Introduction: Four modules of the AHA Heart at Work Program were implemented in one factory setting in Southern Georgia. Using a quasi-experimental Non-Equivalent Two Group Design, the Program was evaluated at two factory sites: intervention and comparison.
Methods: At each site, survey data collection at safety meetings occurred. Data was collected in 3 waves, about 6 months apart. 1,348 workers at both sites completed baseline, 1,168 workers completed wave 2, and 1,143 workers completed wave 3 surveys. Proximal outcomes: self-reported demographic and health, knowledge, attitudes, values, and practices regarding blood pressure (BP), cholesterol, exercise, and low fat diets, worksite satisfaction, and absenteeism were measured. Additionally, distal outcomes; BP, cholesterol, height, weight, waist, hip measures were collected at baseline and wave 3.
Results: Knowledge of numbers (BP, cholesterol) increased at both factories, but significantly in the intervention site. Intervention factory workers were also significantly more likely to: seek health information on risks, participate in health promotion activities including walking, value information on risk more highly, and indicate their BP and cholesterol were measured. Follow-up behavior (visiting a physician) once screened, was higher at the intervention site.
Conclusions: A Heart at Work Coordinator on-site implementing the HAW Program impacted factory worker's proximal outcomes: health knowledge, attitudes and practices. Compliance in follow-up by checking with a doctor for results of BP and cholesterol screening was higher in intervention than comparison sites. Knowledge, values, attitudes and self-reported behaviors increased relative to baseline and the comparison site. Slight reductions in mean BP were evidenced.
Learning Objectives: At the end of the session, participants should be able to: 1. Describe four modules of the American Heart Association Heart At Work worksite cardiovascular risk reduction program. 2. Describe the evaluation of these modules of the Heart At Work Program. 3. Describe the impacts of the Heart At Work Program on proximal indicators such as knowledge, valuses, attitudes, and distal outcomes such as blood pressure measurement, exercise and absenteeism
Keywords: Evaluation, Worksite
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: American Heart Association, Heart At Work
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: The funding for the evaluation was provided by Pfizer, Inc., through a contract to Battelle.