly agree). Higher scale and subscale scores indicate increased awareness of cardiovascular diseases.
Time frame: two weeks
The Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Knowledge Level (CARRF-KL)
The scale is used to measure the level of knowledge about cardiovascular disease risk factors. While the first four items in the scale are related to the characteristics of cardiovascular diseases, preventability and age factor, 15 items question risk factors and nine items question the result of change in risk behaviors. Scale items are answered with 'True', 'False' and 'Don't know' options. Each correct answer is scored as 1 point. Scores that can be obtained from the scale vary between 0 and 28, with the highest score being 28 and the lowest score being 0. The higher the score obtained from the scale, the higher the level of knowledge.
Time frame: two weeks
EuroQol Quality of Life Scale
It is a quality of life scale that measures how individuals perceive and evaluate their own health status. The scale consists of two parts: EQ-5D Index and EQ-5D (Visual Analog Score (VAS). EQ-5D index: It consists of 5 dimensions: movement, pain, general activities, self-care, anxiety/depression. The answers to each dimension have 5 options: no problem, mild problem, moderate problem, severe problem and extreme problem. EQ-5D VAS: It is a visual analog scale in which individuals give values between 0 and 100 about their current health status and mark it on a thermometer-like scale. Quality of life scores ranging from 0 to 100 are obtained with the scale. An increase in the scale score indicates a positive perception of health.
Time frame: two weeks
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